Wearing Appropriate Gear: Too Much to Wear? Too Little?
One of the differences between our homes and the outdoors are the fluctuating temperatures. We can rely on our heaters or air conditioners to keep a relatively constant warmth, but in the forest it depends on factors such as the density of trees, sun exposure, moisture in the air, and so much more. So when you and your family are out there, how do you know what to wear? It’s hard to decide, but hopefully these tips can help guide you into wearing the right gear at the right time!
Avoid fabrics with cotton
This material will soak up moisture very easily, which makes it hard to insulate our core temperature when it has absorbed lots of water or sweat.
Bring a fleece jacket
This important especially when your hike is close to the water, or known to have some altitude. Fresh water often runs very cold, and altitudes will definitely cause a drop in temperature. Keep a light jacket on hand to keep yourself warm and dry!
Pick footwear that matches your hike
A relatively easy trail with a few slopes and valleys can be conquered with a reliable pair of sneakers! On a more challenging trek, it’s best to invest in hiking boots. They’re specifically designed to help users overcome all sorts of terrain! Research your hike to decide which footwear is best suited to you and your family’s outing. Open toed shoes are generally best to avoid as they won’t protect your feet from hazards such as splinters!
Pants: don’t go outdoors without ‘em!
A good rule of thumb is that we want to keep our legs covered because we don’t know what kind of plants might give us rashes. Avoid wearing jeans because they are extremely uncomfortable to sweat in, and definitely not recommended for hikes. There are pants available in most sporting stores that are well ventilated and still keep you covered — so consider investing in a pair if you’re looking to try out a bunch of different hikes this summer! If it’s warm and the trail is quite familiar to you and your children, by all means enjoy your trek with shorts!
The biggest and best piece of advice any hiker can give you about how to decide what to wear is to be prepared for sudden changes in temperature. We hope that keeping these tips in mind encourages you and your family to try explore different trails this summer, all while staying warm and dry!
Originally published at wellthyliving.ca on June 30, 2017.
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