Tips on ventilating costume - it's so hot in there!

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martinwilliamh

Jr Hunter

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

To prep for C7 I was putting some finishing touches on my costume. One of the things I wanted to do is try to make it more bearable in the heat. I know some folks put fans in their helmets, but I was wondering what other tips you have to make it less hot. For example, I was thinking of cutting out a section in the back of the flack vest. I know it's not "screen accurate" (who knows, maybe it is!) but no one will ever see the back of the vest. Any other tips?

 

Jesuit24

Hunter

• Mar 30, 2015

• #2

Wear an under armour shirt, it'll wick the hot sweat off your body. Also consider those ice packs that you can buy for injuries; strap them in key locations like the middle of your back. The nape of your neck and the palms of your hands are other good places but a bit awkward to strap anything to. But if you want to reduce your core temperature, just apply something cool to the back of your neck and the rest of your body should follow up. You should also stay hydrated, but then I don't know how that would fare for your bladder!

 

Mike M.

Well-Known Hunter

Community Staff

TDH PREMIUM MEMBER

• Mar 30, 2015

• #3

after trooping as boba (and jango) for many years i've got to the point where i just deal with it. i know it's going to be hot, and uncomfortable, and i'm going to sweat, but that's just the way it is. i used to use a camelpack for my jetpack harness and run the tube under my neck seal and into my helmet so i could have something to drink while in costume (a quart of gatoraid with ice was my beverage of choice), but i ended up with the hose sticking me in the eye so i eventually made a new harness and got rid of the camelpack all together. i'm typically good for about an hour to hour and a half without a drink, so i take a break for a bit to take off my helmet and have some water, i usually take off the jetpack too. then i put my stuff back on and head back out for another hour to hour and a half. three hours in costume is more than enough, imho. i know there are some guys that will troop all day and night, but i'm not one of them. i've never had any problems with having to go to the bathroom while i'm in costume, because i'm sweating too much to pee.

 

NemesisCustoms

Jr Hunter

• Mar 31, 2015

• #4

Like Mike said, you'll have to deal with it.

My last troop was 6 hours and it was a little bit uncomfy at the end (-; .
I wear Gore Bike underwear. This helps to keep the body dry.
I also use gel padded insoles in the boots, this increases comfort so much, especially when you walk around all day long.

 

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martinwilliamh

Jr Hunter

• Mar 31, 2015

• #5

I was thinking of all the hidden areas in the costume where you could ventilate:

Cut out back parts of flak vest or ventilation
Holes in the backplate
Holes in inner portion of sleeves and near gauntlets
Holes under armor plates in chest and shoulders


Anyone thought of doing this? Or would that just ruin the authenticity?

 

Last edited by a moderator: Aug 2, 2017

NemesisCustoms

Jr Hunter

• Mar 31, 2015

• #6

I think it will kill accuracy. So many layers of costume...i'm pretty sure you won't feel a difference with all the holes /-:

 

DeathProof

Active Hunter

• Mar 31, 2015

• #7

I wouldn't put any unnecessary holes in the suit. Not only is this inaccurate, but I don't think it would provide that much relief. Cutting out a section of the flak vest is not accurate - check the reference images. I figure if they filmed out in the bloody desert for hours, I can take a few hours on a troop Just make sure that you hydrate yourself properly!!

 

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hammsterdam1943

Hunter

• Mar 31, 2015

• #8

I have heard royal gaurds slip these portable Ac units under their robes but I have no clue if you could slide these anywhere on a Fett?

http://batterysavers.com/small-portable-airconditioner.html

 

DeathProof

Active Hunter

• Mar 31, 2015

• #9

I like the idea hammsterdam. But I think because the costume is so fitted it might not find a good spot. With the royal guards, the fabric is loose - I can see I being attached and covering a lot of the body. If this was on fett, it would be stuck in one position. You might have a cold thigh but the rest of you is boiling. Looks like it might have space in the helmet. Depends how loud it is too.

 

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martinwilliamh

Jr Hunter

• Apr 1, 2015

• #10

I like this idea! They're are pretty cheap and people say they work. I just bought one on Amazon. So we'll see how well it works.

hammsterdam1943 said:

I have heard royal gaurds slip these portable Ac units under their robes but I have no clue if you could slide these anywhere on a Fett?

http://batterysavers.com/small-portable-airconditioner.html

Click to expand...

 

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martinwilliamh

Jr Hunter

• Apr 10, 2015

• #11

Well, I tried the mini AC. It does work. But, like you guys said, it's pretty bulky. It fits OK in the small of your back and doesn't show (the fan almost makes it sound like power from the jetpack). But it's uncomfortable back there. I was thinking of installing it in the jetpack itself and running a hose to my body. But it's not really powerful enough to get that much cool air through a hose.

 

DeathProof

Active Hunter

• Apr 10, 2015

• #12

Good to know, bud. Sorry it didn't work out.

 

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hammsterdam1943

Hunter

• Apr 13, 2015

• #13

Bummer to hear. I guess it was worth shot I am glad it was not very expensive.