clothes suggestions for the tropics

I live in Hawaii which we can consider a distant cousin of the deep jungle in the Philippines.

Pants:

Rock Guide Patagonia Pants (Zip-off). Honestly, I can not say enough good things about these pants. Feel amazing, look great and have withstood more offtrail bushwhacking than chuck norris could handle with no signs of wear/tear. Zip off when too hot and humid or want to go swimming. Dries quickly.

I could recommend a shirt but nothing with buttons.

Chase

I love my Railrider EcoMesh pants and LS shirt (button-up). Works great for the sun and helping to discourage bugs. From hiking in the rain with them to the point of being fully soaked, to having the sun come out and continuing to hike in them — about 20 min to dry while wearing them. I like them a lot.

you may not be a great deal less hot with lighter clothing than with heavier, more insect proof, and absorbent (comfortable) clothes.

that only based on my op of several years working like a whipped and beaten dog in the very hot sun.
cotton is pretty nice when it's hot. looser is usually better than slim and trim.
synthetics next to the skin can really stink a LOT.

there may be a lot to say good about thin merino. i have a short sleeve collared zip T (minus-33 brand) that i love to wear, even here in the california valley summers.

and anyway… what silly people go to jungles in the first place ?
head North Luke … NORTH !!!
—
or maybe just go online and gander at pics of where you are going. see what residents wear. they are no stupider than us (or smarter) and whatever they are wearing .. already works !

cheers,
v.

Having just returned from the Philippines two weeks ago I found the following clothes worked great:

PANTS> REI Sahara zip-off polyester pants
".511" brand nylon tactical pants

SHIRTS> REI Sahara
Columbia }all shirts are dacron polyester
Cabela's Guidewear

SHOES> Merril Ventilators

!!CAUTION: If you are backpacking in Mindanao (anywhere) or Palawan (mainly the southern 1/2) be ACUTELY aware that you could and likely will be kidnapped once locals know you are going into the boondocks. Word spreads quickly. Most kidnap victims in the Philippines end up dead after the ransom is paid. Nothing personal. Just business.

I was in both islands in January and February. The PNP (Philippine NAtional Police, formerly Provincial Constabulary) were on high alert in Mindanao. There were even Filipino Special Forces guarding the Dipolog airport. The U.S. State Department warns against visiting Mindinao. I went had great reservations and only went because my wife has relatives and family friends in high places there and thus I had their protection. But I did NOT venture out into the countryside even though I was offered armed escort.

Travel just isn't has fun as it used to be.

Because of the high humidity in these areas i think you will find that 50%polyester/50%cotton will be your best choice.For lots of choice and cheap options you should be able to buy 65/35 mix or similar.Pure synthetics will not breath>
For rain wear a poncho or cape.No w/b fabric will work.

@eric is this new news about the danger of palawan? I've been back there every year since 2007, and felt safer there then in the US.

Luke:

My travel outfit (good from arctic to hot/humid tropics):

o 80/20 poly/cotton blend tees
o poly pants (made with Dupont Supplex or similar)
o poly undies (Ex Officio)
o shorts (running shorts with liner to double as swimming trunk)
o poly socks
o appropriate insulation layer (which you won't need in the jungles of Philippines)
o windshirt (which again you won't need)
o travel umbrella
o some form of nubuck walking shoes that's comfy for miles of walking but also presentable at restaurants/theaters (in your case, a pair of black in simple styling can do double duty)

Regardless of length (my longest trip was 7 months) — I bring two outfits: one on my person and the second in my backpack. Wash at night and wear in the morning. I never lug dirty laundry around.

In your case, you will need to add your formal attire. Maybe buy a barong locally?

@ Luke,

When I inquired about travelling to the south I was told by several guides in Puerto Princessa that the southern 1/2 to 1/3 of Palawan, being mostly Muslim, is not sae for foreigners. That would apply ESPECIALLY to backpacking.

Besides, esthetics alone, the north end of the island is more beautiful and doesn't have the logging found in the south.

Not to drown out the very important safety warnings…

But back to gear for a moment… Eric, did you find the Sahara shirts too heavy for the tropics? I have a few of these (l/s) and find them overly thick — and didn't bring them on my recent trip to Borneo. Are the s/s Sahara thinner?

I live outside of Manila and have visited a number of the provinces over the past year and experienced the intense heat and tropical sun along with the soaring humidity. I have found cotton – polyester blends to be very comfortable. Forget about Gortex rain pants and jackets – an umbrella is probably your best choice for rain, but also to keep the sun off of you – it really helps.

Let us know how your trip went! Be safe

Ten years ago I worked for a month on the island of Kwajalein (Marshall Islands) in the central Pacific. I wore Ex-Officio shirts and pants the entire time, and they worked very well–light and quite breathable. There were few cars on the island, and everybody got around on bicycles. Once in awhile a small cloud cell would dump 2" of rain on a 10-acre patch of ground, and if I happened be under it I would get drenched. The clothing would be dry in 20 minutes from the sun. Also, the button-up Ex-Officio shirts are fairly decent looking for a somewhat "upscale" event. The pants with zip-off legs, not so much.