My outfitter's recommended packing list follows along with what I had read here previously; cotton trousers and cotton shirts. I hate hunting in cotton in warm weather. It gets soaking wet and feels like I gain 3 kilos. I wouldn't hunt in blue jeans if that is all I had to wear.

He also mentions bringing a jogging suit to sleep in. What's with that?

quote:

Originally posted by Kensco:
He also mentions bringing a jogging suit to sleep in. What's with that?

That is so you will be appropriately dressed for a run when the hyenas come into your tent at night.. .

What time of year are you hunting and where...it can get pretty chilly if you are fly camping in June/July especially in semi desert...namibia, botswana?? Zambezi Valley?? Its also great fun stepping out of your tent in the nud if something is going on...especially if you might have to defend yourself...it can be somewhat distracting if your kit(read package) is bouncing off one leg while you look into the eyes of an angry animal...

In RSA at a lodge with electricity, modern fabric is OK. They use modern irons.

If you take anything other than cotton or wool to a bush camp it will be ruined when they iron it with a cast iron implement filled with hot coals.

In Central Africa you want to iron your clothes with the hottest iron possible, and not for that British starched look. It kills the eggs of insects that lay them on the clothes as they hang to dry. I ironed my underwear, my socks, my T-shirts, etc. Since most of the clothes were washed by beating them against a rock, synthetics were not the best choice.

Wink brings up a very valid point in addition to synthetics (plastic) being hotter, it's just not done old boy, kinda like taking a 45/70 to Africa... jorge

Yeah, Wink got it right. If you didn't use cotton clothes in our Teppi elephant Concession you would wind up popping worms out of your skin. Sometimes in very sensative places!
Rich Elliott

There was a thread on these a couple of months back...

I agree that in hot weather cotton clothing has a tendency to remain damp and clammy from sweat, and I also prefer a poly/cotton mix for that reason. If this egg laying insect is a potential problem when the clothes are being dried after washing, what cotton clothes wet from sweat?

Mmany folks are treating their clothes with perethrin to avoid problems with ticks and other bugs? Would this also prevent the egg laying talked about here, so negating the need to use a very hot iron?

Regards,

Pete

As I understand it they are typically only a problem if your washing is dried in the shade...not sure how that would affect sweat and such...but ironing is always good to be on the safe side...and ja...electricity or coal irons is an issue with fancy(but very nice) synthetics or expensive kit...them little maggots can make you squirm somewhat....and its damn tricky to get them by the head if you use the old vaseline or butter plan...very satisfying once they are out though...almost as good as a clean brain shot!

While I wear nothing but cotton at home, in Africa, especially during the hot seasons, I wear nothing but Synthetics. I wear shirts and pants made by L.L.Bean, that have a Moisture Control System (M.C.S.)with Nano Dry. This fabric is outsatnding, will keep you extremely Dry, Cool, is very Light, and Quiet. I pre-treat everything with Perethrin, and ask that they do not iron them. A few times, when they were ironed by mistake, there was no damage at all. I have had great luck with these clothes, and will continue to use them in Africa.

The clothes I take to Africa usually stay behind when I leave. I like cotton but will wear the synthetics. No need to bring the clothes back as they are shot when the hunt is over.

I once attended a lecture at an SCI convention with the speaker T D Smith of the reticle fame, et al, and his reason was as the survivor of 13, yes 13 plane crashes is that fire and man made fibers do not mix with survival. Plastic melted into your skin was a fast ticket to Hades. But I do believe that your PH was dealing with the simpler items, such as ironing, and quiet. Choose what's best for you.

I took some pants and some shirts by 511.
I really liked them. It is all I will take next time.

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
I once attended a lecture at an SCI convention with the speaker T D Smith of the reticle fame, et al, and his reason was as the survivor of 13, yes 13 plane crashes is that fire and man made fibers do not mix with survival. Plastic melted into your skin was a fast ticket to Hades. But I do believe that your PH was dealing with the simpler items, such as ironing, and quiet. Choose what's best for you.

True, the army banned all synthetics off base in Iraq.

http://www.blackanthem.com/World/military_2006041304.html

These were all interesting answers. I took Filson Safari cloth clothes with me to Namibia four years ago in August and found it very comfortable, but I also wore polypro underwear without thought of fire hazard. I'll think of it now.

www.filson.com

I am working on a line of clothing that incorporates the nanotechnology benefits of poly with 100% Egyptian cotton. We've had good success on it so far and I have a few guides in Africa in it with nothing but positive feedback.

Cotton with the feature becomes water repellent, moisture wicking, anti-microbial, 50 SPF protective, and dries 6X faster than regular cotton.

actually cotton pretty much sucks for anything but socks. It is very prone to staining and will look like a old kleenex when you take it out of dryer. Most of the nice casual shirts for sale these days are all cotton, A far better choice is polyester, Stains just wash away, It holds very little if any moisture, so it drys very fast, and it also does not wrinkle hardly at all. next time look for poly cotton blend shirts, they peform much better

FMA,

I'm interested in your line of clothing. Do you have any available now? I'm especially looking for a cotton pant with expandable waist that is tough, but comfortable in a hot climate. The 5.11's are great, but have too much material in the legs and at least with me, make noise when I walk.

