Best clothing for high humidity

DrPhilG · 02-11-2012 11:53am #1

I'm heading on a charity trip in April to India.We're looking at long days in high heat and humidity. What's the best material for t-shirts? Last time there we had cotton shirts but they were a bit cheap and heavy. Sweaty rag within hours.I'm told that the synthetic materials are not really better as they don't absorb the sweat, meaning you are just wet all the time. Others advise sticking to cotton but a lighter ringspun version that keeps the absorbancy of cotton but will be lighter and more breathable. Any thoughts? Or is there a clothing/material sub forum that this would be better suited to?

ssaye · 02-11-2012 11:56am

DrPhilG wrote: »

I'm heading on a charity trip in April to India.We're looking at long days in high heat and humidity. What's the best material for t-shirts? Last time there we had cotton shirts but they were a bit cheap and heavy. Sweaty rag within hours.I'm told that the synthetic materials are not really better as they don't absorb the sweat, meaning you are just wet all the time. Others advise sticking to cotton but a lighter ringspun version that keeps the absorbancy of cotton but will be lighter and more breathable. Any thoughts? Or is there a clothing/material sub forum that this would be better suited to?

http://www.craghoppers.com/buy/nosilife-long-sleeved-shirt-135751
http://www.craghoppers.com/buy/nosilife-short-sleeved-shirt-135862

A lot of craghoppers stuff is very good

DrPhilG · 02-11-2012 11:58am

Starting at 18 quid...I need something less than a fiver!

ssaye · 02-11-2012 12:00pm

DrPhilG wrote: »

Starting at 18 quid...I need something less than a fiver!

Fair enough. Well just pick up loads of lose cotton t shirt then in pennys. Cheap and cheerful.

Tombo2001 · 02-11-2012 12:02pm

I bought a Shalwar Kameez when I was in Pakistan........that was the business. Personally, if I was over in India again.....I wouldnt be wearing teeshirts. I wouldnt want the sun anywhere near my skin if I could help it.I got the Shalwar Kameez made for me. It cost about 14 dollars I think. I got lots of admiring comments from Indian men about it "it is such unusual colour".......(it was the sky blue with white pants, the bog standard colours for shirts here, but unusual for the shalwar kameez).

DrPhilG · 02-11-2012 12:03pm

ssaye wrote: »

Fair enough. Well just pick up loads of lose cotton t shirt then in pennys. Cheap and cheerful.

That's the problem.

We had cheap and cheerful last year and they were rubbish. The cotton is too heavy and it was like wearing a jumper.

I've found fine ringspun cotton t shirts on ebay, around 4 euro.

Just wondering what people's thoughts were on the cotton vs synthetic question.

ssaye · 02-11-2012 12:06pm

DrPhilG wrote: »

That's the problem.

We had cheap and cheerful last year and they were rubbish. The cotton is too heavy and it was like wearing a jumper.

I've found fine ringspun cotton t shirts on ebay, around 4 euro.

Just wondering what people's thoughts were on the cotton vs synthetic question.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/clothing-traveling-india-35840.html

Recommend cotton here and from personal preference cover up.

LiamMc · 02-11-2012 12:19pm

Cotton is breathable and would be the best option for your budget.
Also consider buying some clothes at the destination. Loose trousers, loose skirts, long-sleeve shirts.
You will come across cottons that will be almost transparent they are so thin.

You are going to sweat. There will be some relief at altitude, You may consider a long-term purchase of a breathable jacket or fleece if you are camping or out in the elements.

DrPhilG · 02-11-2012 12:26pm

LiamMc wrote: »

Cotton is breathable and would be the best option for your budget.
Also consider buying some clothes at the destination. Loose trousers, loose skirts, long-sleeve shirts.
You will come across cottons that will be almost transparent they are so thin.

You are going to sweat. There will be some relief at altitude, You may consider a long-term purchase of a breathable jacket or fleece if you are camping or out in the elements.

Buying out there isn't an option, the shirts need to be printed and ready to go with us.

LiamMc · 02-11-2012 12:32pm

DrPhilG wrote: »

Buying out there isn't an option, the shirts need to be printed and ready to go with us.

I hadn't realised. I thought it may have been walking trek.
But I now have to ask, are you helping the local economy or promoting yourselves?

DrPhilG · 02-11-2012 12:38pm

LiamMc wrote: »

I hadn't realised. I thought it may have been walking trek.
But I now have to ask, are you helping the local economy or promoting yourselves?

Eh? You mean the printing on the shirts?

It's a church missions trip. We help the local church run a summer camp for the children.

The print on the back of the shirts is just the charity's logo.

Not sure I understand what you're asking me though.

keithclancy · 02-11-2012 1:12pm

DrPhilG wrote: »

Eh? You mean the printing on the shirts?

It's a church missions trip. We help the local church run a summer camp for the children.

The print on the back of the shirts is just the charity's logo.

Not sure I understand what you're asking me though.

I think he's saying it would be a bit ironic buying your t-shirts in Ireland when the stuff is made in India/Pakistan anyway.

DrPhilG · 02-11-2012 1:47pm

keithclancy wrote: »

I think he's saying it would be a bit ironic buying your t-shirts in Ireland when the stuff is made in India/Pakistan anyway.

Ah...

Well I'd have no problem buying locally, but due to the needs of the trip we have to have it all in place before we go.

Should have shopped around last year while I was there!

Stinicker · 02-11-2012 3:08pm

Light linen shirts are great for the tropical malaise. Basically most clothes in Ireland will be too heavy for the tropics unless they are really light. Also don't forget shorts as wearing any type of pants (especially jeans) will be seriously uncomfortable and can chafe nastily. Footwear is no different though. It will be hard if there is no Air Conditioning but after a few weeks the body will acclimatise. The food would be a bigger concern tbh. Pack some Imodium and a few motilium.

Tombo2001 · 02-11-2012 3:28pm

DrPhilG wrote: »

Buying out there isn't an option, the shirts need to be printed and ready to go with us.

Could you not have spelt this out in the OP? "what tee-shirts are good" is considerably different to "before going we need to get breathable teeshirts with the charity logo printed on it for less than €5 a pop"

DrPhilG · 02-11-2012 3:51pm

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Could you not have spelt this out in the OP? "what tee-shirts are good" is considerably different to "before going we need to get breathable teeshirts with the charity logo printed on it for less than €5 a pop"

Because that wasn't what I initially wanted to know.

I have a few places I can get various shirts from, I was wondering what the best material to use was.

It was only when people suggested buying locally that I explained why that wasn't an option.

My main question still remains whether the best material to wear in high humidity is cheapo cotton, ringspun cotton or a synthetic material!

Gatica · 04-11-2012 9:06pm

were in Luang Prabang in Laos a few weeks ago and the humidity was insane. I brought very very light cotton blouses, and while the lightness was great for drying IF there was a breeze, it basically got stuck to my back and was really unpleasant. I'd have opted for something far looser, as I couldn't get it to unstick by pulling it back off my back. I'd probably prefer something light coloured (for the sun) and wicking synthetic fabric, like what you'd wear to the gym, though those won't be cheap.

Best clothing for high humidity

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