How can I join in with walking group without being sweaty mess?

September 29, 2015 4:35 PM

A local church has a wellbeing side project, which includes amongst other things a walking group which meets outside a local hospital, walks for one hour in park or other local area, then goes back for tea and biscuits in the lunch room at the church. I'd like to join in, because I know for sure I lack self-motivation and would be way more motivated to walk with others. The problem? As a middle-aged and overweight man (45, 240 lbs at 5 feet 11) I get sweaty very easily, not so much my armpits but my forehead and sometimes my neck too. Hope me work out an anti-sweating strategy so I can join in the chat at the end and not be a red-faced sweating puddle in front of them!

I live in Glasgow, Scotland, where winters are fairly mild, nothing like Canada for example, usually above freezing just with lots of rain. A while back I got rid of my North Face jacket (I forget the model, it was quite thin and had a hood) and bought a Berghaus Men's RG1 II Shell Jacket which was £42 so seemed a bargain as RRP £90. It was nice and roomy as I got the XXL size so I was very hopefull about it. However I have ended up with the same issue as the Amazon reviewer and fellow Scot who wrote "Stylish jacket and keeps me dry on a typical Scottish day. Only downside sweat like mad inside due to lining material." I do feel much better wearing a cotton jacket that's halfway between a jacket and blazer, but of course it's not rainproof unless I was to carry an umbrella, and those can easily be damaged in gusts of winds. Walking group people tend to put their hoods up and don't seem to do their hour of walking with a brolly from what I've observed, maybe it gets tiring holding a brolly that long.

So the advice I'm looking for is

1) Does anyone know of a very breathable but waterproof jacket which I can buy online in the UK for under £100? I don't mind if it's thin and not suitable for the very coldest days, and will assume it to be waterproof, so breathability is the main issue for me.

2) People who get a sweaty forehead as they walk along, what's the polite thing to do with the sweat? When alone I tend to just wipe my brow with my hand and then wipe my hand on my trousers to get rid of the sweat, but I feel Miss Manners would not approve! Do people use a cotton hanky just for that purpose which of course isn't used for nose-blowing at other times? Paper hankies? Moist tea tree wipes kept in a little plastic bag?

3) Would there be a benefit to wearing a technical long-sleeved t-shirt e.g. by Berghaus for these walks? I tend to walk in a plain cotton T at the moment. I don't think my armpits sweat too much due to a good anti-perspirant, but maybe some heat is building up in that area but which is coming out as sweat on my forehead?

Thanks in advance for any help!

posted by AuroraSky to Health & Fitness (26 answers total)

I'm not sure the best clothes but, why don't you just bring a change of clothes for after your walk? I am sure there is some kind of bathroom at the church - you could change in there. You can pop in the bathroom, give your face a nice cool rinse of water, wipe of with a towel and change. (You can also do a quick dab of antiperspirant) Bring a comb and do a quick comb though your hair.

Your wet combed hair can look like it's wet from the sink. You'll seem fastidious about your hygiene and I think that will be the impression you leave.

Also a bandana is great to wipe your forehead.
posted by ReluctantViking at 4:44 PM on September 29, 2015 [3 favorites]

Wear a sweatband around your forehead. Like people wear for tennis or a rolled bandanna. I wear a bandanna when I work out and can literally wring it out at the end. This is why people wear them, to prevent the sweat from dripping into their eyes.
posted by BoscosMom at 4:47 PM on September 29, 2015 [3 favorites]

1) I can't help with the UK sourcing, but I recommend looking for jackets with zippers in the armpits if you can find one. When I had a rain jacket like you describe, opening those vents made a big difference in sweatiness.

2) I think it's more polite to wipe your sweat away with a handkerchief you keep for that purpose. You could also take tea tree wipes to clean up after if you can pop in to a restroom or something.

3) I'd advise against a technical shirt since you don't seem to have much armpit sweat and in my experience technical fabrics can get pretty smelly pretty fast.

