Written by Hulet Smith, OTR/L, MBA, CEO
Cooling vests are designed to help keep the core body temperature lower, preventing heat exhaustion and other negative effects of overheating.
But do they work?
We found the three most common types of cooling vests, looked into the science behind how they work, and evaluated their performance.
Here’s what we found.
The first type of cooling vest we researched are Phase Change Cooling Vests. Similar to Cold Pack vests in that they feature compartments for cooling packs, these vests work through using a specialized phase-changing material or PCM with a higher-than-normal freezing point of 58 degrees Fahrenheit. We found these vests to be the best!
Packs filled with the PCM are inserted into specialized compartments in the vest where they can provide cooling therapy. Thanks to their high freezing point, they are slower to melt, providing cooling for longer periods, and are faster to refreeze, meaning that reusing the packs is a quick, easy process.
Phase Change vests tend to be less expensive than circulatory-powered cooling vests, despite offering comparable lengths of cooling therapy time per use. However, unlike circulatory cooling vests, phase change vests may be susceptible to certain regions warming faster than others, as the cooling packs are not circulated.
Cold Pack Vests are vests that feature specially designed compartments to hold cold packs. Cold packs are often designed to remain pliable even when frozen, allowing them to stay lightweight and easy to wear during activity.
The versatile design of these vests allows you to easily swap cold packs out, and if you have a cooler or something similar in reserve, you can easily get a full day’s worth of cooling out of it. But, that’s with the caveat that each cold pack will probably only last for a couple of hours and you’ll need to swap them out.
Looking into the positives and negatives of Cold Pack cooling vests, we found that they fill a middle ground between inexpensive evaporative cooling products and high-end cooling vests with circulatory systems.
The third type of cooling vest we examined is the evaporative cooling vest. Using the simple principle of evaporative cooling, these vests, towels, headbands, and other products are probably the most common and inexpensive options.
Evaporative cooling vests use highly absorbent fabric that is designed to rapidly absorb cool water when soaked in it. After soaking, the cool water slowly evaporates from the fabric over several hours, usually between four to ten, providing a cooling effect throughout.
Because of the low price point and longer cooling time, evaporative vests and clothing items are popular among athletes and those who work in industrial or outdoor jobs. We found there are even vests designed specifically in high-visibility colors like the HyperKewl Evaporative Cooling Hi-Viz Vest from TechNiche to maintain cooling and safety for these workers.
That being said, because they only use evaporation to cool they can only provide about as much cooling as being wet would provide. Workers and athletes practicing in direct sunlight in areas with very hot summers (90 degrees Fahrenheit and more) will probably find that these types of vests offer minimal relief.
We often dress based on our plans for the day, if sunny and warm, we look for light clothing that lets our body breathe and stay cool. But depending on the occasion, that might not be an option. Thankfully, the ThermApparel Cooling Vest - UnderCool 2.0 was carefully created to help you avoid the heat while still looking great. Choose black or white based on your needs, and feel free to wear it under your clothing thanks to its slim and soft fabric.
Quickly freeze the gel packs on the fridge, place them in the rear built-in pockets, and start enjoying up to 3 hours of cooling sensation in your entire body. The premium fabric featured in the ThermApparel Cooling Vest - UnderCool 2.0 wicking mesh and panels that prevent your body from getting wet. Making you feel confident, comfortable, and dry all the time.
This convenient Cooling Vest - UnderCool 2.0 by ThermApparel weighs only 2 lbs with gel packs attached and is available in seven sizes for men and women from XX-Small to XX-Large. Perfect for high-demanding physical work or activities when wearing a good-fit cooling vest becomes mandatory.
The first generation of the Coolture Maximo Coolvest Cooling Vest helps you face all types of environments with its revolutionary technology. Now, this second-generation top-seller cooling vest has proved to be an even greater solution in terms of keeping you fresh while active. The Coolture Maximo Gen II Coolvest Cooling Vest raises the bar of ultra-lightweight cooling vests and ensures an optimized adjustment that grants maximum comfort in every activity or weather.
The Maximo Gen II Coolvest Cooling Vest by Coolture improved the experience of its users by adding breathable and antimicrobial materials and redesigning the way it holds you tight. This Maximo cooling vest has expanded its structure to suit a wider range of body shapes and weights. Furthermore, it now features tapered flaps that join around your waist to ensure a custom and strong fit. The designers of the Coolture Maximo Gen II Coolvest Cooling Vest paid close attention to the feedback from consumers and improved upon the initial model by making it lighter, cooler, and with a more intelligent fastening system.
Innovating on its design, the 2nd generation of the Coolvest Cooling Vest includes a convenient and durable front zipper that eases the task of putting it on and off. Nevertheless, this cooling vest design stands up with its new tapered flaps system that ensures tight wear. It's no surprise why the Coolture Maximo Gen II Coolvest Cooling Vest is our top choice for daily use.
No refrigeration or ice water is needed to activate this vest's powerful and efficient cooling features, only soak it for 3 minutes in water and get ready to cool down and enjoy freshness for up to 10 hours.
Intending to develop a unique solution, the HyperKewl Evaporative Cooling Sport Vest's creators designed this vest to feature a fair mix of comfort, cooling, and durability. It's ready to wear in 3 minutes and can make you feel up to 15 degrees fresher when compared with the temperature of your surroundings. Wear this cooling vest is easy, and it'll fill you with confidence thanks to its classy look and available variety of colors and sizes that'll fit any situation.
The ultra-lightweight is another helpful attribute the HyperKewl Evaporative Cooling Sport Vest by TechNiche boasts. Together with its front zipper, breathable fabric, and modern V-neck will help you feel comfortable and allow you all the freedom you need to perform your regular physical-demanding work, training, or recreational activities. No matter the circumstances, we've determined the HyperKewl Evaporative Cooling Sport Vest is an infallible choice.
Cooling vests come in a vast array of designs and functions. In the end, they all provide invaluable cooling therapy for a diverse group of people from everyday life to rehabilitation.
In terms of deciding whether or not cooling vests really work, it all comes down to the individual user and the situation in which they need cooling.
As in most products, the less expensive options provide less cooling power, and may not be effective for really hot weather and long periods of activity in direct heat, while better cooling can be accessed in cold packs and circulatory cooling vest designs.
For people looking into purchasing a cooling vest, it’s most important to consider how hot your environment is, how hot-natured you are as a person, the amount of mobility you need to have, and how long you need your cooling power to last.
The key comes down to understanding how each type of cooling vest operates and how well that fits your needs. At the end of the day, yes, cooling vests work, but how well they work comes down to how you’re using them and your individual needs.
If you liked this article and found it helpful, feel free to check out the rest of our articles on Caregiver University.
Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
