Clothing for Africa

16 June 2006, 22:28

LV Eric

quote:
Originally posted by 500grains:
Make it shorts for me too. Cutoff jeans work out fine. But I walk too far and too fast to wear sandals. If I did wear sandals, there would be no skin or meat left on my feet. Although some PHs get away with it, that may be due to the development of elephant hide on their feet after a decade or so in the bush. Most of us office workers do not have feet so well prepared for wilderness abuse.

I do have leather elephant feet, I can walk on anything and i weigh 240-250, its taken me years to get my feet into hunting condition but it sure is worth it.

17 June 2006, 05:45

Kensco

That temperature swing in Zimbabwe (50 to 80) is killing my packing. I've got 20 hours to lift-off and have to have hunting gear for Zimbabwe, clothes for a 5-day seminar in Aberdeen, and a 20-day vacation in the States; plus got to haul back golf bag/clubs for my son. That leaves me one bag and a carry-on. I'm going on the theory that hunting clothes are good for all occasions.

I had convinced myself to go without the coat, and layer over silk long johns if required. Based on the recent posts I'll wedge in the coat somehow.

Thanks for all the advice.

17 June 2006, 09:58

Oldcoyote

Kensco
This is too much for one man. You need to let us help you. I'll take the 20 day vacation!

17 June 2006, 16:23

Kensco

After working 335 straight days in India I'm not going to let you "help" me.

17 June 2006, 17:32

MJines

Wrangler makes upland bird hunting jeans with a nylon-type front on the jean that is designed to preven snags and the like. They make them in brown. Anyone ever use these? The concept is intriguing to me for use in a place like Africa with lots of thorn bushes etc. The durability of jeans, but with something to help break the brush. Just curious.

http://www.wrangler.com/Pages/product_catalog.asp?brand...Jeans&sid=6061754358

17 June 2006, 20:42

jorge

Anybody know whwre I can order a short sleeve 100% cotton (or cotton linen) bushjacket? All I can find are standard long sleeve that are a bit on the heavy side. Thanks, jorge

18 June 2006, 02:58

RCG

Jorge:

Check out www.boytharness.com They are just offering a new bush jacket and vest. I recently visited them and picked up one of each. I really like the vest. Good color, I got olive, not too many pockets, shell loops on both sides, pads on both sides, with an inside zip pocket and an unobtrusive rear cargo pocket. Very well designed. All cotton with a nice feel. Good buttons.

Doesn't look like a photographers vest and not too "Trader Horn" like, if yo know what I mean.

You might want to order some gaiters while you are at it.

Regards,

RCG

18 June 2006, 03:58

SBT

Mike,

In my opinion, the nylon faced Wranglers make too much noise.

20 August 2013, 14:56

CanadianLefty

Allen, miss you. Thanks for your advice again!

quote:
Originally posted by allen day:
I don't like to wear camo on safari, either.

These are my favorite safari clothes.....

My favorite jacket is the "Brooks Range", from Barney's Sports Chalet, Anchorage, AK:
http://www.barneyssports.com

Orvis "Bush Shirt" and the "Buzz Off" version of the Bush Shirt are superb traditional-style safari shirts that are really tough to beat.
http://www.orvis.com

Another great safari shirt is available from:
http://www.texassafarihuntingproducts.com

I prefer Russell's "Safari PH" boot:
http://www.russellmoccasin.com

I always have a set of Churchill's "Western" gloves, #462EB -- these have saved a lot of thornes and assorted abrasions.
http://www.jrcglove.com

For pants, Levis 501s do the job, and yes, you can get these in dark olive.

For a hat, I like any good ball-cap in dark olive or black..........

AD

20 August 2013, 19:57

Fury01

I have never been to Africa but hunt and walk in similar conditions here in the USA. I would note that I use Solid Speed Stick Anti perspirant Deodorant on my feet and it does help with both sweating and comfort thus foot health.

20 August 2013, 20:49

Opus1

Everything in Africa has a thorn. You can attempt to wear thorn resistant clothing and die of heat while you shred your clothing, or just accept the fact that you will get a bunch of scratches and deal with it. Also, Teva sandals or better yet Rocky's (RSA version) are my first choice, but light boots are good in big thorn country.

Bike shorts or compression shorts under your pants or shorts is a must. They won't stop TBF but a least your private areas won't be under attack. Damn pepper ticks love your moist areas. They are almost as annoying as mopani flies.