Other strategy ideas: When you're done with the walk or at the tail end of your walk, start taking off layers before you go inside so that you start to cool down earlier. See if you can have a cold beverage when you get inside. Try holding it to your wrists to cool down more. Hopefully the endorphins from walking will help you feel less self conscious about your sweating. I hope you move forward with joining the group! When I've joined exercise groups like this, I have found it life changing in subtle and enduring ways.

Also, you won't be the only one sweating. The group is doing this for exercise, so I would hope there would be some sweating going on!
posted by purple_bird at 4:49 PM on September 29, 2015 [2 favorites]

I say, embrace the rain! If it were me I would wear a technical/running-type long sleeve shirt and a visor or ball cap to keep the rain out of my eyes. The rain will help cool you off and that type of shirt will be lighter and dry faster than a cotton shirt. Once you get into a routine and are walking more often, I would bet that your body will get better at regulating temperature and you won't feel *quite* so puddle-y, or at least, you'll be more comfortable with it.
posted by pril at 4:51 PM on September 29, 2015 [1 favorite]

It's exercise. I would hope that the expectation is that everyone is going to get a bit sweaty. Especially the garden variety face-sweat that can happen on a warm day, while eating spicy food, etc.

Also, if this is strenuous enough walking to count as exercise, why not just wear fewer layers than normal? Most of the time when you exercise, you anticipate that you'll build body heat and compensate by dressing more lightly. You may feel a tad chilly when you set out, but that'll just inspire you to walk faster and warm up (and thus get better exercise).
posted by Sara C. at 4:51 PM on September 29, 2015

Response by poster: Oh forget to say jacket would need to be available in XXL size!
posted by AuroraSky at 4:55 PM on September 29, 2015

I would recommend getting a lightweight wool shirt, which is breathable and not stinky. Also dries quickly. Much preferable to cotton, which will not keep you warm when it's wet.

What you want are layers. Lightweight wool shirt, lightweight insulating layer (wool or fleece) when it's colder out, lightweight waterproof jacket. You might consider a non-Gortex waterproof jacket designed for athletics, with underarm zippers that can help you ventilate and keep from overheating. If you think you really need a Gortex-type jacket, try the discount online shops like Overstock.com or Sierra Trading Depot.

Oh, and I use a baseball cap for running/walking to keep the sweat out of my eyes. It's less obvious than a headband.

Good luck! And congratulations for taking this up; they say walking is one of the most perfect exercises.
posted by suelac at 4:55 PM on September 29, 2015 [1 favorite]

Wear a long-sleeved thin cotton shirt under your rain-proof layer, to keep it from sticking to your arms. If you can find a jacket with vents built in (in the armpits, and at the back, possibly the chest) that will be quite helpful - we have those for skiing.

I don't see why you couldn't just bring along a handkerchief if that's what you're most comfortable with carrying. I also have a small microfibre towel for dabbing my face during hot yoga, you might find something similar not too embarrassing to carry.
posted by lizbunny at 4:56 PM on September 29, 2015

I recommend wool clothing and also carrying a towel/rag to wipe away sweat as you go. I am a sweaty person too and both of these things have changed my exercise completely.
posted by joan_holloway at 4:56 PM on September 29, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks for all these great answers - yes baseball cap is great idea and I already own one, not many people wear bandana's in Glasgow so I'd feel self-conscious one but people of all ages do wear baseball caps. I will investigate the options suggestions, very helpful, including a quick change once back at the church. I do want to make this work as I think if I got some momentum going I could do another thing I wanted to, which is walk and explore Edinburgh, about an hour away by train.
posted by AuroraSky at 4:59 PM on September 29, 2015 [1 favorite]

Hey I found an online option for a jacket for you - try looking for this sort of thing - underarm vents and mesh lining for breathability
posted by lizbunny at 5:06 PM on September 29, 2015

yes, carry a handkerchief or moist towelettes to refresh yourself while you walk. I'd use a hanky whilst walking and the towelette afterward, to cut down on the trash you have to carry back with you and eliminate fumbling with the pack. (I do this just walking to the corner store in summer)

Is there Gold Bond medicated powder or its equivalent in the UK? It's talcum with menthol. A light dusting before you set out can help you feel less sweaty or chaffed.
posted by crush-onastick at 5:19 PM on September 29, 2015

I've tried a number of jackets that are marketed as rainproof and breathable. I find them to be more comfortable than jackets that are not breathable, but nowhere near as comfortable as no jacket.

