Running in the heat isn’t my favorite, but with summer temps creeping higher every year, I’m all for anything that makes it more bearable. From breathable shirts to cooling hats, vests, and even ice packs, our team is testing it all to see what cooling options really work and are worth the money.
Picture this… It’s summer, there’s a long run on the schedule, and the moment you open the door, you’re hit with a wall of heat and maybe humidity, too, depending where you live. Cue the grumbling and somewhat of a pep talk for what’s probably going to feel like a total slog.
As a runner, I’m not a fan of the heat. Honestly, I’d rather just stay in the air conditioning and run on my treadmill. But the coach in me knows that learning to run in warmer temps matters, because come race day, who knows what the weather will be like.
Amanda has already shared some great tips about running in the heat and humidity. Now, we’re going to look at some gear that potentially will help make those miles feel less like you’re running on the surface of the sun. Okay, maybe that’s a tad dramatic, but I told you I didn’t like running when it’s hot! Let’s dive in.
Gear To Keep Cool
With ads popping up constantly on social media, it’s hard to know what actually works and what’s just clever marketing. I’ve definitely fallen for more than a few products that claimed they’d make me feel cool as jumping into a pool of ice, only to end up feeling like I was still melting on a run.
Lately, our team’s been testing some cooling gear to see what really works vs what’s a waste of money. Is there something you’ve seen online and are curious about trying? Let us know below, and we’ll put it to the test.
Omius Cooling Hat – Pricey, But It Does Work!
Right after getting the cooling pieces wet and putting the hat on, I felt an instant cool blast. It’s refreshing and very noticeable at first. But after an hour, that obvious cooling sensation starts to fade. I began wondering if it was still working—until I took it off. The difference was immediate: my head felt significantly hotter, which made me realize it had been quietly doing its job all along, even without that icy feeling.
The tech itself works best if you’re a heavier sweater or can re-wet the inserts every 30 minutes or so. The cooling effect relies on moisture to activate evaporation, so if you’re sweating consistently or have access to water, it performs well. On shorter runs or workouts, I had no trouble keeping it activated, and it definitely helped regulate my body temperature through my head.
On longer runs or trail races, though, keeping the gear wet could be a challenge, especially if aid stations are more than 30 minutes apart (which most of them are). If you’re not a big sweater or don’t have frequent access to water, it may not be the ideal cooling technique for you.
Another important thing to note is that this gear requires airflow to function correctly. It performs best when you’re moving outdoors. I tested it on a treadmill indoors with no fan, and honestly, it did almost nothing. So if your workouts are mostly indoors with no fan, you probably won’t get much benefit from it.
Now, let’s talk price. At over $200, this is definitely a premium product. While the cooling effect is clever and the design is well-executed, that price tag may be tough to justify, especially when there are much more affordable cooling hats, bandanas, and towels on the market that also do a good job.
Bottom line: If you’re a heavy sweater, spend a lot of time training outdoors, and are looking for a high-tech, head-focused cooling solution, the Omius cooling system might be worth the investment. But if you’re more budget-conscious, train indoors, or don’t sweat as much, there are simpler, more affordable options that can still keep you cool.
- Available in 2 colors
- Sizes Small and Large available
- Check out the headband, visor or hat for around $200
Gear tester Conni never tests anything half way!! So now you know from all types of runs if it’s best for you!
Nathan Run Cool Stash Hat – 1/4 the Price, Doesn’t Last as Long, But Works
The Nathan Run Cool Stash Hat is a great running hat to add to your collection if you’re looking for something lightweight with the added bonus of some unexpected features. For YEARS Coach Amanda has preached dunking a hat in water and freezing it over night, this is just an easier next level option.
The Run Cool Stash hat is an ultralight running hat, made ideally for day time runs in the summer heat. It has mesh panels on each side for breathability, and it’s made of a light, moisture wicking material to keep you cool on your run.
There’s also a great sweat-wicking band on the inside to keep sweat out of your eyes. In addition to being a decent looking, classic running hat, this hat features a side pocket for storage – yes, pockets in a hat!
As someone who loves a good dress with pockets, imagine my surprise when the simple looking running hat arrived at my door and I realized I could store my running essentials right inside of it. The side pocket on the Run Cool Stash Hat is not large by any means, but it is a great place to either throw in some ice on a hot day, clip a reflector or light for early morning runs, or tuck in a key or other small items on the go.
I love that you can fill the side pocket with ice to cool you down on those hot summer runs, something I think will carry me a bit longer as we head into hotter months.
- Available in 2 colors
- One size fits most
- Check it out from Nathan.com for $40
Oro Sport Cooling Vests – PreCooling Only
Oro has two different cooling vest options: the Ultimo Cooling Vest and Coolsport Vestino.
Both are designed to be super easy to wear, just insert the Coolpaks, slip it on, and you’re good to go!
They’re fully adjustable and, from experience, they stay put whether you’re running, walking, or even riding a bike. That said, if you’re someone who usually wears a hydration vest, you’ll want to skip combining the two.
