Buying Outdoor Clothes
When going on camping, hiking or on any other outdoor trip, it is important to have the right clothes on your back and the correct shoes on your feet. First-timers might be all boggled about the choice of clothing to buy and will choose either of two options. For one, a neophyte camper might go for the cheapest shirts, jackets and shoes out there. On the other hand, he or she might go to branded trekking shops and get the most expensive outfits, believing that the highest price tag means the best quality. However, any of these choices might set him up for a drastic situation. Who would want to have his shoes dripping and tearing open when crossing a body of water out in the wilds? Similarly, no one would want to keep shivering at night on a mountaintop because he is wearing the wrong shirt or jacket. Even more than these inconveniences, the wrong choice of clothing can lead to serious problems like hypothermia. So, to prevent these situations, here are some tips and advise on buying clothing for a trip to the great outdoors.
When choosing shirts, evaluate how much activity you will be doing. If you will be hiking or practising a lot of survival skills, then choose a shirt that is not too loose. This type lets you move around without having your shirt caught in some bush or, worse, caught in the bonfire. Make sure that you get a shirt that is lightweight and breathable. There are stores that offer “dry-fit” shirts, which mean that they quickly dry up after getting wet. This is advantageous when you need to immerse in bodies of water, like when you need to cross a river. Shirts of polyester are able to wick moisture quickly, too. Cotton may feel great, comfortable and breathable when not wet but can take a very long time to dry, even if it is only damp from your sweat. Shirts and jackets made of fleece can keep you warm at night or in high altitudes. However, it can melt when you linger by the camp fire, unlike natural fibres, which remain comfortable and do not melt near sources of heat. Hiking or camping boots can vary depending on the extent of your activity, but make sure to choose stiff, heavy ones. Consider, too, whether or not you will need waterproof hiking boots.