Hiking in humid weather can provide a unique challenge and can become a serious issue for those who are unprepared to face these conditions. When you’re heading out on a hike, whether it is for recreational purposes or not, it’s important to consider the conditions you’ll face and what you can do to prepare for them. To that end, this guide will provide you with some helpful tips on what to wear when hiking in order to best resist humidity and make your excursion as comfortable as possible.
Your Clothing Should Be Ventilated and Breathable
When you’re hiking in humid weather, it’s crucial that you are able to properly regulate your body temperature to reduce the buildup of sweat and prevent overheating. This will allow you to prevent unnecessary expenditure of energy and prevent heat exhaustion. Clothes that are manufactured with breathability and ventilation in mind are key. Generally, nylon or polyester clothes have good breathability. Some clothes also come with meshes or means to allow for ventilation, which will help you with allowing airflow to areas that are prone to significant levels of sweat.
Layering Can Provide Much-Needed Versatility
This may sound counterintuitive, but make sure that you’re giving proper thought to layering when planning out your outfit for hiking in humid weather. Particularly in a tropical climate, having the capacity to change the amount of layers you’re wearing on the fly is key for maintaining a comfortable body temperature. These climates can be susceptible to significant drops in temperature during the morning and evening, and the sudden onset of rain can be a serious impediment for the unprepared.
Moisture Wicking Fabrics Are A Must
Humidity causes your sweat to stick to your skin, making you very uncomfortable, hot and prone to developing rashes. You can prevent this by making use of moisture-wicking fabrics, as they are phenomenal at pulling sweat off of your skin and evaporating it quickly. Synthetics such as nylon or polyester are generally very effective choices. Be sure to avoid cotton, as it soaks in moisture easily and takes a long time to dry.
The Right Footwear Makes All The Difference
When hiking in humid weather, you should also choose a pair of hiking boots that have been designed using highly breathable fabrics such as GORE-TEX which will allow moisture to escape freely while your feet remain dry. Boots such as the LOWA Breacher Mid boots are efficient choices for hiking in humid weather, thanks to the high levels of breathability, comfort and waterproofing they provide.
Whether you’re a recreational hiker or you’re navigating humid climates as part of the military or other organisation, these tips on what to wear hiking are crucial for assuring maximum efficiency and comfort. As a world-class provider of military boots, LOWA’s range of products is sure to feature the perfect hiking boots for you. If you have any questions or queries about any of the products available, feel free to get in touch with our team of experts today.
