When you travel from cold to heat

Short answer: Going from frost to thirty degrees in ten hours is hard on the body. It has to adjust faster than it is built for, and that takes two to three days, so pack light layers and one warm layer for the air conditioning.

Your body needs time to adjust

The body does not switch over in an instant. At home it has adapted to cold and to holding on to heat, and now it suddenly has to get rid of heat instead. This usually takes two to three days. Until then the heat feels heavier, and it is quite normal to tire faster than usual.

You sweat more than the locals

In the first days you sweat more than people who live there, at exactly the same temperature. That is not a sign that something is wrong, only that your body has not adapted yet. Plan the first days with rest, shade and water, and save long walks in the sun for later in the trip.

A thin layer close to the skin

When you sweat a lot, the layer against your skin matters most. A thin layer that moves moisture away from the skin feels better than a thick fabric that clings. Choose underwear that sits softly without feeling tight in the heat, and pack enough to change often. See bamboo underwear for women.

Outer layers off straight away

All your winter clothes go in the bag as soon as you land. A coat, scarf and thick jumper only make arrival harder if you carry them out into the heat. Pack an extra bag or a foldable tote in your carry on so there is room for them. Then your hands are free as you find your way out.

Change before you leave the airport

The switch from winter to summer clothes is best done before you leave the airport. A toilet after baggage claim is usually the easiest place. With a thin set at the top of your carry on, it takes only a few minutes. You then walk into the heat dressed for it instead of sweating in the bus or taxi.

Take the first days slowly

For the first two to three days it is wise to slow down a little. Walk in the morning and evening when it is cooler, and rest in the shade in the middle of the day. Loose, light clothing helps the body shed heat while it gets used to the new climate.

A layer for air conditioning

Even in a warm country you need a warm layer. Hotels, buses and shops often cool down to eighteen degrees or lower, and the jump from the heat outside can feel cold. A light sweatshirt in your bag solves most of it. See bamboo sweatshirts for women, easy to take on and off.

Pack light, but with a plan

You need less than you think when you travel towards the heat. A few thin sets, fresh underwear for every day or two and one warm layer are enough for most trips. Choose soft pieces that work in several ways. See the most popular pieces from Copenhagen Bamboo for ideas for a light suitcase.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get used to the heat

Two to three days. In the first days you sweat more than people who live there at exactly the same temperature, so take it slowly at the start.

What should you wear on arrival

A thin layer that moves moisture, with all your winter clothes in the bag. The change should happen before you leave the airport, so you walk out in light clothes.

Why do you need a warm layer in hot countries

Because of air conditioning. Hotels, buses and shops often cool down to eighteen degrees or lower, and a light top makes the jump smaller.