Hot Weather Riding Gear

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Orainn

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I am lucky enough to be going on a riding safari in a few weeks (cannot wait). I've been starting to think about packing and just look looking at my usual riding gear is making me sweat!

Does anyone have good ideas for keeping cool? We will be riding for about 6 hours a day so comfort is important too - not planning on a cute pair of denim shorts :-p

I will just wear a t-shirt and lightweight shirt, but my main concerns are hat, jods and footwear.

Re the hat - I'm not willing to compromise on safety so if I have to accept a sweaty head then so be it. Just wondered if there was a cooler option than my usual Champion.

I usually ride in jod boots and chaps. I'm also usually head to toe in black, so probably switching to lighter colours would help.

Any ideas much appreciated!
 
Might be worth getting whatever you are wearing now and start riding in it so you toughen our skin up before the holiday. Endurance tights and mesh chaps or perhaps no chaps if you can stand it. I like my uvex perfexxion but it's not up to the new standard. I don't know if they have a new one out that is.
 
I did some long days riding in the US in 105 degrees.... I found the cycle helmet type hats were the coolest, and you can get clip on visors to provide shade.

One year I just took an old jockey skull, and ditched it before coming home, which was nice as it saved on packing.

I personally still preferred cotton breeches, with the Ariat perforated half chaps, but TBH with the western saddles I was also OK in jeans.

Have a great time!
 
I used to live in Barbados and Spain so am used to riding in 30-40 degree heat.
I used to ride in cream coloured jods & 'paddock' boots I liked Ariat ones). Great for if you need to hop off and it's dusty as hell! Of course the boots are still warm but nothing like wearing normal boots. I also didn't often wear chaps but if I did I had some cheap Tuffa neoprene ones that were great, especially if you get them wet. Could also take them off easily and roll them up and tie them to the back of the saddle if it got too hot.
Helmet I used to have an LAS endurance helmet but Troxel is apparently just as good but cheaper. Most of my friends had Troxel and found them very comfortable.
I would usually wear a plain cream/khaki/light coloured button up shirt. plain cotton or linen is the best and rolled up sleeves (3/4) (I kept it all quite "billow-y" to catch any breeze!).
Just please remember that just because it's hot doesn't mean you shouldn't cover up! Sorry if it sounds like I'm insulting your intelligence (don't mean to!), it's just I've taken tourists out on rides and they arrive in short sleeve t-shirts and tank tops and wonder why after a few hours they are getting heat stroke!
Phew, ok covered it all I think.
I hope you will be posting a million photos after your trip. It's a dream of mine! :D
 
I'd look at the sort of helmet endurance riders favour. Performance Equestrian have a good range. I use a trowel spirit for everyday riding as I love long hacks but get a pounding headache if my head gets too hot.
 
I've recently got back from safari in South Africa. It's their winter at the moment so it's not mega hot, early 20s at most during the day, so I just wore my regular riding clothes with loose t-shirts or strap tops and it was fine. The weather was great for riding really.
 
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Which riding safari are you doing.

I usually wear a lightweight riding hat, ariat boots and chaps then just jodhs and a t shirt. You will likely be riding very early in the morning then again late afternoon no probably wont be that hot for riding
 
If it were me, I'd wear thin riding tights like Kerrits with regular joddy boots/trainer style ones. Possibly I'd wear long (up to knee) socks over the jods to help protect if leathers nip. Otherwise, endurance type helmets are still up to standard but very lightweight with loads of vents in them.
 
Thanks so much for the helpful replies everyone.

I hadn't really thought of looking at endurance gear so will have a look at that. Performance Equestrian seems a good start.

I will probably get an endurance hat, some light coloured jods/tights and maybe some endurance chaps.

Also encouraging to hear that we probably won't be riding in crazy heat given the time of year and likely schedule.

So excited!!!
 
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