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Survival clothing can be described as clothing that performs very well in the wilderness regardless of the weather conditions. In fact, this kind of clothing is part of very vital pieces that constitute life-saving outdoor gear. The thing that makes this type of clothing quite effective is the ability they have to directly protect us from the elements as well as to insulate us through trapping body heat. When selecting the best wilderness survival clothing, it is important to outline all the body parts that required to be covered as well as the conditions that will be dealt with. The primary body parts of the body that ought to be considered are the neck, head, legs, feet, hands, and core. The nature of the environment is the next factor, context plays a huge role as to what will work and what will not.

Clothing Layers

This type of clothing is conveniently divided into certain specific layers. These layers include the following:

  1. Base layers – These clothes are worn directly to the skin.
  2. Outer layers – Generally, they are exposed directly to the elements.
  3. Mid layers – The mid-layers are worn conveniently between outer layers and base layers.

Clothing Materials

The type of materials used for this type of clothing is the main determinant of whether they will function properly or not. Generally, natural animal fibers especially wool is considered to be a very good survival clothing material as it insulates the body in the cooler climates.

Silk is a resilient and effective natural fiber because of the high level of comfort it provides. This makes it a perfect choice for a base layer earlier mentioned.

Polyfibers are good when utilized in the correct manner. They are best suited for wind and rain-proof shells. Use Polyfibers for outer layers. These fibers can be quite useful especially when they are properly vented through unzipping or unbuttoning.

Cotton is the one material whose use should be minimized in survival clothing. This is because it loses the insulating value required when it gets wet from intense sweating or rain.

What your wilderness survival clothing must have

The following are the main concepts that this kind of clothing must have but they should always be combined with personal preferences to arrive at the best option for a particular situation:

Absorb moisture

It is essential to have clothing that can absorb moisture inside your survival kit. They come in handy in emergency situations as they keep the body warm against colds, cough, frostbite, hypothermia etc. It is not advisable to use cotton material because it is not competent with regard to getting rid of moisture despite its excellent moisture absorption. The best clothing to get is those that are good at both moisture absorption as well as moisture wicking. Layered clothing is ideal for moisture absorption/wicking. It is difficult to be warm when you are wet. People who depend upon plastic in keeping dry should be keen on the ventilation for the release of perspiration from both the clothing and the body.

Protection from the sun

UV rays that come from the sun are harmful especially when one is exposed for long durations. Today, the weather patterns are very extreme hence having sun protective clothing is important for shielding yourself from becoming sick. Sun protection is significant if you wish to survive in the wilderness. Sun protective clothing should have ultraviolet protection rating or UPF to absorb UV rays. Putting on a breathable shirt that has long sleeves is best when you are will be exposed to a great deal of sunlight. There are also pants that are fitted with the same features to shield the legs from burning.

Protection from insects

The wilderness has many poisonous insects that are capable of causing severe harm hence is advisable to have insect-proof clothing. Shirts with sleeves and pants will prevent insect bites. There are natural and man-made insulation materials that can perform this function.

Insulation

The main work of insulation is trapping the layer of some body-warmed air close to the skin. It works with a similar principle to that of the diver’s wetsuit.

Footwear

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Footwear is vital for survival in the wild because it can limit your movement. In addition, the body can lose a lot of heat via the feet. The market is flooded with survival footwear, select the one with the most benefits. Survival footwear should be comfortable but can tolerate extra abuse in comparison to normal footwear. Other desirable features in survival footwear are good slip resistant and adequate insulation. It should have breathable waterproof layers. Working shoes and boots are ideal examples of survival footwear. They have special features such as electric shock, oil, and slip resistant soles. Alternatively, boots or shoes with reinforced plastic or steel toes are other good choices.

Leather gloves

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The hands require protection just like the feet do. This is because when they are injured in survival situations they limit the ability to perform life-saving tasks. Wilderness survival clothing for the hands also guard against infections got through splinters, abrasions or cuts. Lightweight leather gloves are good survival clothing for your hands.

The above six clothing priorities are not exhaustive as there are others. However, they are ideal for providing you with adequate insulation when properly used.

Conclusion

It is essential to have the correct protective clothing inside one’s wilderness survival kit because it guarantees protection from the elements as well as other harmful things that can cause harm in case of an emergency or disaster. Remember, in the outdoors you are not close to luxuries such as a roof, solid walls or thermostats. This means that the primary form of protection is clothing. You can be creative by experimenting with various ways of making your survival clothing match your particular needs. This involves testing what you have in an array of environments under a myriad of weather conditions. The highest benefit that wearing best survival clothing provides is enhanced confidence and comfort whenever you are outdoors. This is because you are assured of optimum protection from the head all the way to the toes.