To cloak or not to cloak?

[helion83]

So, due to the fact that I am a very fair skinned ginger Brit am kinda anxiously awaiting the heat at Burning Man. Am already stocked up on factor 50spf sun lotion and will try to stay out of the sun as much as possible however I don't want to be condemned to being a night walker as it were.

I've been thinking about bringing/wearing a light cloak or something out while out on the Playa and wondering what the consensus on this would be. I'm not talking a heavy winter cloak here, something made of linen or such just to reflect the heat back. Would this be an good idea or is it a terrible idea? In short just need something to create a shadow to hide in, am very vulnerable to sunburn and dehydration so am suggestions would be fantastic!

Thanks for your replies!

[Captain Goddammit]

Being a "night walker" isn't a bad plan! That's what I do… BRC is a 24-hour place and even more awesome when everything is lit up at night.
However, your cloak sounds like a fine idea. Parasols are cool too, except they keep your hands occupied.

[unjonharley]

I am of the vintage for skin cancer.. I stay completely covered with cotton or linen.. I use zinc for sunscreen on the face and hands..

[playaSilk]

CLOAK YEAH!!!
I love me some cloak. Yes yes yes. I have a silver reflective cloak/hood thingy that I couldn't live without
https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... e=544E22FD

Or you could get a kimono type garment in a light breezy breathable fabric?

[smil1473]

Last year, I got a couple of wide-brimmed hats with chin straps and draped about 2 yards of light colored airy fabric over them to keep my head and shoulders engulfed in shade. Kept my hands mostly free and if you get something lacey enough, you can even see through it. I think it helped a little on dust control too!

Pretty much just keep up with your sunscreen, and have shade on you or flit from shade structure to shade structure.

[VultureChow]

I am also of the lobster variety, and Burning Man is one of the few sunny places where I find sunblock works very well. You don't sweat, so it doesn't run off. No beach or anything. A good wide brimmed hat and occasional reapplications of the spray on sunblock are enough for me, though I do usually wear a long sleeve shirt.

[helion83]

I am also of the lobster variety, and Burning Man is one of the few sunny places where I find sunblock works very well. You don't sweat, so it doesn't run off. No beach or anything. A good wide brimmed hat and occasional reapplications of the spray on sunblock are enough for me, though I do usually wear a long sleeve shirt.

Thanks for all the responses! After reading a few posts it appears that sweat really isn't a problem on the Playa, does it just evaporate off your body before you have a chance to notice? What kind of sun screen do you use?

@smil1473 - Do love the idea of a hat and cloak We're thinking of doing Roman Legionaries as a group costume or something so will try and add that in!

@unjonharley - Zinc? I normally use the Banana Boat mistspray stuff, where would you buy the zinc screen?

@playasilk - Love the cloak It's actually kind of what I was thinking of bringing! Where did you get yours?

@Captain - Do intend on spending a fair amount of time out at night, however want to experience as much as possible since this is a once a decade opportunity.

[playaSilk]

Perspiration just evaps before you notice it. But it still happens. Which is important to note, because in some parts of your body, it doesn't evap immediately (crotch, armpits).
Zinc-based sunscreen (or rather titanium dioxide + zinc oxide) is totally bomb. This is the one I use and love
I got my cloak in some random thrift store. Saw it, love at first sight, totally made out with it at the store, and then it wanted to go home with me.

[helion83]

Perspiration just evaps before you notice it. But it still happens. Which is important to note, because in some parts of your body, it doesn't evap immediately (crotch, armpits).
Zinc-based sunscreen (or rather titanium dioxide + zinc oxide) is totally bomb. This is the one I use and love
I got my cloak in some random thrift store. Saw it, love at first sight, totally made out with it at the store, and then it wanted to go home with me.

Ah, that sunscreen looks good. Haven't used a mineral one before but the reviews on that seems good! Sweat, never really considered that but so long as we're fully covered by sunblock am suddenly thinking it would be the hot room I'm expecting!

Cloak, damn that's a shame Will just have to go thrift shopping with my time off! Although the make out session will have to wait until it's been cleaned...

[unjonharley]

WalMart carries a zinc sunscreen.. Comes in a jar about 1 1/2 inch tall and round.. Has an orange lid with #50.. My grandmother used that on me back in the 40s.. Some times you will see pictures of mountain climbers with white on their nose.. The new stuff turns clear

[unjonharley]

I got a pair of safety sleeves from the gas welding store..They fit from the hand to mid bicep.. Now I can wear a T shirt or short sleeve shirts.

They are also very steampunk..

