Female Hiker Hygiene Tips

Female hiker hygiene - I get a lot of questions about this topic.

So I'd like to share a few tips with you, in case you're planning to hit the trail but want to stay clean and comfortable regardless of what day of the month it is, or how hard you sweat.

Remember: Priority One: Feeling great!

OK, let's run through a few scenarios which bring up questions around female hiker hygiene, shall we?

Scenario One: It's that time of the month and I want to do a multi day hiking trip.

There are several ways you can tackle this unavoidable reality. But not planning ahead is not among them, unless you like scrambling around with safety pins, bandannas, and any available moss or lichens.

Option 1: Skip your period completely. Talk with your doctor about a "birth control" pill prescription which will allow you to control when you bleed. This short term solution has associated risks, so be sure you have a complete discussion with your doctor before taking this step.

Option 2: Keep a log during your next period, recording your comfort level and how many supplies you needed. In fact, do this for several months, to be sure you have minimum and maximum data. Now you know exactly how much of what to pack! You will have to carry a dedicated plastic bag for your waste products, and dispose of this once you get home.

And here's an interesting discussion about the effect of leaving your used tampons behind where others will see them - where do you stand on this topic?

Option 3: Not for everyone, but in case you're willing to consider this idea, here's some information on menstrual cups and sponges which can be inserted and then cleaned for use the next day.

To get a sense of what this might be like on a hiking trip, check out this detailed review.

Scenario Two: I plan on working up a sweat, and I'm not sure which type of underwear will keep me as cool and clean as possible.

Let's start at the bottom and work our way up in our search for female hiker hygiene solutions.

Underwear (undergarments, underpants, panties, you know - the base layer for your bottom!) comes in all sorts of fabrics. For female hiker hygiene, you need to consider these factors:

1. Will it cling to you and create chafing? To solve this potential problem on a day hike, think nylon and nylon blends with a cotton panel. Bikini cuts may be too skimpy to prevent chafing from your pants rubbing against your pack. But you don't want waist high underwear because it will be too binding around your waist (especially if you already have a camera bag strap and your backpack strap and your pants to consider).

So I recommend that you aim for a mid rise cut which covers you enough to prevent chafing, and is slippery enough to move with you during your hike.

2. Will it soak up sweat and stay wet against your skin all day? Pure cotton is notorious for doing this! If you're hiking on a hot sunny day, no worries. But cotton is to be avoided at any other time - and not just for your base layer. This is a basic hiking mantra!

You might have to invest a bit of money into underwear which wicks moisture away from your body. But I think it's worth it for multi day hiking trips because you'll be more comfortable regardless of temperature. Check out these suggestions.

You can alternate between 2 pairs of panties, and use a sunny rock when available for drying purposes.

Now for the top: hiking bras.

Leave your under wire bras at home. They are constricting, uncomfortable, and will dig into your chest wall as soon as you strap on your pack.

Sports bras come in a mind numbing array of styles and fabrics. I'd start here in your quest for the perfect hiking bra.

Scenario Three: I can't stand dirty hair!

Dirty hair may not seem like a big deal in theory, but it's a matter of comfort on our list of female hiker hygiene tips.

One reason I wear my hair long and all one length is because I can pull it into a braid or ponytail or bun, and not be bugged by it when it gets dirty after a day (week) of hiking.

You might think it's a little extreme to plan a hair style around hiking, but there you have it: I'm a hiking addict.

If your hair is short, or layered so that you can't pull it up and away from your face, you have "hiding" options: hats, bandannas, scarves, clips, pins, or any combination of those.

I'd recommend carrying enough all purpose soap for hair washing at regular intervals. [By the way, Dr. Bronner's makes great mild odor free multipurpose natural soap.]

So what's a "regular interval"?

For me, that's every 3rd day when I'm out for weeks at a time. Every woman has a certain set point for "I can't stand my hair anymore!!". You will surely know when you hit it, because you can think of nothing else besides having clean hair.

Some short haired women carry baby powder and comb it through to soak up some of the natural oils. No shampooing needed! This unfortunately does not work for my long hair.

I'll post more female hiker hygiene tips as I receive them from women who are out on the trail and keeping as clean and comfy as possible!

Happy Hygienic Hiking!