Seasons in Chiang Mai & the north

A packable rain shell

Not a winter coat — it stays warm through the rain. A light hooded shell that folds into its own pocket ends up in the day bag instead of the hotel room.

Quick-dry fabrics

Cotton takes two days to dry in this air and starts to smell before it does. Synthetics and merino wash in a sink and are wearable by morning.

Insect protection

Standing water means mosquitoes, and the ones out at dusk are the ones that matter. Repellent with DEET or picaridin, and long sleeves in the evening.

Shoes that survive being soaked

Streets flood faster than they drain. Sandals or mesh trainers dry overnight; leather does not, and one wet pair means walking in wet shoes all week.

Loose, covering clothes

Long and loose beats short and tight in serious heat: it keeps the sun off skin and moves air. Linen and light cotton in pale colours.

A bottle you will actually refill

Heat like this needs far more water than you think. A filter bottle also spares you buying a plastic bottle every two hours.

Real sun protection

High-factor sunscreen, a hat with a brim and sunglasses. Reef-safe sunscreen is worth buying before you go — it is expensive and hard to find at the beach.