Another Clothing Question

@Sika98k - Nope, Not scratchy at all (not to me) they are woven tight and the ones I’ve worn are very thin liner socks —-hard to find. I agree merino or a wool blend is also very good. The only issue I’ve ever had with Wool socks - “Moth damage” so I store mine in a zip lock bag. I think for hiking in warmer weather many synthetic blends work just as well. In very cold weather, if you’re prone to ‘cold feet’ (I’m Not) nothing is warmer then Wool but many avoid wool and find it “itchy” (my Wife can’t even look at Wool w/out scratching!). I like it, especially for inside rubber boots and wet conditions - if you get them wet, just take them off——ring them out- put back on and you’ll still get some comfort & warmth. There’s a reason it was the choice of Fishermen for 100’s of years - it worked well and especially in wet conditions. Synthetics have now taken over and are very good - cheaper & maybe better in the heat, plus No Moth issues. I prefer wool for real Cold and especially Stand Hunting in the Winter. Feet are important on any hunt, gotta take care of them —cold feet or blisters can limit the enjoyment of any hunt so a lot of thought should be put into your boots AND socks.
I totally agree with you. I’ve been wearing merino wool base layers and socks for a good number of years now. I’ve added some woolen trousers and shirts to the outfits for the winter.
 
I will never wear short pants out in the bush. Non-African men must have thinner skin that a PH. One day in short pants can make your legs look they have been in a cat fight.
 
I generally find that synthetic does not breathe very well in hot climates. So I always prefer a lightweight cotton myself. Not a fashion expert, but my tailor called the material “Serge”. Quite breathable and extremely durable.
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Same shirt 6 years apart
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Same shirt 42 years apart
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I prefer shorts but the legs do take a beating.

Below, acting like I’m helping to sort out the elephant tracks. The trackers are away sorting out which path they took out of the creek bed.

PH took this pic. Most likely laughing at what the heck I was doing :LOL:

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I generally find that synthetic does not breathe very well in hot climates. So I always prefer a lightweight cotton myself. Not a fashion expert, but my tailor called the material “Serge”. Quite breathable and extremely durable.
View attachment 712727

Same shirt 6 years apart
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Same shirt 42 years apart
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Your first picture looks like an ad in Field Ethos! Good on you for a life well lived.
 
If any of you have a Columbia outlet store nearby, they’re have g a pretty incredible sale right now… about 25% of the store is on 75% off clearance… everything else remaining in the store is buy one, get a second item 50% off..

If you like the pfg clothing line.. I picked up a khaki/olive drab/brown patterned shirt for $14 tonight as well as a pair of long, ripstop, khaki pfg shorts for $16… either would (will) make good warm weather Southern Africa hunting wear…

I probably saw a half dozen different short and long sleeve pfg shirts in typical “hunt” colors (various shades of brown, green, tan) all for $19 or less… as well as a similar number of pants in the same colors all for $19-$25…

If my closet wasn’t already full of “Africa” hunting clothes I would have grabbed a lot more than the single shirt and shorts that I grabbed tonight..
 
I’ve hunted in the same 2 Columbia fishing shirts over the past 12-15 safaris and they look as good as the day I bought them.
 
I’ve hunted in the same 2 Columbia fishing shirts over the past 12-15 safaris and they look as good as the day I bought them.
This Columbia fleece jacket is just about worn out. It's lasted more than twenty seasons of hard hunting here and in Montana plus four trips to Africa. I replaced the zipper in 2018. Seems I got too close to a campfire and an ember took out the zipper. Also a couple of small holes burned through right shoulder. But it marches on.
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I don't have a problem wearing some camo to Africa. If it's quality stuff, the color/pattern doesn't matter to me as long as it compliments the environment. I don't own any camo pants or boots. That's over the top. Prefer my lodge's camo ball caps as they managed to find someone who makes them large enough to fit my head. NO flat brim crap. I'm a big game hunter not a crack dealer.
 
I prefer shorts but the legs do take a beating.

Below, acting like I’m helping to sort out the elephant tracks. The trackers are away sorting out which path they took out of the creek bed.

PH took this pic. Most likely laughing at what the heck I was doing :LOL:

View attachment 712726
What you are doing is praying. The hunters prayer, “Dear Lord, please make my bullets go where my crosshairs are pointing “. Do it frequently myself.
 
I don't have a problem wearing some camo to Africa. If it's quality stuff, the color/pattern doesn't matter to me as long as it compliments the environment.
Most free-range hunting countries forbid camo, so I only have solid colors, mostly green or khaki. Top layers and rain gear which I use in the States I also use solid colors as that is a color I can wear outside of hunting.
 
Most free-range hunting countries forbid camo, so I only have solid colors, mostly green or khaki. Top layers and rain gear which I use in the States I also use solid colors as that is a color I can wear outside of hunting.
Yep. I don't travel on planes wearing camo, not even domestically. That jacket is in my carryon and it may come out in Joberg if weather is cold when I disembark. Traveling from here through Europe at the end of August only requires shirtsleeves. I take three shirts. Two are lightweight comfy Cabelas camo (above) and a tan cotton one I wear on the plane. It's fairly heavyweight material and not preferred for hunting for that reason. But it looks good. I'll often switch to it at the end of the day for dinner and the campfire scene.

I know about camo bans in some countries (like Zimbabwe) but I prefer to hunt colder weather in camo tolerant South Africa ( = no snakes or bugs). I am from the Great White North after all. Also have a brown Columbia fleece jacket I could bring instead but it's sleeves are a bit short and a heavier fleece which is usually more insulation than I need.

Here I wear my Cabelas camo shirts almost every day. They are simply too comfortable to put away. If I lived and worked in a more urban environment, I suppose I'd be more conscious of advertising my bloody pursuits. But this city of +100K is still rural enough to comfortably wear some camo anywhere and when I want. But no Browning or DU decals on my vehicle!
 
I went back and looked at my “safari” clothes although I do wear it for warm weather hunting here at home.
My two favorite shirts are Browning and are 98% cotton.
Same hat and is vented waxed cotton given to me by a late Mossy Oak executive.
The pants are 5-11 and the labels are gone so I have no idea what they are made of.
Actually I’m just proud I can still fit in the same clothes after 11 years!
 
I like to wear the Jonsson shirts they provide. They are very similar in weight to the PFG fishing shirts that I also have. I always ask for long sleeve, because they normally provide them in short if not specified.

We even stopped at the Jonsson store in Pretoria on our way out so we could grab a few more.
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Jonsson is hard to beat on price and quality. I wear their pants and long sleeve shirts nearly every day.
 
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 ?
If testes flies, mosquitos and thorns are likely to be an issue where/when you hunt then I'd go for thick cotton

When I asked my PH about everything being hot ironed he said 'the guys can read a label'
 

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