I remember, when I lived in Kenya, tourists walking around Nairobi in full safari gear (much to the amusement of the locals!) – and it is certainly easy to get carried away before a trip to somewhere exotic and end up kitted out like some colonial game hunter or, at the other end of the spectrum, like a special forces soldier.
My experience in the jungle has been that clothing that ‘looks’ right, generally isn’t. If there are too many pockets, flaps, zips and special technology synthetic materials involved you’ve probably spent more than you should of done on something that you may well regret buying in the first place.
The other thing I have found is that when I go back to the UK I seem unable to remember the heat and humidity of the jungle back in Malaysia – it’s weird but I just can’t – and I often end up bringing back items of clothing that are far too warm for this climate. Interestingly the converse is also true and I’ve arrived at Heathrow in clothing that seemed perfectly warm enough in Malaysia but left me shivering with cold in an English ‘summer’. The point is, tropical climates are hotter and more humid than we imagine when we’re, say, in a camping shop in London – so aim for clothing that you could imagine wearing comfortably in a sauna while running on the spot!
Wearing the right clothes can make a huge difference to how comfortable you feel in the jungle, particularly when (and I mean when, not ‘if’) you get caught in the rain. There is also a difference between a light stroll along a level, well maintained jungle trail (when you can get away with the wrong clothes) vs. slashing your way uphill through dense secondary forest (when you can’t).
The good news is that the right clothes are not expensive and they are easy to get hold of and, in the video below, I’ll show you the clothing that I’ve found to work well.
Long sleeved shirts are fine if you have baggy ones made of a light cotton that breathes well – I don’t, but I do have loads of T-shirts that fit the bill so I simply bring along the sleeves (as shown in the video).
Some people prefer shorts in this hot climate and, for a time, I tried them as well. The problems with shorts in the jungle are threefold – 1) the leeches latch on quickly to your exposed legs and 2) your legs get scratched by the undergrowth and 3) mosquitoes (enough said). I don’t like long trousers that have zip off sections to transform them into shorts either – those zips can rub/chaff when wet – so my advice is stick with long trousers.
The general rule in the jungle is that you have one set of day-wear clothes (that will probably stay wet throughout) and one set of evening clothes (that you take great care to keep dry). Wearing waterproofs is not a good idea (your clothes will get wet with sweat anyway) so it’s best to just accept the fact that your day-wear clothes will be wet or, at best, damp. But remember, in the jungle being wet during the day isn’t such a big deal as the temperature is nice and warm… but being wet at night is no fun at all. Where I live the temperature during the day is about 26-29 degrees but it will drop to 20-21 degrees at night – so you’ll also need a warmer (and dry!) shirt for evenings.
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In the photo you can see the label for the trousers I’ve found to work well in this environment – they’re army surplus and good value (at between 15-20 pounds) – they are very light and, although they wear out fast, are great for the jungle.
Hi, like your videos and article very much. I read about pemetherine(sp?) being able to repel bugs and mosquitoes when applied to clothing. Have you treated your clothings with it? Any idea where I can find pemetherine in Malaysia?
Hi Justin,
Yes I know what you mean – permethrin is used to treat clothes and is said to be effective for a while (it eventually washes out) – I haven’t used it myself and not sure where you would find it here in Malaysia. Generally I carry a small (film canister) of mozzi repellent but only occasionally use it : e.g. when the mozzis become exceptionally pesky.
Cheers!
Paul
How about just straight nylon pants? About as lightweight and packable as you can get. The only downside I can see is rip/tear durability.
Hi Scotty,
I try to avoid nylon in the jungle (including coolmax) as it can often be uncomfortable when you’re sweating heavily. This is less of a problem with trousers than it is with shirts. Cotton trousers are toughish, easy to repair and don’t melt if you get too close to the fire, however they are heavier when wet and can chaff. I wear cycling shorts underneath cotton trousers and find that a good combination.
I guess it boils down to personal preference.
Cheers!
