While monsoon brings with its a faint earthy fragrance to the air, colouring everything in bright hues, it is a tricky time for travellers looking to venture out and explore. Yet, the travel bug does bite best in this season, and you should not let a downpour dampen your spirits. Here are a few travel essentials that will hold you in good stead as you put on your boots and head out on a monsoon sojourn
Waterproof luggage
Imagine the horror of finding your clothes and even worse, your gadgets, dripping with water when out on a trip. Well, chances are, it really might just happen. This is why waterproof luggage is step one of travelling safely during the monsoon. Brands like Orpio, Zion and Polestar offer moisture-resistant, tear proof and durable bags that can withstand the onslaught of nature, just like you.
Waterproof Your Devices
While rain-resistant bags are good, you might still need an extra layer of protection for the tiny screens in your pocket on your next hike. Silica gel is your saviour here. Silica gel acts as desiccant, sucking up the moisture from your device lest you find yourself stuck on a rainy hillside. Additionally, pack waterproof pouches and bags for your cameras and laptops.
The Right Footwear
Hills, mountains, valleys. While these might be at their best during the monsoons, the chances of you slipping and injuring yourself also rises exponentially, in the absence of the right footwear. What you need are waterproof shoes that offer a good grip on tricky terrains. You can take your pick from ones on offer by Crocs, Decathlon and Woodland (these are pricey but value for money).
Weather-appropriate clothes
While your favourite cotton dress might look good on a vacation, it is quite possible that it might not recover from being drenched or with muck on it. Nylon, polyester, rayon and other synthetic fabrics are lightweight, and dry up quickly, sparing you the hassle of changing ever so often. Adidas and H&M offer good raincoat and jacket options to choose from, and you can also invest in a water-repellent spray for the safety of your fabrics.
Don&rsquot forget your sunscreen and repellants
The biggest skincare myth remains that one doesn&rsquot need sunscreen during a cloudy day. Well, you&rsquore wrong. Make sure to load up on a good sunscreen whenever you step out, to prevent sunburn. Juicy Chemistry Camellia & Red Raspberry sunscreen is environment-friendly (it is reef safe) and also offers deep moisturisation to the skin. Also, invest in a good mosquito repellent (we all know mosquitoes love a good rain). Kama Ayurveda&rsquos natural insect repellent and Forest Essentials&rsquo Herb infused mosquito repellents are good picks.
