Looking for some recommendation on cooling clothes, mostly shirts, and any other tips for staying cool while caring for horses in heat + humidity. I have some sun shirts (Baeleaf, Cowgirl Tuff, and It’s a Haggertys) which I like but are not cool enough. I ordered a cooling towel from Amazon but it hasn’t come yet. I am not dealing with heat as well this year and it’s really dragging me down!
1 Like
I like loose thin cotton shirts with sleeves and buttons. They let the air circulate and keep off the sun.
3 Likes
I’m in Arizona, and my horse friends and I live in Kerrits Ice Fil shirts from June through September. They come in short and long sleeves, 1/4 zip and run true to size. The fabric is extremely lightweight with tiny perforations and has a bit of stretch. The prints are really cute, too.
Just realized Dover is having a 20% off sale on them right now! 
6 Likes
In addition to good sun Shirts I flat out hose myself down. Soak arms and pant legs, at least.
When it is humid, evaporation does not work. I use various products like this. Even just the neck scarves with ice packs help. I have put crushed ice in a baggy, folded in a bandana and tied it around my neck. I have also put ice in a fanny pack. Both make a big difference. Can you tell that I don’t tolerate heat and humidity very well?
3 Likes
For barn and outside chores, I like pure linen shirts – oversized, button-up style, long sleeves to keep the sun off my arms. When I hose my horse off, I welcome getting overspray on my shirt.
My coolest-feeling quarter zip wicking shirts are by Under Armour.
1 Like
I like any of the sunshirts with the cooling technology. It makes a noticeable difference!
My current favorites are Ibkul (boxier, looser fit) and 70 degrees (snugger fit). I also like Tailored Sportman and San Soleil but not quite as much as those two.
I want to like EIS because they’re made in the US, but the fit just doesn’t work for me. They have a boxier cut and a shorter length and I have a longer torso.
I’m not a big Kerrits fan but lots of people like them and they’re certainly worth checking out.
1 Like
Since you dont need breeches consider nylon hiking pants. I compete outdoors in summer and loose fitting hiking pants are good. They transpire well. I wear athletic fabric short sleeves and sun sleeves which are fitted. They protect from sunburn and actually keep my arms cooler
Add to Scribbler’s loose cotton shirts - no bra. If it is comfortable for you it really helps! Shirts with two front pockets keep me decent.
1 Like
Be sure to watch the color of your clothing and headgear. I was getting dizzy and lightheaded during my lessons until I got a green and white helmet cover, made of reflective material, for my black helmet.
White reflects heat, black absorbs it.
Glad I’m not the only one. I bought my first sun shirt this spring to see what all the raving was about and I thought I was going to die the first time I wore it just to do barn chores, practically peeled it off in the middle of my yard in a panic, it was so hot and clingy. 
3 Likes
Add me to the list of people who find sunshirts to be unbearably hot. I have the same issue with those Columbia fishing shirts, the ones with the vent in the back that are supposed to be cooling, but aren’t really.
I have some pima cotton T-shirts that are a very light weave and they are pretty comfortable in the heat.
When I lived in Florida, I relied heavily on the neck scarves and vests with ice packs.
1 Like
What do the desert dwellers do? Wear flowy white robes.
1 Like
This is exactly why I wear light-colored, loose, long-sleeved linen shirts (and often, loose linen drawstring waist pants). Combined with a very wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, I’m wearing my shade.
Sometimes, people (often wearing tank tops and shorts, who appear to me to be broiling) have asked me if I wasn’t overheated in all those clothes. Nope.
2 Likes
I just got a bunch of cheap cooking sun shirts from 32 Degrees. I’m brutal on sportswear and don’t buy much fancy brands unless it’s on clearance. https://www.32degrees.com/products/womens-air-mesh-long-sleeve-t-shirt?variant=40383650955353
They are pretty amazing - definitely cooler than one of my other sun shirts and on par with the riding-specific cooling shirt I have.
I also started wearing a wicking skull cap under my helmet - I am growing out my buzzed head, and needed something to keep a more consistent fit, but it also seems to keep my head cooler and the sweat off my face.
Other pro tip is to add some salt to your regular water and have some hydration solution available - keeps me a little more hydrated in the heat and my internal cooling working better.
I wear the Coolibar sun shirts…I like the Morada t shirt (though I get the men’s one as I need a tall and so the men’s size works better for me!).
They are long sleeve t shirts…but really breathable and lightweight feeling. Not cheap, but really nice quality. I started using them because I will break out in a rash/hives with too much sun…but I’ve found they are more comfortable overall.
1 Like
Florida here and I recently ordered the Kerrits ice fil tights. I am AMAZED at how cool they are. Time will tell if they last, but wow, will try a shirt too.
1 Like
actually the clothing you see worn in the Middle East and parts of India and Africa are exactly this. The design allows air to circulate inside the garment and it is actually cooler inside the garment; a micro environment
4 Likes
I wear 32 degrees shirts and ride in long sleeve rash guards and San Soleil sun shirts. San Soleil is the only brand of sun shirt I don’t die in.
I haven’t found great hot weather breeches so ride in my UA leggings with chaps currently.
When I’m not riding I dress in loose linen pants and tops.
Not sure if you mean specifically for riding or for general barn work, or work around the property. It’s 100 here every day in the summer lately and was last year too. I can’t do any kind of long pants, because I’m prone to heat exhaustion, so for me it’s shorts—something quick-dry or Gap chino-types that stand up well to abuse! Plus they have back pockets for my phone. Agree with no bra if possible. I live here alone so I can do it but don’t feel comfortable going out in public. It’s definitely cooler. Short-sleeved t-shirts but loose. And…don’t shoot me, but heavier-dutier flips-flops/teva-like. I do almost everything outside in them (except riding, clearing brush and chain sawing). If riding, it has to be in the evening and I used to ride in denim shorts and chaps and short boots—paddocks or Ariat Terras. Then I can just unzip the chaps and be instantly cooler. If I don’t have a pair of shorts that will work, I’ll wear a cheap pair of breeches and chaps and short boots. Same thin t-shirts (LL bean or Gap again work for me and are not expensive and seem to hold up well). For being on a tractor shredding, I got a long-sleeve 100% cotton men’s shirt size large (I’m pretty small, so it’s big but loose) to keep the sun, dirt, and grass off my arms. Shorts and flips here too. And a ball cap always outside except for riding, then it’s my helmet. I can’t stand anything clingy or synthetic fabrics, so this works for me.
