Seven essentials that were literally designed to help you ward off heat stroke.
Outdoor Research Gauge Shirt ($59)
This is made of Polartec Delta, a new wicking fabric that strikes a balance between clammy cotton and fast-drying polyester. A combination of hydrophobic and philic yarns knit into a honeycomb structure moves moisture to the outside of the fabric, where it’s air-chilled and then—important—held close enough to cool the skin.
Buff UV Headband ($15)
There are more than a dozen ways to wear the versatile, protective and keep the sun off your noggin or the sweat from your eyes. And because it blocks 95 percent of UV rays, it helps keep you from frying, too.
Deuter Zugspitze 24 Pack ($119)
is an updated version of Deuter’s 1984 classic—one of the first to sport the company’s ingenious (and much copied) fully ventilated trampoline-back system. Lightweight mesh creates ample space between you and the bag to let hot air escape, preventing raging back sweat.
Columbia Coolhead Ballcap III Hat ($32)
to deflect glare when you’re casting a line or charging down a trail. UPF 50 fabric protects your dome from the sun’s harsh rays, and an elastic sweatband imprinted with small hydrophilic rings absorbs sweat.
Zoot Chill Out Arm Cooler Sleeves ($35)
It seems counter-intuitive to cover your arms with fabric on a blazing-hot day in the saddle, but move moisture away from the skin to promote evaporative cooling. Plus, the interiors are printed with Xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that absorbs body heat through your sweat.
Balega Blister Resist No Show Socks ($13)
Despite generous cushioning, these stay dry and live up to their name with a combination of absorbent mohair wool and technical, wicking Drynamix fibers. A mesh panel across the top further vents hot feet.
Coolcore 5-inch Shorts ($40)
When your run heats up, cool you down, thanks to loose-knit hollow-core polyester fibers that soak up sweat (or water, if you splash ’em) and distribute it across the fabric’s surface, lowering skin surface temperatures by up to 30 percent.