Into The Jungle: Jungle Trekking Clothing

As anyone who is active within the outdoors knows, the clothing required varies greatly depending on the environment. What works for one environment can actually become a disadvantage in another. When choosing clothing for the jungle it is important to base your decisions upon a few rules:

1. Is the clothing quick drying?
2. Does it protect me from insects, plants and the sun?
3. Is it lightweight and comfortable?

If the clothing that you use for the jungle isn't capable of drying out relatively quickly then it will hold moisture all day and become very uncomfortable. Protection will come in the form of long sleeved tops and full length trousers, many newer products come impregnated with permethrin, such as the Craghopper Nosilife range. This is a chemical that kills insects such as mosquito's on contact and can also be bought separately to impregnate items such as mosquito nets.

HEADWEAR

A wide brimmed hat is extremely useful for keeping the sweat off your face and providing protection from the sun. If your not a fan of hats then I have used a Buff bandanna in the jungle and this worked well too, it also makes for a handy sweat rag when things get really heated during a trek!

A suitable wide brimmed hat worn by a local jungle guide

UPPER BODY

When in the thick of the jungle long sleeve jungle shirts are the best, most importantly they are lightweight and don't hold moisture, they provide protection from sharp and poisonous plants and protect you from insects. They are also very practical as they have chest pockets which allow you to store items that you might need regular, easy access to whilst trekking. 

During days where trekking was in the dense jungle I opted to wear a jungle shirt, but when the environment was a little more open i wore a Helly Hansen collared t shirt as I found them to be more comfortable and quick drying.

LOWER BODY

Without a doubt Craghoppers Nosilife Trousers are the best for jungle trekking. I used one pair for my whole
trek and I couldn't say a bad word about them and at £30 you can't go wrong! Craghoppers even provide you with a little dry sack which attaches inside the leg pocket, ideal for any items that need to be kept dry but are needed throughout the day. 

FOOTWEAR

Jungle footwear is very specific, Gore-tex or any form of waterproofing is utterly useless in the jungle as no matter what you do the water will get into your boots and then they will never dry, trekking up rivers makes sure of it! The ideal jungle boots have drainage wholes near the arch of your foot to allow the water to flow freely out. Another important feature is deep tread on the sole of the boots to provide grip when trekking over the loose, wet and extremely muddy terrain that is so common in the jungle.

Altberg Jungle Microlite boot - perfect for the jungle

I used the Altberg Jungle Microlite boot and would recommend this to anyone planning on trekking in the jungle. Other cheaper options are the Welco and US Army issue jungle boots

Finally it is vital that you carry two sets of clothing, one wet and one dry. The wet kit is used for the days trekking and the dry kit is used for sleeping in (don't forget to put your dry kit in a tough dry sack or it won't stay dry for long!)

Happy Trekking!!