I hiked snowbank loop earlier this week. First time walking in the heat of summer. Wow, I am impressed by the collection of biting insects this time of year! Not sure if this was an unusual year, but the combination of mosquitoes, stable flies, deer flies, and horseflies was amazing. All warm-blooded animals living in the BWCA have even more of my respect.

In particular, the stable fly was a challenge: fast and more likely to go for my hands (which were only covered by thin fingerless gloves) instead of my well-armored head (covered by a bug net).

It was a hot and sunny week, too, so I found myself caught between the challenge of staying covered to protect from sun and insects and staying well ventilated. Hard to stay cool while hiking up and down the slopes of the north part of the snowbank trail. I was wearing thick nylon pants (RailRiders) which worked well, nothing got through, but were somewhat warm. I was also wearing an "Original Bug Shirt" over a thin running shirt -- this was too hot and I got eaten alive when I took off the bug shirt. The hood was especially hot, so at one point I stopped using the hood and used a separate all mesh head net. I was wearing a nylon wide brim hat (not the rain hat) and even this too much for the heat. It trapped hot air without enough ventilation. I was fantasizing of one of those pith helmets with the solar powered fan ;).

I tried switching out my thin sun gloves for a very thin pair of leather gloves that I normally use just while using my stove. But these gloves were way too hot for use while hiking.

Any particular advice for clothing for July in BWCA on hiking trails? Some garment or combination of clothes that protects from sun, insects, but allows ventilation/cooling on 80+ degree days?

Andrew Skurka's advice on clothing systems in peak mosquito season might be of interest.

I find that I prefer very lightweight, quick drying pants which are much better for the BWCA in the summer.