The best clothes for kayaking, river rafting, and generally being active in Belize 3 of 3

Here we continue our discussion of gear for active travel in Belize. There are two other posts where we cover other parts of the body, but here we will discuss socks and footwear for travel in Belize.

Socks
Although socks aren't necessary most of the time in Belize..... sport sandals and flip-flops are more common than socks and shoes. They can be awfully helpful while snorkeling and diving. I know, this sounds funny! However, it is quite practical when it comes to chafing from sand, that can get into your fins. This is also true when doing water-based activities, such as . Socks can save your feet from chafing with water-shoes, and also sport sandals when wearing them in and out of the water. Also, when conditions are calm, and the bugs come out to play, socks can be essential in preventing bug bites. They fit well in most sport sandals that people wear these days, too.

Footwear
Most people that travel to Belize want to wear sandals or walk around bare-foot. However, when being active in Belize, appropriate footwear is incredibly important to enjoying your surroundings. Sport-sandals, like the ubiquitous Teva brand sandal, are great for sea kayaking and beach combing, as well as river rafting through the rainforest. Recently, companies such as Keen, Chota, Chako, have all come up with product designs that are ideal for these types of activities, and make great sandals that should last for years to come. Generally, a sandal made of webbing or nylon, as apposed to leather, is better for amphibious activities. Some models that come with fastex clips or buckles which clip together tend to last longer if you intend to use them a lot in the water. Velcro is also very popular, but if your sandals are a few years old, the velcro tends to be less tacky. Rubber bands can help make sure they stay on properly.

For caving and for walking, you will need a sturdy walking shoe. These shoes should have a good tread, and should be lower to the ground than runners to avoid ankle roll on uneven surfaces. Something with ankle support is ideal, but full leather hiking boots are generally too much for the tropics. Something with a more breathable fabric is more appropriate in Belize. When descending underground into the caves of Belize, a closed toe shoe is essential. This way you aren't stubbing your toe every time you place your foot in dark places.

Flip flops have had a bit of resurgence in the last few years. These are practicle in Belize, when lounging around camp, or walking short distances in town, but they are not ideal for being active.

The best clothes for kayaking, river rafting, and generally being active in Belize 2 of 3

When you are planning an active holiday in the tropics, your clothes are incredibly important. Here, we continue tips for active travel in Belize with Island Expeditions, but also for people traveling to Belize on their own.


Gloves

Paddling gloves are a very good idea, even in the tropics. Although the neoprene gloves that are more popular in the northern temperate waters, they aren't necessary in Belize, something to protect your hands while paddling is incredibly important. The high salinity in the water, which evaporates quickly, and the hand position on the paddle make it important to have some sort of hand protection. Often a pair of bicycle gloves will suffice, or a pair of gardening gloves cut short in the fingers. More important than protecting your hands from the paddle is protecting the back of your hands from the sun. So, mesh-backed bike gloves are not as efficient as ones with a Lycra back, or some type of fabric that will protect your knuckles.


Pants
When traveling to Belize having a pair of long-pants is also essential. If the winds die down, or there is a change in the weather, being able to cover up from any potential bugs is essential to your sanity. Quick-dry fabrics are preferred to cotton, canvas, or denim because the humidity of Belize makes it very difficult to to dry them. And, when being active on the Caye's or in the jungle of Belize, getting wet is a distinct possibility. Most outdoor clothing manufacturers have a quick-dry pant with generous room in the legs for mobility. It is important to look for large pockets that can securely close, as well as cargo pockets which can be handy for extra gear. Another consideration is that quick-dry fabrics do not breathe, so some form of ventilation is essential. When looking to purchase these types of pants for Belize look for pockets made of mesh, allowing for some breath ability.

Shorts
Shorts are always important when traveling to the tropics, and are usually the apparel of choice for most people on a day to day basis. Again, much like pants, quick drying fabrics are preferred. Polyester-based fabrics do dry quicker, but they do not breathe well, so again some kind of ventilation is important. A higher cut short is preferable when being active, doing such activities as kayaking and snorkeling, as they give you the maximum mobility. If your shorts tend to double as a swimsuit, make sure pockets have mesh in them to allow water to pass through. This can also act as ventilation when worn on dry land.

Next, we talk of Socks and Shoes