18 little things to cool you down on a hot vacation

Mist your face. Dress like a fly fisherman. Whatever it takes to stay cool.

With record-high temperatures and extended heat waves, you might be tempted to change your outdoor vacation plans for an air-conditioned building tour or a resort pool hop.

As we’ve seen over the past few summers, extreme heat is no joke. To reduce the health risks, you should adopt such common practices as seeking shade, staying hydrated (but not overhydrated) and avoiding the hottest period of the day.

Skip to end of carouselYour coolest summer

Your no-sweat guide to cooking, entertaining and living this season.

• 27 luxuries for your next trip
• The new wedding dress codes
• How to pick a decent rosé
• Linen or cotton: Which is cooler?
• 28 books for your reading list
• The truth behind ‘cooling’ bedding

1/2

End of carousel

“I think of it like a barbecue,” said Jonathan Bar, assistant professor of clinical emergency medicine at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. “It’s time and temperature. You don’t want to barbecue yourself.”

Besides minding your exposure to the sun, you’ll want to acquire some accessories beyond a water flask. With many more hot days ahead, we compiled 18 items with a high cool factor.

Portable fan

There’s nothing like a cool breeze in your face — even if you have to create that breeze yourself. Tote a fan along, whether it’s an old-school paper version, a battery-operated number that fits in the palm of your hand or a fancier, pricier gadget that wraps around your neck.

A superior water bottle

If you are traveling light, choose a collapsible bottle that pops up or rolls out. For longer outings, a model with double insulation will keep beverages cold from sunup to sundown.

Bar said unless strenuous exercise is on your itinerary, you do not need to drink beverages spiked with electrolytes or extra vitamins. “Your kidneys are pretty smart,” he said. “They know how much sodium and potassium you need.”

Cooling towel

Anyone who has visited a theme park in summer has probably noticed a fashion trend: thin, damp towels draped around flushed necks. Take the hint from those who brave the Florida heat in August and soak, wring or snap the fabric to take a bite out of the heat. Re-wet for a refresh.

Prickly Heat cooling powder

If hot temps irritate your skin, sprinkle Snake Brand’s Prickly Heat powder on the affected areas and you can almost hear your body’s largest organ sigh with relief. The main ingredients — talc, menthol, camphor — soothe itchy rashes and bumps and prevent future epidermal meltdowns.

Facial mist

Face spray works like ocean spray. The dewy drops draw out the heat in your cheeks, chin and forehead, or wherever you spritz. Evian makes a version, as do cosmetic companies and the old-guard apothecary Thayers, which infuses its mist with witch hazel.

UV umbrella

A UV umbrella offers movable shade while blocking harmful rays from beaming down on you. Unlike your clothing, go for black, which absorbs heat, and choose an SPF of at least 50.

Thigh chafe stick

To prevent rubbing and irritated skin, smear an anti-chafing stick on the insides of both upper legs. The moisturizing balm creates a defense barrier, so that when your thighs meet again, they won’t cause any friction.

Thigh Society cooling shorts

If Spanx and the anti-chafing stick collaborated on a fashion line, they’d create the cooling short. The high-tech, wicking fabric pulls heat away and helps cool the body without adding extra bulk or unseemly seams.

Cooler bag

Tote a small insulated bag to keep snacks (and maybe your cooling towel, when you aren’t using it) at refreshing temps. You can freeze a small bottle of water to serve as an ice pack — and drink it once melted. One Post colleague said she packs her bag full of “cold fruit for my kids, which also keeps them hydrated.”

Cross-body bag

Sure, backpacks keep your hands free and store a lot of stuff. But in summer, they also “trap too much heat,” one colleague points out. Pick an option that drapes a little more loosely but still travels well, like a cross-body bag or hip pack.

Moisture-wicking socks

If your vacation will be active — or if athleisure is just your go-to wardrobe — pick clothes designed to dry quickly and keep sweat away from your skin. Sweat-wicking socks tout the added benefit of reducing the risk of blisters.

All-linen clothes

Listen to science — and several of our Post colleagues: Linen is the way to go if athletic wear isn’t in the dress code. On a molecular level, fabric experts say, linen beats cotton at moisture removal and airflow.

Protective hat

Bar, the physician, favors a “boonie,” which has a wide brim that protects everything above the neck. Some styles come with vents and a tail flap that covers the neck. You can also try a bucket hat; just pull it down low to protect any protruding parts from burning.

Camp shirt

The more rugged relative of the Cuban guayabera is ideal for steamy settings because of its boxy, breezy fit that lets air stream through like a screened-in porch. Choose an option with vents to maximize the effect.

Aloe vera gel

Spent too much time in the sun? A bottle of aloe vera gel — especially when chilled — can provide relief from a burn. But an ounce of sun prevention is better than a pound of goopy cure. Make sure to use a strong sunblock and save the aloe for later.

Neck coolers

If a towel won’t cut the heat, a cooling tube around the back of your neck might do the trick. It starts out frozen, so it’ll be good and cold.

Instant cold packs

Used for medical purposes like swelling reduction or postpartum relief, instant cooling packs don’t require refrigeration and can provide some temporary chill.

Baby wipes

Carry a resealable packet of baby wipes or face towelettes for swiping away sweat and grime. You’ll feel as refreshed as if you had splashed around in a fountain, but without getting dripping wet (or breaking the law).

Natalie B. Compton contributed to this report.

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness. Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare, including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario, from canceled flights to lost luggage. Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas, including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed. Submit your question here. Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves.