The Best Cooling Running Gear of 2021, According to a Running Coach

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Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Chill Pal Cooling Neck Gaiter at Amazon

"You're sure to get a lot of use out of this neck gaiter, which can be worn 12 different ways, from a face mask to a headband."

Best Budget:

Frogg Toggs Chilly Mini Cooling Towel at Dick's

"If cooling apparel isn't your thing, this towel will get the job done with its ability to cool for hours."

Best Shirt for Women:

Arctic Cool Women's Instant Cooling Performance Short Sleeve Shirt at Amazon

"Arctic Cool gives you more than just a classic v-neck with its moisture-wicking, odor-fighting, and sun-protective design."

Best Shirt for Men:

Arctic Cool Men’s Instant Cooling Performance Short Sleeve Shirt at Amazon

"While this tee can be worn daily, it works best for those staying active in the sun as it cools you down while you heat up."

Best Hat:

Mission Cooling Performance Unisex Hat at Amazon

"A standard baseball cap can shade you from the sun, but Mission takes it a step further with a water-activated cooling hat."

Best Socks:

Balega Hidden Moisture-Wicking Socks at Amazon

"Socks can make or break your running attire, especially in the heat, and Balega keeps this in mind with its moisture-wicking fit."

Best Headband:

Mission VaporActive Cooling Lockdown Headband at Amazon

"A substitute for a hat, this option works to keep sweat out of your eyes and hair and features an adjustable strap."

Best Sports Bra:

Under Armour Women's Armour Crossback Sports Bra at Amazon

"The best sports bras for running provide support without chafing or restricting, and Under Armour's option does just that."

Best Shorts for Men:

Arctic Cool Men’s Instant Cooling Active Shorts at Amazon

"If it's too hot for leggings or pants, Arctic Cool's shorts feature HydroFreeze X Technology so you can feel a cooling breeze."

Best Shorts for Women:

Columbia Women’s Chill River Shorts at Amazon

"Stay cool, and protected from the sun, with Columbia's temperature-decreasing, UV ray-blocking shorts."

Most runners agree that running outdoors beats treadmill running, but there are times when running in hot weather can just be brutal and even downright dangerous. Dumping ice-cold water over your head isn’t very practical, but fortunately, there are other ways to stay cool on the run.

Wearing some clothes and other gear with cooling properties can help you stay more comfortable and refreshed so you can run safely and for longer. Eager to turn down the heat during your runs?

Here is the best cooling running gear on the market.

Chill Pal 12-in-1 Multi-Style Cooling Neck Gaiter

An excellent gear item for anyone who runs in hot weather, the versatile Chill Pal cooling band can be worn as a neckband, headband, and more. The soft, breathable fabric cools when you wet it, wring it out, and snap it—and then it stays cold for up to two hours. It’s particularly effective when worn on your neck, since it’s one of your body’s quick-cooling spots. Put the gaiter on and it will bring down your body temperature.

Runners swear that it helps them feel more comfortable and prevents overheating even during very hot runs. On top of that, it’s inexpensive and comes in four different fun colors. Even if you don’t want to wear a Chill Pal band while running, you can use it to pre-cool before a race or to cool down after.

If you’re not quite convinced on the effectiveness and technology of cooling gear, these mini cooling towels are an inexpensive way to give it a try. Just wet the towel and wrap it around your neck before, during, or after a run to feel instantly cooler.

Unlike a large towel, it’s a convenient size (3 x 29 inches), so you can stash it in a running pack or tuck it in your waistband until you need to use it. It absorbs sweat and provides cooling up to 30 degrees lower than body temperature for hours. It’s also washable and reusable, making it a great value find.

As soon as you start sweating in this Arctic Cool shirt, you’ll begin to cool down. The secret is the shirt’s HydroFreeze X technology, a moisture-management system that disperses moisture and optimizes the natural evaporative cooling process.

Made from fabric that’s fast drying, soft, and cool, these shirts feature a trim athletic cut for optimum mobility and stretch. Available in a range of colors and sizes, they’re perfect for running or any outdoor activity in the heat.

Similar to the women’s Arctic Cool shirt, the men’s version features technology that reduces the fabric temperature to cool you down when you’re heating up. Beyond the cooling effect, these shirts also have a lightweight construction and UPF 50 sun protection, making them ideal shirts for hot weather running.

They even work great as a moisture-wicking undershirt. Additionally, they’re antimicrobial and machinewashable, so they’re easy to care for.

Keep your head cool on the run with this Mission Cooling Performance hat, made with proprietary fabric that cools instantly when wet. Just soak the hat before wearing, wring it out, and then snap it in the air to activate the cooling properties. Here's how it works—cooling zones in the hat’s sweatband and front panels absorb water and perspiration and then regulate the evaporation of moisture for a prolonged cooling effect.

The fabric also features UPF 50 protection, which helps to shield your head from the sun’s harmful rays. After a hot run, you can just toss this durable hat in the washing machine to clean, and it will retain its shape and cooling properties. Available in several different colors, it has an adjustable hook and loop closure, so one size fits most.

