You know the feeling—you step onto the pickleball or tennis court for a quick game, and halfway through the match, your energy tanks. You’re sweating buckets, your feet feel like lead, and suddenly, you’re not reacting fast enough to return the shot. Sound familiar?
It’s not just the sun that makes things uncomfortable. Your body is telling you it’s overheating, and that can tank your performance and seriously affect your health.
Playing in the Heat Can Stress Your Heart—Even If You’re Healthy
Overheating isn’t just about performance; it can strain your cardiovascular system. When you’re too hot, your heart has to work harder to circulate blood and push heat away from your core. That means a higher heart rate, quicker fatigue, and in some cases, lightheadedness or nausea after you finish playing.
If you’ve ever wrapped up a hot game and spent the rest of the day feeling zapped like you “overdid it,” you might’ve been dealing with heat stress, not just muscle fatigue.
Heat Steals Your Energy, Point by Point
Once your core temperature rises, your performance starts to drop. Your serve slows down. Your footwork lags. Your focus blurs. Studies show that once the heat index reaches 85°F, your physical performance can drop by up to 45%. And you don’t have to be a pro to feel it.
In pickleball and tennis, those tiny slowdowns can mean the difference between a winning rally and a frustrating miss.
The Real Risks: The Courts Are Hotter Than You Think
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heat kills an estimated 1,200 people each year in the U.S., up from 700 just a few years ago.
However, health experts say the actual number is likely closer to 10,000 annually. Why the discrepancy? Heat is rarely listed on death certificates. Many deaths blamed on heart attacks, strokes, or complications from diabetes or Alzheimer’s are actually triggered by extreme heat.
On the court, that danger only increases. Here’s why:
Pickleball and tennis courts, especially concrete or asphalt ones, absorb heat and radiate it back up at you, often making the playing surface 10–30°F hotter than the air around you. Even if the weather app says 85°F, the reality on the court can be brutal.
Asphalt and concrete courts absorb and radiate heat, quickly turning into radiators under your feet. By midday:
- Tennis and pickleball courts can easily reach 120°F to 140°F.
- Direct sun exposure adds 15-20°F to what your body feels.
- Humidity makes it harder for sweat to evaporate, blocking your body’s main cooling system.
Then add in synthetic athletic gear that traps heat instead of letting it escape
- Sweat-soaked shirts that stop wicking and become dead weight
- Minimal shade on most public courts or during tournaments
… and you’ve got a perfect storm for overheating.
And it’s not just about comfort. Your brain and body are working overtime to regulate heat, and once your internal temperature creeps past 100.5°F, your game—and your health—start to suffer.
For example, heat stroke begins when our core temperature hits 104°F (40°C). At 107˚F (41˚C), the brain and central nervous system begin to shut down. At 109˚F (43˚C), death is likely, and even if one survives, irreversible brain damage and organ failure can occur.
Even Healthy Players Are at Risk
High heat doesn’t just affect older adults or those with pre-existing conditions. Healthy, competitive athletes are vulnerable too, especially during extended matches, tournaments, or training sessions in hot and humid conditions. The risk of cardiac events, heat stroke, and other heat-related illnesses skyrockets when your body can’t effectively cool.
The Signs of Heat Stress Are Easy to Miss
Most of us brush off early signs of heat stress as “just a bad day”:
- Fatigue or sluggishness
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Trouble concentrating
- Heavy sweating or clammy skin
But these are your body’s red flags. If you don’t cool off soon, they can escalate into heat exhaustion or even heat stroke, which can be life-threatening.
Understanding the dangers of heat is the first step in protecting yourself and staying competitive. Cooling strategies, hydration, and proper gear can make a huge difference between staying in the game and facing a serious health emergency.
Hydration helps, but once your core temperature rises, your body needs help shedding that excess heat, and that’s where cooling gear comes in.
Court-Approved Cooling Gear That Keeps Up With You
Unlike traditional ice packs that can get painfully cold and cause discomfort or restrict movement, ThermApparel PCM Cooling Packs melt and refreeze at a comfortable 70°F (21°C). This means consistent, refreshing cooling that never gets too cold, so you can keep your performance sharp from warm-up through match point.
Our cooling packs are safe to wear directly against your skin. There is no need for extra layers or wraps, and they don’t produce condensation, so your clothes and gear stay dry and fresh.
