The ideal of walking in hot climates with the sun streaming down on you, topping up your vitamin D and warming up your soul is a really great one, but in reality walking in hot climates can actually be really hard work and pretty dangerous if you aren’t well prepared.
We’ve put together our top tips to keep you safe and make sure that your walk is successful when you are in hot climates.
1.Research your Destination
Do some good research before you go, make sure you know when the hottest times of the day are going to be (usually around midday) and avoid doing too much walking during these times, take a long lunch and refuel during these times.
Early mornings are usually a great time to start your walk as its a lot cooler and you can watch the sun come up and bathe the land in sunshine.
2.Stay Hydrated
It may sound obvious BUT the most important thing to do for yourself when walking in hot climates is to stay hydrated. Drink a large glass about an hour before you set off and then sip often as you walk. When you have pit stops take the opportunity to fill up your water supplies as you never know when your next refill might be.
Watch out for your urine turning a darker shade of yellow, a sure sign you are dehydrated.
If you are sweating a lot then a sports drink could help with the lost electrolytes (body salts).
3.Dress for the Weather
You may think that less is more when you are walking in hot climates but actually you’d be much better off with thin clothing in light colours that cover your skin, think lose long sleeves and trousers. These will protect your skin from the suns harmful rays and give you some protection from sunburn and will also keep your skin as cool as can be.
It is best to wear a hat with a peak to keep the sun off your head and face.
4.Don’t be Fooled by an Ocean Breeze
Although you might feel cooler as you walk alongside the ocean with the spray from the waves and that lovely ocean breeze cooling you down, this can actually be more dangerous for you since you don’t notice the sun’s rays on your body as much, yet they are just as powerful.
Make sure to apply lots of suncream and be extra vigilant.
Also don’t foget that you can burn more easily if you decide to have a dip in the ocean since the sun’s rays reflect off the water.
5.Choose your Footwear Wisely
For walking in hot climates you’ll need different footwear, choose lightweight, ventilated walking shoes and socks that wick away sweat. You can also buy walking sandals which keep your feet cooler just make sure to apply suncream to your feet, if you end up with sunburn there it’ll put a stop to your trip for sure.
Take extra socks along too so that if they get wet or you sweat a lot into them you can change them up. Wet socks cause discomfort and blisters, the last thing you want.
6.Reduce Friction
When your skin is hot and sweaty and starts rubbing on your clothes and shoes it can produce friction which in turn gives you nasty sores and blisters that will render you unable to walk without a lot of pain, definitely not what you are after!
When walking in hot climates friction is a definite problem so try and choose sweat-wicking fabrics that pull the moisture away from your skin.
If you know you are prone to friction then you could create a barrier between your skin and clothes before you set off by applying petroleum jelly or the special runners alternatives.
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