I was just wondering what the best options are out there for someone hiking in the sun that has pasty white skin like me. I thru-hiked the AT in 2001 and only got sun twice(NC and the Whites) because i started so late(May 7). What would be a good/great sun shirt for the PCT? Also i will be taking suggestions on hats.
WISE OWL
If you’re on a tight budget you can get a fine hat with a wide brim all the way around for about $6.88 at Wal-mart. Gives you that devil-make-care Gilligan look.
Datto
Datto
Your long-sleeved shirt should be white or some other light color. Yes, it will get dirty. You don’t care about that. Lighter colors are much cooler in the sun. Nylon dries extremely fast. There are many, many styles of nylon hiking shirts.
You definitely need a hat and sunglasses. Any hat with a wide brim will work. All the hats look dorky, but everyone wears them. If you have a lot of hair, check out REI’s Paddler’s Hat. It has a hole in the back (like on a ball cap) where you can pull out your pony tail.
Take some sunscreen, too. And remember to apply the sunscreen in the Sierra on the underside of your arms, under your chin, on your face. Because the reflection off the snow can burn you as much or more than the sun.
yogi
yogi
I like one of those visor type hats as the top is completely open and allows good ventation. Hats are very hot on the head, so get a real light loose fitting one and of a white or bright color (reflects heat, while black absorbs heat). And shades by all means.
You can use a bandana to cover ears and neck to keep them from sunburning. Knew a fellow that had to have part of his ear removed due to too much sun (skin cancer). So use a hat and cover ears and neck too.
Light, loose fitting long sleeve shirt for balds, hiking out in the open, etc----and also for before the trees leaf out. Once trees leaf out, you will be hiking on the AT under tree canopy most of the time.
Sunblock is good. So is chapstick. Lotion also good.
See you out there.:cheers
Maintain
llbean makes a great one that is not too expensive. i have a couple and they work great
brownbear
Go to any shop that specializes in fly fishing. They have clothing that is designed to be worn on the bonefish flats in the tropics. They are very light weight and dry quickly. The only problem is that they are expensive. LL Bean carries some good ones and so does Cabela’s at reasonable prices.
Big B
I echo Big B idea – try BassPro Shops online. My family took at long trip out west last year and we wore these Supplex shirts (UPF 40) anytime we were out in the sun. Go to
http://www.basspro-shops.com and search for Supplex.
Also, I have been using a Columbia sun hat for the last few years (thinn’ hair on top!) and it is even cool in Georgia in the summertime.
Jeff at GSU
Some people were wearing railrider (railriders.com) shirts last year on the PCT they looked really airy, they have mesh on the sides, check it out. I would buy one if I were to do the PCT again. Good luck!
Apple Pie
If you use an umbrella, you can hike regularly without a shirt or hat. Of course, you still should carry something to cover up with in case of high winds -where the umbrella is uneffective.
I often wear a simple nylon shirt when I’m not under the umbrella. Just get something that dries very quickly, so you can wash all that salt off from the hot desert walking. Also make sure it doesn’t rub under your packstraps uncomfortably.
Tha Wookie
Do you get the Campmor catalog? in the Spring 2004 on page 190 is a special deal on North Face Meridian Shirts. Cost only $29. Check the website if you do not have the catalog.
Ganj
hi. i hiked the pct in 2003 and i agree with the wookie. i found that mid-day in the desert, when the sun is overhead, the best arrangement is to wear shorts only, no shirt and no hat, and carry a mylar covered umbrella. [I’m not just a ray-bot, i really can think on my own and i really liked this method.] even though you look freaky. note how i said carry, as opposed to try to attach the umbrella somehow to the shoulder strap. then it’s less likely to blow off into the impenetrable chaparral, and you can angle it towards gusts. carry duct tape to repair the mylar, as a little tear becomes a big one quickly.
jon astmann