Jan and Bob in Florida:
We have neck clothes with little packets of stuff in them that we keep in the freezer. They help a lot on hot days. We also make sure that we have hats on. Then we have a small towel for each of us in a cooler that has been soaked in water and frozen. Usually by the time we get back from the walk it is just right and we use that to cool down afterwards. And of course we carry as much water as we can fit in our hip packs. Four 16-ounce bottles a piece in the summer. We also try to walk as early as possible, sometimes starting at 5 a.m. to get done before the sun gets too difficult to deal with. Walking in the summer in Florida is a challenge and one year we did 50 to help my husband celebrate his 50th birthday, but we did it with no sunstroke and no heat exhaustion, starting at 5 a.m. and finishing at 8:00 a.m. with lots of time out for water and ice in between and even one shower.
Patti:
Staying cool is partly psychological for me. I always wear a breathable, lightweight, wide-brimmed white hat that is navy blue under the brim, and very dark wrap-around sunglasses. If it's dark where my eyes are, I feel cooler.
On the physical side, I carry a quart water bottle filled with ice and a little water to fill in around the ice. I put this bottle in my day pack wedged up against my back with a towel around the part that's not against me. That way, I can sip the water frequently and occasionally dab some on my face, neck and wrists if I want to, and still have a nice cold pack to press against my back while I'm moving. Also, I wade in any clean, moving water I come across.
Irene in Las Vegas:
Although I'm new to walking as exercise, I'm an old hand when it comes to keeping cool... I live in Las Vegas! I hope these few tips help:
1. Think early. Early morning walks are not only good for the soul, but they're good for avoiding the heat, smog, humidity, etc., of the day.
2. If you are out walking later, then consider one of the water "bladders" that are currently available. You fill them with water (although I find ice cubes are a good addition), wear it like a backpack and sip through a straw as needed. And water is indispensable.
3. Iced bandanas. I have a friend who will put bandanas in zip-lock bags in her fanny back with ice cubes and wring them out (if needed) and tie around her head.
4. I found cooling hats at dog shows which have a gel-like section (like the ones you find in coolers). They also have ties, scarves, etc., with the same material. Those are also good for keeping cool.
5. If you're in a very sunny and dry area, wear long-sleeved, light, loose cotton clothing. If you notice native desert dwellers anywhere, they are almost never bare-skinned.
Ron and the Arctic Bandana:
A couple years ago, I bought a cooling device from one of our club's specialty table at a walk. It is a long cloth tube filled with some kind of gel material. When totally dry, the tube lies flat. When soaked in water for about 15 to 20 minutes, the gel expands and looks something like a sausage. The "sausage" is then tied around the neck and evaporation keeps the neck cool. Blood flowing through the neck to the head is also cooled. Unlike a regular cloth soaked in water, the "sausage" works for several hours without re-soaking.
A retailer writes: Arctic Bandanas are a tube of fabric filled with a special water absorbing gel that expands to many times its size and when worn around the neck or head cools you by evaporation. They are available individually at $4.99 each plus $3.50 shipping/handling for small quantities and yes they do wholesale to clubs. Toll free 888-767-SGMC.
Cathey:
I ALWAYS carry water with me when I walk. I drink it and dump it on myself if I'm really uncomfortable. Wear as little clothing as possible; walk in the morning or at night, very early or very late (out of the sun is best, if possible).
Lucy on Looking Cool:
I look REALLY fat in tank tops, so I stick to tee-shirts, but only size XL. Then, at the neck, I cut off all the ribbing above the stitch line, and I cut off the bottom so there's nothing below the level of my hip bones; nothing tucked in, trapping air around my torso; nothing to hang over, layering my hips with extra heat-keeping fabric, and the sleeves are wide, affording a sort of cross-ventilation effect. Yet there is no skin bared. Having just that much more air circulation from neck to waist makes a world of difference.
Charlie of Arabia (Oregon City, actually)
I wear one of those hats with a cloth part to cover the back of my neck and a longer brim. I also wear polarized sunglasses which keeps the eyes cool and prevents any kind of sun glare problems.
I drink lots of water (carry it with me), wear light-colored clothes which reflect the sun and walk a slower pace.
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