One of the first things I learned in elementary school was that it’s often hottest near the equator, an imaginary line that passes through 13 different countries. As an adult, I’ve been to several of these places many times. In 2018, I even moved to Colombia, where I got a crash course in surviving temperatures so hot and humid that I couldn’t convince my Montana-based family to visit. And just last month, I traveled with Micato Safaris around Kenya, another equatorial country, where the UV levels are among the highest in the world. In fact, it’s not uncommon to get sunburned after just a few minutes of exposure.

Thankfully, I’ve yet to have any worrying moles removed by my dermatologist, and I’ve also never overheated to the point of exhaustion. I’d like to think it’s because I do a stellar job of packing the right clothing and accessories, thanks to the knowledge I’ve accumulated throughout my decade-long career as a travel writer and product tester. Much like a magician carries around their bag of tricks, I’ve got a carry-on full of gear designed to keep me cool, comfortable, and safe.

Keep scrolling to see exactly what I pack, from sun-protective clothing and linen pants to cooling pillowcases and handheld fans. Hopefully, you find a thing or two that will make all the difference on your next trip, whether it’s to a country on the equator or a destination that’s just experiencing a record-breaking heat wave right now.

Best Deals Overall

Mission Original Cooling Towel

Amazon

It may seem counterintuitive, but wrapping yourself in a towel can actually keep you cool. The trick? Mission’s patented HydroActive Wet-to-Cool Technology, which uses moisture to activate the fabric and cool it by up to 30 degrees in just 60 seconds.

When I first ordered this towel in 2020, while living in Portugal in a 17th-century building with no air conditioning, I was skeptical. But it was the best $20 I spent during that scorcher of a summer. This lightweight, machine-washable towel is the size of a hand towel and comes in several different colors and prints at Amazon, where it has nearly 3,500 five-star ratings.

Jisulife Handheld Mini Fan

Amazon

With more than 50,000 purchased in the last month alone, the Jisulife Handheld Mini Fan is ranked No. 1 on Amazon’s list of Best Sellers in Personal Fans. It offers up to 19 hours of cooling time on a single charge and juices up via USB. I’m planning on gifting one to my fiancé for our upcoming wedding in Thailand, where we’re staying at Chai Lai Orchid, a rustic elephant sanctuary with no AC. He’ll be able to use it as a handheld fan, a desktop fan (it folds to 270 degrees), a flashlight, and even a backup power bank.

Despite all of its uses, it’s still compact enough to fit in a front jeans pocket. “I’ve now used it for two concerts, four flights, and an outdoor event in 90-degree heat,” wrote one shopper, who referred to it as an “absolute lifesaver” and said they will “never again travel without it.”

Columbia PFG Freezer III Dress

Amazon

I’ve owned several iterations of this Columbia dress since 2020, when I spent several months living in Tucson, Ariz., where it got so hot I couldn’t walk my dog between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and my Ray-Bans melted after I accidentally left them on my car’s dashboard.

This machine-washable dress has a simple yet timeless style, making it easy to dress up or down. But more importantly, it features Columbia’s game-changing Omni-Shade and Omni-Freeze technologies. Basically, this means the fabric is designed to block the widest range of harmful UVA and UVB rays, and it uses evaporative cooling to make the dress feel cold to the touch (hence its “Freezer” name). Just be forewarned: I’ve yet to encounter someone for whom this dress hasn’t become a repeat purchase.

Fjallraven Abisko Hip Pack 6

Amazon

Even backpacks made of breathable mesh can feel like an extra layer in hot weather, so I prefer a hip pack when I’m hiking or sightseeing in the tropics. While there are definitely more affordable hip packs available, I’ve been a fan of the Fjallraven Abisko line ever since its apparel served me well on a Colorado backpacking trip. Naturally, when the brand debuted its new water-resistant hip pack a few months ago, I was first in line.

