How to Stay Cool When Hiking in Hot Weather
How to Stay Cool When Hiking in Hot Weather | AD
Winter is finally over which means it’s time to enjoy hiking in better weather again. For most, the ideal hiking weather would probably be sunny and dry, but not too warm. In the summer it can get super warm sometimes though – yes, even here in the U.K.! In this article, we’ll look at how to stay cool when hiking in hot weather. If you’re planning to hike in the heat, it’s important to know what to do to stay comfortable and, more importantly, safe. Let’s get started.
Plan Your Hike Carefully
It’s always important to have a plan for your hike – the route and timings to suit the weather forecast and more. For hot weather, try to hike earlier in the day, starting in the morning if you can. Try to avoid being out in the midday sun if you can or plan a route that you know will offer some shelter or shade in places. You can also carry a small sun shelter if you know the trail is very exposed. A reflective sun parasol/umbrella is another option if you know you’ll be out when the sun is at its hottest.
Wear Suitable Clothing for the Heat
When hiking in hot weather, you want to choose clothing and accessories that will keep you protected from the sun and that will keep you as cool as possible. Sun hoodies are a great option for sun protection but thin and loose light-coloured clothing also works well. Long sleeves offer the best protection and shouldn’t feel too warm as long as the material is lightweight and breathable.
A wide-brimmed hat will protect your head, face and neck. Choose one made from cotton so that you can soak it in water to help you stay cool. You can also do this with a neck buff or a muslin cloth.
For trousers, it’s a good idea to choose hiking trousers that can be made into shorts. That way, you can start in the morning with trousers and turn them into shorts when the temperature rises.
If you like to wear sunglasses, don’t forget to pack them for hikes in sunny weather. Also wear sun cream and carry a sun cream that is easy to re-apply on the go such as a sun cream stick or spray.
Carry a Portable Fan
A portable fan is the perfect gadget to have with you on hikes in hot weather. This is the Diveblues Portable Turbo Fan which is a clever fan that you can use in different ways. You can hold it in your hand, stand it up, hang it around your neck with the included lanyard, and clip it to your backpack – it’s ideal for outdoorsy adventures.
This rechargeable, compact and lightweight fan has a stepless speed adjustment to let you control the power of the breeze, an HD display that shows the speed and remaining battery, up to 12 hours battery life, and it’s quiet too.
Using this fan when the heat gets too much will make such a difference to your comfort levels so that you can really enjoy your adventure instead of worrying about feeling too hot. The Diveblues Portable Turbo Fan is available in 6 different colours and can be purchased from Amazon.co.uk here.
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
Hydration is always important when hiking but even more so when the weather is hot as your body needs more water to replenish fluids lost through increased sweating.
It’s important that you hydrate before, during and after your hike so keep sipping water. Adding electrolytes to your water is also a good idea.
Insulated steel bottles will help keep your water cool and refreshing. You can make your water stay cold for longer by doing the following:
- Chill the bottle in the freezer for a few hours (without the lid)
- Use plenty of ice!
- Fill the bottle with water that you have kept in the fridge.
Keep sipping water throughout your hike to ensure that you don’t get dehydrated. You can also eat foods high in water content such as fruits and vegetables for an extra hydration boost. Keep snacking as well – small but frequent meals/snacks are great for hiking in hot weather.
Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion
Before you head out for a hike in the heat, make sure you know the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
| Signs of Heat Exhaustion | Signs of Heatstroke |
| Rapid Heart Rate | Rapid Heart Rate |
| Fatigue | Confusion/Disorientation |
| Dizziness/Lightheadedness | Coordination Problems |
| Muscle Cramps | Seizures |
| Headache | Severe Headache |
| Nausea/Vomiting | Slurred Speech |
| Heavy Sweating | Absence of Sweating & Hot Skin |
| Skin Changes (Paleness, Rash, etc.) | Shortness of Breath |
Heat exhaustion doesn’t usually need emergency medical help if the person can cool down within half an hour. If the heat exhaustion turns into heatstroke, then it needs to be treated as an emergency.
To help someone with heat exhaustion, do the following:
- Help them move to a cool place.
- Remove unnecessary clothing – socks too.
- Give them a drink such as cold water, or a sports or rehydration drink if you have one.
- Try to cool down their skin with cool water or a fan.
- Stay with them.
Conclusion
With the above tips, you are now well-equipped with information and advice about hiking when the weather is hot. Hiking in the sunshine is wonderful as long as you can stay at a comfortable temperature and stay safe in the sun.
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