How to beat the heat in your mascot

With the summer months ahead you may be wondering: how can our mascot performer keep cool and comfortable in the heat?

Here are our top tips to beat the heat in your mascot.

Start fresh

You wouldn’t go for a run in the heat when parched and on an empty stomach, right? Neither should your mascot performer. As mascot performance is an athletic activity, and your performers should be adequately hydrated, fed and well rested.

Turn on that fan

All Promo Bears costumes come equipped with a fan in the head. This allows air to keep circulating around the head of the performer. Before a performance, make sure you have fresh batteries that will last the whole day.

Location, location, location

Think about where your mascot will be performing. If possible move your performances indoors where there is air-conditioning. If your event is outdoors, consider performing in the shade of a tree or building, instead of direct sunlight.

Lighten the load

Depending on your mascot costume you may choose to change up your costume. For example, leave off extra clothing or accessories. You may also be able to use the mascot head and hands only and cover the performer in other clothing. In extreme heat, this may be more comfortable for your performer than wearing a full mascot bodysuit.

Ben the Bear with Keep Calm and Stay Cool text

Get a cooling vest

A cooling vest is worn underneath the mascot costume, with pouches for re-freezable ice packs. This should keep your performer cooler on the inside for up to four hours.

Do you need a cooling vest? We keep cooling vests in stock and can delivery in 2 business days. Just contact us to order.

Take breaks

In extreme hot weather, your performer should be taking regular breaks from performances. Try to have a tent or room nearby where the performer can quickly sneak into to remove their mascot head and have some water. Make sure this place is discrete, where the audience cannot see the mascot performer when they are out of costume.

Have a helper

Your mascot performer should have a helper nearby which can help the performer in case they need to take a break or have an emergency. As mascots are not supposed to talk, agree ahead of time on some simple hand signals between the mascot and its helper. When the signal is given the helper can announce something like “time for a break, we’ll be back soon!” or “that’s all, thanks for joining us, now it’s time to say goodbye!”.

Know when to stop

Make sure your mascot performer and helper are aware of the signs of overheating. These include:

  • Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat.
  • Heavy sweating.
  • Faintness.
  • Dizziness.
  • Fatigue.
  • Weak, rapid pulse.
  • Low blood pressure upon standing.
  • Muscle cramps.

If in doubt, always end the mascot performance before a serious situation can develop.

Here are some of our mascots that have already enjoyed being outside this year

We hope this is helpful for your summer mascot performances. Want to find out more about how we design our costumes to keep mascot performers cool and comfortable? Check out our blog post: Doesn’t it get hot in there?