If you’ve stepped outside lately, you know the heat isn’t letting up. With another round of triple-digit temperatures and heat advisories blanketing parts of the US, our writers shared the things they rely on when summer gets unbearable. They recommended portable fans, a powerful dehumidifier and shorts that keep you cool even after hours of walking. Multiple writers recommended REI’s Sahara hoodie. Here are 12 tried-and-true essentials that are keeping us from melting on hot, sticky summer days.
Epicka Portable Handheld Fan
Now $25.49, originally $39.99 at Amazon. This fan has a powerful, adjustable fan speed that belies the small fan head. It’s quiet with a small display that shows the speed and remaining battery, although it can be difficult to read under bright sunlight. What makes it unique is a cooling feature that, when activated, chills down a metal panel that you can apply to your skin for instant relief. At an outdoor event during an incredibly hot Fourth of July in New York City, one writer used this fan on a friend who was feeling ill from heat exhaustion, and she said it really helped cool her down despite the 100F humid weather. In a pinch, the fan can also double as a portable battery to recharge a phone.
Everlasting Ice RX Reusable Ice Pack
$16.16 at Amazon. These reusable ice packs are the perfect size for laying on the back of your neck, on your chest or between your shoulder blades. Plus, the optional strap keeps packs in place if you want to tie them to a sore knee or elbow. A pack of four allows you to have some cooling even when others are in use.
Thigh Society Cooling Shorts
$39 at Thigh Society. Made with an ultra-lightweight stretch fabric that wicks away sweat and prevents chafing between the thighs. They don’t roll down or ride up. They come in six different lengths, tons of colors and are size-inclusive, ranging from XS to 5X. They have kept one writer cool even after hours of walking in hot weather.
REI Sahara Shade Hoodie
Now $29.83, originally $59.95 at REI. This hoodie provides UPF 50+ protection without feeling like a heavy long-sleeve shirt. The soft, stretchy fabric wicks sweat, dries quickly and gives more reliable coverage than repeatedly applying sunscreen to arms, neck and ears. It’s very similar to Patagonia’s Capilene Cool Sun Hoody but more affordable, especially when marked down.
Black and Decker Dehumidifier
From $222.99 at Amazon. One writer bought this during the pandemic and it has saved her every summer in Georgia since. It is powerful, and while kind of loud, it more than makes up for the noise with how well it works. At the height of summer, it pulls gallons of water out of the air every day, taking strain off the air conditioning system and leaving the home much cooler.
Uniqlo Ribbed Cropped Bra Top
$19.90 at Uniqlo. One writer read that Scarlett Johansson swears by Uniqlo’s racerback tops with built-in molded cups. She bought two and found them supportive, soft, fitted but not clingy and just long enough to skim the top of high-waisted shorts. She later added a third and also bought the dress version.
Pearl Izumi Sun Arm Sleeves
From $35 at Amazon. These sleeves are super lightweight, comfortable and provide UPF 50 protection. Their best feature: if given a little squirt from a water bottle, the evaporative effect cools the wearer right down for at least a few miles. They pull on easily and don’t fall down while riding.
Outdoor Research Sun Bucket Hat
From $48 at Backcountry. This bucket hat has a UPF 50+ rating for sun protection, blocking UVA and UVB. It can be folded up and stashed in a bag. Bucket hats have become trendy again, so no fear of the “going fishing” look.
Hot Girls Pearls Ivory White Cooling Necklace
$85 at Amazon. As an eight-month-pregnant person in a heatwave, one writer has been leaning on this pearlescent, gel-beaded cooling necklace. You pop it into the freezer for around 4 hours. The icy beads feel heavenly against the skin for up to 30 minutes.
Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Pro Fan
Now $129.99, originally $149.99 at Shark. This battery-powered, portable fan has five distinct speed settings and offers a misting tank to lightly spray water. It’s small and lightweight enough to carry from a roofdeck to the beach, but can also be plugged in for longer use indoors.
Outdoor Research Swift Air Cap
From $35.95 at Amazon. This cap has a fully mesh upper with just a thin strip of fabric down the middle to block overhead sun. With heat-dumping mesh back and sides and UPF 40 sun protection, it’s essential on summer hikes and runs. It wicks moisture and dries quickly.
Aecooly Portable Fan
$39.99 at Amazon. This portable misting fan uses a USB-C port to recharge. It blows a steady stream of air and with a second button, delivers cool mist. The company advertises about 20 hours of battery life, consistent with one writer’s testing.
