Mad gurls, and Englishmen, go out in the midday sun ...

[Fair Weather Camper]

i seem to have spent the last few months, both working, and walking in rather high temperatures.

I prefer warmth, to chilliness overall, but even so, it can leave one a tad hot and bothered.

How do other folks cope with this? Any good tips on clothing - and other strategies.

I usually dunk the straps of my walking poles, and hat, and buff, too in any available water sources.

@WilliamC posted this from a nhs site

"Preventing heat exhaustion and heat stroke
There is a high risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke during hot weather or exercise.

To help prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke:

• drink plenty of cold drinks, especially when exercising
• take cool baths or showers
• wear light-coloured, loose clothing
• sprinkle water over skin or clothes
• avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm
• avoid excess alcohol
• avoid extreme exercise"

Most of this is common sense -

But how many of us can take a 4 hr siesta, either in the field, or on the hill?

Why no mention of wearing a hat?

And what is extreme exercise anyway?

Crazy Bunnet suggestions ; Utter Balderdash ; and Total Codswallop ; always welcome too ...

I'll be disappointed

with anything less

 

[Baldy]

Leave siesta to Johnny foreigner and with true British stiff upper lip plough on.

Like yourself i have to work in uncomfortable heat so it's..
Loose comfortable clothing,
A hat that covers the back of the neck,
Drink WATER,
Wear quality industrial type sunglasses,
Graze rather than big meals,
Relax.

 

[Enzo]

Same as, soak hair and clothes in water, hat. Look for available shade. Being part 'Jonny foreigner' siestas come very naturally, just start earlier and finish later.
My aunts gardener is working at 5am and finishes 8.30pm. BUT he has a slap up lunch with his family every day and snoozes for a couple of hours. Quality of life seems pretty good to me.

 

[MartinK9]

Used one of these for the last 15 years or so:

http://www.cobbercooler.com/shop/

Never had the bright colours or patterns though. Just Khaki.

 

[WilliamC]

Drink enough of water is very important, as Baldy says.
In my youth, I spent four summers walking up and down beaches in the south of France, selling doughnuts and ice creams. On one of the first days a young woman gave me some very useful advice - keep wetting your wrists and it has a great cooling effect since the veins run very close to the surface. I would imagine that the neck is the same.
I find that air flow is very cooling and a hot, breezy day is much more bearable than being in the shade on an equally hot but still day (though it can be very dehydrating. Wear clothing that lets the air through. That's one reason why I prefer a visor to a hat (I find that a hat traps heat). On our last walk I combined a visor with an OR Echo hoody and it worked very well in hot and humid conditions. The OR Echo line and the Rab Interval line are very good at allowing air flow.

 

[SafetyThird]

Used one of these for the last 15 years or so:

http://www.cobbercooler.com/shop/

Never had the bright colours or patterns though. Just Khaki.

was just about to post the same thing. Gone through a couple over the years. Very useful when I was living in Texas for a few years. You could probably make yourself one, it's just a fabric tube with those water retaining beads sewn into it. Soak it for 15 mins and it absorbs water and swells, then evaporates during the day and cools you.

 

[Clare]

Drink enough of water is very important, as Baldy says.
In my youth, I spent four summers walking up and down beaches in the south of France, selling doughnuts and ice creams. On one of the first days a young woman gave me some very useful advice - keep wetting your wrists and it has a great cooling effect since the veins run very close to the surface. I would imagine that the neck is the same.
I find that air flow is very cooling and a hot, breezy day is much more bearable than being in the shade on an equally hot but still day (though it can be very dehydrating. Wear clothing that lets the air through. That's one reason why I prefer a visor to a hat (I find that a hat traps heat). On our last walk I combined a visor with an OR Echo hoody and it worked very well in hot and humid conditions. The OR Echo line and the Rab Interval line are very good at allowing air flow.

I wore the echo last summer too. It was good. I also wore a black mammut hat.. seriously bad idea, ditched that ASAP. Boiled my head.

 

[Fair Weather Camper]

Leave siesta to Johnny foreigner and with true British stiff upper lip plough on.

Like yourself i have to work in uncomfortable heat so it's..
Loose comfortable clothing,
A hat that covers the back of the neck,
Drink WATER,
Wear quality industrial type sunglasses,
Graze rather than big meals,
Relax.

Ok so keep a stiff upper lip - but Relax at the same time - sounds like the sort of impossible to achieve instruction i give to my yogis .

Are industrial sunglasses more effective than the usual ones sold in outdoor shops?

Same as, soak hair and clothes in water, hat. Look for available shade. Being part 'Jonny foreigner' siestas come very naturally, just start earlier and finish later.
My aunts gardener is working at 5am and finishes 8.30pm. BUT he has a slap up lunch with his family every day and snoozes for a couple of hours. Quality of life seems pretty good to me.

