Clothes for Borneo

[Fuzzballworries]

We are going to Borneo this summer with our two DC age 11 and 13.

I have read lots of things about what to wear due to solid humidity, high heat and mosquitoes.

If you've been, what would you recommend for us and the kids? I'm currently looking at wicking fabric, linen & covering up but think kids would be more comfortable in shorts, mostly.

Any magic solutions for hair, too? I was thinking of investing in an ionic hairdryer but they are pricey 😬 I realise our trip is pricey but do not want to make it even more expensive; we are going for just under 2 weeks.

Thanks!

I wouldn't worry about the fancy hairdryer - everyone is in the same boat and you will be in and out of water/humidity all throughout the day. Get some wave effect spray and go with the beach look.

UV Rash Vest and Boardshorts (long) for the kids - with sunscreen, light and long sleeved, long legged trouser for the evenings for the mossies with LOTS of bug spray (not DEET one). Kids will be most comfortable in whatever they don't get bitten in - shorts are great for the day, not so much the evening with bites, and multiple bites can really ruin the holiday. Cargo pants are a good option, as are long capris, or lightweight jeans.

Just think comfort. When you are somewhere as hot and humid as that, you won't care about your hairstyle you'll probably just want to tie it up out of the way and be cool.
Clothing wise again comfort rules, so light weight cottons, floaty fabrics, simple thin cotton t shirts or vests for the day, longer sleeves for night. Shorts fine for the day but definitely long trousers for evening. Plenty mosquito spray. Practical and comfortable sandals or shoes.

If you have the budget I would get special shirts that block UV and mosquito bites. I wear them for field work but I also wear them a lot there while not working as they are practical, and you can get ones that look good. Columbia and Craghoppers make good ones.

Mosquito repellent trousers are also good, but riskier as I find not all of them work well. You can treat clothing with permethrin.

Personally I don't find linen comfortable in that kind of humidity, it clings. If you wear linen, make sure it's loose.

I think your children will be more comfortable in full length trousers, in that heat and humidity the less you wear paradoxically doesn't mean the more comfortable you'll be.

I personally wouldn't worry about the hairdryer, within ten mins you hair will be massive again anyway cause of the humidity. A good mousse (using a little bit) will be your best bet, along with tying your hair up. A good sun hat is also a must, for you and DC.

Don't skimp on sunscreen and anti mosquito spray, if the mosquitos there like you they could have you on your knees.

Enjoy your holidays 🤗

Thanks very much everyone!

We are staying in some nice resorts so I will assume they have hairdryers and use those, as suggested. Have discovered cheap ionic dryers exist anyway... for some reason my first searches took me to Dyson equivalents.

I'll have a look at the shirts and trousers mentioned.

I lived in Borneo for 5 years. Kids were generally in shorts and t shirts or dresses. It's hot and humid so light cotton fabric is good. Shoulders covered for sun protection and broad brimmed sun hats. Uv tops with sleeves for around the pool. Beware of sand flies especially early morning and late afternoon! Lots of insect repellent needed.

Similarly light dresses/ trousers and tops for adults - cotton or linen. Men would be okay in shorts. Women might prefer cropped trousers or knee length and longer dresses or skirts (locals are a mix of Muslim and Christian and tend to be dressed fairly conservatively). Practical sandals and trainers. Leech socks are good for the jungle!

Thanks @southchinasea that's great to know!

Whereabouts are you staying? I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time! Borneo is an incredible place.

Are you going to Rasa Ria etc? Just take standard holiday stuff tbh - it’s really not that humid or hot that you need a special wardrobe. Take any hiking or specific activity clothing if you’re of up Kinabalu or into the rainforest but you just need standard resort wear around the hotel.

We're staying first near Sepilok, then Kinabatangan & Danum Valley before flying over to Rasa Ria.

There will be some jungle trekking at Danum Valley. I have to be up early to do every possible wildlife activity at that place 😂 Although I need to see what I'm missing if I choose not to go tubing on the Danum river. Have you ever done that @southchinasea?