Plus, ThermApparel Cooling Vests and Cooling Gear work silently and without batteries, wires, or noisy fans, making them perfect for intense matches and casual games alike. They help regulate your body temperature by cooling the blood flowing over the packs, which then circulates through your body, helping you stay balanced, cool, and dry.
UnderCool 3 Cooling Vest
UnderCool 3 is your secret weapon. Worn under your shirt or polo, UnderCool 3 gives your core the cooling it needs, without bulk or restriction.
• Designed for high-mobility sports like tennis and pickleball.
• Slim profile stays hidden under your outfit.
• Use with ExtendedCool Packs for 1.5 hours of cooling per session.
• Recharges in ice water or a cooler between matches.
Perfect for: Singles or doubles players, coaches, umpires, or anyone who needs to keep moving without overheating.
UltraCool Cooling Vest
UltraCool provides long-lasting relief with ExtendedCool cooling packs for all-day tournaments or sun exposure. Enjoy stable cooling for up to 3 hours.
• Slightly roomier design for easy on/off during breaks.
• Durable enough for long tournament days, hot-weather leagues, or training camps.
• Helps you recover faster between matches and stay sharp deep into the day.
Perfect for: League players, club pros, instructors teaching multiple lessons, or back-to-back match play.
RallyWrap Cooling Belt
For quick cooldowns between sets or fast recovery post-match, RallyWrap Cooling Belt delivers relief where you need it most: chest, shoulders, or legs
• Adjustable design targets key heat-release points.
• Stash in your gym bag, courtside cooler, or tournament tote.
• Ideal for quick rotation with ExtendedCool Packs between matches or drills.
Perfect for: Everyone. Seriously. Bring two to your next open play session—your partner will thank you.
CoolSleeve Cooling For Arms
Designed for active arms, CoolSleeve delivers targeted relief to your forearms—a key pulse point for cooling your entire body.
• Flexible fit stays in place through swings, volleys, and serves.
• Slip on between games or drills for instant recovery.
• Helps you stay cool without breaking your momentum.
Perfect for: Players who need fast, focused cooldowns between points or during water breaks.
Cooling Headband
Keep your cool—literally—with our high-performance cooling headband. Built with flexible cooling packs that move as you move, it’s a game-changer in the heat.
• Controls sweat and heat with zero bulk.
• Slim enough to fit under hats or visors.
• Recharge and reuse throughout the day.
Perfect for: Tournament days, sunny courts, and anyone tired of sweat in their eyes mid-rally.
Mini Cooling Packs
Grab-N-Go Mini Cooling Packs are a quick fix for rising temperatures. These small portable cooling packs are ready whenever you are. No gear is required—just grab, chill, and go.
• Small enough for pockets, paddle bags, or wrist wraps.
• Pairs perfectly with hydration breaks.
• Instant relief for hands, face, or pulse points.
Perfect for: Players who want backup cooling without the extra gear.
The Pro’s Plan: Cool Before, During & After Play
The best players know that the real game plan starts before the first serve. Smart cooling keeps you ahead of fatigue, cramps, and slowdowns—because you’re not fighting your body to stay cool.
✅ Pre-Cool Before Play
Slip on your cooling vest 15–20 minutes before stepping on the court. This lowers your core body temperature, so you start fresh instead of fighting off heat mid-match.
🎾 Stay Cool Mid-Match
Play in your UltraCool or UnderCool 3 between sets, or use RallyWrap. Keep extra cooling packs in a cooler or under an umbrella so they’re ready when you are.
💧 Recover Smarter Post-Game
Even after the final point, your body’s still working. A post-match cool down with RallyWrap or your UltraCool or UnderCool 3 can speed recovery and help you bounce back faster for tomorrow’s match.
🧠 Remember: You Can’t Out-Hustle Heatstroke
Hydration and shade help, but once your core temperature rises, your body can’t cool itself without assistance. Cooling vests help do what water and willpower can’t: safely regulate your internal temperature before it hits the danger zone.
Stay Cool, Play Strong
Pickleball and tennis players are some of the most heat-exposed athletes out there. You move fast, you rarely get full shade, and your rallies can go long.
ThermApparel Cooling Gear helps you stay focused, feel stronger, and avoid fatigue—without soaking your shirt or pausing the match. Whether you’re playing in the morning sun, competing in a weekend tournament, or just enjoying rec play with friends, we’ve got your back (literally).
Need help choosing the right gear?
Check out our Fit & Sizing Guide or contact us via email or at 1-855-232-7233, and we’ll help you find the best setup for your game.