The most breathable I've tried is Frogg Toggs.
posted by gregr at 5:30 PM on September 29, 2015

I second frogg togs! And don't let being sweaty keep you from going. I'm a young thin person who also sweats, and knows people who sweat. It's only human. Hankies and bandanas are quite charming and if someone in the group scrapes their knees they are even more useful!
posted by cakebatter at 6:14 PM on September 29, 2015

Hankies and a spare shirt stashed somewhere.
posted by kjs4 at 7:40 PM on September 29, 2015

I walk with a man in the evenings who sweats a lot. He just has a hanky in his pocket and occasionally takes it out to wipe his brow. There is nothing strange about it at all.
posted by Vaike at 7:54 PM on September 29, 2015 [3 favorites]

Anti-perspirant 'pushes' your sweat to other locations - you body still has to try and cool itself after all. If it can't sweat at your pits it will sweat somewhere else. I wear a technical shirt underneath another shirt to try and control torso sweat visibility - there is little that you can actually do about sweat if you are someone who sweats. It seems counter intuitive in that two layers should make you much warmer but I don't find it does and it makes a big difference comfort wise to have the sweat wick away from skin quickly and not show through your outer layer.

The menthol in gold bond is just a marketing gimmick (though it does feel really nice). Any old talcum powder will do.

The water cycle recreating inside a raincoat is an unfortunate fact of life. I find it can be reduced by wearing a baseball cap rather than a hood - any rain that still hits your head helps cool you down and also provides a nice cover-story for any head sweat dampness. Also you will benefit from still having peripheral vision and being able to hear people.

Clothing that hides sweat or dries very quickly is helpful. Technical fabrics, some thin fleeces and linen shirts are good for this. Be aware however that technical fabrics have to be washed quickly and properly otherwise they will reek worse than a hockey player's equipment bag at the end of the winter.
posted by srboisvert at 8:13 PM on September 29, 2015

It is perfectly fine to have a hanky with you for that purpose and use it as required. We've just had a really hot summer, well above average temperatures, and you couldn't even walk down the street for 5 minutes without perspiring liberally. So yes, hanky, some kind of wet wipes may be nice to freshen up if required. If you end up with large sweat patches on your clothes consider what combination of layers and what fabrics will be least likely to result in these/show them the least to avoid having to change when you're back at the church - I'd expect quite a few people wanting to use the bathrooms so this may not be very practical. Enjoy your walks!
posted by koahiatamadl at 8:29 PM on September 29, 2015

I walk in the UK!

It's OK to be sweaty - that's going to happen to some extent. It might take steeper hills to make me sweat but I certainly will by the end of a walking day.

I would say a cotton hanky or a microfibre cloth is a great solution. Wiping off with hands is probably the less preferred option and also won't make you feel as fresh.

Waterproofs are always like this to some extent. Check the weather forecast and avoid putting on your jacket until you absolutely can't avoid it. I'd prefer to get a bit wet from rain than moderately wet from sweat.

When I walk I wear and carry lots of layers - so a technical short sleeve top (don't do this unless you will be walking all day - they get really stinky), then a long sleeve thermal top, then a light fleece, then a bodywarmer, then a raincoat. I mostly end up carrying them all even in winter. My last layer is quick drying so that the sweat goes faster (but the downside is that it smells). Maybe a very thin short sleeved t-shirt. Sometimes in winter I end up walking in my t-shirt and gloves - looks ridiculous but keeps the warm bits cool and the cold bits warm.

