7 Top-Rated PPE to Protect Your Crew from the Heat This Summer

A construction worker places bricks under a hot sun.

Long days, high temps, and intense sun, summer in Northern California can be brutal on outdoor job crews. Heat exhaustion, UV exposure, and dehydration are major risks on hot jobsites. That’s why equipping your crew with summer-specific PPE and construction safety equipment isn’t just smart, it’s essential.

At Stevenson Supply & Tractor Co., we’re proud to stock a full range of Radians PPE solutions designed for hot-weather performance, all built to meet or exceed ANSI and OSHA standards. Here’s a breakdown of the most critical summer PPE categories, featuring Radians gear only, with technical insights and field-tested contractor value.

1. High-Visibility Shirts with UV and Moisture Control

Visibility is non-negotiable on active construction sites, but bulky vests can be a deal-breaker in 90° heat. Radians offers ANSI-rated Class 2 and Class 3 shirts that combine safety compliance with hot-weather comfort.

Radians Product Spotlight

  • ST21-NST Series: This Class 2 short-sleeve shirt offers UPF 50+ protection, segmented heat-transfer reflective tape, and max-breathability polyester mesh.
  • ST11-2: Class 2 short sleeve T-shirt with moisture-wicking treatment, perfect for dry, dusty conditions and direct sunlight.
  • ST31-3: Class 3 long-sleeve option for traffic-exposed crews, with the same cooling and sun protection built in.

Contractor Tip

Encourage your team to swap out heavy safety vests for ANSI-rated shirts like these, reducing layers increases compliance and reduces heat fatigue.

2. Hard Hats with Sun Shields and Cooling Accessories

Hard hats are mandatory, but the heat they trap can quickly lead to dehydration and poor focus. Radians provides compatible cooling accessories and sun protection solutions designed specifically for jobsite headgear.

Radians Product Solutions

  • RadCool Neck Shade: Lightweight, evaporative, and easily attaches to most Radians hard hats for sunburn protection and neck ventilation.
  • RadCool Cooling Pads: Insertable pads activate with water and provide hours of evaporative cooling.
  • Mirage Full-Brim Hard Hat Sun Shield: Blocks harmful UV rays from the neck, face, and ears while maximizing airflow.

Bonus Tip

Choose white or silver hard hats to reflect sunlight and pair with RadCool accessories to enhance wearer comfort by up to 15°F in surface temperature reduction.

3. Safety Glasses with Anti-Fog and UV Protection

Workers tend to remove fogged-up, sweaty glasses, which defeats the purpose. Radians solves this with their advanced coatings, vented designs, and all-day-wear comfort.

Radians Top Picks

  • Rad-Sequel™ Anti-Fog Series: Wraparound fit, impact-resistant lenses, ANSI Z87.1+ certified, and 99.9% UV protection.
  • Optima™ Polarized: Ideal for high-glare environments like concrete paving or highway work, polarized lenses reduce eye strain and improve visibility.
  • Dagger™ IQ: Designed with proprietary IQ extreme anti-fog technology, great for humid conditions or under face masks.

Industry Note

Utility and pipe crews often work in varied lighting. Keep both tinted and clear lens options on hand to ensure safe transitions in and out of trenches or shaded structures.

4. Cooling PPE and Hydration Accessories

Reducing core body temperature by even a few degrees can prevent heatstroke, slow fatigue, and reduce the likelihood of mistakes and injuries.

Radians RadCool™ Gear Lineup

  • RadCool Cooling Towel: Activates instantly with water and stays cool for up to 5 hours — perfect for breaks or tucking into collars.
  • RadCool Cooling Vest: Lightweight, reusable, and effective, ideal for grading crews, concrete workers, and anyone under direct sun for long periods.
  • RadCool Evaporative Bandanas & Neck Gaiters: Dual function for dust protection and heat relief, easily washable and reusable.

Crew Leader Tip

Assign a cooling PPE station on-site with extra vests and towels, especially for new hires or younger crew members who may not speak up when they’re overheating.

5. Summer-Ready Hand Protection

Gloves that trap heat or retain sweat can lead to workers removing them, increasing their risk of injury. Radians’ glove lineup includes breathable options with high dexterity and cut protection.

Radians Glove Solutions

  • RWG50 AirMesh™ Series: Seamless knit, breathable back, nitrile palm, built for hot, high-use conditions.
  • RWG605 AXIS™ Cut Level A6: For demo and framing applications where cut protection matters, but dexterity and airflow are still critical.
  • RWG14: Lightweight, general-purpose gloves for light material handling or site prep tasks.

Pro Tip

Rotate gloves midday when humidity is high. Encourage your crew to carry a second dry pair, it helps reduce skin irritation and improves grip performance.

6. Lightweight, Breathable Footwear Accessories

Radians currently doesn’t manufacture footwear, but they offer high-performance moisture-wicking socks and workwear accessories that enhance summer boot comfort.

Radians Accessories

  • Radians Heavy-Duty Work Socks: Designed for boot wearers with arch support and moisture control.
  • Radians Cooling Leg Gaiters (coming soon): Ideal for dust-heavy sites or sun protection on exposed lower legs.

Pro Tip

On the hottest days, Stevenson Supply & Tractor Co. recommends using composite-toe over steel to reduce heat transfer. Pair Radians socks with vented work boots to extend wearability in extreme heat.

7. Sunscreen & Sun Sleeves (Radians-Recommended Add-Ons)

Sunburn is a major hazard for crews working shirtless or with rolled sleeves. Radians offers protective gear that pairs with UV strategies, even though they do not manufacture sunscreen directly.

Radians Add-Ons

  • Radians RadCool Arm Sleeves: Designed to reflect sunlight while offering cooling benefits and full range of motion.
  • Radians Cooling Towels as UV Wraps: Dual-purpose gear for wiping sweat and shielding exposed skin during long stretches in the sun.

Contractor Insight

Crews often neglect sun protection on cloudy days, make UV protective sleeves standard issue regardless of forecast.

Smart Gear for Safer Crews

Hot weather PPE isn’t a luxury, it’s critical safety gear that prevents heat stress, fatigue, and injury. With Radians’ innovative PPE lineup, contractors don’t have to sacrifice compliance for comfort. From cooling gear and gloves to safety glasses and hi-vis shirts, Stevenson Supply & Tractor Co. has the trusted Radians equipment your crews need to perform safely and confidently through the summer.

Visit our showroom, contact us online, or call (707) 575-3335 to order Radians summer PPE in bulk for your next job. We’ll help you kit out your team with the right gear, because a cool crew is a productive crew.

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