Amazon Jungle Equipment Reviews

On these pages we´ll be posting reviews of the equipment we have used in anger in the jungle, which we hope will help you in your choice of clothing and kit for the tropics.

We aim to cover clothing, footwear, camping gear, survival gear, as well as other items we get asked about regularly like water purifiers, insect repellents, hammocks etc. If there is anything you specifically want us to cover, email us or post to the forum and we will try to include it.

But first of all, since we are often asked what you need to bring if you are visiting in the time-honoured fashion - a night in Manaus, 3 nights in the jungle and a final night in Manaus before flying out again - here´s a suggested list of 20 "essentials" which we hope you´ll find useful:

1	Waterproof	Something in simple, lightweight plastic, or maybe a good poncho (but see our poncho review). Thunderstorms are best viewed from the safety of a covered building, but if you´re caught in one, expect to need a towel anyway - no matter how good your waterproof.
2	Hat	Something that will shade your eyes and cover your head, neck and ears (not a baseball cap). A Tilley if you can afford it, maybe a Jack Pyke if you can´t.
3	Shorts	Cotton - everything else, regardless of how "high-tec", is second best.
4	Long-sleeved shirt	Linen or cotton - we prefer linen, but not for those who like a nice "pressed" look.
5	Long trousers	Linen or cotton. Again, our preference is linen.
6	Swimming gear	Whatever turns you on.
7	Insect repellent	Get the highest DEET concentration you can get (but watch your plastics - including watch straps, camera cases etc).
8	Anti-histamine cream/tablets	Useful for reactions and rashes from heat, insects and/or plants.
9	Flip-flops or sandals	Best footwear for 80% of the time.
10	Light trail shoe or trainers	For the other 20% of the time - don´t bother with boots as they´re generally too heavy for the jungle.
11	Socks	For your trainers - not with your flip-flops or sandals,please.  Cotton, of course...
12	Torch	Essential if you´re going to a jungle lodge. We can recommend the Frogman Torch. If weight´s a problem, buy the batteries when you get here.
13	Towel	At least a hand-towel, which is useful to take everywhere in case of rain.
14	T-shirt	Cotton or linen.
15	Underwear	Cotton (don´t think you can get linen underwear can you..?) and comfortable. Best to leave the sexy tight stuff at home.
16	Sunglasses	If you´re at all sensitive to sunlight (who isn´t?), these are a must on the river. Polarised lenses are nice if you can afford good ones.
17	Rehydration powder/tablets	The biggest cause of visitor illness is dehydration. This is the fast solution (pardon the pun), but do try to avoid it altogether by drinking plenty of water.
18	Imodium	Just in case - you´re really unlikely to get the runs, but it does happen. Only use if absolutely necessary, otherwise best to let nature take its course - and don´t forget to drink even more water.
19	Hand mirror	Again, if you´re going to a lodge, could be essential.
20	Plug adapter	Check formats before you come, and note that there is a new plug format in Brazil now, although many places will still have the older type sockets

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Visit our reviews page for reviews on the Webtex Poncho and the Frogman Torch. >>>
More reviews coming soon!