Cool Gear, Smart Crew: 12 Must-Haves from MC Tool & Safety to Beat the Heat
If you think wearing shorts and drinking a Mountain Dew counts as heat protection, you might be in for a sweaty surprise. Heat safety on the jobsite is no joke, and we’ve got the tools (and the towels, the tents, and the electrolytes) to keep your crew safe and productive.
The heat doesn’t just slow you down—it can stop work entirely, reduce morale, and increase errors. According to the CDC, heat-related illness can cost companies millions annually due to lost productivity, worker compensation, and downtime. Equipping your team with the right gear can be a lifesaver—literally.
Here are 12 MVP products from MC Tool & Safety's cooling collection that are ready to go toe-to-toe with the summer sun:
1. Sqwincher Qwik Stik Zero Sugar Electrolyte Packets
Your sweat isn't just water—it's electrolytes. Replenish them or risk heat exhaustion. Sqwincher packets are individually packed, sugar-free, and mix easily in water bottles. With flavors that actually taste good, your team is more likely to stay hydrated. Dehydration is one of the first steps on the path to heat stress—Sqwincher helps stop it early.
Each packet yields 20 ounces of a balanced blend of potassium and sodium, restoring what your crew loses through sweat. Because they’re lightweight and portable, workers can toss a few in their lunch cooler or tool bag, ensuring they’re never far from a quick hydration fix. Bonus: they're NSF Certified for sport and meet OSHA hydration recommendations.
2. Ergodyne Chill-Its 6660 Hard Hat Brim and Neck Shade - Orange
Sun beating down on your head all day? That’s a recipe for a fried brain and a nasty sunburn. This add-on creates a dome of shade under your hard hat, deflects sunlight, and protects your neck from UV exposure. Visibility and comfort all in one.
Made from lightweight polyester with flexible plastic brims, this Ergodyne Chill-Its Hard Hat Brim & Neck Shade fits most hard hats and installs in seconds—no tools required. The high-visibility orange design includes reflective trim, helping keep workers seen in busy areas. The extended neck flap provides additional sun protection where it matters most.
3. Ergodyne Chill-Its 6602 Cooling Towel
Soak it, snap it, and drape it around your neck. The Ergodyne Chill-Its Cooling Towel stays cool for hours and feels like your neck got air conditioning. Great for breaks, or while working in direct sun. It’s reusable, lightweight, and doesn’t feel slimy or gross.
Made from PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), it activates with just water and stays 15–20°F cooler than ambient air. It can be reused multiple times a day—just rewet it when it starts to dry. Available in hi-vis colors for added safety. Machine washable for long-term use.
4. Ergodyne Chill-Its 6665 Evaporative Cooling Vest
This Evaporative Cooling Vest takes the edge off scorching temps by using simple evaporative cooling. Soak it, wring it out, and it helps reduce your core temperature for up to 4 hours. Ideal for high-heat zones with good airflow.
It’s made of quilted nylon with polymer-embedded fabric that absorbs water and slowly releases it for ongoing cooling. Adjustable hook and loop closures give it a snug but flexible fit. One-size-fits-most means it’s ready to outfit the entire crew.
5. Ergodyne Chill-Its 6485 Lightweight Phase Change Vest
Need consistent cooling without soaking yourself? This vest uses phase-change packs that stay a comfortable 55°F for up to 2-3 hours. Recharge the packs in a cooler or fridge for continued use. Excellent for enclosed spaces or low-airflow environments.
Unlike evaporative cooling vests, phase-change vests provide consistent cooling in high-humidity or limited-airflow environments—like welding shops or crawl spaces. The vest includes adjustable straps and zip closure, ensuring a secure fit for most body types.
6. Ergodyne Chill-Its 6710CT Evaporative Cooling Bandana
Lightweight, wearable, and stylish (in a rugged sort of way). Wear it around your forehead or neck to help wick away sweat and stay cool. A great low-cost option for all-day wear.
This cotton bandana has a polymer core that absorbs water and slowly releases it through evaporation, providing hours of cooling comfort. Tie it tight and keep on hammering—perfect for framing crews, masons, or anyone with a hard day's work ahead.
7. Ergodyne Chill-Its 6603 Cooling Neck Wrap
Compact, easy to use, and designed to deliver cool relief during extended shifts. Keep a few in a cooler and hand them out at lunch to refresh your team.
This neck wrap uses hyper-evaporative PVA material to cool down rapidly and stay that way for hours. Just submerge in water, wring it out, and wear it on the neck or head. Machine washable and durable enough to survive the back pocket of a carpenter's pants.
8. Ergodyne Chill-Its Umbrella with Tripod Stand
Portable shade with durability built for construction sites. Create mobile break zones or protect tools and gear. It even withstands light wind without turning into a jobsite kite.
With a generous 7-foot diameter, this umbrella features UV protection and water resistance. The included tripod stand sets up fast and adjusts in height, making it ideal for uneven terrain. Bonus: it folds down easily for transport from site to site.
9. Ergodyne Chill-Its 6190 Shade Tent
When the sun is relentless, you need more than a water break—you need a refuge. This pop-up tent is quick to deploy, easy to transport, and makes a big difference for crew safety and morale.
Designed with breathable mesh walls and reinforced corners, this 10’ x 10’ tent provides generous coverage for rest areas, first aid zones, or outdoor meetings. Comes with its own carry bag and meets ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 visibility standards when used with optional high-vis panels.
10. Krew'd 6353 SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray & Lotion
Sunburn isn't just uncomfortable—it raises your internal temperature and compromises your skin's ability to regulate heat. Krew’d Sunscreen is jobsite-tested: non-greasy, sweat-resistant, and high SPF. Apply early and often.
Available in both spray and lotion forms, Krew’d is water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and safe for sensitive skin. Its compact design fits easily into toolboxes or glove compartments, making it easy to carry and hard to forget.
11. Ergodyne Chill-Its 6667 Cooling Work Shirt
Stay cool without compromising comfort or safety. The Chill-Its 6667 Cooling Work Shirt is made from moisture-wicking, breathable fabric designed specifically for hot environments. The shirt incorporates advanced evaporative technology, which allows sweat to evaporate more efficiently, helping the body cool faster.
It features mesh side panels for airflow and a relaxed fit for ease of movement. This shirt performs best when slightly damp—just like the cooling towels—making it ideal for long hours on the job. With a UPF 50+ rating, it also adds a layer of sun protection to help prevent burns and sun-related fatigue. Great as a base layer under safety vests or on its own during light-duty outdoor tasks.
12. Ergodyne Chill-Its 7090 Misting & Air Circulation Fan
Beat the heat with more than shade—bring the breeze. The Chill-Its 7090 is a jobsite-ready fan that provides high-powered air circulation with optional misting capabilities. Whether used in a tented break zone or a work trailer, this fan helps lower ambient temperatures and accelerates body cooling.
Gear Up Before the Heat Hits
Heat stress isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a productivity killer and a serious safety threat. The right gear transforms your jobsite from a sun-baked hazard zone into a cooler, safer, and more efficient workplace.
From Sqwincher hydration to Chill-Its cooling vests, shirts, and fans, every product in this lineup has one mission: keep your crew safe, cool, and working at their best. Small investments in the right PPE and jobsite tools pay off in fewer heat-related incidents, better morale, and more consistent productivity during the toughest summer months.
When the forecast climbs, don’t leave safety to chance. Stock your site with the essentials now—because the coolest crews are the safest crews.
Next up in Part 3: We’ll break down heat safety protocols and how to create a jobsite culture where beating the heat is second nature
