Covering arms and legs?

imported
#1

So I’m looked over lots of gear lists for the PCT and most folks seem to hike in those beige colored long sleeved shirts and pants presumebly to avoid direct exposure to sunlight which is strong. Is it necessary to cover your legs? My legs never seem to burn much even in the hot sun of Ecuador under the equator. Also I have a lightweight silk, blue long-sleeved shirt I usually wear for camp. Couldn’t I just hike in this, or does the color make that much of a difference? Thanks

Just trying to save some money if I can, as those suits always seem to be ridiculously expensive.

a-train

#2

Best deal is from Sahalie. Their Soltex shirt is $29.90 on sale. The collar folds up to protect back of neck. Very cool wearing shirt. Buttons to roll up sleeve. Sizes run large so a medium will fit a large and a large will fit an extra large. Fabric is nylon with a good feel to it. Excellent shirt.

There is a similar shirt that has bug juice impregnated in it from, I think, ExOfficio. Read a review where one user got a rash from the bug juice so I passed on that idea.

Their blurb:

Prevent “red necks” from ruining your fun in the sun!
Not those red necks again; we’re talking about the hot, sunburnt neck that happens when you’ve been out in the sun without the proper protection. Our Soltex® Shirts are made with a fabric that is woven so tightly, it blocks 95-99% of UVA and UVB rays, meaning you can stay out all day and never have to put on a drop of sunscreen. The large vented back is ideal for warm weather: excess heat and humidity escape instantly. A TriFold collar unfolds for added coverage over the back of your neck, then folds down and tucks away when you don’t need it. 100% nylon microfiber. Imported. Washable. Tall adds approximately 2" to sleeves and overall length.

http://www.sahalie.com/jump.jsp?itemID=3276&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C21%2C85%2C317&iProductID=3276

Regards,

Clark Fork in Western Montana

Clark Fork

#3

A lot of people like to keep there arms and legs covered to cut down on getting sun burn and stay cooler (especially fair skin hikers.) I dont burn too easy and have never have liked the way it feels to hike in pants and those stiff button down shirts. A lot of folks out there use short sleeve shirts and running shorts, I was fine doing this with just sunscreen on my nose and ears and a bandana tucked in my hat for my neck (a wide brim hat would be good too.) Got sunburn more at 10,000 feet with snow in the sierra than in the desert. I would just go with what feels comforatable to you. experiment with your silk long sleeve vs a short a sleeve when you are out there. (as you know lighter colors are better so if its a darker blue I wouldnt use it.)

When the sun is most direct you will be in the shade taking a siesta anyway!

mat

#4

Your dermatologist will undoubtedly tell you to cover up all the time. I tried to cover up the first week, but found that the Supplex was so hot I couldn’t stand it, so went back to my normal bare legs/arms. The only time I covered up was when the mosquitos were really bad. I used sunblock in the beginning, but after I had a light tan, I stopped using it. I will undoubtedly pay for that later. If I ever do the PCT again, I’ll wear a light cotton shirt instead of nylon. My legs rarely burn, so I’d probably stick with shorts.

Ginny

#5

In high altitude and desert environments I use the following:

Poly/cotton (65/35) dress shirt. It is light, cheap ($4!), not overly hot. It has some cotton in it, which seems to make me slightly cooler and more comfortable. I can roll up the sleeves as needed, has a nice big pocket for my camera. Double as bug protection.

Running shorts ($10 at Target)

A boonie style hat (my original one was $6 at XYZMart…customs “misplaced” it in Paris or Rome. @$@%R#%. My current one is $8). I like a wide brimmed hat as I find my face is more prone to burning (at first). A wide hat protects me quite well. Also double for rain. Always wear a bandanna.

I also wear sunglasses and use chapstick (very important in the drier, higher elevations).

I don’t like sunscreen as it feels too “icky” for me.

Due to a roll of the genetic dice, I have a light tan complexion all year and tend to get very dark. So I don’t burn too easily.

Me with a thrift store hiking shirt. It was still quite servicable (if dirty!) when I finished the PCT:
http://snipurl.com/m2qu

Me with my trusty (sniff! sniff!) hat:
http://snipurl.com/m2qt

Mags

#6

Check out www.sundayafternoons.com for the BEST in sun protection hats. These hats are worn by adventure racers.

carlgoose

#7

Light weight hiking shorts with pockets, chaff-reducing underware, a non-cotton tee-shirt and a dilapidated cowboy hat have proven most practical in California. No sunscreen, no chapstick - but ample 100% DEET.The sun will be a factor for only the first few days, then your hiker’s tan will kick in. Temps vary - but two years ago I spent nearly three weeks in the High Sierra without ever having to don long trou - even without a single campfire. Last year it was quite cold - and wet - most nights. It all depends on individual comfort levels - and sensitivity to the sun.

booger

#8

RailRiders makes an AWESOME shirt, and they’re pretty popular on the PCT. They are nylon so it dries very quickly, has a nice soft feel to it, does NOT retain odor, and it’s super ventilated, with mesh up the sides and the under the whole length of the arms, as well as a back vent.

If ours hadn’t gotten so dirty looking (our packs leached color), they would most certainly make it through another thruhike. They are extremely tough. We wore them every single hiking day. There are a couple versions. We used the Eco-Mesh, but next time we’ll buy the Adventure Top. White is best, but they have a light beige and pale blue, too.

Sunday Afternoons Hats are great. They are long in back and can cover your neck.

We both wore light-colored pants on the whole hike (Jeff wore Ex Officio, and I wore OR/Wild Roses). On the AT we both wore shorts. I know it sounds odd, but we were actually much cooler in the desert wearing the pants and long sleeves! We both noticed that on our PCT off-trail days we felt much hotter in shorts and tees. Odd but real. The light-colored cloth reflects heat.

I hate to be a wet blanket, but the UV exposure out west is much higher than in the east, and shade is hard to find, even for your breaks. You’ll be hiking in direct sun most of the time. On a shorter hike (like the JMT) it’s not as big a deal, but five solid months of strong sun exposure may come back to bite you in the butt 10 or 20 years from now. A hiker tan is nice, but skin cancer on the legs is both ugly and common. You won’t be aware of the damage for many, many years, and your don’t have to burn to get into problems. At the very least, you should consider this when you’re choosing your hiking clothes.

Happy hiking!

Chipper & Jeff