I’m deliberately writing this a few weeks before the kickoff of summer 2025 so that shooters can make the most out of their summertime shooting sessions. Where I live, spending time on the range during hot summers is simply part of life. Whether I’m training, shooting a match or conducting a review, with the right gear it becomes easily manageable and helps avoid any possible safety issues.
At the most basic level, thriving in the sun can be reduced to a few basic elements that revolve around keeping the body well-hydrated and fed while also shielding yourself from direct sunlight as best as possible.
Pre-game The Right Way
Sunburns aside, heat-related casualties are some of the most dangerous summer range hazards. Not only can serious heat casualties have significant health concerns on their own, but they can be especially treacherous in the presence of firearms.
Early symptoms of heat stroke include dizziness, nausea, confusion and loss of full consciousness. I’ll make my point in clear and plain English: handling loaded firearms while suffering from early heat stroke symptoms is a recipe for disaster—and one that’s easily avoided.
During the summer shooting season, I like to prepare for range sessions the evening before. I like to “pre-game” by drinking more water and ensuring I get plenty of fluids before tucking in for the evening. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying caffeine the next morning, but it’s also a diuretic, which means that it can accelerate dehydration. I recommend replenishing fluids the morning of a summer range outing, well before actually setting foot on the range. Boosting oneself with electrolytes in liquid or powder form is also not a terrible idea, as is keeping extras in a cooler to have on hand.
Snacking For Safety
Eating some food prior to the start of summer range sessions is also a good idea. Sunlight has a peculiar tendency to drain one’s energy over time. My strategy for any serious matches or summer classes has always been to periodically eat light snacks and drinking water in order to keep my energy balanced. I know from experience that not staying well hydrated leads to fatigue. This is why I now avoid fasting on range days. Less food in the system allows fatigue to creep in, which can lead to poor shooting performance, or something worse. Having a portable cooler to keep water and snacks for extended summer range sessions is just as important as whatever optic they have mounted on their pistol.
Physical Barriers From The Sun
In addition to staying “topped-off” with water and sustenance prior to a summer shooting session, the other important line of defense lies in taking advantage of physical barriers from the sun. In my experience, good instructors do their best to keep students out of needless sunlight during extensive training courses. The best venues always have canopies and awnings in or around the shooting bays. I even know of certain instructors that will set-up instant canopies directly over the actual firing line, which is very conducive to fostering a good learning environment.
On a personal level, I’ve found that covering as much skin as possible works best for me. This means wearing full pants and long sleeve shirts. The downside to being covered up is that certain fabrics and materials can become too hot and uncomfortable. One of the biggest trends that I’ve seen catching on in shooting is that of “sun hoodies.” These long-sleeve hoodies are made of thin breathable materials that also block sunlight. After finally trying one and wearing it during a summer training session, these sun hoodies make a significant difference.
Finally, I don’t like to skimp on summer eye protection. A good summertime pair of shooting glasses should not only protect the wearer from physical impact, but it should also protect their eyesight from intense brightness and UV radiation.
The Takeaway
As mentioned in the introduction, nothing beats a cool crisp autumn or spring day at the range. Nothing. But when the right precautions are taken, there’s no reason to not enjoy the summer weather on the range either. One only needs to remember to remain hydrated and fed by starting well in advance of the actual session or event. I like to “pre-game” it the night before. Likewise, it’s a good idea to stay on top of nutrition and hydration by constantly taking a bite and sip from something.
On the physical side, it’s best to simply avoid the hot sun as much as possible. Otherwise, it pays to wear “armor” to protect yourself from it. Lastly, if you’re out shooting in the summer heat and you begin to “feel it” late in the day, there’s nothing wrong with taking a break or even putting the guns away.
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