Paul
Hi Scotty,
I’ve tried coolmax shirts before and didn’t like them because of the film of sweat that builds up between your skin and the shirt (too much for it to be ‘wicked away’). However, I’ve just bought an ex-army coolmax shirt to test out and see if its any better that the ones I’ve tried before.
The problem with cotton shirts is that the never really dry out and can chafe on the shoulders if you’re carrying a rucksack in the inevitable rain. I’m experimenting with a shirt that’s been sewn together from a cotton shirt (for the lower part) and coolmax for the shoulders and neck. Will let you know how it goes!
Cheers!
Paul
As far as shirts. I’ve tested some lightweight coolmax t-shirts in a nasty sub tropical environment and they felt just like cotton but dried in about half the time.
The downside here again may be durability as well as the odor retention behavior of the material.
For shirts, i tried the Dri Fit kind of clothes, and they breath really well. Also, the moisture wicking is oustanding.
After a long workout and the shirts soaked, all i need to do is stand in the open for around 20 minutes and the shirt is dry. A gust of wind during that climate is a godsend, you’ll barely feel the heat.
Lastly, this kind of shirt dries up very fast, so if you need to wash it, it won’t take long to dry.
As for durability in the jungle, I’d like to push it to its limits, cause so far, i’ve been fairly rough on it, putting it through muddy situations, sweats, humid heat, etc, and its held up great for it’s price, about 30 to 35 ringgit (just get the brandless ones, it’s exactly the same as the nike ones but cheaper)
Oh, and i’m hailing ffrom malaysia
Hi Loh,
Thanks for the comment and information. I recently picked up yet another coolmax type shirt from the UK which I’m trying out (ex-army model) as a lot of people do recommend them. I still don’t really like the feeling of wearing these type of shirts as, when sweating heavily a film of sweat forms between the shirt and skin that can’t be wicked-away fast enough. However, maybe it’s just me who feels like that?
I have also recently sewn together a shirt with the upper/shoulder area made from coolmax and the lower three-quarters from thin cotton – the idea here is to avoid the problem with (wet cotton) rubbing against the shoulders when carrying a rucksack. I’ll do an update on this once I’ve tested it a bit more.
Thanks again,
Cheers!
Paul
I can’t stand the Coolmax type clothes either. For me too it’s a slimy feeling sweating in it. Plus, when it dries after you’ve sweated in it. It smells rank!
Hi, Sorry for slow reply (just got back from a trip) – I’m really glad you wrote in as quite a few people have written to me saying that they really like using coolmax material and I was beginning to wonder whether it was just me that had had bad experiences with it.
I find exactly the same as you – it simply feels uncomfortable and slimy (and smelly!). I think the reason other people feel differently about this may be due to the fact that they are using coolmax in hot (but less humid) environments – like, say, the dessert – and that, as long as you don’t sweat too profusely, the material can ‘wick away’ the sweat….this hasn’t been what I’ve found in the jungle though!
Cheers!
Paul
No worries, hopefully you had fun on your trip. I live on the east coast of the United States and in the summer time around the late July and August time frame temps get up around 90F with 70-80% relative humidity. Frankly, Coolmax or anything else just sucks when the humidity is that high, the sweat simply does not evaporate. Like you, I prefer cotton when the humidity is that high you can forget about being dry. Yes, in the desert southwest of the US like in Arizona temps can hit 115F during the day, and the interesting thing is that the humidity is quite low say 15% which when it’s 115F you don’t see yourself perspiring at all since it evaporates so fast. Cotton for me in Arizona too. Cool videos by the way, very no nonsense, no BS from someone that actually has jungle experience. Keep ’em coming!
Hi Suspect Device,
Thanks for the comment and totally agree with you. When I wear cotton in the jungle it’s usually soaking wet (with either sweat or rain) but I don’t find it uncomfortable – not so with coolmax! The only problem I’ve had with cotton shirts is chafing on the shoulders when carrying a heavy rucksack through the rain…but I think the problem was more the weight of the rucksack than anything else.
Cheers!
