These men’s summer essentials are built for heat, sweat and sun

There are many reasons to look forward to summer, but feeling uncomfortably hot isn’t one of them. What you wear matters all the time, but it’s especially important in the summer when overheating can be a big problem. Luckily, there’re plenty of options to keep you cool and looking fresh, whether you’re at work or spending a weekend away at the beach. If you’re a guy whose summer clothes are starting to wear and leave you sweaty within a few minutes of leaving an air-conditioned room, it’s time to make some changes. 

We’ve found a dozen pieces of clothing that are both functional and look great. Many use materials that are breathable, naturally moisture-wicking, and provide some UPF protection. That even applies to long-sleeved shirts and pants, which are, by necessity, heavier to wear than T-shirts and shorts. 

What better place to start your hot summer wardrobe than your head? Solbari’s Bondi Bucket Hat is made completely from nylon and offers UPF 50+ protection. That translates to blocking over 98% of UVA and UVB rays. A small strap on the back allows you to adjust its sizing, and its sweatband is moisture-wicking to help keep sweat off your brow. Though it’s large when it’s on your head, the hat is flexible enough that you should be able to fold it up and keep it in your pocket when you’re not wearing it. 

Outerknown All Time Stretch Volley

No man’s summer wardrobe is complete without a pair of fashionable swim trunks, and Outerknown has you covered. It’s All Time Stretch Volley trunks are made from recycled polyester and both recycled and regular spandex. The latter offers stretchiness to prevent you from feeling constricted as you swim and walk around. The trunks are equipped with three pockets, including a zippered back pocket to hold your valuables on land and a GoPro or other waterproof device underwater. 

Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Shirt

If your current T-shirts leave you drenched in sweat after a short walk outside, Patagonia’s Capilene will be a big improvement. It’s made from 100% recycled polyester that’s been treated to provide odor control and moisture-wicking. These properties make the T-shirt a good choice to wear during summer runs or while cycling, though they should make walking around in the hot sun a little more comfortable. Similarly, Patagonia says it designed the shirt with as few seams and stitches as possible to reduce the risk of chafing. 

Outerknown Tides Pant

Staying cool in longer pants means wearing a pair made from a breathable material. Outerknown’s Tides Pant is made from 100% regenerative organic cotton and is designed to sit baggier than jeans or khakis. That lack of restriction is key to maintaining your full mobility. The elastic waistband ensures you can bend down without feeling constrained, and unlike sweatpants, the Tide Pant has four pockets for added comfort and storage. While you’ll want to avoid long pants as much as possible during the summer, the Tides Pant will keep you covered (literally) when you need to.

Smartwool Merino Boxer Brief

Few feelings are less comfortable than walking around in a sweaty pair of underwear, which is a situation you’ll avoid when wearing Smartwools’ Merino Boxer Brief. The underpants are made from merino wool (the only material that touches your skin) and a nylon core. They’re stretchy enough not to impede your walking, but naturally moisture-wicking to avoid wetness. The boxer briefs’ elastic waistbands will also help with comfort by preventing them from moving around and causing friction with your skin.  

Billy Reid Short Sleeve Linen Tuscumbia Shirt Button Down

Linen is another premium, lightweight, breathable material that’ll prevent you from feeling too hot under the collar, and it’s the only one Billy Reid uses in its Tuscumbia Shirt. The standard-fit short-sleeve button-down has a breast pocket to hold your sunglasses or similar items, and mother-of-pearl buttons that look and feel premium. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt will always be cooler (at least temperature-wise) than a long-sleeved shirt, but the Tuscumbia shirt’s material will make the biggest difference. You may find yourself reaching for it instead of a typical T-shirt, even for casual events, to avoid overheating. 

Smartwool Men’s Active Mesh Hoodie

A lightweight hoodie can be useful even during the summer, especially for early mornings, cool evenings or higher elevations. Smartwool’s Active Mesh Hoodie is made from a blend of merino wool, Tencel Lyocell, and recycled polyester that helps regulate temperature while pulling moisture away from your skin. Targeted mesh panels across the hood, sleeves, and back improve airflow when you’re hiking or working up a sweat. Merino wool naturally resists odors, making the hoodie a solid option for multi-day camping or backpacking trips when laundry isn’t available. Smartwool also uses offset shoulder and side seams to help reduce chafing under backpack straps, making it a comfortable layer whether you’re on the trail or relaxing around camp after a long day.