I think we could jolly well take a leaf out of Johnnny foreigners book,

i have been working early and late - in fact only just finished - but rather stupidly neglecting the long break in the middle of the day.

Must try harder - to work less.. hard

Trouble is when I'm on holibobs i'm a dreadful lie-a-bed - rarely on the trail before nine,

So for the last three Pyreneans trips we have found ourselves doing hot high passes in the heat of midday - how the locals must chortle.

Mind you its much the same in Scotland = how do the natives cope? - no wonder they all go in for breezy skirts such as mine.

The rivers are a cool respite at lunch time

Used one of these for the last 15 years or so:

http://www.cobbercooler.com/shop/

Never had the bright colours or patterns though. Just Khaki.

Oh yes I'd forgotten about them things thanks - but aren't they prohibitively heavy? - i'd have thort they weren't allowed to be spoken of on here.
Mayhap I should revisit - thanks

Have to say i'm not surprised you get a tad overheated in that metal get up of yours @MartinK9 - especially in full sun

Drink enough of water is very important, as Baldy says.
In my youth, I spent four summers walking up and down beaches in the south of France, selling doughnuts and ice creams. On one of the first days a young woman gave me some very useful advice - keep wetting your wrists and it has a great cooling effect since the veins run very close to the surface. I would imagine that the neck is the same.
I find that air flow is very cooling and a hot, breezy day is much more bearable than being in the shade on an equally hot but still day (though it can be very dehydrating. Wear clothing that lets the air through. That's one reason why I prefer a visor to a hat (I find that a hat traps heat). On our last walk I combined a visor with an OR Echo hoody and it worked very well in hot and humid conditions. The OR Echo line and the Rab Interval line are very good at allowing air flow.

Yes breezy definitely ( Oh la-di-da lovely skirt ) - and i see what you mean about the crown of the hat trapping heat - but still a visor ... could I ?

The neoprene type straps on my BD walking poles hold lots of water for wrist cooling very effective - and conversely wrist warmers in Winter for same reason - blood close to skin surface etc .

Will investigate this OR Echo thingy - sounds interesting - although i have just indulged in another Rohan hiking shirt - @Clare got me started with the deluxe undies - and now there's no stopping my shopping

I wore the echo last summer too. It was good. I also wore a black mammut hat.. seriously bad idea, ditched that ASAP. Boiled my head.

So x2 on the Echo

An Echo, on the Echo even

I know your naughty ways @Clare - you're just trying to lead me astray from the narrow path of parsimonie and frugalitee

I'm not certain if my darker cap makes my head hotter than the white - how come many desert dwellers traditionally wear black or blue robes, if its so inefficient?
I like my dark Rohan cap because it covers my ears too - I have a big head for a laydee - even chaps' hats often don't fit.

So perhaps a bespoke bonnet this time

 

[Baldy]

@FWC
Industrial sunglasses are just tougher and made for work. Wileyx.eu

 

[WilliamC]

I'm not certain if my darker cap makes my head hotter than the white - how come many desert dwellers traditionally wear black or blue robes, if its so inefficient?

An answer here. I guess the material has to be thick and insulating.

Will investigate this OR Echo thingy - sounds interesting - although i have just indulged in another Rohan hiking shirt - @Clare got me started with the deluxe undies - and now there's no stopping my shopping



So x2 on the Echo

An Echo, on the Echo even

The Rab Interval tops are exactly the same material as the Echo and may be easier to find in the UK, especially if you're looking for discounts. I prefer the Echo because the long-sleeve versions have thumb loops to keep the hands covered (and Rab don't do a hoody AFAIK). BTW, There is an Echo cap too, though I've never seen one. It might be a good, airy version.

 

[WilliamC]

Umbrellas work, of course. I've only used one on one trip and it was definitely cooler. However, I found the restricted view annoying; unlike with a hat, it doesn't move when you look up.
I suppose one of us should mention the Zpacks Point Hat, though it doesn't seem to be available any more.

 

[edh]

One wonders why....

 

[Enzo]

7 till 10.30 for me yesterday, but I did have a 4 hour break for a dads day and a few in the evening for pizza
Someone posted thread about some quite dear, I think golf clothing that was not infra red absorbing, that could allow darker coloures to be worn?
Black also emits ir better.
I bought a craghoppers nosilife shirt, spf50 and permanent mozzie repellant. If it gets soaked in sweat and you walk in a wood it feels far more cold and clammy than a arcteryx phase SL top.

 

[Clare]

This American solumbra clothing is 50 spf and I’ve long fancied the flappy ventilated trousers and shirt in the ultra athlete range - but expensive and no weight is given.

http://www.sunprecautions.com/product/14400/

 

[Clare]

An answer here. I guess the material has to be thick and insulating.

