Our Top Gear Picks to Stay Cool and Look Good on The Run this Summer

This post was written by Coach Erica Knighton.

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Summer running means longer days, warmer temps, and more sun. I always get a kick out of seeing the local bike paths fill up with new runners each summer. It’s certainly easier to get out the door when the sun is shining and the weather is nice. Summer is a great time to run, but here in New England, it can get suffocatingly humid and oven-hot fast.

Running consistently year-round is one of the best things you can implement to become a better runner. Get the most out of your running this summer with comfortable running clothing, gear, and accessories.

Here are my summer running essentials

You won’t need most of these things in the cooler months, but come summertime they are truly lifesavers!

Hand-Held Running Water Bottle – Nathan Speed Flasks

A non-negotiable for hot and humid summer runs over 60-minutes long. I love the Nathan SpeedDraw Plus Insulated Flask. It keeps up to 18oz of icy water cool and has a grip-free strap so you don’t have to keep a tight grip on it for your entire run. For added convenience, the strap has a large expandable zippered pocket big enough for your phone, keys, ID, and other running essentials. I’ve tried a lot of handhelds plus a few hydration belts and have found this one to be the most comfortable.

With any hydration bottle, belt, or vest there will be an adjustment period before you are completely comfortable running with water. Nathan Running Handhelds come in different sizes, so you can find the perfect balance between comfort and fluid capacity for you.

Women or men with weaker arms may find water bottles uncomfortable to run with, in which case a lightweight running hydration vest like the Nathan Vaporhowe Hydration Pack is a perfect option for long runs.

Hydration, Hydration, Hydration – SOS Hydration

I put a packet of SOS Hydration in my water bottle for all of my summer runs. This electrolyte replacement powder has 3x more electrolytes, 6x less sugar, and 6x fewer calories than other sports drinks. Electrolytes are essential in the summer months to help regulate nerve and muscle function and maintain your water balance. Unfortunately, most sports drinks are full of sugar and while Gatorade and other similar sports drinks still provide electrolytes, they can wreck your gut and cause cramping. SOS gives the benefit of a traditional sports drink but isn’t loaded with sugar.

I’m a big fan of the watermelon flavor.

A Great Hat – Ciele GoCap

You’ve got to keep the sun off your beautiful face so you don’t get a sunburn! A good hat will keep you cool – I know from experience. I used to be a bandana wearer in the summer, mostly to look intimidating, but also to keep sweat off my face. Sadly, this style always gave me a hot forehead and an even worse tan line. So last year I started running in my Ciele GoCap and haven’t looked back. It’s moisture-wicking so I never feel hot. It’s got UPF 40 UV protection on the front panels and brim. Plus it’s packable and washable making it perfect for summer travel.

Here’s a bonus tip to keep a cool head this summer: Soak your hat in ice water or keep it in the freezer before a run. Cold head, fast legs.

Hipster Sunglasses – goodr

Goodr makes the best running sunglasses I’ve ever used. They don’t slip, even when I am dripping in sweat! They aren’t too tight, they are polarized, and the price right! I’ve been donning some sleek and sophisticated brown ones for about a year now, but they also come in millions of colors and patterns.

Water-Resistant Sunscreen – Neutrogena Beach Defense

If it’s not your mother’s voice in the back of your head when you step out into the sun telling you to put on sunscreen, let it be mine. It is especially important for runners to safeguard the hours of training and racing spent in the sun, which is why I recommend Neutrogena Beach Defense Water-Resistant Sunscreen Lotion. I like to use water-resistant sunscreen because it doesn’t melt off my body when I run on humid summer days.

Anti-Chafe Cream – Body Glide

Most of us chafe a lot more in the summer. That’s why it’s important to lube up before you head out the door for a run in the warm temps! One way to combat chafe is to wear fitted shorts or tights to help protect your inner thighs. I prefer to wear shorts in the summer because they feel lighter so I use Body Glide for Her before every run. For us ladies, it’s great to use around the bra line too.

Lightweight Everything – Including Socks

As we shed layers in the Summer, it’s important to run in lightweight, loose-fitting clothes made of fabrics that wick sweat away from the body.

Now let’s talk about socks. I’ve tried countless brands of running socks, but I always come back to my Lululemon Speed Tab Socks. They’re super thin, breathable, and fitted. These socks have the support that I love and a good ankle tab to help prevent rubbing and slipping at the back of my foot. Yes, they are a bit pricey, but our feet are our most prized piece of running equipment so we need to treat them right!

Post Run Sandals – Feel The OO with Oofos Sandals

There’s nothing quite as nice as pulling off your running shoes after a long hot summer run. While runners obsess over which running shoes are best for their feet, most of us throw on generic flip-flops without a second thought. Slip-ons may be a summer staple, but podiatrists say your basic thong sandal can do serious damage to our beloved feet.

Your basic flip-flop provides minimal stability and orthopedic support of the arch, heel, and forefoot. Enter OOFOS Recovery Sandals, the post-exercise active sports recovery sandal. The OOfoam Recovery Technology absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear foam, giving your feet the break they need. I’ve found that the unique footbed cradles my arches and reduces stress on sore post-run feet and my lower back.

OOFOS Recovery Sandals come in a variety of styles for both men and women. They are machine washable, making them a great sandal for post-run recovery and the beach too! Coach Chris loves the OOaah Sport Slide model and wears them whenever he leaves home in the summer.

Continue the conversation in the comments below

What are your summer running essentials?
Have you used any of the products we listed here?
Is there anything you find essential that I missed?
Let me know in the comments below.