Abstract: Cooling suspenders are disclosed for supporting pants such as firefighter pants. The suspenders include a first and second strap where one or both of the straps includes a water absorbent material capable of retaining at least five times its weight in absorbed water and retains some of the absorbed water for at least 48 hours at about 18° C. to about 24° C. and provides a cooling effect to a wearer as the absorbed water evaporates. The water absorbent material may retain the water for at least 24 hours at elevated body temperatures such as those experienced by a firefighter while fighting a fire. The water absorbent material may be present as a padding layer within a portion of the first and/or second straps.