I sweat excessively when I ride whether it is in the summer or on cool days. My hair is drenched, and I will soak through my clothes. Its embarrassing ! also sweat when I exercise, but not like when I am riding. Sometimes I think it is nerves or something is wrong with me. I have thought about talking to my doctor about it. Any thoughts?
And is seems to be getting worse as I get older. And the summer weather gets more hot and humid.
I actually bought a lotion to help reduce sweat on your face but only used it once or twice last summer. Waiting to see how it works this year because I just cannot stand it!
I had this tested so I can proudly (?!!) declare that I am in the 99th percentile for sweat rate.
When I told my mother about this result she asked why I bothered paying somebody to tell me that. I get it from her side of the family.
If you only sweat excessively when exercising, then you probably don’t have a medical condition. If you sweat under other circumstances as well, it might be hyperhidrosis. There are treatments for that.
Otherwise… stay hydrated, and make sure to take in electrolytes too!
I misread the title as “swear” excessively.
Clicked on to see why the OP was swearing so much.
Glad is “sweating”.
I also sweat plenty when is humid, but not so much when dry.
Does the humidity make a difference for you?
This! There are technical fabrics that can help absorb sweat, but take care of the internal factors that can be impacted by the excess sweating.
I have POTS and a family history of heavy sweaters, so the two combined mean I can wring my ponytail out after riding for 3/4 of the year and I get salt crystal formations on my helmet harness if I’m not diligent in wiping it down. Loud shirts hide sweat stains the best, while solid pastels are the worst. In the summer I’ll bring a change of clothes to drive home in and a towel for the back of the seat.
If you are worried about underlying health factors, having a quality heart rate monitor with a decent history of riding, rest, and other exercise is helpful but if there is cause for concern, they will put you to a stress test (I failed that epically, the staff felt so bad about how sweaty I was from just walking). The Polar H10 is a little awkward to wear but someone tested it and it was one of the closest in accuracy. Watches are hit or miss because of how they can move.
When you sweat like I do, and like the OP seems to, you swear about it plenty, too.
I did when I used to ride. I’d be soggy.
I really want to wear sunglasses when I ride but when you are constantly wiping the sweat out of your eyes from sweat dripping off your scalp, it makes it kind hard. The struggle is real.
But at least the technical fabric dries pretty quickly, and a half cup of borax in the wash does a great job of getting the funk out of the fabric. Helmet defunking is an ongoing challenge
Spray it down with rubbing alcohol after you ride and leave it to dry in the sun for 15 minutes before you put it away.
I do - I actually had surgery for hyperhidrosis as a teen. I remember, as a child, that riding was actually one of my happiest places because everyone sweats (to a degree) when you’re working hard - plus, you got to wear gloves which alleviated any slipping of equipment!
I still sweat excessively in my lower back, which leads to swamp-@ass, and my feet, which means I replace boots at an excessive rate no matter how hard I try to “take care of them” as others have implied I don’t. There are a few historical threads on breeches that minimize the obviousness - hopefully someone will link those in.
Also - a well-ventilated helmet! Although most are these days
There was one individual at my last barn who commented on it every.single.time and they were twice my age (I’m approaching mid-thirties). It absolutely boggled my mind, how rude an adult could be. It was absolutely not necessary and honestly - love having my own barn now!
Well ventilated, extra liners, sunshine, deodorizers, disinfectant, alcohol, btdt! It does keep it down to a dull roar, but God forbid I should get less diligent (and that is the major problem) Still, silver lining is that helmets don’t age before they are replaced.
Me… I sweat excessively when I ride. It can be in the mid 30s and my hair is still damp in a GPA Speed Air helmet. During the summer I always sweat through my tall boots… and I only ride on horse! Never thought it could have a medical cause though, so I’ll bring it up at my next vet, I mean doctor, visit.
Well I’m in FL that’s pretty normal about 8 months out of the year
Same, girl, same. I asked my doctor once and she said “I think it’s just you.” Well, I hate it and can’t we fix it?
I hate it. I never used to sweat like this as a junior. But now as an older adult I can barely wear more than a sun shirt even in winter. I keep a hair dryer and baseball hat in my trunk for sweat soaked hair and baby wipes/paper towels for post ride wipe downs - under boob, back, etc.
I used to spray religiously with plain alcohol then started Yourhelmetspray.com — makes a gross job so much more fun! Now stinky helmets, gloves, boots, vests are a thing of the past!!
What is this “sun” of which you speak?
Jk but we haven’t seen that in a while! I vote to get yourself medically checked out anyway. Mine was a sign of hypothyroidism. I sweat much less on the proper meds.
Sign me up for the sweaty people club. I believe I have an underlying medical issue (POTS or similar) as I have issues with electrolytes/ overheating as well but the sweating is a problem. My helmets, gloves, and tall boots get so so nasty. I got this deodorizing spray last summer and it has helped a good amount along with the odor “eating” sachets, although Midwest humid summers are just a losing battle. I try to avoid washing my gloves (Roeckl) as I find they disintegrate quickly if I toss them in the wash but have accepted I will get maybe 2 years out of a pair before they are just too gross to deal. I want to try some of that sports specific pre wash that is supposed to help with the sweaty/ musty smell.
Aqua X breeches have been great for keeping cooler in the summer and not displaying my sweat. Same with Cowgirl Tuff Breathe shirts. That fabric is absolutely amazing and is pretty much all I wear in the summer barn or not. A hat to hide gross helmet hair is a lifesaver too.
Spray: https://a.co/d/7AcPpw0
Sachets: https://a.co/d/gOjmvSe
Ah, yes, my people. Year round my head is wet when I take off my helmet as are the inside of my boots.
This is wild, but the best deodorant (ask any Southern woman) is Donna Karan Cashmere Mist. You’d think, oh surely one of the sport ones is better, but nope, this is The Stuff.
I only buy helmets with washable liners.
I have these micro perforated tech type underwear that seem to help significantly with swamp ass, but of course can’t seem to find them right now.
And the best laundry detergent are the Tide Hygienic Pods. They actually tested a bunch of different ones and those came out the winner. I can confirm, they take some awful post-show stank out of the worst offenders.
Huh. I had no idea this was a symptom. Regretfully, mine didn’t improve when my thyroid hormone levels got under control.
I use Persil and line dry my athletic clothes outside whenever that’s an option, or put a glug of vinegar in when it’s not. No stank. Thankfully.
Always have a wet head after a ride. When I had the boys at the family farm this past winter I cleaned stalls without a coat or vest and still looked like I ran a marathon. No great tips other than to let clothes air dry before putting them in the hamper and use Tide.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has this problem - I guess I’m not so weird after all!