If I do have to put my raincoat on, I take off every layer but the last.

I choose trouser colours that don't show any unfortunate sweat marks.

I am still looking for a rucksack that doesn't sponge up sweat and remain damp for the rest of the day.

Enjoy your walking - it's such a pleasure!
posted by kadia_a at 11:33 PM on September 29, 2015

How about a jacket like this from Go Outdoors? XXL, waterproof, breathable and with underarm zips. And for only £40 - although you have to buy a membership at Go Outdoors, which is, IIRC, £10 a year. This allows you to buy at the 'discount' price in store. I've always found it worth paying for the membership - even as a one-off - because the discounts are fairly substantial for members and you've only got to buy a couple of extra pairs of socks or something to make up in savings what you've paid for the membership. Reviews for this jacket are mixed and suggest it's not suitable for heavy fell walking but that's not what you're planning on doing anyway. Your nearest stores are Clydebank or Coatbridge.

I'd also suggest taking a microfibre cloth with you to mop your brow if you need to. And when you get back to your starting point, you can nip into the loo and freshen up. Whatever you do, don't mop your brow with your hand and wipe it on your pants. Nobody will want to shake your hand if you do that.
posted by essexjan at 3:12 AM on September 30, 2015

Gortex rain jackets are expensive, but they ****breathe**** unlike most other rain coats.

You need a breathing/moisture-wicking-outwards rain coat. Check out camping stores to find one at an okay price - maybe keep an eye out for sales.
posted by Hot buttered sockpuppets at 3:38 AM on September 30, 2015

Stuff a few paper towels in that new walking jacket. Blot sweat, don't wipe, as you go and as you cool off.
posted by Carol Anne at 6:27 AM on September 30, 2015

I get sweaty just being alive and i live in a hot, humid place ugh.

I keep a handkerchief to dab at my forehead and back of my neck. Tissues are bad, you'll be paranoid you have bits stuck to you.

Sweating while walking is perfectly acceptable! Just take a hanky, Enjoy your walks!
posted by kitten magic at 6:42 AM on September 30, 2015

During the colder months you should get one of those head band ear muffs things. Stylistically it goes with a north-face-ish jacket (at least in america) and works just like a bandana! As a very sweaty person who also has sensitive ears, it saves my bacon every fall.
posted by mayonnaises at 7:55 AM on September 30, 2015

The headband is a good idea, but instead of a handkerchief I'd recommend an absorbent sport towel instead. I too am a sweat-er, and I use this Mission Enduracool towel on a near daily basis. I don't do the thing where they suggest soaking it in water & using it cool me off; instead I just use it like a hankie to dab away moisture on my head, face, and hands. It's very soft and the absorbency is wonderful for removing sweat quickly and cleanly, where a cotton hankie would get saturated and just spread sweat around. I have it in black so it's not a like a big colorful flag I'm waving around. It's not embarrassing at all, and nobody even notices. If that specific one is too expensive on Amazon UK (cheaper in the US), they have other brands if you search by "cooling towel."
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 9:14 AM on September 30, 2015

I've got a bunch of things that work for me:

Don't wear cotton (you can get decent "technical" polyester t shirts from a supermarket for well under a tenner), wear a merino wool base layer next to the skin if you can (buy one from LIDL or ALDI when they come on sale), don't wear a jacket unless it's raining heavily or you'll be out so long your outer layer will soak through and use a cheap woolly (synthetic fibres are fine here, but ideally any knitwear on your body should be wool) hat to keep the rain off instead of a hood.

That's quite a lot to get, but it adds up to a lot less than even a moderately good waterproof jacket. Get something decent for £20-£30 from Sports Direct. In fact, you can buy everything I've listed above from Sports Direct.
posted by ambrosen at 10:17 AM on September 30, 2015