Hello all, planning my first Camino for this June/July and my big question regards the wisdom of different philosophies of clothing.
I've spent a summer in Greece, where it was 120F (48C) in the shade, and long sleeves and long pants, both lightweight linen, were how I survived that. But then again I wasn't walking all day carrying a pack...
I find that I suffer more having arms and legs baking in the sun with shorts and short sleeves...whereas though long sleeves and long pants may keep some heat in, they spare you the pain of the sun damage.
So my question has two prongs:
1. Will I bake in long pants and long sleeves, or are there others who have found this more comfortable, even in the hot summer?
and...
2. What fibers do you recommend if doing this? I went to REI and they showed me some long sleeve high performance button downs made of synthetics, with vents and whatnot, but they look like sweat factories. Then there are long sleeve merino wool shirts... and lastly, my beloved linen, which I fear may chafe or be otherwise very uncomfortable beneath my pack straps.
And pants too... linen? wool? lightweight synthetic?
What suggestions do you veterans have? Would love all sorts of feedback. I am definitely an aficionado of natural fibers, but I just want to be sensible, both from a standpoint of long-term comfort (not roasting or chafing) and practicality (lightweight to carry). (And there's always washability and smell too...)
I am pretty good with sewing, so I could make things if any of you makers out there have suggestions too!
Thanks in advance for any advice!
I've spent a summer in Greece, where it was 120F (48C) in the shade, and long sleeves and long pants, both lightweight linen, were how I survived that. But then again I wasn't walking all day carrying a pack...
I find that I suffer more having arms and legs baking in the sun with shorts and short sleeves...whereas though long sleeves and long pants may keep some heat in, they spare you the pain of the sun damage.
So my question has two prongs:
1. Will I bake in long pants and long sleeves, or are there others who have found this more comfortable, even in the hot summer?
and...
2. What fibers do you recommend if doing this? I went to REI and they showed me some long sleeve high performance button downs made of synthetics, with vents and whatnot, but they look like sweat factories. Then there are long sleeve merino wool shirts... and lastly, my beloved linen, which I fear may chafe or be otherwise very uncomfortable beneath my pack straps.
And pants too... linen? wool? lightweight synthetic?
What suggestions do you veterans have? Would love all sorts of feedback. I am definitely an aficionado of natural fibers, but I just want to be sensible, both from a standpoint of long-term comfort (not roasting or chafing) and practicality (lightweight to carry). (And there's always washability and smell too...)
I am pretty good with sewing, so I could make things if any of you makers out there have suggestions too!
Thanks in advance for any advice!