Hi, my name's Gear, Richard 'summer' Gear and I've been asked to
throw you a few tasty tidbits of information on how to cope when the
going gets warm. Of course it doesn't happen that often in the UK,
but equally that means that us Brits have more trouble coping.
So, in confident expectation of a red-hot heatwave, here are out
hot - ouch - tips for surviving summer.
In the UK we spend most of the time trying to stay warm rather than
cool, so summer can be a bit of a shock. The temptation is to resort
to 'cool' cotton, but unless it's incredibly hot and dry - think the
Sahara - that's not such a great idea.
If you're walking or climbing, you'll be generating a lot of sweat
and cotton will merely hold it against the skin making you clammy and
uncomfortable. A polyester-cotton mix, around 65-35 per-cent works
pretty well, but modern synthetics are much more comfortable than
they used to be.
Trekking pants and shirts now have a more natural, comfortable
feel and will wick and dry faster than natural cotton fabrics. Rather
than a tee-shirt, go for a technical baselayer top, but a thin one.
We particularly like the new Berghaus Xstatic top, which wicks like a
demon, but also seems to keep you cool, possibly, claim the makers,
because the silver threads conduct heat... Who knows, but it will be
a lot more comfortable than a wet tee shirt...
Light colours will reflect heat, darker ones tend to absorb it, so
opt for light to mid hues for comfort. Black is not a good idea.
When the going gets hot, your head gets going. You need to protect it
with a sun hat. The classic floppy sun hat with all round brim is
okay, but our preference is for a Foreign Legion-style peaked cap
with a flap that covers the back of the neck. It works well even when
the sun is low down but still burning strong. You may look a bit of a
plank though...
Unlike Brits, desert nomads cover up when it gets seriously hot.
We're not saying you shouldn't wear shorts, but if nothing else,
keeping the ability to shield you skin from the savage rays will stop
nasty cases of sunburn.
That means shirts with collars you can turn up against the sun and
long sleeves that you can roll up if you like. Again baselayer tops
will do the job, but looser fitting, synthetic or poly-cotton warm
weather shirts with vents are more comfortable when it gets really
warm.
Legs are another thing altogether. Loose, long-legged shorts are a
good compromise, until your lower legs start to incinerate in the
sun. In theory the idea solution is a pair of zip-offs, but sadly
very few manage the trick of being comfortable both as trousers and
shorts. Check in both guises before buying and take particular notice
of the zip area around the thigh which can get really painful.
Failing that, a combo of shorts and light, loose-fitting synthetic
pants is the way to go. If you can find some with vents, so much the
better.
Our top tip is to go light and go vented. Lightweight shoes or boots
with mesh panels are the ideal and there are a few on the market now.
Normal leather boots are the next best option, but boots - fabric or
letather - incorporating a waterproof lining often become far too hot
when the going gets warm and are well worth avoiding. Team with
wicking socks for best results.
Sweaty back is an occupational hazard of summer walking. Wherever
the pack touches, sweat won't be able to evaporate and produces a damp, cold spot when you stop and take it off. There are a couple of
options here. One is a pack with a trampolene-style mesh back system
to hold the back of the pack away from you. These work well and the
air gap helps to cool your back effectively.
The other option, if you can go light enough, is a bum bag or
lumbar pack. A good one will comfortable carry small loads - enough
for a day walk - but leave most of your back uncovered which is
blissful if you're used to a close-fitting day sac with no
venting.
You'll be losing water fast in the heat, so it's crucial to keep
topped up. You can use between 500ml and 1600ml per hour when
working hard in the heat and a mere 5 per-cent dehydration can lead
to a 30 per-cent deterioration in performance. A load more info on
hydration in
this
article.
You need to start off hydrated, so glug a load of water down
before you set off, then keep drinking. Ideally about a litre an hour
should do you, but remember that if you feel thirsty, you're already
dehydrated. The classic test, by the way, is to keep your urine
running clear. If it's yellow, you need more fluid.
You can't beat a 3-litre hydration pack for staying wet. Our fave
is the Camelbak Omega bladder for its ease of filling and cleaning,
high flow valve and optional shut off tap which stops those
embarassing wet arse moments when you sit on your bite valve. Having
said that, any hydration system will do. Drink on the move and aim
for little and often rather than huge portions at any one time...
Remember that it takes around 20 minutes for the cream to be absorbed
and start protecting your skin, that's 20 minutes where you can get
surprisingly burned, so slap it on, but slap it on at least 20
minutes before you hit the hill and go for high protection.
It's worth spending the extra on high quality, sweat resistant, high
factor stuff and remember that it'll need re-applying every so often
during the day.
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AND A FEW MORE GENERAL
TIPS...
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Try and walk in shady places when it's really hot, take a long cafe
break in the heat of the day, walk late or early. You can cool down
effectively with a wet towel or bandana over the head. Don't set fire
to the countryside, you'll spoil everyone's day. Sunglasses will
protect your eyes from damaging rays and minimise hay fever
irritation too. Finally, if you're on medication, make sure it
doesn't increase your sensitivity to the sun.
Above all though, have a great summer and don't go lobster...
Marcus Needham