I'd love to try your stuff this September in Zambia.

quote:

Originally posted by SBT:
FMA,

I'm interested in your line of clothing. Do you have any available now? I'm especially looking for a cotton pant with expandable waist that is tough, but comfortable in a hot climate. The 5.11's are great, but have too much material in the legs and at least with me, make noise when I walk.

I'd love to try your stuff this September in Zambia.

The line I have right now, I'm not satisfied with. The fabric was invented by the Swiss, but they don't have good enough fabric to really make it work. Their Indian liscencee, I have just started working with and their fabric is much better quality. They are also working with Sims Fishing and K.C. demands great quality. I hope to have some samples soon and go into full production; it'll also lower the cost as right now, with the $20 a yd Swiss stuff and paying to make it in NYC, the pants retail at $250, which means, right now, I'm just selling to rich guys and their wives. Want to get the retail down to around $100, which ain't cheap, but I've seen people will pay for performance and quality.

I haven't thought about using anything but my Cool Max socks in my desert combat boots. Should the Cool Max live for 3 weeks of washing/ironing, should I buy heavy cotton or wool socks or just spray the socks with Permethrin?

quote:

Originally posted by WY:
I haven't thought about using anything but my Cool Max socks in my desert combat boots. Should the Cool Max live for 3 weeks of washing/ironing, should I buy heavy cotton or wool socks or just spray the socks with Permethrin?

Depending on where you go, you'll be responsible for washing your undergarments. Either way you can just wash your own socks and let them dry overnight.

quote:

you'll be responsible for washing your undergarments

Not at our outfit you won't.
Rich Elliott

I've never been in a safari camp where I had to wash my underwear.

I have worn 100% cotton pants, shirts and shorts on 5 safaris and have never had a problem with them. Depending on where and when you go, it is usually not that hot on safari. The only time I have ever been really hot was in the Selous. I like cotton, it's soft and it breathes. Where I don't wear cotton is in my socks. Socks with CoolMax work great. The best socks I have ever found are made by Bridgedale.

Regards,

Terry

I used to be pretty much anti-cotton for anything, but I've mellowed. I still won't wear cotton socks, though - a ten-year foot fungus convinced me to spend the extra money for Smartwool socks and keep the moisture away from my feet.

Jaywalker

quote:

Originally posted by Rich Elliott:

quote:

you'll be responsible for washing your undergarments

Not at our outfit you won't.
Rich Elliott

Has to do with the tribe, not how nice a place is. Was in Samburuland last month and I had to do the wash. Not a biggie.

While all good answers above I'm sure, my take is pretty simple. It is also mentioned in some reponses previously.

Cotton is the "traditional" choice of safari clthes. It is quiet, and durable. Many synthetic clothes are noisy, and laundry techniques are more critical. (Yes, I have a pair of synthetic pants with an iron sized mark melted through them from a bush safari.) While some wonder fabrics work great, it is hard to give real specific advice to clients half a world away, and expect them to be followed. You won't go wrong with cotton, and it is what most PH's wear, in my experience. They recommend what works for them.

I am not anti-synthetic. I usually do have some synthetic clothes, but have gravitated more towards cottons and cotton blends while in Africa. And I have never been asked to wash any of my clothes while on safari. I was somewaht suprised to see my shorts and socks ironed in many camps, but hey, it wasn't a problem.

Good luck,

Bill

quote:

it can be somewhat distracting if your kit(read package) is bouncing off one leg while you look into the eyes of an angry animal...

This assumes your "package" is large enough to bounce off your leg.

quote:

Depending on where and when you go, it is usually not that hot on safari.

Terry,

What is considered "hot" is relative! Living where I do, anything over 70F is "hot" and over 80F its swealtering! How Saeed or the guys from Texas survive their summers, I'll never know!

I would say that cotton seems to be more durable that poly/cotton mix, and that is is probably a major consideration for PH's, but If you take say 3 shirts on a ten day hunt, I can't imagine them not lasting...

Regards,

Pete

quote:

Originally posted by FMA:
The line I have right now, I'm not satisfied with. The fabric was invented by the Swiss, but they don't have good enough fabric to really make it work. Their Indian liscencee, I have just started working with and their fabric is much better quality. They are also working with Sims Fishing and K.C. demands great quality. I hope to have some samples soon and go into full production; it'll also lower the cost as right now, with the $20 a yd Swiss stuff and paying to make it in NYC, the pants retail at $250, which means, right now, I'm just selling to rich guys and their wives. Want to get the retail down to around $100, which ain't cheap, but I've seen people will pay for performance and quality.

FMA,
Is the fabric you are testing Eta-proof or ventile?

Barbour used ventile for some models. I had a jacket in ventile fabric for many years and was very pleased with it.

