‘Saved my bacon every summer’: 12 things our writers use to keep cool on hot, sticky days

Portable fans, a ‘cooling necklace’, sun protective hats and more products we reach for when the heat won’t quit

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If you’ve stepped outside lately, you know the heat isn’t letting up. With another round of triple-digit temperatures and heat advisories blanketing parts of the US, we asked our writers to share the things they rely on when summer gets unbearable.

They shared recommendations for portable fans, a powerful dehumidifier and shorts that keep you cool even after hours of walking. Multiple writers recommended REI’s Sahara hoodie. You’ll also find clever picks you may not have considered, such as reusable ice packs and a “cooling necklace”. Here are our 12 tried-and-true essentials that are keeping us from melting on hot, sticky summer days.