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Post by exoticimports on Nov 24, 2021 4:54:56 GMT -8
One of my great challenges is finding clothing that is highly functional for field work. It seems that field research in summer conditions hits a niche for which the right product doesn't exist. This is particularly true for PANTS. Oddly enough, the problem is worse near home, in the east/ northeast NY. The jungles of Asia/ Pacific aren't as abusive as one might think; I usually wear lightweight pants, like fishing pants. Out west, it's generally dry with less vegetation, so same said pants work. But east of the Mississippi, summer field conditions are brutal: thistle, nettle, fields of wasps on flowers, and above all thorned berries and wild rose. Oh, and the ticks. My jungle field pants don't come close to protecting me from the rips and tears from thorns. Those nifty hiker pants from REI, Eddie Bauer, etc are fine for trails, but useless for protecting one's legs. Hunting pants are tough enough, as are military pants, but they're hotter than blazes. Hunting pants too rarely have cargo pockets, and the pockets in general aren't closed. The best I can find so far are TruSpec tactical pants. I'm sure 5.11 work just as well. I tried Wrangler and some others, but they're too thin- learned that the hard way.  These have cargo pockets, deep pockets, and the pockets are all closed/ protected by velcro flaps. The TruSpec are light enough to be comfortable, yet tough enough to stop a fair proportion of the thorns. The problem with the tactical pants is that I have to stuff the cuff into my boot "military style." This then leaves the boot laces open to attack; though I do use lace keepers, it's only time before the laces are freed a bit. Also, this manner of dress allows debris to work its way into the boot. I don't dare let the cuffs free, even coated with Permathrin, because of ticks and other crawlies that can go straight up to my crotch. Gaiters would do the trick, but that's one more piece of clothing to drag around and/or get on/off. To my mind the perfect pants would be tactical pants with an inner cuff, like snow pants. With the inner cuff in the boot and the outer pant cuff outside the boot, that would do the trick. But I can't find any such thing. Does anyone know of the perfect field pants for summer field work in nasty plants? Chuck |
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Post by kevinkk on Nov 24, 2021 10:09:13 GMT -8
worthwhile topic. I have a Columbia "insectblocker" shirt that's versatile, I don't really think it's blocked any mosquitos though,
I normally wear a pair of Swisse Sport cargo pants, that can transform into shorts- I stay out of the weeds when possible. They could
use a drawstring on the cuffs, but I don't think you're going to find something that can really keep out 100% without wearing a hazmat
suit.
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 26, 2021 16:25:55 GMT -8
Surely some of you wear pants. No suggestions?
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Post by mothman27 on Nov 27, 2021 5:36:53 GMT -8
I do (almost) all my collecting here in northern Indiana where there are few dangers in the field. I think this is relevant because often I hear of collecting gear made to protect against wildlife which makes sense. I would venture to say it's one of the safest places to collect in the US. No real dangers to speak of: No large cats, no wolves, no bears, no tarantulas or scorpions, I live between the range of the timber rattlesnake and the massasauga. The short answer is that I favor shorts over most pants for their comfort and non-restrictive nature. I only wear pants when I know I'll be in an area with lots of burrs or or thorns. I usually just wear old jeans in that case. If it's a matter of cold temperature, I may opt for durable joggers over shorts. If I know there will be burrs, depending on the season, I favor material which they will not adhere to. Ticks are probably the worst threat around here. I typically just apply repellent and check for them when I am done collecting. Mosquitoes are just annoying but I often just get bit and deal with it if the repellent is not super effective.
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 27, 2021 6:54:05 GMT -8
The only large animals we have are bear and coyote (well, deer), and they don't bother people. The only hazards (which is a different, established thread) are humans, though even our local meth hide-outs and crackheads don't really want a problem. Most of the time up here I don't even bother carrying a sidearm. The health risk is ticks, but the "inconvenience" is being shredded and stinging plants. Every day in summer I pull a few of last week's thorns out of my legs and torso.
For example, I was in Bullitt Co KY (south of Indiana) and saw a fabulous female glaucus on the other side of a ditch. I did note that there were small tree branches and underbrush around the ditch, but stayed focused on the glaucus. I knew it would be a time-consuming effort to go down into the ditch and back up, so I elected to rush the butterfly by jumping the ditch. As I came down and my feet hit the ground, I suddenly became suspended by large berry thorns in my head and left arm; legs were enshrouded in thorns; my right arm was free, but the net was hopelessly entangled. It took me a good five minutes to extract myself, bleeding pretty good, and it was two weeks before one of the thorns worked its way out of my forehead. Needless to say, I did not catch that glaucus.
Some of my field work is convenient, easy trail collecting, but most of it I'm deep in the overgrown bush. Burrs aren't an issue, most don't stick to my field pants, and those that do I don't care. Don't you guys get into that kind of flora?