Cheers
/JOHAN

Pete,

Your blood is too thick. A few months before safari, try thinning it with copious amounts of whisky.

Regards,

Terry

P.S.

A bit of a side note, go here for a heck of a deal on Bridgedale Socks

I bought three pair of these socks several months ago. I wear them every day with my desert combat boots while walking the dog. Best socks I have ever worn. They are "seconds" but of the 3 pair I have, I can find nothing wrong with them. In fact, I'm going to order some more. Sierra Trading Post has other styles of Bridgedale socks, just search by brand.

Also, another good deal (I already bought a couple for this season's safari to mix my Gatorade) Water Bottle

quote:

Originally posted by JOHAN:

quote:

Originally posted by FMA:
The line I have right now, I'm not satisfied with. The fabric was invented by the Swiss, but they don't have good enough fabric to really make it work. Their Indian liscencee, I have just started working with and their fabric is much better quality. They are also working with Sims Fishing and K.C. demands great quality. I hope to have some samples soon and go into full production; it'll also lower the cost as right now, with the $20 a yd Swiss stuff and paying to make it in NYC, the pants retail at $250, which means, right now, I'm just selling to rich guys and their wives. Want to get the retail down to around $100, which ain't cheap, but I've seen people will pay for performance and quality.

FMA,
Is the fabric you are testing Eta-proof or ventile?

Barbour used ventile for some models. I had a jacket in ventile fabric for many years and was very pleased with it.

Cheers
/JOHAN

It's a finish actually on the fabric.
www.3xdry.com

I'll be hunting Zimbabwe for buffalo beginning July 2nd. At 59 I still hunt hard and sweat. I wouldn't think of wearing cotton socks. All my hunting pants are 100% poly. There is no way cotton is quieter than those pants. I've got a friend who was born and raised in Zim. I'll get his comment on the eggs laying idea related to ironing. I hadn't thought of that being the reason. It sounded simple just to tell them not to iron anything. Personally I would rather treat the clothes and skip the ironing if that is an option.

As someone who grew up in Yuma, Arizona, in 110-130F temps before air conditioning I speak with authority when I say that everyone is missing the real reason you should wear cotton in hot weather.

Cotton holds the sweat your body gives off and cools your skin. Damp is good when it's so hot you can fry an egg on the sidewalk (something people sometimes actually did when I was a boy in Yuma).

Forget the dumb practice of wearing short pants and shirts with short sleeves the colonialists launched in Africa. You will feel cooler if you keep your skin covered with cotton and encourage the process of sweating. Man-made fabrics just won't keep you as cool.

Bill Quimby

I used underarmour T shirts and under ware in Zim with nout damage by the camp staff.
Again I say the 511 shirts and pants worked great.

quote:

Forget the dumb practice of wearing short pants and shirts with short sleeves the colonialists launched in Africa.

Sorry friend but you are more than welcome to youre long sleeved, long pants in Africa. There is no way in hell you will find me in the bush in longs in summer.

Teesav Khaki's and regulation boxer rugby shorts for me, thats the way we dressed for school and up to grade 7 and we never even wore shoes to school!

During the Rhodie Bush war we wore issue cammie or green boxers with vellies and no socks. Old habits die hard

Bill,

That sounds too sensible; but being hard-headed I still hate the thought of trudging along in soggy clothes.

By the way, I found out I'll be hunting Matetsi. I believe that is about a 110,000 acre private reserve. If anyone has been there please pass any comments or suggestions along.

I agree with Alf, you can't beat cotton shorts and short sleeved shirts out here.

Teesave make a great product except for the built in obscelescence of stitching on the pockets and buttons.....

I'm (along with help from my old buddy & clever bugger Peter Lang) currently trying to work out a design for a short sleeved safari jacket come shirt that I can have made over here. Kind of a' la Stewart Granger which should be even better as it'll all be double stitched and have things like bino pocket, padded shoulder fronts and discreet bullet loops etc. If I can get it right they should last really well and be even better than the teesave stuff.....and hopefully, at a reasonable price!

"Sorry friend but you are more than welcome to youre long sleeved, long pants in Africa. There is no way in hell you will find me in the bush in longs in summer. Teesav Khaki's and regulation boxer rugby shorts for me, thats the way we dressed for school and up to grade 7 and we never even wore shoes to school! During the Rhodie Bush war we wore issue cammie or green boxers with vellies and no socks. Old habits die hard "

Compared to southwest Arizona, Zimbabwe's summers are not warm enough to worry about covering up.

"By the way, I found out I'll be hunting Matetsi. I believe that is about a 110,000 acre private reserve. If anyone has been there please pass any comments or suggestions along."

I hunted Westwood in the Matetsi in 1983 with Fanie Pretorius on my first trip to Africa. The place had great sable, and lots of buffalo and elephant.

Bill Quimby

When the air temperature exceeds blood temperature the clothing rules change completely. Wear long sleves and pants and pray for evaporative cooling.

If the air temp is below 98 degrees the air circulation helps - especially in high humidity - that's where short pants and short sleeves help.