Driving during hot weather can be a bit of a nightmare. Even with your cab’s air conditioning on full blast, temperatures can be sweltering in some parts of the country. And it doesn’t help if you have to drive straight toward the sun at any point. If you know you’ll be driving to hot climates this spring and summer, check out these four hot weather tips for semi-truck drivers.

1. Consume Cold Beverages and Snacks

When it gets hot, most of us think of cooling down through external means, such as using fans and air conditioners. It’s also a good idea to watch what you put in your body too. Instead of drinking hot coffee, consider switching to iced drinks. You might even try one of these cool snacks that you can store in your cab’s minifridge:

• Berries
• Apples
• Carrot sticks and hummus
• Yogurt tubes
• Orange slices

2. Wear Breathable Clothing

Most of the clothes you buy in stores these days contain synthetic fibers. While synthetic fibers are cheap to make, they don’t always breathe well. We recommend buying natural fiber clothes made of cotton, linen, or lightweight wool to keep cool. Some synthetic materials can be breathable, but you need to make sure they have performance features, such as sweat-wicking properties.

3. Don’t Neglect Eye Protection

When the sun is bright, it’s common sense for most people to put on sunglasses. Sunglasses serve a very important role in protecting your eyes. Depending on the kind of lenses you have, sunglasses can block harmful UV rays that can hurt your eyes. In fact, without protection, your eyes can actually get sunburned!

4. Upgrade to a Temperature-Controlled Driving Seat

Our last hot weather tip for semi-truck drivers is to upgrade to a driving seat with temperature controls. If you’re driving in a brand-new cab, you might already have temperature controls in your chair, but most older vehicles don’t have them.

If you’re in the latter group, don’t worry! You can find commercial truck seats with built-in temperature controls at GRA-MAG. We specialize in aftermarket seats for truck drivers that protect you from road vibrations, have comfortable covers, and have complete adjustability. Let us help you stay cool and comfortable this summer.