It’s ideal for hot weather, thanks to its ventilated soft foam padding and the two stretchy, easy-access pockets on the side designed to fit water bottles, making it easy to stay hydrated. In total, there are nine pockets, offering up to six liters of storage. The webbing straps on the exterior allow you to stash even more gear if needed.

Yeti Rambler 16-ounce Travel Bottle

Amazon

If you don’t stay hydrated, your chances of suffering from heatstroke or heat stress grow exponentially. Personally, I’m more inclined to drink water if it’s ice cold—and I’ve found that only Yeti’s award-winning insulation can truly keep water cold for days.

This new bottle from the well-respected brand is the travel version of the Rambler (which has an impressive 4.8-star average rating from more than 3,300 ratings at Amazon). But unlike the original, it boasts a leak-proof cap that allows me to sip from any angle. I have yet to meet a cupholder it’s not compatible with, and I love that the Rambler Travel Bottle is made of rust-resistant stainless steel. The rate at which objects rust and corrode grows exponentially the moment you add heat and humidity.

Caslon Tie-waist Linen Pants

Nordstrom

According to Sundaresan Jayaraman, a professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Materials Science and Engineering, linen is the best fabric for hot, humid conditions. It dries faster than cotton, which keeps you cool, and because it’s more structured, it doesn’t stick to your skin and limit air circulation.

While most linen pants have a wide-legged silhouette, I like these because they feature a more flattering tapered design, further accentuated by the notched hems at the bottom. Plus, these comfy linen pants have pockets, and the drawstring waist means I don’t have to bother with a belt. “The material was great for hot, humid days,” recalled one shopper, who purchased them for a trip to Mexico and found them easy to dress up or dress down.

Mission Cooling UPF Neck Gaiter

Amazon

After being wowed by Mission’s cooling towel, I didn’t hesitate to invest in the brand’s best-selling—it has more than 21,700 five-star ratings—multi-use neck gaiter. Like the towel, it cools once moisture (preferably water, but sweat works, too) comes in contact with the fabric. But unlike the towel, it’s easy to wear hands-free. In fact, there are 12 different ways to wear it. Use it as a balaclava, a headband, or even a hair wrap.

One shopper who used it on a six-day snorkeling trip even swears by it to prevent getting sunburned while swimming. “My rashguard top has a slightly high crew neck, but there would be a lot of bare skin between it and my swim cap,” they wrote in a five-star review. “This gaiter did the job well. I could pull it over my ears and head, then pull on the cap to cover my forehead. Everything was snug—not flapping around and dragging like a hoodie would.”

Free Fly Shade Hoodie II

REI

Last year, I got this top-rated Free Fly hoodie for my fiancé, an avid fisherman who burns at the mere mention of the sun. The idea of keeping cool by covering up may sound unusual. Keep in mind that this UPF 50-rated hoodie, which features thumbholes to prevent the long sleeves from riding up, is made of a fabric blend designed to protect you from UV rays and keep you cool in the process. The cutting-edge blend is composed of temperature-regulating viscose (which comes from bamboo), quick-drying polyester, and four-way stretch spandex.

Duer No Sweat Denim High-rise Kick Flare Pants

REI

I’ve been a big fan of Duer ever since I took its flannel-lined jeans to Antarctica in 2022. Fortunately, the brand also makes denim designed for extreme temperatures on the other end of the spectrum. Its No Sweat collection features pants made of plant-based Tencel which, thanks to the eucalyptus trees used in its production, is naturally cool to the touch as well as antibacterial and ultra moisture-wicking. Plus, like all of Duer’s denim, these five-pocket high-rise kick flare pants are as soft and stretchy as your favorite pair of sweats. And the cropped length allows your ankles to enjoy a little airflow.

Carve Designs Beacon One-piece Swimsuit

REI

According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, “Most swimsuits provide about a UPF 5, so roughly 20 percent of the sun’s rays will still reach your skin.” Carve Designs, however, doesn’t cut any corners. Its bathing suits have a UPF rating of 50 (meaning they block 98 percent of the sun’s rays).

