Stay comfortable, safe during hot weather hikes with children

With summer’s arrival, hikers have to shift their thinking about how they approach their favorite pastime. Hot weather isn’t a reason to avoid the trail, but especially when children are involved hikers should prep for their adventure with as much consideration as they would for a winter hike. Some hot weather guidelines that’ll ensure your comfort and safety include:
g Clothing – Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Avoid cotton and be sure to don a hat with a brim as well as sunglasses with UV protection.
g Sunscreen – Use at least SPF 15 on all exposed areas of the body, even if walking through shaded areas. The sun is more intense during summer than other seasons.
g Repellant – Insects are more likely to be out in summer than early spring or autumn, so make sure you bring repellant to keep them away. A repellant made with oil of lemon eucalyptus is safest for children.
g Water – Drink plenty of it but not much too swiftly or you’ll suffer stomach cramps. You’ll need at least 2 pints of water per person for every hour on the trail. Avoid caffeine before hiking as that can lead to dehydration.
g Snacks – Salty snacks are needed to replenish sodium lost while sweating. Sweet snacks most likely will only melt anyway on a hot day.
g Mornings – Mornings almost always are cooler than the afternoon, sometimes by a good 20 degrees, so plan to hike before 10 am. Evening hikes after 6 pm also are a little cooler than afternoons.
g Easy – Stick to a trail that won’t prove too challenging in distance or terrain. The more energy you exert, the more likely you are to overheat.
g Shade – Select shaded routes, such as woodlands, rather than open meadows.
g Breaks – Take more of them, maybe one every 15 minutes. This also will give you time to ensure everyone is drinking water and getting a salty snack.
g Slow – Reduce your pace to avoid overexertion. You may not cover as much ground as you like, but there are plenty of interesting, short day hiking trails to enjoy.

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.

Layer clothing when hiking in cold climates

Whenever hiking during winter, you face two challenges: staying warm and staying dry. To beat both, your best bet is to layer your clothes.

Wearing multiple layers of clothing will provide various levels of protection against sweat, heat loss, wind, and potentially snow (As often the case with kids, they love to tramp through and fall in it!). Layering works because the type of clothing you select for each stratum serves a different function, such as wicking moisture or shielding against wind. In addition, trapped air between each layer of clothing is warmed by the child’s body heat. Layers also can be added or taken off as needed.

First three layers
Generally, both you and a child need at least three layers and if really cold four layers. Closest to your skin is the wicking layer, such as long-sleeved synthetic material like polypropylene (This can be found as modern long underwear, both bottoms and tops), which pulls perspiration away from the body and into the next layer, where it evaporates. Exertion from walking means you will sweat and generate heat, even if the weather is cold.

The second layer is an insulation layer, which helps keep you warm. This layer probably also should cover the neck, which often is exposed to the elements. A turtleneck works fine, but preferably not one made of cotton, as this won’t wick moisture from the skin when you sweat.

The third layer is a water-resistant shell that protects you from rain, wind, snow and sleet. Depending on the temperature, could be a wool sweater, a half-zippered long sleeved fleece jacket, or a fleece vest. Any windbreaker worn should be breathable and water-resistant/waterproof.

Fourth layer
You also might even add a fourth layer of a hooded parka with pockets, made of material that can block wind and resist water. Gloves or mittens as well as a stocking cap or ski mask also are necessary on cold days.

For your feet, use a synthetic sock liner with a wool sock. This then can be covered with your hiking boots, to give your ankles the support they need when walking. Since you’ll be walking over and possibly through snow, wear winter boots over your hiking boots to keep them dry.

Finally, don’t forget sunglasses to prevent snow blindness.

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.

Don't forget sunglasses on hike with kids

Sunglasses are an absolute must at high altitudes if walking through open areas exposed to the sun, and in winter when children can suffer from snow blindness.

Look for 100% UV-protective shades, which provide the best screen.

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.

Clothe beach-hiking kids in outerwear to prevent sunburn

If hiking shorelines or beaches this summer, be sure to don children in the following outerwear to prevent sunburn:
g Hat with wide brim – The cover and wide brim keeps sun off most of the face. A hat for young children with very little hair is vital. Hats with flaps that can cover the neck also can be useful.
g Sunglasses – Children’s eyes are just as sensitive to bright, harsh sunlight adults’ eyes. Ensure that the sunglasses actually provide UV protection.
g Lycra shirt and swim trunks – This fabric protects children from the sun as well as keeps them warm in water. And since you’re going to the beach, they probably will go into the water.
g Sunscreen – No more than SPF 30 needed. Liberally apply it to any exposed skin, including backs of ears, tops of feet and ankles. Remember that sunscreen will sweat off, so it probably will need to be reapplied.
g Sandals – Sand can get hot, so the soft soles of children’s feet need protection. Rocks, twigs and seashells washed ashore and covered by sand also can hurt little feet.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

What should you look for in kid's hiking hat?

On one peakbagging hike, I took my two-year-old son in a child carrier on my bag up and then down a 8,000-foot peak. When we reached the bottom, he tapped my shoulder and said, “Daddy, left my hat up there.” His arm extended beyond my face as he pointed at the peak. My two-year-old always seemed to be losing his hat on hikes, but we always found them. I wasn’t about to hike back up to the mountain top, though, and the incident made me wonder why I even bothered to carry a hat for him.

Though we didn’t go back up to search for his hat, I certainly did buy him a new one.

After all, there are plenty of good reasons to have a hat on hike – which I why I always carry a hat and force myself as well as my son to wear one. First, a hat will help keep the sun out of eyes and off your face, which is very useful when sunglasses break or sunscreen sweats off. A hat also will keep heat it during colder moments. Finally, it can prevent rain from hitting your face, which is good for keeping up morale when you’re otherwise getting soaked.

When selecting a hat to wear, look for these qualities:
g Wide brim – This will provide more of a shadow across the face and neck, helping to prevent sunburn. In case of rain, it’ll also help keep water from dripping onto the face.
g Repels rain – A hat that gets soaked isn’t any better than no hat at all. The hat should allow the child’s head to remain dry.
g Lightweight – The neck and legs, especially of children, shouldn’t have to bear a lot of extra weight during a hike. Heavier hats also can keep too much heat from escaping their head, creating unnecessary sweat.
g Soft but durable chin strap – You don’t want chin straps digging into or chaffing your child’s soft skin. At the same time, don’t settle for material so lightweight that it’ll easily break.

The biggest problem you’ll face with hats on the trail is kids losing them. They take them off at stops and leave them behind or take them off during the walk and drop them. An easy solution is to ensure the hat has a long and adjustable chin strap on it, so that when kids take off their hats, all they have to do is let it rest on their neck or shoulder blades by pushing it behind them.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

Select right sunglasses for hiking children

Sunglasses are an absolute must at high altitudes if walking through open areas exposed to the sun and during winter when children can suffer from snow blindness. Look for 100% UV-protective shades, which provide the best screen.

The variety of sunglasses available out there are enormous, but when children are involved, always opt for something sturdy. You can buy sunglasses with no hinges, which means toddlers have one less avenue for breaking them. You even can buy symmetrical sunglasses that can be worn either right-side-up or upside down (for some reason, toddlers like to wear sunglasses upside down). These latter options also cost more money than an inexpensive pair you can buy for kids at any discount store.

Also, be prepared for children to lose their sunglasses. The younger the child, the more likely that the sunglasses will come off sometime during the hike. A lanyard can help prevent this but isn't foolproof unless you clip it the child's clothing.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.