Paul
Did you go on a trip with Keong? 🙂 I’ve purchased a bunch of stuff from him in the past few months, seems like a cool guy! Nice parangs he sold me too.
http://www.sepuh-crafts.com/2012/05/raman-an-indigenous-semai-with-great-talents/#more-541
Hi Suspect Device,
Not that particular trip, but I was with Keong the weekend before for a nights camping at an Orang Asli’s farm. Keong’s a great guy and rapidly becoming the parang expert over here – he has a wealth of knowledge and is very friendly and helpful.
I bought a parang from him too recently and am extremely pleased with it.
Cheers!
Paul
I live in south Florida, where it is fairly warm and humid, and have tried coolmax and various other synthetics. As much as I wanted them to be better than my cotton tee shirts, for me they were not. The only nylon I use now is swimm trunks.
Hi Bill,
Thank for the comment and your experience reflects my own. I keep trying out synthetics to see if one will work but always end up coming back to cotton T-shirts. I guess the difference is that as it is so hot here, wearing a permanently wet cotton T-shirt isn’t uncomfortable (whereas in a cold climate you’d freeze).
Also agree with you about nylon swim trunks.
Cheers!
Paul
Hi Paul,
I’m looking for a magical piece of kit: a jungle Tshirt.
As it’s currently winter in Europe, there isn’t that much of a choice about Tshirts.
Would I be able to find on a typical market, a long sleeves hooded Tshirt, cotton. The hood matters a lot 🙂
Something really simple, indeed, but apparently not available in here, at least in this time of year.
Thanks again, you’re helping 🙂
Hi Wawa,
thanks for the comment and sounds like you are getting very prepared!
I’ve seen hooded sweat shirts in the sports shops here but they look too warm to me. I just use an old, standard cotton T-shirt so can’t really help you much beyond that. You might find a hood a bit warm for over here but it would, I guess, keep bugs from sliding down your neck!
Cheers!
Paul
Hi Paul,
My plane will take off soon, but I’m not prepared enough yet 😀
That’ll be part of the adventure!
As you guessed, the hood would be to prevent bugs from sliding down, but also to delay the moment to put my head-net on.
I absolutely don’t want a sweater (the name itself says it all).
I’ll search by myself a nice Tshirt: long-sleeves, light, loose, light colored (and a hood).
Of course a hood won’t be a pleasure with that kinda of sauna-like context… But, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Thanks for the answer.
Bye!
hi paul,
re: the belt, have you thought of a DIY inner tube belt ?i know… first thing i thought about was the rigidity. but do a search for inner tube belt…done right…not floppy at all.
also the interior can be sewn/made waterproofish.
i would stash in there some cotton webbing…mabe some tin or foil, also a length of cordage inside the belt…if you use the belt itself…you will have that piece of cordage to hang your parang .
i would think with some creative sewing and design you could have a unobtrusive kit with you at all times.
basically the belt and your parang…your good.
take care,
rob
Hi Rob,
Many thanks for the great suggestion – I had never thought of doing that and it makes a lot of sense! I use a 5.11 belt these days which I like a lot as they can take the weight of parang and PSK pouch without any problem but I might try and incorporate some inner tube onto the belt as well (maybe sew some on?). I’m going to revisit the whole PSK survival kit concept soon.
Thanks again for the great tip.
Cheers!
Paul
Here is an example
http://arrivingbybike.com/bike-jewelry-lifestyle/bike-tube-wallets-belts/photo-1-3/
Hi Rob,
Thanks for the photo and article – amazing! They look like leather belts! Vey impressed.
Cheers!
Paul
Hi Paul,
I stumbled across this article and it agrees with your tshirt color choice.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/16944753
Thought you would find it interesting.
Take care,
Rob
Hi Rob,
Many thanks for the link – a fascinating article! – and it does seem to prove what many of us have observed about mozzis over here. I also notice this effect with the dogs as the three blacks ones get noticeably more hassled by mozzis than the tan coloured ones.
Thanks again,
Cheers!
