Whenever you’re planning a holiday, it’s important to make sure you pack everything you need to ensure your time spent travelling is comfortable and enjoyable. The type of travelling you’re doing and the destination you’re visiting will have an affect on what you need to bring along. For example, the clothing and essentials you need to bring for hotter climates will be very different to the things you’d need in colder conditions.
Before setting off to a new destination, it’s always important to research the local climate and weather conditions, as these will have a big impact on your stay. Make sure you also use a temperature gauge when you arrive to keep a close eye on the conditions. If you’re travelling to a place with hot weather, you should take care to avoid issues such as heat stroke and sunburn. In this article, we’ll share some of the essentials you shouldn’t leave home without when travelling in a hot climate.
Lightweight Clothing
It can be difficult to pack the right clothing for your travel adventure, and knowing which clothes to choose is often a challenge. However, if you’re going to be spending time outdoors in hot climates, lightweight clothing is often the best. Not only will this be cooler to wear, but it will also be significantly lighter to carry and give you more space for other things you need.
You should always think about the material of clothes when packing for hot conditions. Generally speaking, thick materials like heavy cotton and denim are poor choices. Instead, you should be looking for quick drying materials and insulative but thin fabrics such as wool or hemp. These will allow you to sweat and cool your body as you move, helping you to avoid overheating especially when outdoors. Quick drying materials will also be easier to wash, allowing you to stay fresh even when travelling for a long time.
Although shorts and t-shirts are normally the best option for hotter climates, you should be wary of your exposure to the sun. Consider wearing long sleeves and look for clothing that provides UV protection if you want to minimise the risk of sunburn. You should also bring along some kind of hat that will help to protect your eyes, face and neck from exposure.
Sun Protection
Sun protection is essential if you’re travelling to a hot climate where you’re likely to be exposed to a lot of sun. While you may want to tan, it’s still important to use sun protection if you want to keep your skin soft and wrinkle free as you age. Exposure to the UV rays from the sun will lead to damage in your skin cells over time, increasing the risk of issues such as skin cancer.
If you’re in a destination close to the equator, the rays from the sun are far more powerful, and even if you’re not sunning yourself on the beach, you’ll still want to limit your exposure. You can use sun protection clothing, ensuring you have long sleeves, a hat and sunglasses with UV protection. However, you should also use sunscreen when out in the sun.
Sunscreen will protect your skin from painful and potentially dangerous sunburn while also moisturising your skin. It’s important to choose a cream with adequate SPF protection and to ensure you apply it regularly when spending time outdoors. If you’re swimming, you can choose a waterproof sunscreen, but you’ll still have to reapply it regularly.
Health Essentials
When travelling in hot conditions, there are a lot of health risks to be aware of. Dehydration and heat exhaustion or real concerns, so make sure you always bring enough water when travelling around. Some travel destinations may not have safe drinking water, so it’s advised to carry a water bottle at all times. You could also carry water purifying tablets in case of an emergency.
Aside from this, make sure you bring insect repellent, as tropical climates will often experience more bugs which can cause painful bites or even spread diseases. Ensure all of your vaccinations are up to date before you leave.