Thanks @TheMousePipes - DH fancies Kinabalu but not sure if we'll have time; it looks like a two-day hike? Also a bit worried about falling off it; I'm not great with heights, although often ignore bodily peril to take a good picture 🙄 My DS might be a weak link too.

The Danum valley is beautiful, I absolutely loved it there. I didn't go tubing but hiked and explored and saw lots of wildlife. I remember the haunting call of the gibbons. You'll have an amazing time in Borneo. The Rasa Ria is lovely too!

Might want socks at Sepilok. I had a huge leech on my ankle. Still a scar there now, not to mention mentally scarred ugh!

I remember lots of sand flies at the Rasa Ria beach. Do go on the firefly trip if they still run it.

Danum valley and Kinabantangan river are amazing

PS we did the tubing and it was a bit of a disaster for me - couldn't control the tube to save my life, Rest of family enjoyed it though

Thanks again for the tips - I can't believe a bloody leech (really no pun intended) gave you a scar!!

Tiger balm is excellent at getting leeches to detach. Sandflies are bastards (I remember living down fully clothed in a river because of the little gits.) Hotels are fine for them, but I spent the best part of three months in the jungle. I mostly wore shorts and t-shirt with trousers and a loose shirt in the evenings. When we were back in cities, restaurants etc often had sarongs for anyone in shorts to cover up. Don't know if they still do. Still, you can puck up sarongs cheaply and easily to carry with you just in case.

Always check footwear before putting it on when you're doing jungly stuff.

I realised on the first afternoon why the gutters are two foot deep, but it's soon sunny again. A light raincoat is good though.

Kinabalu - you usually go up and spend the night in a hut and finish the last bit so you reach the summit at sunrise. It's mostly comparatively easy-going, with a proper path, but I felt sick with every step for the last half hour, so it depends how you take to altitude. It's also cold up top (you need gloves and warm layers), if you've acclimatised to normal Borneo temperatures, but it may not seem so bad if you're used to British weather.

I've just found your thread, we head to Kuala Lumpur and then on to Borneo in September and I can't wait!
I have been advised to buy leech socks there but we only spend one night in KL and then fly to Sandakan for one night before heading in to the jungle for two nights. I think I have enough clothing for all eventualities apart from the leech socks!
My hair will just do whatever it wants and I'll tie it back as best I can..

Some great advice and suggestions above, I visited a lot as I lived in Malaysia.

You can also use hand sanitiser to get rid of leeches, pour it over them, never pick them off! Buy socks etc in the UK they will be better quality.

You can also get Jungle Formula for children without to help keep off mozzies, and we only use 50% deet for ourselves again buy before you go along with sun protection , you can get sun lotion there (in Guardian, Watsons etc) but I always preferred to take it with me. Also a tip, buy some cream again in Watsons etc (like Boots) called Mopiko, in a green, red and white tube, its a Japanese cream for biting insects to help with the itching and helps take the sting out of bites, if you have a really bad bite put lots of cream on and cover with a plaster, its magic. We have had the delights of Dengue so cover ourselves thoroughly with spray when we go out and always long sleeves and trousers on an evening as we are an all you can eat buffet.

Being used to the heat etc I used to wear jeans (still do but in a different hot country) but lightweight cotton or linen is good, but outside the hotels I never wore shorts, make sure any shoes you take are worn in as well so no hot feet for blisters.

Rash vests are really good and I never go in the sea or a pool without one, great for kids and plenty in the sales at the moment. Also a hat with a spf is what I use, eyeing up a Tilly in the sale, but you may not need one. Dont bother with a special hairdryer, you will prob be a sweaty mess not long after you have done your hair, tie it up, slides etc if you can!

Both Craghoppers Nosilife and Jack Wolfskin anti mozzie clothing is good, but really only if your going hiking or trekking, again shop around and you can get some good prices.

Sports clothes are comfy and lightweight for day to day activities .