Another Clothing Question

[Cannonball]

As if this has not been talked about enough I have another question. Being from eastern NC I wear a lot of “ fishing shirts “. They are quick drying material, and breath to help keep your body cool. They are man made synthetic fibers. They do NOT need ironing. I read on this forum about wearing cotton shirts as the camp cleaners were going to press the shirts with a hot iron regardless. Is that true ? Are my man made fiber shirts okay to take to Africa ?

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I wear Columbia PFG shirts all the time over there. Never an issue with laundry

 

[Rare Breed]

Not true. If you ask the camp manager to specially tell them not to iron you are fine

 

[Doug3006]

I like those fishing shirts. Just choose dark green or brown and you’ll be fine. DO NOT wear light blue in tsetse fly areas! They seem to be attracted to light blue. In Zimbabwe, the tsetse fly traps are all light blue.

 

[samson7x]

I don't wear cotton and didn't run into any issues.

 

[Hunt anything]

I wear “fishing shirts” exclusively. They get ironed in Africa with no trouble at all. I’ve been wearing the same 3 or 4 shirts for 10 plus years.

 

[Hunt anything]

Same shirt 11 years apart.

 

[Tanks]

I was told at one time that the reason for the "hot iron" was to kill any insect eggs that might have made their way to the clothing. So, I take cotton shirts, underwear and socks to make sure that happens.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I wear synthetic sweat wicking shirts from Cabelas. Never had a problem with staff wrecking them. Never knew that was a thing until I heard about it on this forum. Make the camp manager aware that you heard it's been an issue at OTHER safari outfits. Don't start off on the wrong foot insulting management by insinuating they don't know what they're doing. I have found most camp crew take great pride in the job they do. I try to make it a point to praise them as much as possible. Seems to mean a lot. And they usually deserve it. North American hostelry staff are generally not nearly as attentive.

 

[hunt4fun]

Something to think about: On my first morning of my first Africa hunt, I wore a new synthetic fishing shirt. We went back to camp after shooting a couple of gemsbuck and I realized that I had numerous runs in my shirt from contact with thorns, which are everywhere in the African bush. Since then I try to use cotton.

 

[HankBuck]

As if this has not been talked about enough I have another question. Being from eastern NC I wear a lot of “ fishing shirts “. They are quick drying material, and breath to help keep your body cool. They are man made synthetic fibers. They do NOT need ironing. I read on this forum about wearing cotton shirts as the camp cleaners were going to press the shirts with a hot iron regardless. Is that true ? Are my man made fiber shirts okay to take to Africa ?

@Cannonball - I have nice Nylon Fishing shirts but would never wear any for Hunting - they “Rip” very easily on thorns, stickers etc…and of course can NOT be ironed or anywhere near a camp fire where a hot ember might land on one and “melt” a hole in it.
I prefer a quality 100% cotton either in a stiff canvas weave for cooler weather or in a tight poplin weave for hotter days. Cotton poplin is great on hot days, does Not stick to your skin like a twill weave does, drys quickly if it gets wet, resists small tears and rips better then nylon and it tolerates a hot iron and occasional small ember from a camp fire. Unfortunately there are few good 100% cotton poplin shirts made - Tag Safari makes Very good ones, Cabela's/Bass Pro are occasionally decent. They cost more for good quality but are worth it.

 

[Hunt anything]

I was told at one time that the reason for the "hot iron" was to kill any insect eggs that might have made their way to the clothing. So, I take cotton shirts, underwear and socks to make sure that happens.

If I remember correctly the hot iron kills the bot fly eggs.

 

[HankBuck]

Same shirt 11 years apart.

@Hunt anything - gotta respect a guy that wears the same shirt hunting for 11 years and outright “Admire” if he Never washed it !!

 

[Firebird]

In some areas the Tumbu fly (mango fly) is why they iron stuff. Check with your ph to see if they exist where you will be hunting. Or simply request your shirts not be ironed. -every camp technique will vary

 

[Tanks]

I have nice Nylon Fishing shirts but would never wear any for Hunting - they “Rip” very easily on thorns, stickers etc

They aren't the only thing that gets ripped from thorns.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I wear Cabela's Tech Lite shirts. They are synthetic blend, super comfortable, never sweat, look great, and very tough. Bought my first one in 2018 and it's still not worn out. I wear them almost exclusively every day and hunt hard every fall here and Montana mid September to second week in December. Tough but extremely light. Four trips to Africa and not a tear from thorns yet (can't say the same about me). Mind you, I hunt South Africa during winter and frequently wearing a fleece jacket too. Very good quality stitching, buttons, etc.

Unfortunately, it looks like they are being discontinued. Six should be enough to last till I can't hunt any longer.

 

[Tanks]

Four trips to Africa and not a tear from thorns yet

Well, I don't think the type of terrain below is common in RSA game farms.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Well, I don't think the type of terrain below is common in RSA game farms.

View attachment 712424

Pretty nasty up north where I hunted buffalo. Blackthorn did a number on my pants but shirts survived well enough.

 

[revturbo9967]

Well, I don't think the type of terrain below is common in RSA game farms.

View attachment 712424

I second that. I tore almost every piece of clothing I had 3 days in a row searching for kudu in this thick jess. Everything has thorns that are 2 inches long.

 

[375Fox]

I was told at one time that the reason for the "hot iron" was to kill any insect eggs that might have made their way to the clothing. So, I take cotton shirts, underwear and socks to make sure that happens.

That’s what I was told in Zambia. They would not return clothes to me until they were ironed.