Five on Friday: 5 Tops to Beat the Heat This Summer

by Jacob Gordon.

Welcome to a new, weekly segment on the Appalachian Outdoors blog: Five on Friday. Every Friday, I’ll bring you a list of — you guessed it– 5 items based on a weekly theme. Don’t think of this as a top-5 list, but rather a list of 5 options that are geared to serve a certain purpose.

With summer clearly making her presence felt the last few days, what could be more appropriate than a Five on Friday geared towards casual tops that can help you stay cool when the temps keep climbing? While these tops could be worn on your next hike or camping excursion, they work just as well at your family’s weekend backyard bbq.

The features of these tops may vary, but they’re all meant to keep you cool with a combination of lightweight fabric, ventilated construction, UPF protection, or special technologies. Oh, and they have to look good as well.

Since this is our first Five on Friday post, I figured we’d do a twofer. 5 for the gals, and 5 for the gents.

5 Tops to Beat the Heat for Women

    1. Ibex U-Sixty TeeIbex Shirt

I know what you’re thinking: wool? To beat the heat? But hear me out. The Merino wool Ibex uses on their U-Sixty Tee is made from a super-lightweight 18.5 micron wool that is super fine and lies gently against your skin. The benefit to Merino wool, especially in this case, is the natural moisture-wicking ability that helps keep you dry and comfy even as the temps continue to climb. Not to mention, the sassy V-neck design allows for added ventilation and a modern look, while the vibrant colors let the U-Sixty stand on its own or join forces with your favorite cardigan during cooler summer nights.

 

    1. Columbia Freeze Degree II Polo Shirtcolumbia freeze degree shirt

As the name might suggest, the Columbia Freeze Degree II Polo is engineered with summer in mind. Perfect for the office or the links, the Freeze Degree II gives you the comfort and feel of a t-shirt, but harnesses the styling of your favorite zip polo. Columbia equips the Freeze Degree II Polo with a triumvirate of Omni-technologies to keep you nice and comfy: Omni-Shade offers UPF sun protection where you need it most; Omni-Wick EVAP wicks moisture away from your skin, keeping you nice and dry; and Omni-Freeze ZERO offers sweat-activated super cooling action. It’s a tri-force of comfy goodness!

 

    1. Horny Toad Empirical Tee horny toad empirical shirt

Made from a blend of eco-friendly fabrics, the Empirical Tee from Horny Toad provides a lightweight top for those balmy summer days. There’s an added touch of spandex to the material, allowing for better movement and comfort, even if you’ve been in the sun all day. While it may not have fancy technologies, the Empirical Tee flourishes with style points. The crossover V-neckline provides a modern twist on your everyday V-neck tee, while the twist-and-gather detailing across the front bodice adds some playful notes.

 

    1. Royal Robbins Mary Jane Tank Royal Robbins Women's Mary Jane Tank

You don’t have to be a super hero to fall in love with the Mary Jane Tank from Royal Robbins. The Mary Jane Tank is super lightweight and provides ultimate comfort thanks to its eco-friendly combo of hemp and organic fabrics. For added flair, you’ll love the rolled seams across the bodice that add some action and style. And while an easy way to beat the heat is to remove sleeves from the equation, the Mary Jane goes a step further by providing UPF 50+ protection from the sun.

 

    1. The North Face Laurella Tank Top The North Face Womens Laurella Tank Top

Sometimes, simple truly is best. The Laurella Tank Top from The North Face lives up to that mantra by not over-thinking things. The lightweight cotton/modal jersey blend doesn’t hold you back or slow you down, even if the summer temps do their worst. The Laurella Tank Top features a scoop neck and crocheted racerback detailing for a unique and flirty look that also allows for excellent airflow on hot days. The Laurella Tank Top is ideal for the gal looking to stay cool without worrying about fancy technologies. Simply designed for great comfort.

 

5 Tops to Beat the Heat for Men

    1. Patagonia A/C ShirtPatagonia Mens A/C Shirt

You can’t tow your A/C unit around town, but the A/C Shirt from Patagonia might be the next best thing. Made from super-lightweight organic cotton, the A/C shirt features a crinkle fabric that actually lifts the shirt away from skin, keeping you comfortable in warmer weather. Not only that, the crinkle fabric adds a truly unique look, bringing texture into your wardrobe.

 

    1. Ex Officio Trip’r Short Sleeve Shirt Ex Officio Men's Trip'r Short Sleeve Shirt

Whether you’re on your next adventure abroad or simply heading to a 4th of July get-together with your buds, the Ex Officio Trip’r Short Sleeve Shirt is perfect for any warm day. The 100% polyester fabric is lightweight and super-breathable, making for a perfect outer layer in the summer. The ventilated construction combines with moisture-wicking technology to ensure you’re always cool and dry. And for the guy on the go, the Trip’r is wrinkle-resistant, so you always look your best, even if you’ve just pulled your Trip’r out of your suitcase after a 12 hour flight.

 

    1. Outdoor Research Terimini ShirtOutdoor Research Men's Termini Shirt

Perfect for transitioning from the trail to the pub, the office to the pub, or the pub to another pub, the Termini Shirt from Outdoor Research keeps you cool and protected from summer’s harsh elements all day long. UPF 30 rating helps block the sun’s harmful UV rays, while the lightweight fabric also works to wick moisture away, ensuring you’re always nice and dry. Should the mercury climb past 90 and you start to heat up, the Polygiene Active Odor Control fights funk, so even if you do get a bit sweaty, no one else will know or smell you.

 

    1. Mountain Hardwear DryHiker Justo Short Sleeve PoloMountain Hardwear Men's DryHiker Justo Short Sleeve Polo

Just because it has “hike” in its name, the Mountain Hadwear DryHiker Justo Polo is just as perfect around town as it is on the trail. Made from 100% polyester, the DryHiker Justo is lightweight, but also wicks moisture thanks to Mountain Hardwear’s Wick.Q EVAP technology on the side panels. Not only do the panels wick moisture, but they add some contrasting designs that pair nicely with your favorite pair of shorts or khakis. Whether you’re on the trail with your trusty pack or hitting the driving range, the DryHiker Justo keeps you cool and collected all day long.

 

    1. Columbia Silver Ridge Multi Plaid Short Sleeve Shirtsilver-ridge

Armed with two Omni-technologies, the Silver Ridge Multi Plaid Shirt from Columbia is engineered for your comfort. Omni-Wick removes moisture from your body to keep you dry, while Omni-Shade provides UPF 30 protection from the sun’s rays. If things start to really heat up, you’ll love the ventilated construction and the sun-protection collar. For a touch of style, the chest pockets feature a hook-and-loop-closure design, offering a clean look not seen on your run-of-the-mill plaid shirt.

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