Wear the wrong socks on a summer run and you’ll definitely end up with hot, wet feet and most likely some blisters too. But these durable socks from Balega will keep your feet cool and dry while still giving them the protection they need. Made from a lightweight microfiber, they cool your feet by wicking away sweat.

The perfectly-placed support and grippy elastic in the arch and heel provide plenty of support and help with blister prevention. And you don’t have to worry about them slipping down, as the tab design keeps them in place. You’ll pay a bit more for these socks, but Balega fans say they’re well worth the price and are the ideal go-to running sock for hot-weather runs.

If you prefer not to wear a hat when running in the heat but still want to keep your head cool, this versatile cooling headband from Mission is an excellent option. The chemical-free cooling technology attracts moisture at the vapor level, wicking away sweat to keep you cool.

This soft, absorbent headband keeps the sweat out of your eyes and your hair off your face during even the most strenuous training sessions. Once you’re finished, you can clean it in the washing machine and use it for your next run in hot conditions.

Under Armour Women's Armour Crossback Sports Bra

Any runner with a bust knows how a sports bra that’s ill-fitting or made of the wrong material can make a hot run much more uncomfortable. This Under Armour sports bra is designed to keep you feeling fresh and comfortable, and well-supported of course. Its signature HeatGear fabric is lightweight and smooth to help you feel cool.

UA’s moisture transport system wicks sweat away from the body to enhance the cooling sensation. The compression provides a snug fit to reduce chafing, while the four-way stretch fabric allows for a superb range of motion. Available in several different colors, the sports bra is an excellent addition to your summer running wardrobe.

These Arctic Cool shorts go way beyond just moisture-wicking to keep you cool. Their HydroFreeze X technology channels airflow through the fabric, creating an instant cooling effect. Featuring an athletic cut and four-way stretch fabric blend, the shorts allow for excellent range of motion and have a drawstring waistband for a custom fit.

The fabric is also antimicrobial and odor fighting, keeping you feeling and smelling fresh.

The Columbia Women’s Chill River Shorts feature Omni-Freeze Zero technology, which reacts with sweat to actually lower the shorts’ temperature. The super-cooling fabric also wicks away moisture to keep you cool and dry. Durable, lightweight, and packable, the shorts feature UPF 50 protection, so they’re ideal for running and other outdoor pursuits.

A must-have for hot weather running, this cooling towel from Mission is extremely effective and easy to use. Simply soak it in cold water, wring it out, snap it, and it’s ready to drape around your neck. It stays cool for two hours, but once it starts to get warm, you can simply rinse and repeat.

The soft and durable microfiber towel is chemical free, reusable, machine washable, and even provides UPF 50 protection from the sun.

It may seem a bit counterintuitive to put on an additional layer during a hot run, but this lightweight cooling vest can actually help you feel more comfortable. Specially designed for runners and cyclists, it can provide five to 10 hours of cooling.

To use, just soak the vest with water for two to three minutes before your run and then put it on. The water slowly evaporates and takes your heat with it, while the vest’s water-resistant liner keeps you dry. The only downside of this vest is that it’s not as effective in very humid conditions, since it depends on evaporation to keep you cool. It comes in a variety of sizes, from extra-small to triple extra-large, and comes in blue or silver.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Running coach and marathoner Christine Luff avoids treadmill running at all costs, so she runs outside through all types of weather extremes. During hot and steamy runs, she wears a Mission Enduracool Cooling Performance hat to stay cool and protected from the sun, and she puts on Balega socks to keep her feet dry and comfortable.

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Article Sources

Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Galpin AJ, Bagley JR, Whitcomb B, et al. Effects of intermittent neck cooling during repeated bouts of high-intensity exercise. Sports. 2016;4(3):38. doi:10.3390/sports4030038

The Best Cooling Running Gear of 2021, According to a Running Coach

Devices and attire to help you beat the heat

Best Overall: Chill Pal 12-in-1 Multi-Style Cooling Neck Gaiter

Best Budget: Frogg Toggs Chilly Mini Cooling Towel

Best Shirt for Women: Arctic Cool Women's Instant Cooling Performance Short Sleeve Shirt

Best Shirt for Men: Arctic Cool Men’s Instant Cooling Performance Short Sleeve Shirt

Best Hat: Mission Cooling Performance Unisex Hat

Best Socks: Balega Hidden Dry Moisture-Wicking Socks

Best Headband: Mission VaporActive Cooling Lockdown Headband

Best Sports Bra: Under Armour Women's Armour Crossback Sports Bra

Best Shorts for Men: Arctic Cool Men’s Instant Cooling Active Shorts

Best Shorts for Women: Columbia Women’s Chill River Shorts

Best Towel: Mission Max Plus Original Cooling Towel

Best Vest: TechNiche International Adult HyperKewl Cooling Sport Vest