What to wear when geocaching depends on many factors: season of the year, time of the day, duration of time spent outside, terrain, and whether you’re walking or driving.
The choice of geocaching clothes also depends on materials. Pure cotton isn’t a recommended material for long geocaching routes, especially for pants. It doesn’t dry fast enough. The sweat during hot weather will cling to the material. This will make you feel hotter. Also, moisture during wet weather will cling to material. This will make you feel colder. It’s best to stick to polyester, nylon, and wool or cotton mixed with other materials. These materials dry faster than just pure cotton.
It’s good to spray your shirt and pants with permethrin. One spraying lasts all summer, as it is good protection from ticks and mosquitoes. Also apply a spray against ticks, mosquitoes, and other bugs on your skin too. A good brand is Deet.
And now, check out the useful advice for each geocaching clothing item:
Pants
It’s best to wear long pants that are resistant. Long pants provide more protection as you won’t be geocaching on pavement only. You will be geocaching through grass and bushes, and long pants protect you from ticks, mosquitos, thorns, scratches from branches, etc. You may want to wear shorts when it’s hot outside, but many soon regret it after getting scratches all over their legs.
What pants to wear?
Long jeans
Long jeans will provide some protection from thorns and scratches when geocaching through grass and bushes. They will also protect more than long cotton sweatpants or shorts. Though, jeans aren’t the best material when it’s hot outside because you sweat a lot in them. But they are great to wear when it isn’t hot outside, compared to shorts or long cotton sweatpants. If you will be geocaching mostly on the pavement with occasional trip bushes and tall grass, jeans are a fine choice. Though, for geocaching in nature, choose some other type of pants.
Hiking pants
Hiking pants are often made from material that dries quickly such as polyester, nylon, and wool. They aren’t made from pure cotton, which dries more slowly. This means that sweat and moisture dry quicker, leaving you feeling less sweaty or wet. They are also tough and have resistant material, which protects you from scratches and rocks.
Some also like convertible hiking pants. Those pants have legs that are zipped and can be removed. In that way, you can have one pair of pants for both warmer and colder weather. A good brand for hiking pants is REI.
BDU pants
Some geocachers also wear BDU pants when geocaching, especially in colder months. BDU pants stand for Battle Dress Uniform pants. BDU pants used to be worn by the US military, and they are still popular among people who need rugged clothes for outside. They can warm you if it’s cold outside. They can cool you when it’s hot outside. They are also water-resistant, keeping you dry. BDU pants are also made from tough material, which gives protection from scratches and thorns. Cleaning them is easy. BDU pants often come with many pockets, so if you need pants with 6 pockets, these are ideal for you.
Wicking pants
Wicking pants are a good type of pants for warm weather because they are made to fight sweat. They are made from special fabric that moves sweat away. That sweat also evaporates quickly. Thus, the fabric is made to leave you dry despite heavy sweating. However, as wicking pants are designed to be breathable, they aren’t for wearing during cold weather. Wear those pants when you think you will sweat a lot and during warmer weather.
Shoes
Shoes and boots are recommended over sandals and flip flops, as you will be geocaching a lot through grass and bushes. Therefore, shoes and boots are better protection from bugs and scratches.
Hiking boots are the best for walking long distances as you won’t get blisters. They are also great for any type of difficult terrain, like grass, mud, rocks, etc. Many are also water-resistant to a certain degree, and you will certainly be able to geocache through wet grass or mud.
If you are in an area that has lots of rain, getting Gore-Tex boots are guaranteed to be water resistant.
Shirts
Regular cotton shirts are fine for geocaching. But, if you sweat a lot, it’s better to wear shirts from other materials such as wool, nylon, or polyester. These materials dry easier than cotton, so you will feel more dry and less hot. You can also get shirts like a tech tee, as those are also good against sweat build-up.
Jacket
Wear a jacket when it’s cold outside. The best are hiking jackets that are made from waterproof material, have lots of pockets, and have a hoodie, and they are warm inside.
Vest
Some geocachers like wearing a vest, especially fishing vests that have lots of pockets. This is great as you may not have to carry a bag for geocaching.
Sunglasses
Some geocachers wear them when the sun is strong outside, both in summer and winter.
Hat
Always wear a hat or cap to protect from sun or cold. If it’s raining, you can also wear a waterproof Gore-Tex hat.
Trek pole or a walking stick
Carry trek poles if you go on longer distance geocaching in nature. They are useful for walking, crossing streams, going uphill and as a probe for reaching the geocache. It’s also useful for going through bushes or dense forests. In the bushes, you use it to remove branches and bushes on your way.
You can even get a walking stick if you plan to go on more casual geocaching, It’s useful for occasional walks in the bush, and checking if there are bugs or snakes before reaching for a geocache in some hole.
Gloves
Gloves are a recommended equipment for geocachers. They don’t only protect from cold, they also protect your hands when digging for a geocache and reaching somewhere dark. If you want to reach a geocache that’s hidden somewhere, it’s best to wear gloves. You never know with what a geocache is covered with, or if there are any insects on it.
