If this summer has felt like one long walk across a blacktop parking lot, you’re not alone. With record heat stretching from coast to coast, law enforcement officers are once again faced with one of the toughest challenges of the job—staying professional, effective, and, most importantly, safe while spending long hours in sweltering conditions. But this is where NAUMD member companies really shine. From breathable polos to cooling gear that channels air conditioning under your vest, these innovators are finding creative ways to help beat the heat.

Keeping It Dry: Moisture-Wicking Uniform Shirts

A sweaty uniform shirt doesn’t just feel uncomfortable—it can make an already tough shift miserable. Fortunately, companies like 5.11 Tactical, Flying Cross, and Elbeco have been at the forefront of breathable, moisture-wicking shirts for officers. 5.11’s summer line incorporates its Vent-Tac fabric treatment, which pulls sweat off the body while offering built-in ventilation. Their Helios and Reflex polos dry quickly and even include odor control—something every officer stuck in traffic detail can appreciate.

Flying Cross has also leaned into breathable fabric blends, using lightweight ripstop and polyester in their Class B shirts. The result is a uniform shirt that dries faster and traps less heat under body armor. Elbeco’s UV1 undervest shirt, worn under external vest carriers, takes a different route. It combines the look of a Class A shirt with a knit performance base layer made to breathe. The underarm mesh vents don’t just help air circulate—they can make the difference between ending a shift drenched or just a bit damp.

Lighten the Load: Tactical Pants for Hot Days

Let’s not forget about the lower half of the uniform. First Tactical’s Defender Series pants are made with breathable NyCo ripstop and include mesh-lined pockets and vented knees. That’s not just extra airflow—it’s smart design aimed at reducing heat stress. Mocean Tactical takes it a step further, designing pants for bike patrol officers that are made to move, breathe, and dry fast. Their oversized fits and vented knees are more than just comfort—they’re functionally engineered for constant motion in the sun.

Boots That Breathe

Hot feet are the first sign of a long day. Rocky Brands, another NAUMD member, offers hot weather boots using nylon and suede blends to create breathable, lightweight footwear with moisture-wicking linings. These aren’t your average duty boots—they’re engineered to keep sweat at bay and improve foot comfort over long shifts. Thorogood boots, while more traditional in appearance, incorporate mesh linings and air channels in their footbeds to help reduce overheating inside the boot—because it’s hard to chase a suspect when your socks feel like they’ve been steam-cooked.

Topping It Off: Headwear for the Heat

Bayly’s straw campaign hats are a summer staple among state troopers and park officers. Swapping felt for straw provides immediate relief thanks to open-weave crowns that allow heat to escape. Galls, another NAUMD member, offers Flexfit performance caps made from poly-spandex blends that wick moisture while maintaining the professional look departments require. These options help officers avoid that classic summer mistake—overheating from the top down.

Gadgets and Gear That Cool You Down

For the truly tech-savvy, cooling accessories are changing the summer game. Portwest has developed evaporative neck wraps and vests that offer several hours of body cooling just from soaking in water. No batteries required—just science. And then there’s Cool Cop, distributed by Galls, which lets officers channel the air conditioning from their patrol car straight into their vest via a flexible tube. Simple. Brilliant. Extremely satisfying.

All of these products share a common goal: to help law enforcement stay safe and alert during heat waves that make even routine patrols physically taxing. When the mercury rises, the job doesn’t slow down. It’s good to see so many NAUMD companies stepping up with practical, wearable solutions. And let’s be honest—being cool under pressure is part of the job description. But staying cool while wearing a uniform in July? That takes the right gear.

This list is not exhaustive. We know many NAUMD member companies are doing great work to help officers deal with heat stress. If your company offers uniform or accessory solutions in this area, drop us a note—we’d love to feature you in a future article.