Clothes for the city in the heat

Short answer: A big city in hot weather is warmer than the countryside around it. Asphalt and concrete store heat all day and release it all night. So your clothes need to handle both the heat on the street and the chill in the metro and shops.

The city is warmer than its surroundings

Asphalt and brick can make a city five degrees warmer than the fields outside. Heat rises from the pavement, and between tall buildings the air often stands still. You feel it most in the afternoon, when buildings have soaked up heat for hours. A thin, soft layer next to the skin is the best start. See bamboo underwear for men.

You walk more than you think

A day in the city is often fifteen kilometres, and that builds heat. Between museums, cafés and sights you notice tired feet, but rarely how much you sweat. Clothes with room to move and a relaxed fit make walking easier. See bamboo joggers for men, which also work well for long days on foot.

The metro and shops are cold

Going from thirty degrees outside to eighteen inside is a big jump. Air conditioning in the metro, shops and restaurants often runs hard, and on damp skin the cold feels even stronger. A light layer in your bag that you can pull over your shoulders makes time indoors comfortable. See the full range for men.

The night does not cool down

Because asphalt and concrete release heat at night, the city only gets properly cool early in the morning. That makes sleep difficult, especially in flats without air conditioning. Sleep in something thin and loose, and leave the window open if you can. A fresh set for the night gives you a better start to the next hot day.

A thin layer that moves moisture

In the heat it is tempting to wear as little as possible. Yet a thin layer that moves moisture away from the skin often feels better than bare skin against a bag or a chair. This is especially true under a shirt or on your back where a rucksack sits. Choose soft fabrics that do not cling as you start to sweat.

A relaxed fit rather than a tight one

Tight clothing traps heat and leaves no room for air. A relaxed fit lets air move as you walk, and that makes a real difference on a hot day. The same goes for underwear, where a soft model that is not too tight feels better after many hours on your feet in the city heat.

Change in the middle of the day

If you can stop by your hotel at midday, do it. A quick shower and a clean set of clothes make the afternoon much easier. If that is not possible, a spare T-shirt in your bag does the same job. Small changes like this give you more energy than pushing through the whole day in the same outfit.

Washing on the road

Thin garments can be washed in the sink in the evening and hung to dry overnight. Use a little mild detergent, rinse well and roll the clothes in a towel to press out most of the water. That way you can travel with fewer sets and still have clean clothes every day, even on a long trip in the heat.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the city warmer than the countryside

Because asphalt and concrete store heat all day and release it at night. The difference can be five degrees, and you feel it most in the late afternoon and evening.

What should you wear in a hot city

A thin layer that moves moisture, plus something light to put on in cold shops and on public transport. A relaxed fit makes the heat on the street easier to bear.

What do people forget

That it is cold indoors. Going from thirty degrees on the street to eighteen in the metro is a jump of twelve degrees, and you feel it clearly on damp skin.