‘Saved my bacon every summer’: 12 things our writers use to keep cool on hot, sticky days

Epicka

Portable Handheld Fan

from $25.49

Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon

You can find plenty of cheap portable fans for less than $10, but they are akin to toys: shoddy construction, weak airflow and jet-engine-level noise (looking at you, Five Below). It’s worth spending a little more for something that will last several summers. This option from Epicka 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, I 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. A similar, popular option from JisuLife offers a few extra features, but the Epicka is well-priced for an excellent portable fan. Les Shu

Epicka

Portable Handheld Fan

from $25.49

Everlasting Ice RX

Reusable Ice Pack

$16.16

Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon

I do a lot of work outdoors in my garden, so even with AC I need to cool myself down quickly when I come inside. Reusable ice packs, which I can toss in the freezer, are my favorite way that’s cheap, easy and low effort. There are probably hundreds of reusable ice packs on the market, but I like these ones because they’re the perfect size for laying on the back of your neck, on your chest or between your shoulder blades (an ice pack on the center of my chest is my favorite way to cool down and destress at the end of the day). Plus, the optional strap keeps packs in place if you want to tie them to a sore knee or elbow. I prefer a pack of four so I can have two or three packs cooling even when I’ve got the rest in use. Julia Skinner

Everlasting Ice RX

Reusable Ice Pack

$16.16

Thigh Society

Cooling Shorts

$39

Photograph: Courtesy of Thigh Society

Last month, a major heatwave was expected just in time for my arrival in Spain, but since this trip was for work, I had to pack fairly professional-looking clothing. I ended up bringing a lot of linen and cotton dresses, but the real wardrobe hero was this pair of Thigh Society Cooling Shorts.

They’re made with an ultra-lightweight stretch fabric that wicks away sweat and prevents chafing between the thighs. They also don’t roll down or ride up, which is very important for dresses with smooth or clingy fabric. I love that they come in six different lengths, tons of colors and are size-inclusive, ranging from XS to 5X. They have kept me cool even after hours of walking in hot weather, and if you’re traveling, you can easily hand wash them in the sink and hang them to dry. You can also toss them in with your underwear when you do laundry – they’re quite effortless to maintain, and mine have held up well for two summers now. Bernadette Machard de Gramont

Thigh Society

Cooling Shorts

$39

REI

Sahara Shade Hoodie

$29.83

Photograph: Courtesy of REI

I spend enough time outside that sun hoodies have become a staple of my summer wardrobe. Available in men’s, women’s and kids’ versions, the REI Sahara Shade Hoodie provides UPF 50+ protection without feeling like a heavy long-sleeve shirt. The soft, stretchy fabric wicks sweat, dries quickly and gives me more reliable coverage than repeatedly applying sunscreen to my arms, neck and ears.

It’s very similar in feel and function to Patagonia’s excellent Capilene Cool Sun Hoody, but the REI version is considerably more affordable, especially because it is frequently marked down from its $60 retail price. I wear mine for hiking, paddling and other outdoor adventures, but it is equally useful for gardening, mowing the lawn, walking the dog or spending an afternoon at the park. It’s easily one of the most versatile and practical pieces of summer clothing I own. Josh Patterson

REI

Sahara Shade Hoodie

$29.83

Black and Decker

Dehumidifier

from $222.99

Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon

I bought this dehumidifier during the pandemic, and it has saved my bacon every summer in Georgia since (including one when I didn’t have working air conditioning). This dehumidifier is powerful, and while it is kind of loud, it more than makes up for the noise with how well it works. At the height of summer, it pulls (literal) gallons of water out of the air every day, taking some of the strain off my air conditioning system and leaving my home much cooler. Julia Skinner

Black and Decker

Dehumidifier

from $222.99

Uniqlo

Ribbed Cropped Bra Top

$19.90

Photograph: Courtesy of Uniqlo

When I said goodbye to my 20s over two decades ago, I also said goodbye to the built-in bra life. (And after nursing my daughter in my 30s, I really slammed that door shut.) Then, last summer, I read somewhere that Scarlett Johansson swears by Uniqlo’s racerback tops with built-in molded cups.

The prospect of not having to wear a bra in my 40s during the hottest months of the year sounded too good to be true. But I bought two of the tanks anyway and quickly discovered that ScarJo was right: they’re that good. Not only are they supportive, they’re also soft, fitted but not clingy and just long enough to skim the top of my high-waisted shorts. (Uniqlo also makes the same top in a longer length.) A few months ago, I added a third tank to my wardrobe, this time with ringer-style piping. I also bought the dress version of the tank, which I’ve already worn so many times, I’m considering adding the striped one to my wardrobe. It feels good to be back in the fold. Juno DeMelo

Uniqlo

Ribbed Cropped Bra Top

$19.90

Pearl Izumi

Sun Arm Sleeves

from $35

Photograph: Courtesy of Backcountry

I spend a lot of time sweating away on my bicycle in the summer months, and my favorite accessory for keeping cool is my pair of Sun Arm Sleeves from Pearl Izumi. They’re super lightweight, comfortable and provide UPF 50 protection so that I can lay off the sunscreen. Their best feature, though, is that if I give them a little squirt from my water bottle, the evaporative effect cools me right down for at least a few miles.