[Ratty]

I've made about 10 shoulder capes to gift to lobsters. I trim an appropriate t-shirt till all that's left is the neck hole and some fabric that hangs down just past the shoulders. It's kind of a lop sided circle so it always cover the shoulders no matter how it flops. Then I trim the edges with light weight tulle or fringe. I carry one in my pack in case I get staked out in the sun by natives. Some are great with have a saying or picture. Of course wear a wide brimmed hat and take shelter in all the shade you find.

[Eric]

Another ginger here - I wear a kaffiyeh most days, which keeps the top of my head & my neck covered (and doubles as my dustmask if needed). I'm one of those people that doesn't bother showering out there, I just wash my face, hands, pits & bits - so I'm basically lathering my sunblock on the previous days accumulation of dust & sunblock (50spf Banana Boat, the squeeze kind - I can apply a thicker coat of it). I've never gotten a sunburn there, and wear short-sleeve shirts during the day. Probably sounds a bit nasty when you're sitting at home, but when every inch of your body, your entire camp and the food you're eating is covered in dust as well it becomes a bit more normal. And the first shower in Reno is heaven.

[Sunbeam56]

Both!

[sadie]

I am bringing a couple of UPF rated long sleeve shirts. They are supposed to be wicky and cool as well as sunblocking. I've never tried them before, but my sister swears by them. Not the sexiest look, but who cares.
I also have a wide brimmed hat, and zinc, and sunscreen, and a kaffiyeh...I like options

I like your shoulder capes Ratty!

[tatonka]

I am bringing a couple of UPF rated long sleeve shirts. They are supposed to be wicky and cool as well as sunblocking. I've never tried them before, but my sister swears by them. Not the sexiest look, but who cares.
I also have a wide brimmed hat, and zinc, and sunscreen, and a kaffiyeh...I like options

I like your shoulder capes Ratty!

rack anit bad either

[Molotov]

I got it covered this year. Literally! This one piece outfit is called a dishdasha. I am wearing something similar, including the more formal outer mid sleeve gown, called a thobe. Mine is light tan to keep down the solar load.

[helion83]

Another ginger here - I wear a kaffiyeh most days, which keeps the top of my head & my neck covered (and doubles as my dustmask if needed).

That's actually what I intend on buying also for use out there, they seem rather useful and as you say double as a dust mask in case of a dust storm. Have spoken to my friend who is a great tailor, he's shown me this type of material and frankly... It looks quite funky

It'll hopefully be one hellava cloak!

[shroom]

I took a very lightweight jacket, one a jogger would wear. I've had it for ages, it's sort of spandex or under armor feel. I kept it on or in my bag during the day. Great to keep the sun off. I'm fair skinned and use plenty of sunscreen but it's nice to have something to cover your skin too.

[Eric]

Have spoken to my friend who is a great tailor, he's shown me this type of material and frankly... It looks quite funky

tailor? Good lord, in SF I can pick up a keffiyeh at a thrift store for $9 - $15 (depending on size & color). Two things: make sure it's all-natural material (preferably cotton), and to size it for your head, fold it into a triangle, and make sure the folded side easily fits between your outstretched arms. You'll need that much fabric to tie it properly. The method below is what I base mine off of, but I simplify some. I can put it on in less than a minute, I can convert it to a dust mask by pulling one side over my mouth/ nose in a few seconds. I bring 6-8 of them out now, they get a bit musty after a day...

[media]

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[Fan C]

Okay... definitely copying rattys shoulder cape idea!

Oh and yes I'll second the appreciation of the female form!

[unjonharley]

That was me,modeling the cape..Thank you

[Fan C]

That was me,modeling the cape..Thank you

Nice!

[Ra1nBr0]

I got a pair of safety sleeves from the gas welding store..They fit from the hand to mid bicep.. Now I can wear a T shirt or short sleeve shirts.

They are also very steampunk..

They can also be incredibly warm. Take it from someone who wears them for work, daily. Even in a shop that doesn't reach the Playa levels of temperature, I'm usually pretty warm in my sleeves.

[unjonharley]

I got a pair of safety sleeves from the gas welding store..They fit from the hand to mid bicep.. Now I can wear a T shirt or short sleeve shirts.

They are also very steampunk..

They can also be incredibly warm. Take it from someone who wears them for work, daily. Even in a shop that doesn't reach the Playa levels of temperature, I'm usually pretty warm in my sleeves.

They worked out well for me this year..

[Ra1nBr0]

I got a pair of safety sleeves from the gas welding store..They fit from the hand to mid bicep.. Now I can wear a T shirt or short sleeve shirts.

They are also very steampunk..

They can also be incredibly warm. Take it from someone who wears them for work, daily. Even in a shop that doesn't reach the Playa levels of temperature, I'm usually pretty warm in my sleeves.

They worked out well for me this year..

Well, if you've tested them then by all means. I thought you had bought them as an idea. Glass they worked out for ya.