To enjoy your time in the jungle you have to become comfortable in the jungle, and what you wear is one of the main things that will determine how comfortable you feel.
But it is surprisingly difficult to find good information on what clothes to wear in the jungle (perhaps because it is not the most exciting topic?) and, over the years and in the absence of good advice, I ended up experimenting with various types of outdoor wear and their suitability for the jungle.
One of the most important items of clothing to get right are the socks you wear. If your feet aren’t hardened up (or your boots rub a little) and you have bad socks the inevitable result will be blisters… and blisters are no fun at all.
I began by using sports socks (and many people recommend these type of cotton socks for the jungle). I have not had a good experience with cotton socks – in the damp of the jungle cotton rubs against your skin and produces blisters. In my view, wool is the way to go – even when wet it is comfortable(ish).
The other topic I cover in this video are leech socks. Some people don’t like to use them but I like them simply because I want to protect my feet first and would prefer a leech bite somewhere else on my body.
I’ve been into the jungle with people who insist on wearing sandals without socks – how the leeches feast! – their feet end up looking like someone has poured a bottle of ketchup over them. On a day trek you can get away with this – but those bites are going to itch and get sore if you’re on a long trip, so protect your feet. If your feet get screwed up and you can’t walk you’re in real trouble in the jungle.
Look after your feet – dry them in the evenings and treat them to a good pair of socks – because to get out of the jungle you have to be able to walk out of the jungle.
Hi Paul,
Great site. Thanks! A quick question for you. Would you know where to get the leech proof socks in KL? I was told by friends and also the Lowyat forum that Tesco’s carried them but I’ve now been to 2 tescos, 2 carrefours and not found them. My next bet is the Malaysian Nature Society. By the way, I think I’m using the same shoes you are, Elephant brand “adidas kampung”. I think you had mentioned using gaiters to add a further margin of safety against kraits, any suggestions on where to get that? I’m trying to prepare myself for a Gunung Tahan trek around July 2012 so your site looks very useful.
Thanks again,
jaya
Hi Jaya,
MNS stock leech socks so you should find them there, I have also found them at large ACE hardware outlets (the one at the Curve) and I think that the Outdoor Centre at Jalan Ampang also stock them. You could always make your own (if you know how to sew) – just use tight weave cotton.
Not sure where you’d find gaitors over here (mine came from the UK), but you may not need them on the Gunung Tahan trek as I believe it is quite well cleared. Impressed to hear you’re going to do the trek and best of luck with it.
Cheers!
Paul