Want to adventure all summer while protecting your kids from the sun, ticks, and other unpleasant elements of the woods? Look no further than light colored, long sleeves and pants! I know what you’re thinking…there’s no way I’m getting my child to cover up in the heat of summer. I’m here to tell you it IS possible, with the right clothing. If I have found one thing to be true across seasons, and across ages it’s this: barring the extremes, there’s truly no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing and bad planning! I have dressed my children in long sleeve rash guards and wool during the summer months for years but recently realized there were much better options out there! I'd love to bring you along with me on my own learning journey so, without further ado I present to you the following breathable, lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics you’ll be living in all summer: linen, cotton (organic preferred), merino wool and lyocell. Read below for descriptions of each and continue reading for even more helpful info!
Natural Fibers
Linen:
A sustainable textile suitable for summer and warm temperatures: linen! “Made from the versatile flax plant, this loosely woven natural fibre is extremely comfortable to wear and has lightweight, temperature-resistant and moisture-absorbing properties. Furthermore, linen dries very quickly and does not stick to the body – so even if you sweat excessively, linen is perfect! In addition, organic linen as a textile is robust, naturally moth-resistant and completely biodegradable – provided it is untreated and undyed.”
Organic Cotton:
A note on conventional cotton: conventional cotton is sprayed with a variety of synthetic insecticides and herbicides but to some is a better option when choosing between synthetic materials or conventional cotton if organic cotton is unobtainable.
“A classic among sustainable summer textiles. Cotton is breathable, durable, biodegradable and guarantees a long-lasting product with pleasant wearing comfort. It is perfect for getting through the summer in an airy, light and cool way. Organic cotton is a material you can hardly go wrong with – neither in summer nor in any other season to be honest.”
Merino Wool:
“Merino wool attracts and absorbs moisture away from the body, ensuring that you…remain dry and comfortable. …Merino wool can hold one third of its weight in water before it even feels wet. In turn, merino wool naturally releases that moisture. The end result is clothing that dries quickly, breathes exceptionally well, and maintains its temperature-regulating properties in varied conditions.
Semi-synthetic Fibers
Lyocell:
A note on why this is semi-synthetic: this starts with a natural fiber but is chemically treated during the manufacturing process.
“Whether in summer or in transitional seasons, this cellulose fibre is ideal for keeping a cool head in higher temperatures! The properties of Lyocell are a super light and smooth feel, opacity, extremely good breathability, elasticity and durability. The material is ultra-light, airy, functional and efficiently wicks moisture away from the body. This makes Lyocell just as suitable as organic cotton…for hot weather and high temperatures.”
Why light colored clothes? Why long sleeves and long pants? Skin tight or loose fitting?
A few reasons! Long sleeves and long pants provide a physical barrier of protection from sun rays, and crawling ticks looking to bite. Light colored textiles make it easier to spot ticks crawling on clothing and to reflect the sun’s rays off of your body. Dark colors make it harder to spot ticks as well as absorb the sunlight, making you feel hotter. Lastly, look for loose-fitting options as this makes your clothes more breathable and in turn helps to regulate your body temperature.
Our Roots Wildschool Summer Session location this year will feature woods, fields and the beach! I have a few options in mind for my kids that I will test out to see what’s the most comfortable and simplest. I will be sure to update this post with what we all prefer! For everyone attending this summer who might need some inspo, here's what I'm planning to test:
Option 1:
Top: long sleeve rash guard
Bottom: swim bottoms with linen pants on top (to be taken off once we arrive at our free play beach spot)
Option 2:
Top: long sleeve linen top (switch to rash guard once at the beach)
Bottom: swim bottoms with linen pants on top (to be taken off once we arrive at our free play beach spot)
Shoes and Hats
I personally love Sunday Afternoon sun hats for my children. They have wide brim, stay on extremely well, have breakaway straps as well as a piece that covers the back of their neck. I’ve linked linen hats below as well as my favorite sun hat brand. There are so many good options out there if you search for kids’ sun hats! As for shoes, durable barefoot sneakers or waterproof shoes will be best for summer! My favorite waterproof shoes for kids are Vivobarefoot Ultra Blooms - my oldest has been wearing them for years and I’ll never look for another option. They’re that good. For barefoot sneaker options as well as other waterproof shoes check out the links below! Confused about the barefoot push? I’ll post a link to explain that as well!
I hope this post has helped you plan for summer adventures. I hope your body temperatures feel regulated, your skin doesn’t burn and ticks stay far away all season long. Happy trails and travels, Wildlings!
Links!
Merino wool, linen and organic cotton:
100% linen pants:
100% linen shirts:
Linen and cotton blend shirts:
Linen and lyocell blend pants:
Linen and cotton blend pants:
Wide brimmed hats:
Linen / linen blend shorts and short sleeves:
Rash guards and bottoms:
Barefoot shoes:
If you decide to buy anything from Vivobarefoot you can use THIS LINK for 20% off of your order!
Want to see more on tick prevention, what to do if you find an attached tick, sunscreen options, water flotation device safety, and more? Head on over to our Instagram!
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