Whether my lips and nose and throat are dry as a bone thanks to the arid high-desert air or my shirt is soaked through after half of a Prospect Park loop, extreme hot weather has a huge impact on running. I live in Boise where we just went through a monthlong spell of triple-digit temperatures. Most of my training runs take place in the local foothills where there is virtually no shade, endless dust, and zero natural water. But don’t even start with that “It’s a dry heat” nonsense — once it hits 100 degrees, all bets are off. I’ve lived in Austin and New York City, so I know humidity. My hot-weather-running conclusion is this: Hot is hot, no matter which way you slice it.
Running in the summer requires attention to detail, from regulating your body temperature to hydrating properly, taking in the right amount of calories, and preventing the effects of prolonged sun exposure. Oh, and don’t forget the chafing. So much chafing. The equipment you run with, from your socks and shoes to your shorts and top to your hydration pack and nutrition, will all significantly impact how your body copes with the heat. I’ve been working on my gear setup for decades, and while there’s always room for tinkering, I think it’s pretty dialed. Here’s what I’ve been running with this summer, from Death Valley–tested half-tights to salty gummies that actually taste good.
The people at Path Projects are absolute nerds about high-quality, highly innovative technical fabrics. Their latest foray into advanced materials is the Wadi collection, which they designed in collaboration with the chemistry and textile experts at Japan’s Toray Industries. Its multi-density knit structure isn’t as soft as other performance fabrics, but when I put it on for a run in the hottest part of the day, I’m always impressed by how fast it dries, how light it feels (even when wet), and how durable it is. Most of my running shirts tend to snag on any brush or tree branches, but this one stands up well to tough trail conditions and obstacles. If I have a tough day in front of me, I can be confident that I’ll be protected by this shirt.
For days when I want a bit more coverage and supreme comfort, this breezy, lightweight shirt is the one I reach for. The best thing about this shirt, compared to a traditional tank top or racing singlet, is how much more comfortable it is when I’m wearing a hydration pack (which is very often). The muscle-tee style covers my shoulders, chest, and back, protecting it from the constant rubbing of the pack’s straps. It’s also soft and quick drying.
Most running shorts these days are some form of a two-in-one short; they’re either equipped with built-in mesh briefs or half-tight-style shorts that sit against your skin with an outer layer for added coverage and protection. Path Projects, though, think it’s still best to keep the base layer and outer layer separate. Made to work in tandem with the brand’s running shorts, they’ll still work with any pair of athletic shorts that don’t have a layer of underwear. This lightweight, moisture-wicking layer comes in multiple lengths and stays put. I’ve gone on 20-plus-mile runs with these on and have never had to deal with them riding up or chafing. I don’t have enough pairs to exclusively wear these, but they’ve replaced at least a few pairs of two-in-one shorts in my running drawer, especially when I know I’m headed out for a long day on the trail and need a next-to-skin layer that blends comfort with performance.
Ciele is my go-to for all kinds of running hats, but I’ve never had one I liked as much as this. The removable neck protection is big enough to cover my entire neck while it’s snapped into the sweatband of the hat and doubles as a towel when I need to wipe down my face, neck, or arms. The COOLmatic material is super lightweight and stays dry, even when I’m at my sweatiest. I like to dunk the whole thing in a creek or under a water fountain for a quick cooldown.
Another gem from Ceile is the BNDCKHat. The pliable brim provides excellent sun protection and is super easy to stuff into a hydration pack or running belt when I don’t need it. The mesh material on top is exceptionally breathable, but it could leave the top of the head exposed to runners who are bald or sport a buzz cut. My favorite feature, aside from the aforementioned COOLmatic fabric, is the snaps that let you fold up the sides of the brim when you want to increase the airflow around your ears.
These lightweight, desert-tested compression half-tights combine 2XU’s compression expertise with District Vision’s eye for style and performance, resulting in the most comfortable half-tights I’ve ever worn. Whenever I head out for a run on hot, dusty, highly exposed trails, I choose half-tights. They help manage moisture, provide a subtle squeeze that keeps my legs feeling lively, and provide sun protection that shorter options don’t. The compression also squeezes my thighs just enough to keep my legs from rubbing against each other and chafing, which is extremely valuable a couple of hours into a long run.
When I’m on a shorter run or want more room for my thighs to breathe, I’ll choose a loose pair of shorts over half-tights. While I love a pair of running shorts with a dangerously short inseam, sometimes the trail requires more coverage. These shorts are long enough to protect your thighs from shrubs, sticks, and wayward tumbleweeds, but they are also supremely lightweight, dry quickly, and have a bunch of pockets to store gels or keys. This particular pair doesn’t have a built-in liner, so I like to pair them with a quality base layer to prevent unwanted skin-on-skin contact.
When I run in the heat, my toes constantly rub against each other, causing blisters, bruises, and other ailments. Injinji socks changed all of that. They give each toe room to move and prevent the skin-on-skin contact that ails so many runners.
Iit depends on the heat, but my general rule is to bring water if I run for more than 45 minutes or an hour. The Nathan ExoShot 2.0 is just 14 ounces, so it’s never too cumbersome, even when full. When it’s empty, it easily packs down small enough to shove in a pocket or in my waistband.
On longer runs where a smaller handheld bottle isn’t enough, I always carry a hydration pack. The Traick 5 is big enough to carry two 500-milliliter flasks and, if needed, a 1.5-liter water reservoir. It also holds all my food, extra first-aid supplies, and my phone. I’ve tried half a dozen packs this summer, and this one is definitely the most at home in the heat. This is my go-to for any run that will take me an hour and a half or more.
I’m someone who needs to take in a lot of calories and electrolytes on a run, so I keep Tailwind’s Endurance Fuel dissolved in at least one of my bottles at all times. Many standard sports drinks exclusively replenish your body’s electrolyte stores, but Endurance Fuel takes it up a notch by adding 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving without adding any thickness — it goes down just as easily as a drink that only offers electrolytes. I buy it in bulk and keep a Ziploc bagful in my pocket or running pack, so when I notice myself craving some salt or am trying to avoid eating, I mix the powder into my water to take down some nutrients without causing any stomach issues.
When it’s hot out, my stomach is at its most volatile. Runners, very much including myself, are no strangers to GI distress, but when you’re in the heat and under the sun, you need something that straddles the line between a goopy, sticky gel and a tough-to-swallow granola bar. These are light enough to take down without water but provide that tactile “bite” that a gel doesn’t. I have been eating Clif Bloks for over ten years and have never had any stomach problems, whether I’m sneaking a couple before a 60-minute run or downing a whole pack over the course of a marathon.
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