What to wear in Borneo

What to Wear in Borneo

Top style tips for Borneo

  • Our advice when deciding what to wear in Borneo is to Dress modestly; this means avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless t-shirts.
  • Our advice for men and women alike would be to concentrate on trekking/outdoor clothing.
  • As you can imagine, the humidity is very high here, so be prepared. Lightweight natural fabrics work best and pack long pants and long sleeved shirts to help keep the mosquitoes from feasting on you.
  • light wool is a good choice to wear against your skin as it naturally helps to regulate your body temperature. It keeps you warm in the cold, wicks away moisture when it's hot, and doesn't retain odours – even after prolonged wear.
  • As the weather varies widely and unless you are based in just one location, pack for every eventuality.
  • If you are looking for a highly versatile travel jacket to bring along we recommend the SCOTTeVEST range. Their range of jackets have been specifically designed with traveling in mind and include RFID security (to protect your passport information), 23 secure pockets and personal connectivity integration.

Shoes to pack for Borneo

  • Comfortable and well broken in trekking shoes are essential but we would suggest that you also pack light sandals or comfortable sneakers, plus a pair of flip-flops for the beach and the showers. We love Hotter shoes – they are lightweight, comfy and stylish.
  • For trekking we also like Thorlos hiking socks- they're especially designed to keep your feet dry and comfortable when walking in hotter climes.

Clothing tips for women

  • If your trip includes spending time at hotel resorts you will find the dress code more relaxed there, so you may like to pack a dress, pashmina and glitzy flip-flops for those smarter occasions. Try the Lindsay Phillips Switch Flops range – using interchangeable shoe and flip-flop bases with snap-on decorations, you can change your look from day to evening in an instant whilst still packing light.
  • On the other hand, if you plan to go trekking, check out our Women's trekking capsule wardrobe for a full checklist of what to pack.

Clothing tips for men

Mount Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo

Trekking Mount Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo

Regions of Borneo

  • If you are planning to visit the rainforests of Borneo they are, predictably, very humid. You will encounter a lot of leeches, so the more skin you can keep covered the better. They are truly revolting things and so for that reason alone, wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt/t-shirt. Take ties or clips for tying round the ankle to avoid the nasties getting in.

Borneo travel essentials

  • For trekking vacations, taking a soft-sided rucksack is more practical than a hard suitcase, and using packing cubes can help to keep your belongings tidy whilst compressing the volume too.
  • Combine your main backpack with a foldaway backpack that will carry your essentials on day trips.
  • A microfiber travel towel is another must-pack – these are designed specifically for such travel: they fold really small so you can accommodate a larger size and they dry really quickly too.
  • Don’t drink or even brush your teeth in tap water. Consider taking a LifeStraw Filtration Water Bottle.
  • To use electrical gadgets you may need a travel adapter plug, and also a step down voltage converter if your devices are not designed for the local voltage (240V).
  • Avoid paying unexpected baggage fees – use an accurate luggage scale to ensure you keep within the weight allowance. Don't forget to leave room for souvenirs on the way home! Traditional handicrafts are popular buys.

Community photos of Borneo