Cotton or poly cotton shirts???

[norfolk shooter]

Hi Chaps just wondered if any of you use poly cotton shirts in Africa?? I only ask as I have a few in green and also in khaki from my army days. I have worn them in some rather warm condition in the UK and Europe but the heat in Africa can be a bit more!!

Thanks as ever.

Ps can you wear army camo in SA?? (only a JKT mind you)

 

[James.Grage]

I take 100% Cotton.

Camo can be worn in South Africa.

Ask your PH if your laundry will be ironed?

If your laundry is ironed then stick with 100% Cotton.

 

[Royal27]

I'm with James and 100% cotton. Both due to the ironing, but it also seems more quiet to me, although that could be in my mimd. I can make enough noise without extra help!

 

[Code4]

Cotton can be very cool when wet which in certain climates can be an advantage.

I've had no problems with blended fabrics including ex-mil Aussie uniforms.

I'd research some of the more modern synthetic stuff you can get. 'Old school' can be very romantic but some of the modern gear is amazing.

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Curious as to why ironing is so important.......do the kudu/wildebeest/impala really care if your "wrinkly" or not? Expecting to meet a "hot date" in the bush? Maybe those baboons better watch out!!!!

.....but seriously, why do some of you care if your shirts are ironed or not? Enquiring minds would like to know........

 

[Royal27]

Curious as to why ironing is so important.......do the kudu/wildebeest/impala really care if your "wrinkly" or not? Expecting to meet a "hot date" in the bush? Maybe those baboons better watch out!!!!

.....but seriously, why do some of you care if your shirts are ironed or not? Enquiring minds would like to know........

It isn't that anyone cares. It is what they do over there. They iron, with what is probably a very hot iron and they just might not be used to the synthetics and melt them.

Besides, you want to look good for your pictures, don't you???

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

It isn't that anyone cares. It is what they do over there. They iron, with what is probably a very hot iron and they just might not be used to the synthetics and melt them.

Besides, you want to look good for your pictures, don't you???

Ah! Now it makes sense! As for looking good in the pictures.......I'm hoping that people are looking at the critters, not me. Besides, I'm most likely wearing camo.....whose going to see me anyhow?

 

[spike.t]

one big reason to make sure your clothes are ironed and dry is the putzi fly..........

The fly commonly infects humans by laying its eggs on wet clothes, left out to dry.[10] The eggs hatch in one to three days and the larvae (who can survive without a host for up to 15 days) then burrow into the skin when the clothes are worn.[1] A prevention method is to iron all clothes, including underwear, which will kill the eggs/larvae.[11][12]

Clinical presentation in humans[edit]
Successful penetrations in humans will result in furuncular (boil-like) myiasis, typically on the backs of arms or about the waist, lower back, or buttocks.[6]

C. anthropophaga rarely causes severe problems, and mainly causes cutaneous myiasis. Geary et al. describe the presentation of cutaneous myiasis caused by the tumbu fly: "At the site of penetration, a red papule forms and gradually enlarges. At first the host may experience only intermittent, slight itching, but pain develops and increases in frequency and intensity as the lesions develop into a furuncle. The furuncle's aperture opens, permitting fluids containing blood and waste products of the maggot to drain."[5]

you squeeze it out like a big spot full of puss making sure to try and not rupture the maggot

 

[Royal27]

^^^ I'll be darned....

 

[spike.t]

It isn't that anyone cares. It is what they do over there. They iron, with what is probably a very hot iron and they just might not be used to the synthetics and melt them.

yup its part of the service, and maybe in the posh SA places they have electric irons, but most other places its an old fashioned iron that is filled with hot embers from the fire to provide the heat , so no temp control which is not so good for certain fabrics

 

[CAustin]

Cotton for me!

 

[Hank2211]

one big reason to make sure your clothes are ironed and dry is the putzi fly..........

The fly commonly infects humans by laying its eggs on wet clothes, left out to dry.[10] The eggs hatch in one to three days and the larvae (who can survive without a host for up to 15 days) then burrow into the skin when the clothes are worn.[1] A prevention method is to iron all clothes, including underwear, which will kill the eggs/larvae.[11][12]

Clinical presentation in humans[edit]
Successful penetrations in humans will result in furuncular (boil-like) myiasis, typically on the backs of arms or about the waist, lower back, or buttocks.[6]

C. anthropophaga rarely causes severe problems, and mainly causes cutaneous myiasis. Geary et al. describe the presentation of cutaneous myiasis caused by the tumbu fly: "At the site of penetration, a red papule forms and gradually enlarges. At first the host may experience only intermittent, slight itching, but pain develops and increases in frequency and intensity as the lesions develop into a furuncle. The furuncle's aperture opens, permitting fluids containing blood and waste products of the maggot to drain."[5]

you squeeze it out like a big spot full of puss making sure to try and not rupture the maggot

You really can't make this stuff up - there are even interesting (!) YouTube videos about this I think. But I have never heard that this fly is a problem in southern Africa - I know it was in Cameroon, and I believe it is in much of central Africa, but not South Africa. Is that correct?

I don't think a poly/cotton blend (which was the original question) would melt even under the heat of an African iron full of hot coals. Main reason to stick to the 100% cotton is the breathability.

 

[spike.t]

not sure but i think it is in most sub saharan countries. its in zambia and zim so dont see why its not in SA...... found this.

"This fly is said to be the most common cause of human or animal myiasis in tropical Africa, from Senegal to Natal."

 

[adgunner]

I lived in the DRC for a year, we ironed everything for the reasons outlined above. Cotton was very resistant to the punishment of ironing after each wash. Poly cotton tended to get a "shine" on it after repeated ironings. For a short safari, none of this will matter though, so where what is most comfortable to you!

 

[Bert the Turtle]

I know the young guys love their high tech fabrics but something about sitting around the campfire in polyester gives me the willies.

Cotton and wool cover most of the bases for me.

 

[Royal27]

I know the young guys love their high tech fabrics but something about sitting around the campfire in polyester gives me the willies.

Cotton and wool cover most of the bases for me.

Since you mention wool....

I've actually gone back to using surplus Army wool - M1951 from the Korean war era. The only thing I didn't like is that they didn't have Cargo pockets, so I bought another pair for "parts" and had pockets added. You can still find those pants for about $20.

They are great for colder weather hunting and you won't freeze to death in them if they get wet like you would cotton.

 

[postoak]

Is camo allowed in Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe?

 

[Bert the Turtle]

I use the M1951 shirt. I bought a few for $3 each still in wrap at a gun show a decade ago. When I wear out the first one I'll open another. They tend to last.

 

[norfolk shooter]

Man even the flys want to get you!! I have both cotton and polly. I'll wait for a hot week in the UK (like thats going to happen ) and run a test.

 

[spike.t]

Man even the flys want to get you!! I have both cotton and polly. I'll wait for a hot week in the UK (like thats going to happen ) and run a test.