Travel Gear: Suncheater

How does one beat the scorching sun? By cheating, of course. Clothing brand The Stiff Collar has come up with a clever little waistcoat they call the Suncheater. The desert-tan and crocodile green colours may look ordinary but it’s really a pretty extraordinary thing. Three shoulder pockets contain ‘thanda packs’ developed by IIT engineers, which are packets containing water. Freeze these, then simply slide them into the pockets just before setting off into the heat. The reusable packs keep you cool in direct sunlight for two hours at a stretch (after which you will have to freeze them again). They weigh just 500 grams. The Suncheater can be worn both casually and formally given its elegant colour and mandarin collar. Made of pure cotton, it is available in four sizes and features yoke netting on the inside. ₹ 2,499; thestiffcollar.com