Picture this: you’re standing at the base of an ice wall. Above you is a mountain of frozen rock that towers like an ancient glacier, as unforgivable as it is immovable. You glance at your thermometer – the temperature is 15 degrees.
But as you look up, sweat beading on your brow, it’s not the ice you’re worried about.
It’s your own skin.
Cold climate mountaineers know this dilemma all too well. Whether they’re scaling snow-covered peaks or rappelling into frozen canyons, they face unique challenges that go beyond treacherous terrain – they also battle extreme temperatures and limited hygiene facilities, where something as harmless as your own sweat can be the difference between life and death.
In this edition of “Put To The Test,” we’ll explore two key reasons why adventurers – including Every Man Jack ambassador and badass Antarctica explorer Stein Retzlaff – rely on Every Man Jack Antiperspirant + Deodorant in freezing conditions.
Photo by Stein Retzlaff @steinretzlaff
Preventing Frozen Sweat
Sweat production at high altitude isn’t just uncomfortable – it’s dangerous. In below-freezing temperatures, perspiration can evaporate (especially in windy conditions) and cool your body even more.
This can be compounded by wearing warm clothing. As your clothes absorb moisture, they lose their insulation value, and you end up colder and more uncomfortable than you would have been. That’s why blocking sweat production becomes vital to warding off dangers like hypothermia.
The solution for many mountaineers? Antiperspirant + Deodorant with aluminum-based compounds. Traditional deodorants merely mask odors, but aluminum-based antiperspirants take it a step further by reducing sweat production.
By applying Antiperspirant + Deodorant before setting out, mountaineers minimize the moisture that would otherwise freeze on their skin, keeping them more comfortable and protected against the chilling effects of frozen sweat.
Photo by Stein Retzlaff @steinretzlaff
Hygiene on the Go
Warm showers. Clean toilets. Soap and disinfectants. These are often luxuries at high elevation, where the traditional comforts and amenities of daily life aren’t readily available.
But hygiene is still a necessity. And for many hikers who have to share a tent together for days on end, smelling good is just as important.
Antiperspirant deodorant offers a simple, portable solution for combating body odor when bathing isn’t possible. Our popular Cedarwood Antiperspirant + Deodorant is made with naturally derived oils (plus Rosemary and Thyme) to help even the most active adventurers stay fresh in the wild … and tolerable in their tents.
Photo by Stein Retzlaff @steinretzlaff
Of course, your sense of adventure doesn’t have to take you to the top of the world. Whether you’re climbing mountains or tackling a busy day at work, feeling fresh, clean, and confident is important at any elevation. And we’re here to help.
Want more tips from the trailhead? Stick with us as we explore how world-class athletes like Stein tackle the challenges of hygiene in some of the planet’s most incredible environments.
-The Every Man Jack Team
This article is not intended as medical advice. As always, take proper precaution when encountering extreme environments and terrains.
