We Tested the Best Running Clothes and Gear for Hot Days So the Weather Won’t Be an Excuse to Miss Your Workout

The scalp is an area that’s easy to forget about when it comes to sun protection. But if you’re spending extended time outdoors, it’s nonnegotiable. According to our tester, Ashley Ziegler, an editor at Everyday Health, Rida Hair’s formula can keep your delicate scalp skin and hair protected with minimal greasiness, which is rare. She also loves how easy it is to apply.

“I found this really easy to apply, and the spray bottle distributed the product lightly, which I appreciate. I found it to be a little greasy, but much less so than normal sunscreen,” Ziegler says. Rather than rubbing it in, as you would sunscreen not formulated for the scalp, you can just spray it on and go. It’s also water-resistant, which is a must for sweaty workouts. Most importantly, it’s effective.

Ziegler says she wore it working outside and at a baseball game with high temps and didn’t get burned. Just note that, like any scalp sunscreen, it will leave a little bit of a greasy feeling. It’s also only SPF 30, which may not be high enough for some.

A great mineral sunscreen that’s effective, not greasy, and looks good is unusual. So Ziegler doesn't hesitate to recommend this sheer, light version that’s water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, has an SPF of 40, and has a blurring effect that she'd consider magical. Best of all, she says this formula stayed put during sweaty outdoor workouts.

“I like that I can wear it under makeup as a daily sunscreen as well as at the pool with my kids, or when working out, since it's water-resistant,” Ziegler says. Supergoop also delivered on the promise of the product being a primer. “I really do love it for both active and daily wear. It's makeup and protection in one,” she added. That said, Ziegler does wish the sweat-resistant feature lasted long enough for an entire workout. Our research also found that it can leave a white tint on darker skin tones.

If finding a great mineral sunscreen is tough, finding one that’s a spray-on has been even more challenging in my experience. We’re happy to report that Ziegler loves this version. Bask’s sunscreen leaves no white cast and is actually moisturizing instead of drying, unlike many other formulas.

“It seems to stay put and it doesn't dry out my skin,” reports Ziegler. “I actually also tried this on my 5-year-old with sensitive, dry, eczema-prone skin, and it didn't cause any irritation.”

While Ziegler found the product easy to apply, other users in our research didn’t have the same experience, saying the spray bottle’s nozzle gets clogged.

I can’t imagine a better pair of shorts to take me through warm-weather runs than this flowy, airy pair. Midrise with a 2.5 inch inseam, they leave a lot of bare leg, which I prefer to more fabric for beating the heat. Made from recycled nylon and polyester, the shorts have an internal shell to keep you covered and a wispy outer layer that’s so lightweight, it barely feels like you’re wearing anything. I love that they’re quick-dry and wrinkle-resistant, making them an easy laundry item and simple to throw in a gym bag.

The shorts also feature a hidden pocket on the inner waistband and an internal drawstring to help customize the fit. I really liked the mint green color, but they come in seven other shades. Do note that the shorts are quite short, and while I never felt exposed, they might not be for everyone.

A lightweight, breathable top is a staple in any runner’s warm-weather wardrobe. This version from CRZ Yoga is now one of my favorites. Made from polyamide and elastane, it’s lightweight, moisture-wicking, and breathable. The racerback design keeps me cool and allows shoulders and arms to move freely without any worry of slipping straps. I also love the mesh vents on the back and armpit areas, which add an extra element of breathability.

Another bonus is the fit — it’s form-fitting but not clingy. Plus, the top comes in a variety of vibrant colors, like bright blue and chocolate brown. Note that there is no built-in bra, and I found the white option to be a bit see-through.

Lululemon’s Run Times High Support bra is hands down the best running bra I’ve ever worn. True to its name, it offers excellent support, yet its four-way stretch fabric doesn’t constrict or compress me in any way. This bra stops bounce during runs, but the mesh vents also keep me cool and dry. The bra is super comfy, with padded adjustable straps that stay in place.

I’m also a huge fan of how easy it is to get this bra on and off. Rather than having to pull this sports bra over my head, this version hooks in the back just like a regular bra. Finally, the bra’s cups hold their shape, so there’s no uni-boob when wearing this. Unfortunately, the bra is frequently sold out and is only available through Lululemon.

I drank this formula before longer workouts and definitely felt more hydrated and alert. While the effect was subtle, the beverage made my runs a little bit easier. I also appreciated that the formula doesn’t include artificial sweeteners, which can cause bloating and diarrhea, Zwibel says. While I was pleasantly surprised by the drink’s subtle energy-boosting properties, runners who would prefer a straight electrolyte mix might want to look for other options.

The ASICS Novablast 5 trainers are the perfect warm-weather running shoe, in my opinion. I’ve swiftly replaced my long-standing favorite pair with these, and I’m not going back. The shoes make running easier and more comfortable for a number of reasons. First, the breathable, flexible mesh upper ensures my feet have plenty of room to move and never feel suffocated, which is exactly what I want when running on hot days.

Meanwhile, the extremely plush sole makes them springy and comfy while giving ample energy return, which means they help propel me forward. What’s more, the ample cushioning doesn’t bog the shoes down with weight. Overall, I feel very light on my feet in these shoes. All of that said, the plush sole makes them a little bulky, and the traction may not be the best for slippery, rocky terrain.

All these features make them extra comfy for running. But here are a couple of things to note: They’re marketed as being compression socks, but do not have a compression rating. So there’s no guarantee they have the benefits of other compression socks. They also peek out from shoes a bit, even though they’re marketed as no-show.

Body Glide creates a protective barrier between areas of friction, and I found it useful under my bra straps. And while some may use baby powder or Vaseline for the job, one is greasy, while the other can leave white powder on your clothes. But this formula goes on sheer and feels nice and lightweight. I also like that the brand doesn’t use petroleum, lanolin, or mineral oils. That said, if you don’t run often or have many issues with chafing, Vaseline could also work for a fraction of the price, but we’d rather spend a little more on something that’s less noticeable.

Given the amplified sunlight, protecting your eyes is even more crucial on warm-weather runs than it is during the winter. But most everyday pairs won’t do. A good pair of running sunglasses should be non-slip and do a great job of reducing glare so that you’re not squinting as you run. This pair does both. It has a silicone lining and snug frame to keep them in place on intense runs, while the polarized lenses kept my vision sharp. Finally, the lenses were large enough to shield me from dirt on dusty trails.

That said, some more expensive, wraparound models will also cover the sides of your eyes. And after many months of testing, my pair has a scratch on the lens. If you tend to be a bit careless with your sunglasses, you might want to look for a more expensive pair with scratch-resistant lenses.

If you don’t want to carry the weight of a bottle on a belt around your waist or in your hand, vests are the way to go. I love that the Nathan’s version keeps us hydrated hands-free while also functioning as a small backpack. With a 2 liter (L) water bladder and 7 L of storage, it provides ample room for stashing a fold-up blanket for breaks and other essentials. It also features front pockets for easy phone access, chapstick, energy gels, additional water bottles, and anything else a runner might need.

I find it to be lightweight enough for warm-weather runs, while breathable mesh and microfiber material at the contact points reduce moisture and chafing. And I’m happy to report that this pack stayed pretty snug. One thing to note is that the nozzle is a little long and bounces a little. Also, wearing a pack will create a little more heat than a water bottle, but we’ll take the convenience of a vest any day.