Paul
Good point about clothes in your blog. Water proofs are not gonna work in the jungle and U will be drenched from head to toe very soon, just keep a spare pair of clothes completely dry in a bag for nights. On the legs I wear 100% cotton cargo shorts and knee high canvas gaiters, the lower leg is greatly protected with this system but it leaves your knees exposed. I’m thinking of ditching the knee high gaiters and switching to cargo trousers on my next jungle trip to fully cover the legs.
Hi Grayson,
Great to hear from you and sounds like you and I think alike on clothes for the jungle. I too prefer cotton to synthetics – mainly because of comfort as synthetics really feel slimy and nasty when you’re sweating heavily thoughout the day. The only problem I have had with cotton is chaffing on the shoulders where the rucksack straps are…I am experimenting with using synthetic shoulder patches to see if that gets rounds it.
Anyway, thanks again for the comment.
Cheers!
Paul
Hey Paul
Are you sure those UK cargo trousers you use are 100% cotton, I noticed online that a lot of the ‘military surplus’ clothes are cotton/poly blends these days 🙁
Anyway lucky for me I found some nice 100% cotton cargo trousers recently at 2nd hand shops! Even found one pair made from linen (fibres from a flax plant) There so breathable it’s like wearing nothing at all. Even more breathable then cotton! Only $6, cargo trousers made from linen are usually £30 plus 🙂
Hi Grayson.
Good to hear from you and, in answer to your question I am pretty sure that they are 100% cotton as some of my pairs are getting completely thread bare and the threads look like cotton to me! However, I know that the army also do trousers that are mixed blends and when I bought the ones I have I looked at some that are used by the Gurkas in the jungle that seemed to be a mixed blend (they were all too small for my size – which is rare! – so I didn’t get the chance to test them out).
Cheers!
Paul
Hi Paul,
Saw this and immediately thought about your past gear observations.
Jungle shirt designed in the UK for the Malaysian jungle.
New Malaysian Jungle Combat Shirt
I like the back venting idea…though I’m wondering whether the seams will rub…what about mosquitos ? and the collar does not look comfortable.
Anyway i thought you would like to see it.
http://soldiersystems.net/2014/12/21/crib-gogh-malaysian-jungle-uniform/
Rob
Hi Rob,
Many thanks for the comment and apologies for my slow reply but I’ve been away over the Christmas period.
Very interesting link you sent through and I it reminds me of the ex-army stuff that some of my friends use which has cotton arms and a synthetic body material. These were tops developed for the desert wars and are easy to find now in army surplus stores. My problem with these is that I find synthetic material too uncomfortable when you’re sweating heavily (and it gets very smelly!). However, the problem with cotton is that it can chafe around the shoulders when wet (i.e. where your shoulder straps rub).
I did experiment with using synthetic material for the shoulders sewn onto a cotton T-shirt and it sort of works but I still find it a bit uncomfortable.
The one in the link you sent looks too heavy and hot to me but then army gear often seems to favour heavy duty over lightweight.
Cheers!
Paul
Hi Paul,
If you were searching for pants in Malaysia, in a small village, what would you chose?
Do you know the (malay) name of that kind of pants? http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Orang_Asli_in_Malaysia.jpg
(Please don’t apologies for slow answer, I know you’ve been in the Jungle 😀 )
Enjoy the rainforest, keep us posted!
Hi Wawa,
You anticipated my slow reply well! I have indeed been away….
I don’t recognise the trousers in the photo but quite often the villagers/Orang Asal will buy clothes from what are locally called Bundle Shops (that sell second hand stuff at bargain prices). The Malay for trousers is seluar (I think).
Sorry can’t be of more help
Cheers!
Paul
Hi Paul,
That’s perfect, I didn’t know there were Second Hands shops in Malaysia.
Anyway, if they can get those pants easly, that’s a good sign.
That means I can use a lightweight polyester pants (200g) that is light enough to travel with, city, bus, boat, bike and so on, but when I plan to do some serious Jungle time, I buy used and sturdy pants.
I’ll keep that in mind 😉
Thank you, it’s been helpful!
Hi Wawa,
Glad to be of help and the Bundle shops are great for work wear stuff….all the workers here use them and you can pick up some real bargains.
Cheers!
Paul