My wife and I go hiking every week, regardless of the weather conditions. We’re currently in the middle of yet another heat wave, with heat indexes hitting triple digits daily. Hiking in hot, muggy weather can be problematic. Let’s look at a few hot weather hiking tips.
Before we dive in, though, I want to be clear about something. None of these suggestions are going to make a 100°F day feel like 55°F. It’s still going to feel brutal. The idea here is to just make it a little more tolerable.
Timing
If you have the option, hike in the early morning. If you can get the miles in before the heat really builds, great. Alternately, wait until late afternoon and hike into the evening. As the sun starts to set, temperatures will start to fall. This isn’t always feasible, of course, but it’s a great way to avoid hot weather.
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Stay Hydrated
Many of us are mildly dehydrated on a daily basis, as we usually aren’t drinking nearly the amount of water that we should. Add in high temperatures and moderate activity and you’re going to hurting quickly if you’re not hydrating. I asked my urologist (because yes, I’m old enough to have a urologist) about hydration after I went ten rounds with a kidney stone. He said to pay attention to your output. If your urine is mostly clear, you’re probably well-hydrated. The darker your urine is, the less hydrated you are. Plain water is fine for shorter hikes. But if you’re going to be out there for several hours, consider adding an electrolyte mix to the equation. Salty snacks can also help replenish lost sodium. Pack things like trail mix, popcorn, and jerky.
Wide Brimmed Hat
These are great for keeping the sun off your face and neck. That portable shade can do wonders for keeping you cool in hot weather. I like the Kings Camo XKG Sonora Air Sun Hat. My wife has a wide-brimmed gardening hat she wears from time to time. You can also use a ball cap, of course. But it won’t shade the back of your neck, which can ultimately lead to sunburn there. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way.
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Wicking Clothing
The idea behind wicking fabric is to pull the sweat from your skin and, through capillary action, move it to the outside of the clothing. There, it can evaporate. Cotton does the exact opposite. It holds on to moisture like that’s its job and it’s vying for Employee of the Year. Most wicking fabrics are synthetic. Evaporation is a cooling process. That’s kind of the point of sweating. If we wear clothing that moves that moisture out to where the air can get to it, we’ll be a little more comfortable.
Cooling Towels
These towels are often made of microfiber. Once they’re wet, the water rapidly evaporates, providing a cooling effect. You soak the towel, then wring it out just enough that it isn’t dripping. Drape it around your neck and away you go. They work very well in hot weather. However, they’re not so awesome in very humid conditions. They’re much better when it’s dry, as the evaporation happens at a faster pace.
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Misters
A small bottle can be used to occasionally mist your face or the back of your neck. Again, you’re relying on evaporation to help cool you down a bit. What’s nice is that even the slightest breeze can bring relief if you’ve just misted yourself.
Take Breaks
Lastly, don’t be afraid to take lots of breaks. When you come across a cool patch of shade, it’s okay to stand or sit and enjoy it. When my wife and I are hiking in hot weather, sometimes it feels like we’re leapfrogging from one patch of shade to another. Add in a slight breeze that hits just as you step into the shade and it can feel glorious.
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