The one thing I would avoid is the walking Cabela's catalogue look. Not that they have crappy stuff, but you draw a lot less attention to yourself and your PH won't laugh at you behind your back.

As others have said, fleece is a good thing this time of year. It is not unusual to wake up to 40 degree mornings.

20 August 2013, 21:00

TrophyShotPrints

quote:
Originally posted by Opus1:

The one thing I would avoid is the walking Cabela's catalogue look.

Thanks a lot Brett....Now I got coffee all over this 'puter

21 August 2013, 00:36

Orvar

Have to say, unless its RSA/Namibia in the "winter", I have to go with shorts (either from Cape Union in RSA, or Cabelas 5"). Just remember to get some gaitors for the shoes, and you're good to go. And, add a pair of swearpants + fleece for those cold early mornings.
Green t-shirts / Polo shirts for tops. Sometimes a Columbia dry-fit shirt.
Olive ball cap
Good shoes (Merrel)

... saves space for yummy treats

21 August 2013, 00:39

Rick Teal

I hunted the RSA near Kimberley.

It was May, which is the equivalent of our November. At that time and altitude, I was told that it could reach freezing at night, with daytime temperatures in the mid 40s.

It seemed pretty much in line with my archery moose hunts here in Ontario in late September, so that's the way I dressed.

Unfortunately for me they had unusually warm temperatures during my hunt, with night temps in the mid 40s, and daytime temps in the low to mid 70s - I was a little warm. I took camo and no rain gear. I was told it was the dry season in the semi desert area - guess what! I got rained on! They must have known I was coming.

One side note: The outfitter had several lions in paddocks, and fed them every saturday morning. This was an attraction for the locals who would pay admission to watch. I was watching, wearing my only short sleeved shirt (intended for my return home) when one of the locals came up to me and asked me where I was from. When I told him Canada, he commented "So that's why you're dressed that way." This took me a little aback, but when I looked at him more closely as well as the other locals, I saw that they all had on light jackets or sweaters - its all a matter of perspective I guess.

21 August 2013, 01:01

MARK H. YOUNG

Rick,

I always get a kick out of the Africans wherever I meet them. Often they're telling you how cold it is when they are standing around with shorts on.

Mark

MARK H. YOUNG
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21 August 2013, 01:36

Biebs

This thread started in 2005, ended in 2006, and starts up again in August of 2013? Is this the Time Machine??? :-)

21 August 2013, 03:02

Beats the shit out of another lion thread!

21 August 2013, 05:09

Marty

Mark-
Last year it was so cold I saw my PH wearing two pairs of shorts.

21 August 2013, 05:53

jdollar

maybe there should be a contest to see who can inadvertently drag up the oldest post without realizing it. grand prize would go to the poor guy doesn't recognize the age and just carries on!

21 August 2013, 11:34

DCS Member

Search and you're chastised for reviving. Don't search and you're told to search. I like the "at least it's not another lion thread" post.

21 August 2013, 11:47

prof242

JA and Marty, Good posts!

21 August 2013, 17:16

Orvar

+1!

23 August 2013, 00:08

Svinejakt

quote:
Originally posted by Marty:
Mark-
Last year it was so cold I saw my PH wearing two pairs of shorts.

Haha, thats awesome!

23 August 2013, 20:36

Larry Sellers

Mike - I have a couple pairs of those, never worn if I remember right. I'll send them to, if the size is right. Pass along the size info. Never really thought of using them in Africa. Later.

Larry Sellers
SCI (International) Life Member

quote:
Originally posted by MJines:
Wrangler makes upland bird hunting jeans with a nylon-type front on the jean that is designed to preven snags and the like. They make them in brown. Anyone ever use these? The concept is intriguing to me for use in a place like Africa with lots of thorn bushes etc. The durability of jeans, but with something to help break the brush. Just curious.

http://www.wrangler.com/Pages/product_catalog.asp?brand...Jeans&sid=6061754358

24 August 2013, 22:23

Sevens

I didn't put too much effort (or money) into my hunting clothes. Bought some cargo pants from Old Navy if I remember correctly, some shorts from Marshalls, and some shirts from Target. Wore an old pair of running shoes and a pair of Clark's the other days. All worked great for the hunt and left most of it with the trackers as they seemed to need clothes more than I did.

