Heat is on the horizon. Here are 6 things you'll need to keep cool
Hotter days are ahead, and we're here to help you prepare.
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We often the lament the shortness of the Canadian summer, but the season punches above its weight in terms of heat, with heat waves and extreme temperatures becoming more common as the climate warms. But you needn’t be helpless as the mercury starts to rise. Look after yourself with these six cooling products we reviewed for you.
EasyAcc Rechargeable Handheld Fan
Amazon.ca
The first option for dealing with oppressive heat is, of course, a handheld fan, and there are no shortage of them out there, including many rechargeable ones. We liked this four-speed version best of the ones we looked at, since unlike many of the others, this one folds easily to allow you to set it down and direct it for when you need both hands free to take care of work or some other local task.
Other features we liked:
Two colour options and three battery size uptions
Largest battery size provides up to 23 hour duration, depending on the speed
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 1,100 reviews
READ MORE: If you’re hot, they’re hot – here are 6 things to help keep your dog cool
SmartDevil Portable Neck Fan
Amazon.ca
Wearability is always a consideration when you’re shopping for gadgets, and on a hot day, a cooling fan needn’t be the exception. There are, again, loads of wearable fan options out there, and we were drawn to this one. First, its sleek, unobtrusive and easily adjustable design – when you’re out and about with this around your neck, it looks for all the world like a pair of head phones. Second, rather than blades, it has 48 different air outlets, helping to cool your neck as well. It also has a maximum charge of six hours, and can charge anywhere with a USB outlet like, say, your car on the way to a game.
Other features we liked:
Available in white or pink
Three speeds available, up to 6 hour charge
Rated 4.3 out of 5 based on more than 400 reviews
Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.
SENDESTAR Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle
Amazon.ca
Of course, the most important thing in hot water is diligent hydration. We’ve reviewed water bottles for Shop The Weather before, and of those we looked at, this is one has a staggering amount of options in terms of sizes and colours. Many of the size options also come with two lids and a carry pouch, and for lids that include straws, they even throw in a cleaning brush. The larger sizes are a bit on the pricey side, but for what’s included, this all seems pretty worthwhile.
Other features we liked:
Sizes range from 12-87 ounces (350-2500 ml)
At least a half-dozen colour options per size
Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 18,000 reviews
PYFK Running Belt Hydration Waist Pack
Amazon.ca
Keeping fit during major heat waves is hard enough without the accompanying accelerated moisture loss. Whether during a long hike, or what will certainly FEEL like a long run if you’ve been neglecting your fitness over the winter months, having to juggle a heavy water bottle hand-to-hand can be a nuisance, and you may not want or need a full backpack. The answer is a proper water pouch, and we liked this one the best. It’s simple, fits waists up to 44 inches, and can hold one bottle up to 27 ounces (800 ml).
Other features we liked:
Reflective design suitable for night walks or runs
Available in five colours
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on a little over 1,000 reviews
Marchpower Cooling Blanket
Amazon.ca
Depending on how good your AC is, one of the worst aspects of extreme heat waves is how hard it is to sleep at night, with even a thin sheet often too much. Science, fortunately, has provided us with a number of blankets made of fabric designed to absorb and channel your body heat away, like this one from Marchpower, which we chose because of its somewhat more favourable pricepoint compared to others like it. Machine washable as well, and easy to take wherever you need it, whether it’s the bedroom, office or train.
Other features we liked:
Comes in blue and grey, and in three sizes up to queen
Double-sided, with 100 per cent cotton on the reverse
Rated 4.3 out of 5, based on more than 3,700 reviews on Amazon.ca
Qutool Cooling Bed Pillows
Amazon.ca
While you’re trying to keep cool at night, don’t neglect your pillow. There, as with your blanket, the material makes a difference, and this option from Qutool is highly regarded among those who purchased it on Amazon.ca. The outer cover is 60 per cent cotton and 40 per cent bamboo fibre, and its filled with shredded foam infused with cooling gel particles that keep heat from building up during the night, as well as being breathable enough to inhibit moisture buildup.
Other features we liked:
Foam filling helps adjust to your head shape for maximum comfort
Available in queen and king size
Rated 4.2 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 4,400 reviews
Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.
Our trusted Product Specialists recommend high-quality items that we think will enhance your experience with Canadian weather conditions. Prices and availability of items are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
