{"id":1870,"date":"2019-09-26T23:05:20","date_gmt":"2019-09-27T04:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carcampingtips.com\/?p=1870"},"modified":"2021-08-19T20:43:57","modified_gmt":"2021-08-20T01:43:57","slug":"ways-to-stay-cool-while-camping-without-electricity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/ways-to-stay-cool-while-camping-without-electricity\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Ways to Stay Cool While Camping Without Electricity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
No power outlets? No problem! Here are 13 ways to cool off without needing an extension cord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sunlight dramatically increases the heat<\/strong>. Even though the air temperature is the same in the shade as it is in direct sunlight, our bodies absorb the sunlight making us feel much hotter.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n We know that shade makes a difference<\/strong>, but how big of a difference?<\/p>\n\n\n\n I decided to find out. I looked at some calculators and put in all the details for an average day of full sunlight <\/strong>in the middle of the Summer in Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conditions: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The results are shocking<\/strong>. According to these two measurement standards, this is what temperature would be felt:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI): 117\u00b0 F <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The WetBulb Globe Temperature (WBGT): 104\u00b0 F <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Feels Like <\/strong>temperature for this day could be from 14 to 27 \u00b0 F hotter than the air temperature in direct sunlight!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n WBGT is used by the military to determine whether heat conditions are too severe for training, and is also used for those working outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite a myth that shade doesn’t work as well on humid days, the truth is that moving to a well-shaded area can lessen the heat sensation by over 20 \u00b0 F <\/strong>(assuming 100% humidity).<\/p>\n\n\n\n This means that one of the most powerful ways to cool down while it’s hot is to stay in the shade. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n (All these data were using the pveducation.org solar irradiance calculator here<\/a>, and the UTCI and WBGT calculator at ClimateChip here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n One easy way to block the heat is by using a tarp as a shade. If you have a plain ol’ blue tarp from Home Depot or Walmart, and some twine or paracord, this can be used as a shade for your campsite or even just for your tent. Blocking sun rays will make a huge difference in the heat you feel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The simplest way to set up a tarp for shade is to string a line from two trees as tight as you need to suspend your tarp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For shelter where you are going to be hanging out at your campsite, a popular option for many is to use a folding canopy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A folding canopy can be expanded and set up anywhere and gives you a shaded space that you can use for eating, preparing food, or whatever it is you need to do. If your campsite doesn’t have decent trees that can help with shade, a canopy makes an incredible difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ozark Trails from Walmart sells a 10×10 canopy. Check it out here, for more details.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a deceptively simple tip<\/strong>. But this one<\/strong> tip can make your stay comfortable or miserable in your summertime camping trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With many campsite reservations moving to online reservation systems, we are now able to reserve a specific campsite ourselves months in advance! The trick <\/strong>is to know which campsite is the shadiest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you know which campsite is the shadiest? Well, there are two ways: <\/p>\n\n\n\n So if you are reserving online, make sure and call first and get the inside scoop before you make a reservation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What’s more important? Short clothing or long clothing that wicks away moisture? Polyester? Wool? Cotton? Etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I didn’t know this before starting to write this article, but this is somewhat of a controversial subject! <\/p>\n\n\n\n The now-conventional wisdom states that it’s better to use moisture-wicking clothing to help cool you off in hot temperatures. But what’s the real scoop?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n From many studies, it turns out that the fabric of the clothing does little in helping someone feel cool or hot. In other words, whether someone wore a cotton t-shirt or specialized sports clothing with a moisture-wicking design does little<\/strong> in how hot they felt. (source<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another study<\/a>, the only notable difference was that for those at rest, people felt that they felt like they were sweating more in their sportswear if they weren’t exercising. Otherwise, the test subjects couldn’t tell a difference while they were exercising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It may mean that whether you wear a cotton t-shirt or a polyester shirt camping in the heat, it’s not likely to make much of a difference. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n What does seem to be important, though, is how light the clothing is<\/strong>. The lighter and more breathable the fabric, the more moisture can escape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A base-layer is a thin, well-fitting garment worn under your clothing which purpose in hot weather is to wick away moisture from your body to help in the sweat evaporation process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In another study<\/a>, participants said that their 2nd most<\/strong> comfortable option while exercise was wearing a thin (hot) base layer. The base-layer was significantly more comfortable than wearing a cotton t-shirt or a heavy base-layer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The 1st <\/strong>most comfortable option was to skip the shirt entirely. Since that’s not really an option most of the time, you might want to think about some other options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The moisture-wicking properties of a base-layer in this case made a big difference in the skin temperature (not the core temperature).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not just any base-layer will help cool you down, though. A thick base-layer was as uncomfortable to wear as cotton (which all things considered really isn’t that bad). If you want some more comfort while camping in hot weather, try a thin-base layer! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This was a difficult topic to research since there are tons of different opinions. There are lots of studies with some conflicting data and even more opinions. What’s most important is what is comfortable to you. But, hopefully this inspires you to try and find what works best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Living in Texas, camping in the heat is no joke. Because of this, the state parks that have water features<\/strong> (lakes, rivers, springs) tend to get crowded during the summer months. And for good reason! Even though you’ll be probably be hanging around more people, being able to dip your feet in the water (if not jump in entirely) cools down the evening in a big way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, wearing sunscreen is really important if you’re around water in the heat<\/strong>, but for some reason the heat doesn’t feel so oppressing when we’re around water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When planning out your summer camping schedule, try to find the locations with water to cool down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We all know that sitting right in front of a fan cools you down. But why? The air isn’t being refrigerated at all as the air passes through the fan blades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our sweat cools our bodies through evaporation. When water evaporates, heat is lost<\/strong>. Which is why getting out of a pool can feel very cold, even on a warm day. As our sweat evaporates, the heat from our bodies is carried away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, a breeze helps, but how much of a difference does it make?<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) calculator available at the UTCI.org website<\/a>, a small breeze can lower the temperature by a few degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Shade – Cut Down Over 14\u00b0 F<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tarp for Shade<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Canopy as Shade<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Picking a Campsite With Shade<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Which Clothing is Best for Beating the Heat? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Does Outerwear Matter? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What About a Base-Layer?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Find the Campsites with Swimming Holes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Make a Breeze, Lower Those Degrees With a Hand Fan!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Much Does a Breeze Help?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n