Hiking in the heat: What to wear for the summer?
Hiking trails in the Tatras are open, holidays are equipped, clothes are ready. While in winter, just dressing up and preparing for a hike took about an hour, in these conditions one can get ready literally in five minutes.
However, the hot summer weather should not be underestimated. Particularly in heatwaves such as those currently taking place in our latitudes, we are exposed to quite hidden risks that can jeopardise not only the smooth running of our hike, but also our overall health.
That's why we've selected products from our range that are absolutely ideal for even the hottest days in the mountains, and added a few practical tips to the mix:
Choose a T-shirt that wicks away moisture
The foundation for any hiking outfit is the first layer, also known as the base layer, which aims to wick away moisture efficiently to keep your body fresh and dry. However, while in the winter the cool air helps you to stay fresh, in the summer it's just the opposite. Moreover, in the summer, unless you've just been caught in a summer storm or you're climbing somewhere really high up, this layer is the only layer most of the time. So it's all about everything.
Three options come to mind from our range - lightweight merino wool T-shirts, Tencel T-shirts or synthetic options. All three have their advantages.
Tencel is a material that we only started using on our T-shirts a few years ago. The fibres for its production are obtained from the pulp of trees that the manufacturer grows himself and it is considered one of the most progressive technical materials ever. Tencel is very pleasant to the touch (it's often compared to silk) and it's also excellent at wicking sweat and moisture outwards, keeping you dry even when you're pushing yourself harder. Tencel doesn't lose its properties even when it gets wet and is also extremely durable. Moreover, it is one of the most eco-friendly materials available and combines well with other materials, which is why we were able to design not only a 100% Tencel model, but also a variant that combines this material with merino wool.
Merino, it's a similar story. It wicks moisture excellently and the big advantage is that it's naturally antibacterial, so it doesn't smell even after several wears, so you can wear it for several days in a row, which you'll appreciate especially on longer trips.
Advanced synthetic materials nowadays also offer comparable properties to their natural counterparts, have quick-drying properties and feel very pleasant to the touch. In addition, they are very durable and easy to maintain.
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Long pants, shorts or leggings? The answer is yes
It's only natural that in summer we would immediately reach for the shortest possible shorts and treat our legs to some sunshine. Whether for the sake of a tan or for ventilation. There's not much to argue against this approach, just be sure to keep those feet covered with sunscreen. In the heat, however, it's actually not automatically necessary to reach for shorts, and they're not the best choice for everyone. Especially people with sensitive skin know very well that in this case, you need to go against your intuition and rather opt for long trousers.
"Zip Off" trouser variants are a solution for both worlds. They are becoming more and more popular and we at ZAJO also feel an increased interest year after year. They are, simply put, trousers that can be converted into shorts at any time. And, thanks to the improvements we've made to them in recent years, without having to take off your shoes. Our Zip Off pants are based on our most popular Magnet and Grip pant models, which are durable, breathable and lightweight, everything that hiking (not just) in the summer requires.
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Do not underestimate the choice of underwear
The choice of underwear usually doesn't get extra attention, but the more it is overlooked, the more important it is. When choosing underwear, similar rules apply as for T-shirts, i.e. the materials must be able to effectively wick away moisture that could otherwise cause severe discomfort, even unpleasant rash and other skin problems. Avoid cotton, which is a pleasant material for leisure, but not for active movement, as it soaks up moisture instead of wicking it away.
Socks make all the difference
Socks are the same story as underwear - although cotton socks are very comfortable to wear, pure cotton is absolutely not the case here. Feet need to stay dry at all times, otherwise there's a risk of painful blisters. It's really worth taking several pairs in case of hot weather and changing them regularly as a precaution.
Suitable options are socks made of merino wool or breathable synthetic materials, but for greater comfort and even more efficient moisture wicking, we also recommend looking for socks with mesh panels or ventilation zones.
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