Nobody likes working in excessive heat, and for good reason: You can actually get sick. OSHA reports that thousands of people become sick from occupational heat exposure every year, and some cases are fatal. One of the causes of heat illness that OSHA cites is wearing clothing that retains heat, so the takeaway is that, if you’re working around the house in hot weather, it’s important to use and wear gear to stay cool.
We got some great ideas for staying cool from tradespeople who work in some of the hottest spots in the world. Arizona remodeler Danny Niemela does much of his work indoors, and Lachlan Buchan, an Australian tradesman, spends most of his days working outdoors in 100-degree heat.
With their help, we put together this list of tips to help you choose gear to stay cool and protect yourself from the sun, even when you’re under a heat dome.
Wear a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt in the sun
This seems counterintuitive since it seems more logical to wear a short-sleeved shirt or no shirt at all. However, if you do that, you’re exposing your skin to harmful UV radiation.
The trick is to wear a shirt made of breathable material. Buchan prefers cotton, but “cotton holds sweat like a sponge,” says Niemela. “You want lightweight polyester blends that wick moisture and dry within minutes. Anything under 4 ounces per square yard is fair game.”
Wear breathable long pants
“I find long cotton heavy-duty pants are best to keep the sun off and protect from snake bites and cuts,” says Buchan. Most people not working in rural Australia probably don’t have to worry about snake bites, but they do have to worry about sun, so long pants are still a good idea. Instead of cotton, consider pants made from a synthetic fabric like nylon, and be sure they fit loosely. They’ll cost about $70, but staying cool and protected from the sun (not snakes, necessarily) is worth it.
Use a hydration pack
You need to drink plenty of water when you’re working in the heat. The night before working outside on a hot day, Buchan fills six plastic soda bottles with water and puts them in the refrigerator. When he goes to work, he wraps them in cloth to keep them cool.
Niemela uses a soft-shell two-liter hydration pack with a freezer-ready bladder. “Toss it in the freezer overnight, fill the rest with ice water, and you have 90 minutes of cold hydration on your back. At $50, it is insurance against heatstroke.”
Find shade (or use a beach umbrella)
When working in the sun for an extended period, Buchan will park his van strategically to provide shade. If something like that isn’t possible, you can always purchase and set up a $20 beach umbrella. Shade can make a 10- to 15-degree difference in the temperature, and it prevents your tools from being too hot to handle.
Wear breathable mesh steel-toe shoes
Forget the heavy leather work boots when it’s hot out, advises Niemela. “Breathable mesh steel-toes are worth the $80 or $90 you’ll pay for them. The difference in weight alone saves your legs over eight hours. You are not hiking Everest, you are fixing drywall and clearing tile, and if your boots hold more sweat than your socks, it’s time to swap them.”
Use a rechargeable clip-on fan
Airflow is super important when you’re working, especially on a hot day. You can provide it with large ventilation fans, but sometimes you’re stuck in a small room, garage or attic where the fans don’t reach. Niemela’s advice for gear to stay cool is to get a rechargeable clip-on fan. “Set it on your belt loop or tool belt, pointing straight up your back. It creates just enough airflow to make the sweat work for you.” This simple cooling solution costs about 15 bucks.
Wear a hat in the sun
It’s common knowledge that you need to wear a hat when you’re out working in the sun, and the type of hat matters. It should cover the back of your neck, which is particularly vulnerable when you’re doing work that involves bending over. Being an Aussie, Buchan’s top choice is an Akubra cattleman hat, but at $240, that’s a bit pricey. For those on a budget, a $15 slouch beanie is probably just as good.
Get a breathable tool belt
Whenever I take off my leather tool belt after working in the heat, it’s soaked with sweat. Niemela, on the other hand, uses a breathable synthetic belt with mesh padding and ventilation gaps. A top-quality one can set you back $500, but you can find cheaper options that cost less than $100.
Wear breathable gloves
Work gloves are necessary for lots of jobs, and leather is the go-to material for full protection. It’s durable and insulates well, but it doesn’t allow your hands to breathe. You’ll work more comfortably and still get full protection by wearing breathable gloves made of synthetic mesh that offers the same protection while helping evaporate sweat. They cost about $40.
Keep a towel handy
I don’t know about you, but I sweat profusely in the heat, and when I’m preparing woodwork or flooring for a new finish, dripping sweat can be a real problem. That’s why I always keep a towel tucked into my back pocket. Besides wiping my brow, I can also tie it around my head like a scarf and, in a pinch, dampen it and drape it around my neck. A five-dollar dish towel does the trick; you might even find one at the dollar store.
Take frequent breaks
This is more of a strategy than it is gear to stay cool: Work slowly and take frequent breaks. When I’m working in the heat, I take a break every 15 minutes and use that time to sit in the shade, drink water and cool down. I figure it’s more important to stay healthy than it is to get the job done quickly. If I’m going to do a job with a strict time limit, I wait for a cool day to do it.
About the Experts
- Lachlan Buchan is licensed in a variety of trades and lives/works in rural Australia. He was introduced by Jo Hayes, founder of EtiquetteExpert.org.
- Danny Niemela is the co-owner of ArDan Construction, a luxury home remodeling company based in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Source
- U.S. Occupations Safety & Health Administration: Heat; (2025)
The post Beat the Heat: Must-Have Cooling Gear for Summer DIY Projects appeared first on Family Handyman.
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