I own several Carve Designs suits, including bikinis and cut-out one-pieces, but I like the Beacon because it’s so classic and flattering on different body types. The bottom offers medium coverage, the pads in the built-in shelf bra are removable, and the crossover double straps in the back elevate the look. “Timeless style and quality fabric,” wrote one shopper, while another described it as “checking all the boxes.”

Penkou Rechargeable Neck Fan

Amazon

I recently volunteered at my church’s fair food booth, where I noticed so many fairgoers wearing this rechargeable neck fan that kind of looks like a pair of headphones. The woman flipping burgers on the hot grill during our four-hour shift even sported one. Choose from three different twin-turbine speeds, which distribute cool air via 72 “wind outlets.” This neck fan offers up to 24 hours of run time, recharges via USB, and at 20 decibels, it’s quieter than a church mouse.

At Amazon, it’s so popular that more than 10,000 were bought in the last month. One shopper who purchased it for a trip to Portugal described it as “nothing short of a lifesaver” because it allowed them to comfortably cover more ground. Don’t let the midday heat be the reason you miss out on a top sight or attraction!

Furtalk Straw Sun Hat

Amazon

I got this hat last year for a trip to Oceana, where I boated at the Great Barrier Reef, cuddled koala bears at a wildlife sanctuary in Brisbane, and cycled around New Zealand’s South Island. Over those two very outdoor-centric weeks, I never suffered from a single sunburn on my face thanks to this Furtalk hat. I thought UPF 50 was the highest rating possible, but this hat offers even more protection: UPF 80+ (the higher the number, the more protection).

I’ve since traveled with it to the Maldives, Africa, and Costa Rica. Because it folds in half, it’s easy to pack, and it doesn’t crease or lose its shape. And the stowable (and adjustable) lanyard was a game changer for me last month in Kenya when I was cruising around in a Land Cruiser and a hot air balloon, while on safari in the Serengeti.

Bedsure Cooling Pillowcases

Amazon

How I wish I’d had these cooling pillowcases when I lived in that wooden shack in Nicaragua where I spent many sleepless nights, tossing and turning, trying to find relief from the relentless heat. They’re made of 100 percent rayon, a material derived from bamboo—a plant with hollow fibers that make it far more breathable than cotton. Plus, they’re super silky. The pillowcases, which come in a two-pack, are available in more than a dozen colors at Amazon, where they have an impressive 26,700 five-star ratings.

Secret Clinical-strength Antiperspirant Deodorant

Amazon

When I lived in Nicaragua, I found a couple of cheap deodorants (with ingredients listed in Spanish) on the store shelves, but I struggled to find an antiperspirant strong enough to keep me dry or odor-free. I love Secret’s clinical-strength antiperspirant because it goes on clear, lasts up to 72 hours, and is formulated to fight all types of sweat: sweat from stress, heat, and exercise. Ever the overachiever, I usually experience all three simultaneously, and I don’t think I’m alone. This Amazon’s Choice product has more than 23,000 five-star ratings, with over 30,000 bars purchased in the last month alone.

Banana Boat Sport Ultra SPF 50 Lip Sunscreen

Amazon

Sunburn-wise, I thought nothing was worse than frying the tops of my feet (why do we also forget the feet?) in Tulum. Then, I found myself in the Philippines suffering from second-degree burns on my lips. Now, I never leave home without Banana Boat Sport Ultra SPF 50 Lip Sunscreen, which blocks 98 percent of the sun’s rays, moisturizes for up to 12 hours, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. And unlike other lip sunscreens, its ingredient list doesn’t include oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals that are linked to coral bleaching.

At Amazon, this lip sunscreen has more than 6,600 five-star ratings. One five-star review titled “Protect your pout!” reads, “I bought these for a beach vacation for my family, and everyone loved them. We always forget lip SPF, and usually end up with dry, chapped lips after we spend a week at the beach. This year, no one’s lips were burned, chapped, dry, or flaking!”

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.