I was tempted to try it, but I could already tell it would’ve been a recipe for overheating, discomfort, and probably some serious chafing. 
Both vests come with Coolpaks that you prep by submerging them in warm water before popping them into the freezer. Each pod needs to puff up to freeze properly. This part takes a little bit of patience! And if you forget to do this the night before, forget about it!
When you take them out of the freezer, they’re really cold, which I thought was promising. But between my body heat and the dry heat in Colorado, they didn’t stay frozen for too long into the run.
On hotter days, I found they lasted maybe 20-25 minutes tops. Not ideal when you know you’ll be out there for 90+ minutes for a run. Once the Coolpaks melted, the vests felt more like an added layer of warmth, and I was pretty soaked from the combo of my sweat and the ice melting.
Which is not ideal if you plan to go to a coffee shop post run. Turns out they don’t appreciate puddles on their floor.
So while I wouldn’t wear these for running again, they could be a solid option for pre-cooling before heading out for a summertime workout.
Ultimo Cooling Vest
- Sizes: Youth, Size 0, 1, 2, 3
- 3 colors available
- Comes with 4 coolpaks
- Check it out from Orosports.com for $229
Coolsport Vestino
- Sizes: Youth, Size 0, 1, 2, 3
- 3 colors available
- Comes with 1 coolpaks that you can cut to size
- Check it out from Orosports.com for $98
Hydrapak Skyflask IT Speed – Slushy on the Run is a Winner
Some may joke, saying they carry around their emotional support hydration bottle, but honestly there may be even more to it than that!
If you hate wearing a hydration pack, this bottle from Hydrapak is a great alternative. You can adjust the strap for a more custom fit, loop your thumb in the thumbhole, and can almost forget you’re even carrying around a bottle! As someone who used to hate carrying anything in her hands as she ran, I now will always grab for the Skyflask.
During the summer, since this is an insulated bottle, it makes it easier to bring cold or even slushy-type hydration with you. Yes, you read that correctly, we’re suggesting drinking a slushy mid-run!
This study shows how drinking a slushy type of hydration pre-run and mid-run helps to lower your core temperature and also delay exhaustion while running under the summer sun.
If you’re out running, maybe more so in a city, stop at a convenience store and fill your bottle of with a slushy. Not only will it cool you down, but the sugar will help keep you pushing through to the finish!
- Sizes: 350ml, 500ml, 500ml IT
- 42mm Filter Cap Filtration Compatible
- Adjustable strap with thumb loop
- Available from Hydrapak.com starting at $31
Ice Bandana – Budget-friendly option
Keep things simple with gear you may already have at home. Grab a bandana or a buff/neck gaiter and soak it in water the night before, then freeze it. Throw it on at the beginning of your run and start out feeling cool.
Alternatively, you can take a look at ice bandanas, such as the one below from Rabbit. There are small compartments stitched into the material so that you can add ice or even a small ice pack so that you can start your run keeping your core temperature cooler.
Or there is Kafa’s Cool Tie which has crystals that slowly release moisture, so no need to bring your own ice.
If you’re running a race, this is a great option to keep in your pocket and then throw on when you reach an aid station that may have ice available.
What is Pre-Cooling for Workouts?
We get it, not everyone has access to a treadmill, and not everyone wants to run on one either. Sometimes, heading outside is your only option. The good news is, there are a few things you can do to make those hot weather runs a little more bearable and, more importantly, safer.
Pre-cooling isn’t something only elites do before a big race; the science behind it actually shows that it can be super useful for anyone trying to survive summer runs.
A study that looked at different pre-cooling strategies found that starting your workout with a cooler core temperature can boost your performance by over 5% in hot weather. That may not sound like much, but on a brutally hot day, it could be the difference between finishing strong or feeling like you’re melting into a puddle.
I get it, it’s just one more step added to your pre-run routine (right next to that dynamic warm up of course), but taking the time for pre-cooling can help. Lowering your core temperature before you head out means more time to enjoy your run before the summer heat turns it into a slog.
That’s why we’re not going to give a total thumbs down to gear like the Oro Cooling Vests. Is it worth the price tag? Eh, probably not, and a Ziploc bag of ice would probably do the trick. But if the price tag doesn’t bother you, it’ll do exactly what it says it will.
Keep Testing for Heat Adaptation
Remember that running in the heat is going to take some adaptation in general. Take the time to pace yourself, incorporate walk breaks, and listen to your body. After that, we’re all about looking for the little things that can help bring your core temperature down and make the whole thing more enjoyable.
Maybe that’s putting a slushy in your handheld, maybe it’s ice on your head, try it all!
It’s important to listen to your body when running in the heat. If you experience symptoms of dehydration or heat-related illness, it’s best to stop your run and seek shade and water. Ignoring these warning signs can lead to long-term health effects.
Running gear is personal, and what works for one person may not for another. We hope that our reviews help you find what cooling options really work.
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