Icebreaker Merino 150 Anatomica Boxers (2-Pack)

Icebreaker’s Anatomica Boxers are another pair of underwear that can help prevent overheating while offering more space around your crotch than boxer briefs do. They’re made from merino wool, polyamide, and elastane, so you get the benefits of moisture wicking and stretchy materials. Similarly, the boxers have flatlock seams, which Icebreaker says reduce friction that can lead to chafing. Grabbing a two-pack of the boxers is a way to upgrade more of your wardrobe at once, so you don’t have to wait for laundry day to wear a pair. 

Huk A1A Pro Sun Hoodie

If you’re planning on having many days on a boat or by the water, Huk’s A1A Pro Sun Hoodie can keep your upper body protected when you’re not working on a tan. The lightweight hoodie is made entirely of polyester and offers 40+ UPF protection, moisture wicking, and breathability. The hoodie has a pair of thumbholes to keep the sleeves from riding up, and a lightweight hood you can flip up and down in a breeze.

Duluth Trading Company 7-Year Lightweight Performance No-Show Socks

Socks are among the only pieces of clothing you’ll wear most of the time, so it pays to get a pair that won’t feel sweaty by the end of the day. Duluth Trading Company’s 7-year Lightweight Performance No-Show Socks were designed with summer in mind, which is why they’re made out of Coolmax nylon, nano glide nylon, polyester, spandex, and regular nylon. These materials can wick moisture, provide ample comfort, and help to control the temperature of your feet. They’re also no-show socks, so you won’t get an awkward-looking tan.

Snow Peak Breathable Quick Dry S/S Shirt

A lightweight button-up is an essential summer wardrobe piece, and Snow Peak’s Breathable Quick Dry S/S Shirt will come in handy. The shirt is made from 100% recycled polyester using DotAir® fabric, which has tiny ventilation holes woven into the material to improve airflow. It is lightweight, quick-drying and moisture-wicking. It’ll be just as comfortable on a hot afternoon as it is at dinner later that night.

It features front snap buttons, a chest pocket, and hidden side hand pockets. We found that the slightly textured fabric resists wrinkles, making it an easy shirt to throw into a weekend bag. 

Danner Summer Wool Long Sleeve Shirt

There will be occasions over the summer when short sleeves won’t cut it, which is where Danner’s Summer Wool Long Sleeve Shirt comes in handy. The button-down shirt is made from wool, polyester, and elastane, which are woven in such a way that creates thousands of tiny ventilation holes. These holes make the shirt incredibly breathable, and the wool Danner uses is naturally antimicrobial, which is handy when you sweat. Our favorite little touch is the underarm gussets, which will allow you to raise your arms fully without feeling constrained. 

Helly Hansen Tech Half-Zip 2.0

Helly Hansen’s Tech Half-Zip 2.0 is a long-sleeve shirt you’ll actually want to wear during summer hikes. The shirt is composed of one material: recycled polyester, and offers UPF 50+ protection when you’re outdoors. Helly Hansen says the material it uses is quick-drying, and its zipper lets you quickly let in fresh air if you’re starting to feel hot. That said, the shirt has a pretty tall collar, which will keep part of your neck protected from the sun when it’s fully zipped up.

Line of Trade Portland Rain Jacket

Summer showers are an inevitability, but you don’t have to become a soggy mess as you slowly dry off after a drizzle. Line of Trade’s Portland Rain Jacket is made entirely out of polyester and has a waterproof, breathable membrane that’ll keep you dry without making you feel stuffy. Its zipper zips right up to your chin, so water can’t get in, and an elastic drawstring lets you adjust how tightly it wraps around your waist. A pair of front side pockets will keep your phone and other essentials easily accessible while they’re out of your pants pockets until the storm passes.

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