Chuck
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Post by kevinkk on Nov 27, 2021 9:40:16 GMT -8
Sure Chuck, I have got into some sticky plants, and we have a lot of blackberry here, as well as those ground hazards which are invariably covered
by tall grass. Myself, I make measured choices and some things just get away, I suppose it's a matter of dedication and how bad you want that bug.
When I was younger, I could run down, (or at least try to) a butterfly, but it ain't like that anymore. I normally wear sandals collecting, because
it's hot, and just deal with the plants later, ticks don't seem to be a problem, but that might be a matter of time in the field and other variables.
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Post by papiliotheona on Nov 27, 2021 10:13:25 GMT -8
I wear full-length white denim jackets and jeans everywhere and in all conditions, with the collar extended and a broad-brimmed hiking hat. The white is for heat reflection and night visibility and it also makes ticks stand out. If it's cold I'll put something else on over that. It's absurd to go collecting in shorts,especially in the desert West with all of its thorns.
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Post by trehopr1 on Nov 27, 2021 11:53:50 GMT -8
I have to say Chuck I admire your determination for getting into the "thick of it" (if you will); going into thickets, tall brush, and areas very few have any reason to adventure into.
Speaking for myself, I am a fairly active field man during any season as I try to get out at least 10 times. I pretty much stick to open fields that are clover laden but, no taller than knee high; or I skirt forest edges.
I've always done well with just wearing a pair of cargo pants for thorns and such; along with a short sleeve shirt, wide brim hat and gym shoes.
I pick up a tick (here and there) and occasionally mosquitoes have driven me out of my haunts but, most visits go nice and easy...
I have a friend who (at least for a time) entertained the notion of slogging around wetlands desperately searching for assorted (seldom seen) satyrids and lycaenids. Wearing waders, field vest, long sleeves, etc. Always came back drenched in sweat, bitten by deer flies and mosquitoes, and looking utterly destroyed !
However, he would nab a few goodies and be proud of the effort. He was definitely on "another level" of serious determined collecting which I simply could not fathom.
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 27, 2021 13:08:04 GMT -8
White is a good idea, I wonder if it cuts the IR that attracts deer flies.
We don’t have much clover here. Had a field in 2020 but for 2021 it became beans.
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Post by jshuey on Nov 27, 2021 14:25:01 GMT -8
Because I collect in "bursts", most often in the tropics, I generally go to Goodwill and buy a couple of pairs of kakis, then toss them at the end of the trip. Typically this costs me between 5 and 8 bucks! They tend to be pretty filthy by the end of the effort. Same with cotton tee shirts (another couple of dollars). It frees up luggage space as well (for all those dead bugs!).
All my gear (kill jars, deet, granola bars, envelopes, note pad etc...) are carried in a shoulder bag along with a liter of water hooked on to the bag. You see it all in my avatar photo!
John
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 27, 2021 17:22:33 GMT -8
Interesting John. Good idea on the clothes. I’ve often given mine to my Bush guide when I depart. One time he sold the boots for more than I paid new!
Doesn’t that bag bounce around and snag on stuff?
Chuck
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 28, 2021 5:39:38 GMT -8
In the Solomons Andrew Rawlins insisted on wearing shorts and flipflops (thongs). That is, till the day he went a meter off trail to catch a butterfly and ran into the famed Solomon Islands burning nettle. Andrew screamed in pain and tore downhill to the sea. I can still clearly see him waist deep complaining about the pain. I of course was laughing. I told you so. It was years before I hit one of those plants on Mt Austin, the stinging spines went right through my thin field pants. It friggin burned like a nettle times ten. I asked the leaders of Natural Resources, who were with me, how long it would take to wear off and they said 24 hours. They were right. I couldn’t sleep that night.
Shorts? No way.
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Post by yorky on Nov 28, 2021 11:27:44 GMT -8
Here in the UK the ONLY threats are other humans, we have no wild animals that cause harm in any way so for me it's just training shoes, scruffy jeans, a thin t shirt and a sun hat as I burn easily on the neck and face, the arms are well weathered. I travel light too, I don't use killing fluid in the field as I've perfected the art of pinching over the last 45 years so it's just net, paper envelopes and plenty of fluid to carry.
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 28, 2021 12:11:45 GMT -8
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Post by jshuey on Nov 29, 2021 8:23:18 GMT -8
Doesn’t that bag bounce around and snag on stuff? Chuck I guess carrying one has become second nature to me. I've been doing it all my life, and I don't even think about it. Most importantly, I don't even have to look inside when I pull out collecting jars, containers for specimens, and such. I know what is in there, know what it feels like, and can get a jar into the net without ever taking my eyes off the bug in question. (I don't pinch smaller bugs). john |
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