Like many runners, each evening I tell myself that I’m going to wake up at 5 a.m., get out the door at 6, and be home by 7. But more often I sleep through my alarm, or have to deal with an early-morning kiddo problem, and end up running midday. And by high noon, my hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico, regularly reaches temps well past 90 degrees, often into the triple digits. I’m careful about hydration, but my secret weapon is a carefully-constructed running kit that helps me stay cool. Over the past couple months I’ve tested well over 40 pieces of gear to find the best for summer runs. Here are my five favorites.
Path Projects Moab Arm Sleeves
If you’re on a long run during the summer, you’re going to spend plenty of time getting pounded by the sun—even if you start before dark. And here in Albuquerque, which sits at 5,300 feet, it feels like someone is holding a magnifying glass between the sun and your skin. That’s why I now pack Path Project’s skin-tight polyester/spandex sleeves, which not only block the sun, but also create an evaporative cooling effect when the moving air hits my sweat-soaked sleeves. Path Projects nailed the details with an extra-long cut that covers the back of your hand (which is an oft-neglected burn risk) and a watch slot in the wrist so you can still check your pace.
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Currently Running Pro Singlet
During really hot runs, all the younger guys in my running club just go shirtless. They’re cut and fast, so no one bats an eye. But as a hairy 44-year-old dad of four, I’m not quite as comfortable going shirtless. This singlet is more my style. I chose The C-R Pro Singlet from a large selection, mostly because of the stretchy, airy, nylon/elastane fabric. Sourced from Italy and perforated with numerous laser-cut holes, it’s the most comfortable running shirt I’ve ever worn. Over dozens and dozens of miles, it’s always felt weightless but still protects my back and chest from a sunburn and provides me with just the right amount of dignity.
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Miler Base Running Short-Sleeve Tee
Most “hot weather” shirts feel like they’re going to fall apart after the first wash because they’re made from ultra-thin material. Miler gets around this by using a slightly-thicker polyester/elastane fabric from Switzerland that can breathe incredibly well thanks to thousands of knit-in holes, but can still take a beating from a tree branch or a washing machine. Up close, you can tell the shirt is a perforated mesh, but from afar, it just looks like a solid shirt, so you don’t come off as a creep from the 1980s. I also love that the shirt is cut and sewn in New York City, which means higher quality control.
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- On Core-T ($60): Not as durable as the Miler shirt, but less expensive, very breathable, and comes in a host of great colors.
Satisfy Space-O Five-Inch Shorts
On the run, these shorts feel like a speedo. That’s because the only material you feel on your skin is the inner liner. The outer short material is so stretchy and full of small holes that it pretty much disappears. In fact, the nylon/elastane material is so “not-there” that I actually felt weird for the first mile I wore them and had to look down to make sure I was covered. Lots of people will balk at the pricetag, with good reason: you’re paying for the brand, which is particularly trendy right now. But for me, the price is worth it. In addition to being the lightest-feeling short you’ll ever wear, the Space-O’s have a host of nice features like a sweat-proof phone pocket, a sturdy key ring that never leaves you chafed, and perhaps the best-fitting waistband I’ve ever tested.
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Ciele GOCap SC GRP—Vented Athletics
While the common factoid that 80-percent of your body heat is lost through the head is merely rumor, letting your head breathe is as important as any other part of your body. nd when it’s really hot outside, a poorly-vented hat has the psychological effect of making you feel trapped and overwhelmed. That’s why I love this super-airy, all-mesh cap from Ciele. The hat also comes with a fairly large brim, at least for a running hat, which helps keep my rather large nose from getting completely cooked on long days out.
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