July 12, 2018

How to Choose the Best Cooling Vest for Your Needs

Are you interested in a cooling vest, but aren't sure what kind is right for you? Check out this guide to learn about the types of cooling vests available, and how to choose the best cooling vest.

Keyword(s): best cooling vest

Cooling vests are been designed to provide a variety of benefits to both people who frequently work out, and people with multiple sclerosis.

It is dangerous to raise our body's internal temperature too high. This can happen when people exercise or work in hot weather. These heat-related complications can be hazardous for our health.

A cooling vest can help control your core temperature effectively. Read on for the best cooling vest guide to help you choose the right one for you.

Evaporative Cooling Vests

To use an evaporative cooling vest, you wet them in cold water, wring out excess water and then wear it.

These are the most basic and inexpensive type you can get. It only keeps the wearer cool as the water evaporates. Once the water is gone, it's just a regular vest.

The upside is that you could activate the vest with just some cold water. This may not be an option if you live in hot and humid conditions or are a construction worker without access to running water for example.

Cool Flow Cooling Vests

A cool flow vest requires a cooler to pump water through the vest. It uses two very thin hoses to go to and from the vest back into the cooler.

This type of cooling vest is only feasible if you are standing or sitting still for long periods of time.

These are the priciest vests you can buy.

Cold Pack Cooling Vests

This vest is kept cool by lightweight thermopack inserts. These flexible packets remain pliant even when frozen which allows you to have full mobility. They don't weigh you down with most vests weighing less than 5 pounds.

You can expect to get several hours of cooling from ThermoPak inserts. You can swap them out as needed.

Some companies make vests that you can wear directly against the skin because they have a thermal protective layer such as the StaCool Vests. Others must be worn over clothing to prevent serious burns from the ice packs. Keep this in mind when choosing your cooling vest.

There are even cooling vests for children.

When shopping for a phase change vest, make sure to find out if the chemicals in the packets are non-toxic for your peace of mind and safety.

Another benefit of the StaCool Vests is that they are offered in a special fire retardant material. Even the thermopacks are non-flammable.

Phase Change Cooling Vests

These cooling vests are similar to cold pack vests in that they have pockets for a cooling component to be added. The chemicals inside the packets of a phase change cooling vest can be one of three phase-change materials.

1. Inorganic materials are engineered hydrated salt solutions made from natural salts with water. These are non-toxic, non-flammable and economical.

2. Bio-based materials are organic fatty acids such as vegetable oil. The temperature can vary. These products are non-toxic, non-corrosive and have infinite life cycles. Note, they are flammable at high temperatures and can be expensive.

3. Organic phase change materials are made out of petroleum bi-products. They can be toxic and cannot come into contact with skin. These fillers last infinitely but can be expensive as well as flammable.