I wanted to look the part while hunting, so most of my clothes were beige, green, and brown, but I wouldn't get too worried about colors. Your PH and, especially, the trackers will wear whatever color clothes they happen to have. This may include outlandish colors like neon yellow, pink, and red. I had one tracker who you would of thought was a regular at a Gentleman's club in Atlanta as all his clothes had the logo for one on them.

25 August 2013, 00:24

Bud Meadows

For my first Namibian safari, I bought two pairs of Carhartt canvas carpenters pants in "Field Khaki" color. Sportmans Guide always has them on sale for $24.99, and I waited until I got their "Free Shipping" flyer in the mail. They work great in the thorny brush where I hunted, and my PH was impressed with how well made they were. There were no fabric tears and they actually got more comfortable with each washing and pressing by the PH's laundry staff. After two trips to Africa, I wouldn't be caught without them. Here's a link to Sportsmans Guide:

http://shop.sportsmansguide.co...arp-pa.aspx?a=808857

25 August 2013, 08:45

Michael Robinson

I used to think that all a man dressed in was cotton, wool, silk and leather.

That still works nearly always.

But on safari, in MMBHA, and other BH places, I have now added Under Armour!

26 August 2013, 12:13

Anjin

quote:
Originally posted by John Frazer:
quote:
Originally posted by Duckear:
Anybody ever wear the ripstop cotton khaki BDU style pants?

I do, also the old-fashioned OD color. They're great for warm weather since they dry pretty quickly.

I have a hunting partner who likes ripstop BDUs, but for me they are too thin to wear around around tsetse flies and thorn bushes. A couple of others in Zambia with us were Texans who wore heavy blue jeans.

If I were to go to Africa again, I'd bring Wranglers (best fit for me) and 5.11s. As noted above, the 5.11s have built-in knee pockets for pads, the only ones I've seen with that feature. I'm wearing a pair as I type this.

Orvis sells great quality bush shirts, but the cotton fabric is rather heavy for hot climates (like here in Japan at the moment.) The one in my avatar was Eddie Bauer and perfect, but sadly no longer offered.

I use Russell Birdshooters for upland dry hunting, but in Africa I would consider getting them with soft soles since the hard ones are noisy for stalking.

Norman Solberg
International lawyer back in the US after 25 years and, having met a few of the bad guys and governments here and around the world, now focusing on private trusts that protect wealth from them. NRA Life Member for 50 years, NRA Endowment Member from 2014, NRA Patron from 2016.

26 August 2013, 12:35

Anjin

quote:
Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
JPK,

I'll stick with Stewart Edward White and my trousers, thanks. No shorts for me.

I learned my lesson on wearing shorts in Africa. They are cooler and less constricting, but legs are exposed to the tsestse flies, mosquitos and thorns.

I've written elsewhere about taking Capstick's advice and bringing a couple of metal screen fly swatters. Unfortunately, they were immediately requisitioned by the PHs' wives, who proceeded to destroy them in a frenzy of swatting within two days.

I myself had so many tsetse fly bites that I stopped counting at 73 on just one leg. The only medication available to apply was a quart of Glenmorangie single malt that I had picked up in Heathrow. Big joke to the others in our camp. After that, no more hunting in short pants for me. Oddly for me, the PHs preferred them and did not seem to get so many bites.

One of my friends actually went hunting in white tennis shorts in the same concession. I'll save that for another post. Let's just say that it did not end well.

30 October 2014, 10:29

CanadianLefty

quote:
Originally posted by CanadianLefty:
Allen, miss you. Thanks for your advice again!
quote:
Originally posted by allen day:
I don't like to wear camo on safari, either.

These are my favorite safari clothes.....

My favorite jacket is the "Brooks Range", from Barney's Sports Chalet, Anchorage, AK:
http://www.barneyssports.com

Orvis "Bush Shirt" and the "Buzz Off" version of the Bush Shirt are superb traditional-style safari shirts that are really tough to beat.
http://www.orvis.com

Another great safari shirt is available from:
http://www.texassafarihuntingproducts.com

I prefer Russell's "Safari PH" boot:
http://www.russellmoccasin.com

I always have a set of Churchill's "Western" gloves, #462EB -- these have saved a lot of thornes and assorted abrasions.
http://www.jrcglove.com

For pants, Levis 501s do the job, and yes, you can get these in dark olive.

For a hat, I like any good ball-cap in dark olive or black..........

AD