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Article · Heat & field skills

To Cover Up, Or Not to Cover Up When Trekking Through the Desert

Bare skin feels cooler for a minute. Here's what the research, the Army, dermatologists, and desert peoples who've done this for millennia say, plus how to make a full-body sun wrap from a bed sheet and what to put on your feet.

Short answer: cover up, loosely.

In direct desert sun, loose, breathable, full coverage (long sleeves, long pants or a long robe, and a wide hat or headwrap) generally wins: it cuts the sun's heat load and sweat loss and prevents sunburn, which itself impairs sweating [3][4][2]. Bare skin helps mainly in shade, at night, or when you need maximum evaporation.

1. Skin exposure vs. covering: what actually happens

FactorBare skinLoose full coverage
Radiant heat from sun and groundAbsorbed directly into skin.Absorbed or reflected by fabric, much of it carried away by air before reaching skin [1][3].
Hot air (above ~92–95°F skin temperature)Gains heat from the air; sweating is the only way left to lose heat [4].Fabric slows heat gain from hot air and wind.
Sweat and water lossHigher in full sun; in WWII desert tests, scantily clothed men lost more sweat above 90°F [3].Lower sweat loss: the Army's desert manual says loose garments "will also reduce sweat loss" [4].
Evaporative coolingMost efficient: sweat evaporates right on the skin.Slightly less efficient if sweat wicks into fabric and evaporates away from the skin [10]; loose, thin, breathable fabric keeps the penalty small.
SunburnPhoenix midday summer UV Index often hits 11+ ("extreme") [9]. A sunburn reduced local sweating on burned skin 24 hours later in a US Army study [2].Prevents burns. Even a plain white T-shirt is only about UPF 5–7 (about UPF 3 when wet), so tighter weaves, layers, or UPF-rated fabric help [8][7].
Skin cancerUV is the main cause of skin cancer; damage adds up [7][6].Clothing is one of the most effective sun protections and doesn't sweat off like sunscreen [7][6].
Vitamin DMade in sun-exposed skin.Not a concern over days or weeks of travel; food and supplements also supply it [12].

Fabric and color

Wet-cloth cooling

Wetting a shirt or headwrap adds evaporation that the body doesn't pay for with its own water. In a lab study at 42°C (108°F), a water-soaked shirt lowered core temperature by about 0.2°C at rest [11], and the Army recommends a wet neck cloth in extreme dry heat [4]. It works best in dry air with a breeze, wears off as the cloth dries, and wet thin fabric blocks less UV [8].

When less covering can make sense

Bottom line: in direct desert sun, loose full coverage generally wins; shade and water win over everything.

2. How desert peoples cover, and why

Clothing traditions carry cultural, religious, and personal meaning, not just heat physics. These notes describe what sources say about function; they aren't costumes or a single "desert style."

Arabian Peninsula and Bedouin

The thobe / dishdasha / kandura is a loose, ankle-length robe, and the ghutra (plain white) or keffiyeh (often checkered) is a square cotton headcloth folded and held by an agal cord [13][14]. Worn loose, they shade head and neck and can be pulled across the face against blowing sand [13]. The Negev study above found loose robes shed absorbed heat through airflow [1].

Tuareg and the Sahara

Tuareg men wear the tagelmust (also called cheche or litham), a long indigo or white cloth wrapped as a turban with a fold across the face, often meters long [17][16]. It protects against sun and wind-blown sand, and long loose gowns (daraa, boubou) are described as letting air flow and helping conserve body water [15]. The veil is also a strong marker of adult male identity and respect [16][17].

Sonoran Desert: O'odham

For the Akimel and Tohono O'odham, survival in this desert emphasized shade and timing: open-air wa:ato (ramadas) of mesquite, ocotillo, and saguaro ribs shaded daily life and even camps during the saguaro harvest [18], and families historically moved between summer field villages and winter villages near mountain springs [19]. We didn't find a reliable source on specific traditional O'odham sun garments, so we don't describe any.

What they share

  • Loose, layered, long cloth.
  • Head and neck covered; face fold for sand.
  • Moving and working around the heat of the day; shade first.

3. Tutorial: turn a bed sheet into a full-body sun wrap

Download the printable wrap tutorial (PDF)

Goal: shade your shoulders, torso, arms, head, and neck with loose, light fabric, keep your legs free to walk, and carry a few small items, using only a flat bed sheet and something to tie with. Practice at home on a cool day first.

You need: a twin flat sheet (about 66 × 96 in) · a cord, belt, rope, or a torn fabric strip for your waist · optional: a knife or scissors, 2–4 safety pins, water to wet the headwrap.

  1. Step 1: a twin flat sheet, about 66 by 96 inchestwin flat sheet96 in66 inlight color,cotton or linenabout 66 × 96 in(168 × 244 cm)

    1 Pick the sheet

    A twin flat sheet (about 66 × 96 in / 168 × 244 cm) in a light color. Cotton or linen breathes best; avoid heavy flannel and slick polyester. A full sheet (about 81 × 96 in) also works and gives longer sleeves.