Loose clothing..

 

[Mole]

In these situations I prefer to have shade to dip into, wear a brimmed hat, little else and keep a large water source at hand for cooling off.

Sea, lake, river....

 

[Fair Weather Camper]

Umbrellas work, of course. I've only used one on one trip and it was definitely cooler. However, I found the restricted view annoying; unlike with a hat, it doesn't move when you look up.
I suppose one of us should mention the Zpacks Point Hat, though it doesn't seem to be available any more.
View attachment 13002

Whooaa, taking it to a whole 'nother level there Willum.. Bet that attracts some admiring glances on the trail..

Strikes me as the type of titfer that could easily be lined with tinfoil

And interesting man-stands in desert getting hot n bothered , in order that he quench his thirst for knowing.. I like it

I usually harvest darker leaves, before paler ones, to reduce field heat, but I haven't yet set up a proper trial to check its efficacy.. Ah me - not another research funding bid to write

And I guess, umbrella usage precludes walking poles?
Or do you mean one of those ones that clips to shoulder strap?

@FWC
Industrial sunglasses are just tougher and made for work. Wileyx.eu

Thanks for ref Cheaper and tougher too.. No VAT if protective workwear neither..
My specs (most of my stuff ) gets a bit of a rough-housing in real world situations.. And a glasses case, seem like a bulky thing to carry

7 till 10.30 for me yesterday, but I did have a 4 hour break for a dads day and a few in the evening for pizza
Someone posted thread about some quite dear, I think golf clothing that was not infra red absorbing, that could allow darker coloures to be worn?
Black also emits ir better.
I bought a craghoppers nosilife shirt, spf50 and permanent mozzie repellant. If it gets soaked in sweat and you walk in a wood it feels far more cold and clammy than a arcteryx phase SL top.

Oh Lord.. Back to golf.. Seriously @Enzo I just simply could not... Environmental principles - and all that carry on

Have just inherited a lovely blowsy, crag hoppers shirt for work though... With venting in all the right places

 

[Fair Weather Camper]

In these situations I prefer to have shade to dip into, wear a brimmed hat, little else and keep a large water source at hand for cooling off.

Sea, lake, river....

Yes well - can you imagine the reaction if I took your Ultra, ultra light approach to staying cool on the trail..

Unless I can attract some sponsorship?

Or fund a research project
In fact, come to think of it, someone has to lead the charge for equality of opportunity in the naked hiking community.

Further flaunting...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BisXU0Ugx3d/

 

[Clare]

And a glasses case, seem like a bulky thing to carry

UL glasses case: small disposable water bottle. Cut through horizontally. One small cut vertically to reduce circumference of one half by pushing/making overlap. Tape edge with gaffa or electrical tape to hold reduced circumference in place and give a friction fit when the two halves of the bottle pushed together.

Remove bottle lid to save weight.

 

[WilliamC]

Someone posted thread about some quite dear, I think golf clothing that was not infra red absorbing, that could allow darker colours to be worn?
Black also emits it better.

Under Armour, I think. Call it dark something?
I think cotton or linen is probably good if you can find something light and airy enough, but it might necessitate changing if you're at high altitude, where it gets cold very fast when the sun goes down.

 

[WilliamC]

In these situations I prefer to have shade to dip into, wear a brimmed hat, little else and keep a large water source at hand for cooling off.

Sea, lake, river....

I must pack one for our next trip

 

[WilliamC]

And I guess, umbrella usage precludes walking poles?
Or do you mean one of those ones that clips to shoulder strap?

Yes, hands free, hence the blocking the view when looking up. I think I'd be much happier with an umbrella if I didn't use poles.

 

[Fair Weather Camper]

Yes, hands free, hence the blocking the view when looking up. I think I'd be much happier with an umbrella if I didn't use poles.

Well p'raps if i were to go in for all that naked hiking malarkey, I could persuade an ass'istante to trip along behind - porting a parasol.

In order that my milky white buns be protected from the harsh glare

 

[Fair Weather Camper]

UL glasses case: small disposable water bottle. Cut through horizontally. One small cut vertically to reduce circumference of one half by pushing/making overlap. Tape edge with gaffa or electrical tape to hold reduced circumference in place and give a friction fit when the two halves of the bottle pushed together.

Remove bottle lid to save weight.

Top tip @Claire...

My crafting projects are exponentially expanding - outwith the time allowed

 

[ColinHawke]

After 10+ years living in Australia, 6 years in SE Asia and a few in Italy - I've learned that wide brim hats, loose natural fiber clothing, good sun glasses and obviously lots of water is the way to go for me. The Australians were brain washed in the slip, slop, slap campaign and are quite sun smart now.