How to Stay Cool While Hiking

 

The fresh air, beautiful scenery, and health benefits make hiking a favorite pastime for many. Unfortunately, overheating on a hike can cut your plans short. 

 

Not only can it ruin your day, but it can also even lead to serious health problems in the future. To avoid a situation like this, it’s important to stay cool while hiking. Let’s take a look at how below!

 

Stay hydrated

Hiking outside, especially in hot weather, can lead to hydration. Even if you’re not thirsty, it’s a good idea to make sure you drink regularly while on the trail. By the time you feel thirsty, you’ve already begun to get dehydrated.

 

A great way to do this is by packing two water bottles—one that’s cold and one that’s frozen. That way, when you finish your first bottle, you have a nice, refreshing one on hand.

 

Stay in the shade

It’s simple—the more you’re exposed to the sun, the easier it is to overheat. Choosing to hike on shaded trails helps keep you cool and avoid getting sunburned. If it’s hot and sunny outside, it’s probably a good idea to save your treeless hikes for another day.

 

Wear appropriate clothing

Although our first instinct is usually to wear less clothing on a hot day, this can actually lead to overheating. Instead, opt for loose, light layers that cover as much skin as possible. Fabrics that are moisture-wicking will wick away sweat and keep you cool.

 

In addition, darker colors retain heat. Wearing a white shirt on your hike will keep you cooler than wearing a black one.

 

Take frequent breaks

A large contributor to overheating on the trail is pushing yourself too hard. Even if you don’t feel tired, it’s important to frequently take breaks to allow your body to cool down.

 

Equally important is to take your breaks in the shade. Your body can’t cool if you’re sitting in the heat!

 

Hike with a friend

No matter where you’re hiking, it’s always a good idea to go with a friend. Overheating can lead to impaired judgment but a friend can check for signs of heat exhaustion. In fact, they’ll often notice it before you do.

 

And if you do end up overheating and collapse on the trail, having a friend along increases your chances of survival. They can make sure you make it to a shaded area to cool down or call for help.

 

Hike in the morning

The hottest part of the day is usually around 3 pm, so plan your hikes accordingly. The weather tends to be coolest in the morning, so hiking during that time will reduce your chances of overheating.

 

Hiking during the night is cooler than during the day as well, but it’s more hazardous than hiking in the morning. In the dark, it’s easy to get lost or injure yourself.

 

Use sunscreen

Not only is sunburn uncomfortable, but it also causes you to lose fluids. Applying a liberal coat of sunscreen to any parts of your body that are going to be exposed on the hike will help protect your skin from the rays and keep you cool and comfortable.

 

Wear a wide-brimmed hat

The sun beating down on your head during a hike can lead to overheating. Wearing a hat will protect you from its rays and keep your core body temperature down. The wider the brim, the more of your body is kept shaded.

 

Douse your bandanna

Bandannas are handy for just about everything—including keeping you cool. Dousing your bandanna in water and tying it around your head or neck provides a refreshing way to keep cool on the trail.

 

Just make sure to only douse your bandanna in water that’s safe. Stagnant water can contain bacteria that can cause problems if they find their way into your eyes or ears.

 

In conclusion

The essentials of hiking are simple—stay safe and have fun! But you can’t do that if you collapse from heat exhaustion on your hike. 

 

Luckily, staying cool doesn’t have to be difficult. A lot of it is common sense, so as long as you keep your body temperature down and stay hydrated you’ll be fine. Happy trails!

What Next?

Recent Articles