  2. Step 2: tear an 18-inch strip off one long side for the headwrap18 inbody panel48 in widesnip, then tear along the grain;the 18 in strip = headwrap

    2 Tear off a headwrap strip

    Snip the hem about 18 in (45 cm) from one long edge and tear along the grain the full length. You now have an 18 × 96 in strip for your head and a 48 × 96 in body panel. No scissors? Fold the sheet corner instead (see the headwrap note).

  3. Step 3: fold the body panel in halffold in half,short ends together≈ 48 × 48 in,fold at the top

    3 Fold the body panel

    Fold the body panel in half with the short ends together, so it's about 48 × 48 in with the fold at the top.

  4. Step 4: cut a 12-inch slit along the fold for your headcut a 12 in sliton the foldhead hole: start small,you can always cut more

    4 Make a head slit

    Cut or tear a 12 in (30 cm) slit along the middle of the fold. Start small; you can always make it bigger. No blade? Skip the slit and drape the panel over one shoulder like a sash, tied at the opposite hip.

  5. Step 5: put your head through the slitshouldershead through the slit;front & back hang down

    5 Put it on

    Head through the slit. The front and back panels cover your shoulders, chest, back, and upper arms like a poncho.

  6. Step 6: belt it and knot the side corners into loose sleevescornerknotcord or belt at the waist;knot the side corners

    6 Belt it, knot the sides

    Tie a cord, belt, rope, or a torn strip around your waist over the panels. Then pinch the front and back side corners together under each arm and tie a small knot: these make loose sleeves that shade your arms but leave a vent. No pins needed (safety pins are fine if you have them).

  7. Step 7: tuck the front hem up under the belt to make a pouchpouchlift the front hem and tuckit under the belt = pouch

    7 Make the carry pouch

    Lift the front hem up to the belt and tuck it under, all the way across. The folded-up fabric forms a kangaroo pouch at your belly for light items (map, snacks, phone). Or gather one corner around small items and tie it off like a furoshiki bundle. Keep it light: under about 2 lb.

  8. Step 8: add the headwrap and check that you can move freelywet headwraplegsfreecheck: stride, climb, sit;nothing drags or binds

    8 Head wrap and final check

    Add the headwrap (diagram below). Then check: take long strides, step up onto a rock, sit and stand. Nothing should drag, catch, or bind your knees. Hike the hem higher under the belt if it does.

Headwrap (keffiyeh / cheche style)

Headwrap in four steps: drape with a long tail, wrap around the head, bring loosely across the face, tuck the end and wet it1. drape it,long tail left2. wrap the longtail around3. fold acrossface, loosely4. tuck the end;wet it
Use the 18 × 96 in strip. Center it over your head with one tail much longer, wrap the long tail around your head, bring a loose fold across your nose and mouth when it's dusty or windy, and tuck the end in. No strip? Fold one corner of the whole sheet into a triangle and drape it over your head before belting, a looser version of the same idea.

Wrap safety

  • Legs free. Nothing below the knee that can catch your feet, cholla, or rocks. Re-tuck the hem if it drags.
  • Keep loose fabric away from fire, stoves, and engines; cotton burns fast. Tuck tails in near flames.
  • Wet the headwrap (and neck fold) for evaporative cooling in dry heat; re-wet as it dries. Wet thin cotton blocks less UV, so stay out of direct sun when you can.
  • Light colors are the safer choice for a snug or windless wrap; loose fit and airflow matter most.
  • It doesn't replace shade and water. Rest in shade in the hottest hours, drink, and watch for heat illness anyway: confusion, stopping sweating, hot skin, vomiting, or fainting means heat stroke: call 911 and cool the person fast (Heat guide).
  • Kids: an adult checks fit, knots, and that the face fold never covers the nose tightly.

4. Footwear for a desert trek

Desert footwear: breathable light-colored trail shoe with thick sole, gaiter, and hot ground belowmesh = breathesgaiter (sand,cactus bits)light colorthick soleasphalt in sun: 150–166°Fwool/synthetic socks + a dry spare pair
Breathable, light-colored, broken-in shoes with thick soles, gaiters for sand and cactus, and good socks.

Shoes vs. boots

  • Broken-in beats new. Never start a long walk in new shoes; wear them on short walks first [28].
  • Hot and dry favors breathable trail runners or hiking shoes. Mesh uppers are cooler and dry faster; waterproof membranes trap heat and sweat (more blisters) [23][24].
  • Boots make sense for heavy loads, rough off-trail terrain, or weak ankles. Stability comes mostly from a stiff sole, not just a high collar [24]. Mesh-paneled, light-colored boots are a middle ground.
  • Thick soles. Sunlit asphalt in Phoenix averaged about 150°F in a City/ASU study and peaked at 166°F in a desert burn-center study, with rock up to 170°F [20][21]. Phoenix burn doctors found asphalt hot enough for a second-degree burn in 35 seconds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in summer [22]. Thin soles and sandals cook feet; walk on dirt edges and in shade where you can.
  • Gaiters (even low ankle gaiters) keep sand, gravel, and cholla bits out of shoes.