They pull on easily, don’t fall down while I’m riding and even have a subtle micro-texture weave on the trailing edge, just like a lot of professional cycling kits. I’d like to think this makes me just a little more aerodynamic, but sadly my days of setting new personal records are behind me. Tim Stevens

Pearl Izumi

Sun Arm Sleeves

from $35

Outdoor Research

Sun Bucket Hat

from $48

Photograph: Courtesy of Outdoor Research

For more sun coverage than offered by a typical cap, I like a bucket hat, which I can also fold up and stash in my bag. The Sun Bucket Hat comes in different colors and sizes, but more importantly, it has a UPF 50+ rating for sun protection, which helps to block out UVA and UVB, two harmful forms of ultraviolet radiation. Plus, bucket hats have become trendy again, so I don’t fear that “I’m going fishing” look. Outdoor Research has a complete lineup of sun-protection gear, but a hoodie I particularly like is REI’s Sahara hoodie, which can often be found at a discount. Les Shu

Outdoor Research

Sun Bucket Hat

from $48

Hot Girls Pearls

Ivory White Cooling Necklace

$85

Photograph: Courtesy of Hot Girl Pearls

As an eight-month-pregnant person in a heatwave, I’ve become hyperaware of my body temperature for both my comfort and safety. But as someone who’s trying to have a “hot mom summer” from more of an aesthetic than thermal standpoint, I’ve been leaning on this pearlescent, gel-beaded cooling necklace I got as a gift a couple of years ago. While a little bulkier than what I’d normally reach for, it incorporates seamlessly into any summery outfit while subtly cooling me down.

Like you would with an ice pack, you pop the necklace into the freezer for around 4 hours (or fewer if you’re in a bind) in or out of its included travel case. Out come these icy beads that feel heavenly against the skin for up to 30 minutes. Sure, I could easily towel-wrap and hold to my neck the ice pack I tote around to temperature-regulate my daughter’s milk when we’re on the go, but I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom. Marissa Miller

Hot Girls Pearls

Ivory White Cooling Necklace

$85

Shark

FlexBreeze HydroGo Pro Fan

from $129.99

Photograph: Courtesy of Shark

Few things so easily offer simple pleasures in the disgustingly hot, humid weather of a New York City summer. Yet this battery-powered, portable fan from Shark ticks all the boxes. It’s powerful enough to keep me cool on its own with five distinct speed settings, yet offers the extra luxury of a misting tank to lightly spray water that won’t drench me. It happens to be small and lightweight enough to carry from my roofdeck to the beach, but also can be plugged in if I need it for a longer period of time inside. It’s been such a pleasure in the recent heatwave that I plan on sending both my college aged-kids back to school with one this fall. Tobey Grumet Segal

Shark

FlexBreeze HydroGo Pro Fan

from $129.99

Outdoor Research

Swift Air Cap

from $35.95

Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon

Cooling headwear has always been my most elusive piece of hot weather apparel. For years, it seemed like an impossible task to find something that would block sun from my eyes without trapping heat in the process. (I’ve been through countless hats over the years that have quite literally left me hot-headed and frustrated.)

When I discovered Outdoor Research’s Swift Air Cap, I was immediately intrigued by its fully mesh upper with just a thin strip of fabric down the middle to block overhead sun. With its heat-dumping mesh back and sides and UPF 40 sun protection, this feather-light cap has become an essential companion on summer hikes and runs. Bonus: it wicks moisture and dries in a flash. Paige Triola

Outdoor Research

Swift Air Cap

from $35.95

Aecooly

Portable Fan

$39.99

Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon

The Aecooly fan has been very welcome in our family since the thermometer started to climb. It is a portable misting fan that uses a USB-C port to recharge, so we don’t have to carry extra batteries. It blows a steady albeit narrow stream of air from the top of the device, and with the press of a second button, you get a dose of cool, misty air along with it. The company advertises about 20 hours of battery life on a charge, which has been consistent with my testing. The water reservoir at the bottom seems small, but I haven’t run out of mist yet so far. Adam Doud

Aecooly

Portable Fan

$39.99

Awa

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

$85

Photograph: Courtesy of Drink Awa

I’ve never received more compliments, nor questions, about a water bottle than I have about this stylish steel bottle from Awa that is made to order. Designed to keep carbonated drinks sparkling longer, its patented seal does double duty for cold drinks or even hot coffee. I’ve been truly impressed by how fresh my seltzer water tastes after a full day in this bottle, and it’s designed to perfectly fit inside most home seltzer makers (like the Sodastream I use). Plus, I can take it anywhere to quench my thirst on a summer day. Oset Babur-Winter

Awa

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

$85

Teva

Women’s Hurricane XLT3 Sandal

from $99.95

Photograph: Courtesy of REI

As an avid hiker and runner, I wear closed-toed shoes (mostly sneakers) 90% of the time. But there’s nothing quite so freeing as swapping out sneakers for sandals after hours of sweaty trekking. I keep a pair of Tevas in the car for that very reason. I love these breezy, comfy sandals for driving home from the trail or strolling around town, but their grippy outsoles and generous arch support make them work well for easy hikes too. The adjustable velcro straps allow for a dialed-in fit and they’re soft enough that they don’t chafe my feet during walks. Paige Triola

Teva

Women’s Hurricane XLT3 Sandal

from $99.95