I live and hike in the desert (Brit expat living in Tucson AZ) and based on my experience I'd agree with almost all of what Mr Gear says.
I'd only disagree on one point: I think a "classic floppy sun hat with all round brim" is superior to a foreign legion hat, because it protects your ears and temples better from the sun, and lets your neck vent heat better. Oh, and a nice one, like a Tilley, makes you look dashing, rather than a plank!
I also have found shoes with mesh in them in to not be so good because cactus thorns and sharp grasses tend to poke through easily, but that's rather specific to my locale. I prefer thin leather or leather/fabric, and definitely no gore-tex liner.
If you can get www.railriders.com clothing there in the UK their thin but highly sub-blocking tops and trousers are great. Their innovative, but arguably dorky, Eco-mesh zip traousers have mesh side panels behind zips and are a unique alternative to zip-off convertible trousers.
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 I'd add 'salt' to to the list as well, when you sweat, you lose electroytes at the same time, so unless you're sipping some sort of energy / recovery drink with electrolyte content, you need to top up. For once crisps are actually a pretty reasonable idea nutritionally.
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Living in the Caribbean for several years (Lucky me) I found that the US Army-surplus boonie hats are quite worthwhile, especially with the side vents. You can get away with Gore-Tex footwear, provided its well vented (XCR works best in hot conditions), but ordinary mid-top trainers will go well.
A long sleeved cotton shirt in light colours can also go well, but I've been using Coolmax T-shirts for over a year, and they are the absolute business in hot weather.
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 Have just visited Railriders website as Marcus suggested, and they tell me that some of their clothing is available in the UK from www.buncup.com - never heard of them before!
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 top tip from the medical millitary. Never take salt tablets, just a little sprinkled on regular foods or take some dioralyte powder with you until you acclimatise to V. hot weather. Anything from 1-4 weeks depending on medical and physical fitness.
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 I normally never add salt, however, I de-hydrate very quickly.
When I was doing my drill course in the hot sun standing and marching around for hours I knew I'd get headaches, however I added salt to my food and drank load of water and I didn't suffer that bad.
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me too, probably 'cos i'm unfit and go to some hellish hot places. Temperature inside tent at 1pm in oman 65 degrees C. i kid you not, environmental health monitoring equipment used, and no it wasn't faulty as we had two sets. Just damn hot. Shades of Soylent Green
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Talking of hellish hot places next April should see me and the boss trecking in North Thailand, all the comments on this thread so far seem to be about hot, how about hot and sticky ? what about sleeping gear, Im assuming my 3 season bag is a big no no.
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I heard a comment on the radio when I was visiting Vegas (hot and very dry...)
Whether you bake a turkey or broil a turkey...it's still cooked.
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But i dont want to be a turkey, too big for the oven for a start !
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depends on temperatures at night out there, try something light and wicking like a silk sleeping bag liner or possibly pertex. And dont forget a fine gauge mossie net
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 Going to costa rica in two weeks, where it is hot and sticky. I have been advised that a sleeping bag liner (I am taking my silk one) is all that is required. But, as I am a coward, I am going to put a down vest in too...
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 It's all very well wearing these wicking base layers & trousers/shorts, but what about underneath? Wicking Knickers are the answer (which I wear when on the hill) although not many retailers sell them & they are expensive, but they do work. You stay dry all over!
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 So where can you buy wicking knickers then?!
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don't know about wicking knickers but i was looking at buying wicking boxers, i know that cotswold sell the lowealpine dryflow stuff there might be a womens version as well
steve c
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Try Rohan.
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 Try commando!!
Not the shop, the dressing method.
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 thinking of joining the naked ramblers are we? Do you have something to share with us?
Mind you worked for Mallory
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Full body commando is going a bit far!
Anyway, you'd only be jealous!
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you suggested it
:)
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