Sandals: pros and cons

Pros: cool, dry fast, good for camp and water crossings. Cons: cactus spines and cholla joints, scorpion and snake exposure at night, sunburned tops of feet, and burns from hot rock and pavement. Use them for camp, not as your only trekking shoe.

Socks & blisters

  • Wool or synthetic, never cotton. Synthetic (acrylic) socks produced fewer and smaller blisters than cotton in a controlled trial; double-layer systems (thin liner + sock) cut blisters in military studies [25][26].
  • Pack a dry spare pair. Hikers in wet socks had about twice the blister risk [27]. Swap at midday and dry the first pair on your pack.
  • Treat hot spots immediately with tape (even paper tape) or moleskin, before they blister [26]. Foot powder or antiperspirant on the feet can reduce moisture.
  • Blister care: leave small intact blisters alone and pad around them. If a large one must be drained, clean it, use a sterilized needle at the edge, keep the roof on, and cover. Watch for infection (spreading redness, pus, fever).

Only bad shoes?

  • Line thin soles with cardboard insoles (several layers, replaced as they crush) or a folded rubber floor-mat piece.
  • Wrap feet in cloth (torn sheet strips) over socks to pad and protect from hot ground, wrapping from toes to ankle without wrinkles; tie off at the ankle, not tight.
  • Travel at dawn, dusk, and night when the ground is cooler; rest in shade with shoes off and feet up.

Check for scorpions

Shake out shoes, socks, and clothing every time before putting them on, especially in the morning; scorpions hide in boots and bedding [4][29]. Keep shoes inside your shelter or hung up at night.

What should we write about next?

You know this city better than any guide. If there's a question, risk, or skill you feel Phoenix-area residents need covered, from monsoon dust storms to keeping elders cool on a budget, we'd love to hear it. Suggest an article topic →

Sources

  1. Shkolnik A. et al. Why do Bedouins wear black robes in hot deserts? Nature 283, 373–375 (1980)
  2. Pandolf K.B. et al. Human thermoregulatory responses during heat exposure after artificially induced sunburn. Am J Physiol 262: R610–R616 (1992)
  3. Adolph E.F. & associates, Physiology of Man in the Desert (1947), summarized in Wilderness & Environmental Medicine (2025)
  4. US Army FM 90-3 Desert Operations, Ch. 1: The environment and its effects on personnel
  5. CDC/NIOSH Fast Facts: Protecting yourself from heat stress
  6. CDC/NIOSH: Sun exposure at work
  7. American Academy of Dermatology: What to wear to protect your skin from the sun
  8. Skin Cancer Foundation: Sun-protective clothing
  9. EPA / NWS: UV Index scale
  10. Havenith G. et al. Apparent latent heat of evaporation from clothing: attenuation and "heat pipe" effects. J Appl Physiol (2008)
  11. Morris N.B. et al. Keeping older individuals cool in hot and moderately humid conditions: wetted clothing with and without an electric fan. J Appl Physiol (2020)
  12. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin D fact sheet
  13. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Keffiyeh
  14. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Ghuṭrah
  15. BBC Travel: The blue men of the Sahara (2021)
  16. Encyclopedia.com: Tuareg (Countries and Their Cultures)
  17. Keenan J. The Tuareg veil. Revue de l'Occident musulman et de la Méditerranée 17 (1974)
  18. National Park Service: Ramadas of the Southwest (wa:ato)
  19. Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (NAU): Tohono O'odham climate adaptation
  20. City of Phoenix & ASU Cool Pavement study (2021)
  21. Temperature profiles of sunlight-exposed surfaces in a desert climate: determining the risk for pavement burns (2023)
  22. Pavement temperature and burns: streets of fire. Ann Emerg Med (1995), Maricopa Medical Center
  23. REI Expert Advice: Hiking boots vs. hiking shoes
  24. Appalachian Mountain Club: Hiking boots vs. hiking shoes vs. trail runners
  25. American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine: Socks and your feet
  26. Worthing R.M. et al. Prevention of friction blisters in outdoor pursuits: a systematic review. Wilderness Environ Med (2017)
  27. Sock composition and foot blisters in hikers (Camino de Santiago study, Univ. of Málaga)
  28. NPS Grand Canyon: Hike Smart
  29. Banner Poison & Drug Information Center: Bark scorpions

Checked October 10, 2026. This article is general information, not medical advice.

Related: Extreme heat · Bushcraft · Bug-out bag · Wildlife · All articles.

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