I've posted some questions on April 28th regarding Mozambique to get opinions from folks (thanks for the replies) and one topic was clothing - namely short versus long for shirts and pants.

I wanted to reply with my experience on moderate/hot weather clothing. I have hunted in Africa before (RSA) and other hot climates (namely Texas - it was 90 in November last fall, and over 110 in September).

1. Underwear - cotton is not the way to go if you are going to sweat moderately or worse. A wet behind is not fun and it soaks your pants plus picks up dirt. I tend to wear cotton boxers under my clothing, but in extreme heat I wear a pair of polyster cargo shorts w/o underwear. However, I have started experimenting with nylon and polyster underwear and think this is the best way to go - plus they wash/dry easy and the boxer versions can double as a swim suit.

2. Shirts - I'm a big guy (17" neck, 37" sleeve, 50" jacket) and the only comfortable cotton shirts I have found are from Cabelas - the 100% cotton safari line. They fit nice and look good, plus are comfortable. However, they can soak up seat pretty quick and are not very comfortable in 90+ degree weather. So, in the last year I have switched to polyester shirts. They have been great. The best solid color brands I have tried are the Titaniums from Columbia and a store brand from Academy Sports called Magellan. They are light, fit nice, and dry quick. The good news is if you can hunt with camo, there are a lot more shirts and brands that work. I've used some of the Winchester long sleeve camo shirts for the very hottest and sunniest days here in Texas and they are awesome. One recent find I made, and think would be great, is a shirt from the granola folks at REI - the Sahara Tech shirt in "glade". Light weight, vented, and a great "African plains" color. Go here: http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productI...81308.jpg&view=large

3. Pants/Shorts - I'll wear non-cotton shorts, but have not made the move to non-cotton pants. Cotton feels better to me on the legs and holds up better to bushes, rocks, etc. I use generic polyester cargo shorts and Columbia cotton/polyester blend short. However, the best trade-off I have found are the convertible pants from Columbia. They are 100% cotton, medium weight, good pockets, have inside adjustable straps to change the size of the pants, and have zip off legs. I use these almost all the time. During summer either with or without the legs (I have zipped them off on hunts before) and during the winter I wear Cabela's polyester polartec underwear underneath. The last option on pants are upland pants for really heavy thorn/brush areas. Again, I have tried a lot of different ones. The best have been the Columbias. They have two different types - one with a breathable canvas that covers the legs and another with a waterproof canvas - go with the breathable. They are lighter, more comfortable, and cheaper. You can tear through some thorny stuff in these pants and they fit awesome compared to other brands.

4. T-Shirts - New area to me. I'm not talking about plain T-shirts to hunt in, but undershirts for hot/moderate weather. I have some polyester t-shirts I just bought that I plan to try out under some cotton shirts this summer. Not UnderArmour type shirts, but plan ol polyester shirts that look and wear like cotton and cost <$10. I have high hopes for them.

5. Socks - Medium and heavier weight socks do well for me in the hot. They wick away moisture quickly (preventing blisters and sore spots) and provide extra comfort. CoolMax socks (a blend available from different brands) and merino wool tend to work best. I actually use the same socks for winter and summer hunting most of the time. I'm trying some light weight liners for the first time under my socks this summer. One note - stick with the lightest and coolest socks for snakeboots. I usually use long cotton socks for this. Make sure the sock extends past the top of the boot to avoid a rash. Also, stick with medium drab color socks to avoid attracting bugs. No white socks!

6. Hat - whatever fits and makes you feel and look cool. I have a Gigantopethicus head, so most baseball caps don't work. I use a cotton Aussie bush hat with sides that can be buttoned up either left, right, or both. I believe Tilley is the brand. Fishing caps with long bills work great for normal headed folks.

7. Shoes - whatever feels comfortable. I usually wear New Balance for tennis shoes. For boots I wear a pair of Eccos. They are leather, goretex, and have synthetic soles. I wear them summer, rain, winter, snow, etc. and they are great. Unfortunately they don't make the boot version anymore, just the loafer which would be good for Africa. I think the hippies found out that hunters liked the boots (my friends were them also) and discontinued them - damn hippies! I keep them coated with Snow Seal (beeswax and oil mixed together - great stuff) and keep an extra pair of sole inserts with me that I change out everyday to let them dry.

So, to net it out. Avoid cotton for shirts, socks, and underwear. The saying goes for cold weather that "Cotton Kills", well for hot weather "Cotton Sweats"

I'll second your recommendation of the Academy-brand Magellan shirts. I picked up 2 before my trip to Zim last November ... they worked really well! I bought a pair of the Magellan zip-off pants too ... equally well pleased.

I always wear a thin liner sock, then a thicker, usually Smartwool sock. Even in hot times. The liner wicks out the moisture and th wool absorbs it. Not overly hot at all, either.

Oh, I did try one of those UnderArmour shirts in Zim. I got the 'heat gear' one. Seemed to work ok, but I couldn't get too comfortable with its constriction. Think I'll pass.

Head-wise, I tried a baseball cap this year. Sure wish I had taken a hat...the tops of my ears and back of my neck burned even with trying to keep sun screen on.

Shoes? Low and light. I wear Courtneys, the safari model in elephant. Work fine; no problems. Oh, and gaiters are worthwhile. Last year was my first to try them, and they're a keeper.

I hated to see this good post languish, especially made by a new member and from our great state.

Nice rundown. I'd go with SmartWool socks. They're very cool in Summer, believe it or not, and, for me, they move the sweat away from the feet just a bit better for me than CoolMax, and both of them are immeasureably better than cotton.

Jaywalker

CARRHART pants and jackets are the answer IMHO. Shirts - it's dry in winter so any sweat evaporates pronto. We wore cotton BDUs in the army, pants and shirt, and they worked great.

I wear 100% cotton shirts, trousers and 'jocks' every day in summer, spring and autumn and never had a problem with them and excessive sweat in this hot climate. Not while hunting either. One does sweat in the tropics with it, but one WILL anyway no matter the fabric.

Wouldn't touch polyester if I was paid to wear it, JMO.

You're dead on the money Austin Hunter. People that haven't hunted in non-cotton are pretty much behind the curve. I suggest they visit an outdoor shop that handles backpacker, mountain climbing, recreational gear, and move into the 21st century.

I went to REI in Dallas and was stunned at the options. They made my backpacking sheep hunt in Canada a pleasure. They are going with me to Zimbabwe in June/July. I wear non-cotton briefs, T-Shirts, shirts, and pants. I haven't had the problem you mentioned with the pants. I love them.

With regards wearing baseball and other "billed" caps for hunting, doesn't the bill get in the way of the scope when taking the shot? Although I can see a baseball cap beeing a practical hot weather design, especially if it is made of mesh, I think a bushhat gets in the way less?

I suppose I could wear the baseball cap backwards and load up on the bling, but I would rather been dead than seen doing that!

As long as I didn't pull the bill too low, I didn't have a problem with a baseball cap.

That's why the bush hat is a good idea. I'm right handed and keep the right side buttoned up so it doesn't get in the way of the scope.

Now, someone needs to make a good synthetic bush hat. The ones I have seen so far feel "to synthetic" and don't have classic styling.

TILLEY HATS

A great product!

I have found that the folks at www.long-grass.com sell some great stuff including the Tilly Hat. Long Grass thinks that "their cotton" is the way to go. I agree, however, I do use the synthetic pants/zip-off shorts that Cabelas sells and find that the quick drying feature is nice if you're hunting Africa in the rainy season.