Has anyone or anyone's wife taken pants to Africa that have stretch in them? Specifically the ones that are 98% cotton/2% elastain (spandex). Did they survive the hot ironing?

My wife is having a tough time finding what she wants that isn't made of a stretch fabric. She tried the Tag Safari clothes on at DSC this winter, and she did not like the fit. I'll add that she is particular about her clothes, so she isn't inclined to make due with an odd fit. I don't blame her, she should be comfortable.

I am out of touch with fashion, and it appears that 100% cotton pants have mostly disappeared. Everything has stretch in it, even a lot of the work wear. Men's pants still are 100% cotton, but women's not so much.

Jeremy

REI used to carry a good selection of women's outdoor wear. L.L. Bean might be another option. Remember there is no need that the clothes be specifically "Safari" gear. Anything in earth tones is fine. Good luck!

Columbia has clothes for women that are suitable.

I have seen men wear these too.

Or just tell them in camp not to iron her clothes.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Columbia has clothes for women that are suitable.

I have seen men wear these too.

Or just tell them in camp not to iron her clothes.

Yup. My clothes were washed in cool water and never saw an iron, even though they are all cotton - I just hate stretchy/nylon anything.

Don't Purchase ANYTHING at R.E.I. they Donate to PITA!!!

Then she is fine with what she has. We were advised to go with 100% cotton just so we didn't have any issues with melted garments.

She has a good selection of earth tone hiking gear already. It's just mostly a cotton blend of some sort, or all synthetic.

Jeremy

I'm recommending my daughter get some prana pants for our next safari.

I've worn the Prana Zion pant for multiple safaris - holds up through thorns, crawling, etc. Also has some stretch in them and they breathe.

We both have Prana's for hiking and early season hunting. They have been very good purchases.

I've heard of issues with melted pants or shirts from the coal fired irons used in some camps. They apparently iron hot to also kill bot fly eggs, which I am wholeheartedly in favor of.

So, the advice I have been given was to go 100% cotton. I didn't know if the stretch cotton will hold up to the ironing.

Seems like it will, but you never know. I am allergic to an unhappy wife so that is avoided.

Jeremy

Whereabouts are you headed? Back of beyond, or lodges, or??

quote:

Originally posted by farbedo:
Then she is fine with what she has. We were advised to go with 100% cotton just so we didn't have any issues with melted garments.

She has a good selection of earth tone hiking gear already. It's just mostly a cotton blend of some sort, or all synthetic.

Jeremy

I have made 11 trips to Africa and never had a melted garment. We wear mostly synthetics, especially for late season (Oct/Nov) safaris.

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
Whereabouts are you headed? Back of beyond, or lodges, or??

A hunting camp in billi billi GMA Zambia.

Jeremy

My wife and I have hunted together on three safaris now. I think most everything made for women is stretchy material of some type. She wears mostly earth tone colors in clothes she likes. She has a couple of women's 511 pants and they are stretchy also. We have never had any melted clothing issues. You can always tell them don't iron it.

Try https://shopmckennaquinn.com/ is she wants fashion stuff. There was SheSafari. I think they may be closed now. I only know because they have advertised in various magazines. Otherwise, I have no clue.

Mrs. Surefire here, I’ve had no problem with cotton blends and ironing as long as it’s predominantly cotton. I did have a pair of nylon hiking pants get melted when I forgot and put them into the laundry basket once in Zambia.

My wife bought Gramicci pants from Sierra Trading Post.

Took a couple pair of pants from Cabelas that were 98% cotton and 2% stretchy. No problems with melting. Will use on my next trip.

Great feedback. Thankyou for the help.

I hadn't realized how extensive the stretchy cloth thing had gone. It's like Franks Red Hot Sauce, they put that shit in everything.

Jeremy

As a man without stretchy pants for years, I am appalled it took manufacturers this long before it became mainstream in men's clothing. I won't buy jeans or shorts that aren't stretchy now, but I still refuse to buy tight stretchy pants. I have my limits. My man parts thank those responsible for this change.

My wife bought super nice ladies clothes from both Kuhl and Patagonia for safari. Coupled it up with some She Safari that she had and was Safari Babe.

Check out Duluth Trading Post. No issues on melting for us with their “firehose flex” mostly cotton fabric, very comfortable and durable. Other fabrics available. My wife really likes their stuff, as do I.

I pretty much only wear Kuhl pants, either 98/2% or 70/30% cotton/elastane. No issues at all. Wife wears similar and besides being really functional, they look GREAT.

So we did a marathon shopping trip to get her outfitted on Saturday. We hit Duluth Trading, Cabelas (right next to Duluth), and Rural King. Rural King was the ticket. They had Dickies cargo pants for women, and those fit her the best of the bunch. We were going back to Duluth if Rural King didn't pan out.

Thanks all.

Jeremy

We're just back from Zim . wife and daughter wore Red Head brand stuff from Bass Pro / Cabelas.

nice and quiet...