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I’ve used cooling towels while running in the warmer months ever since, as well as on hikes. They’ve become a staple in my brother’s lacrosse bag and when I was a counselor, they were one of the top items I recommended campers buy to stay cool outside. This machine-washable PVA cooling towel provides UPF 50 protection, the brand says. It comes in a hard plastic tube you can use for storage, and it stays cool for up to four hours, according to Frogg Toggs. The towel is available in nine colors, like black, hivis orange and more. According to ourDiversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands.
The machine-washable towel provides UPF 50 protection, the brand says, and it comes in six colors including cobalt blue, black, charcoal and more. You can also buy a smaller youth-sized gaiter that measures 7.5 inches by 8 inches. While any towel can be wet and wrung out for a cooling effect, true cooling towels are made with a unique super-evaporative fabric.
AlphaCool Cooling Neck Gaiter
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. Theresa Holland has been writing for Byrdie since 2020 and has several years of experience covering wellness. She is well-versed in the world of fitness and knows her way around the materials used to make exercise equipment and workout apparel. You can find more of her content on Verywell Fit, MyDomaine, The Spruce.
Plus, they're machine washable, so you can toss one in the laundry and then grab a fresh one for your next workout. Unlike the rest of the cooling towels here, Sukeen’s microfiber mesh option comes in a four-pack. This means you can place multiple on your body at once, share them with others or save them for later. You can purchase the towels in different color combinations like blue, grey, green and pink, for example. Most cooling towels look and function the same, and are activated when soaked in water. That said, they come in different sizes and colors, and some come in multi-packs or with carrying cases.
Ergodyne Chill-Its Cooling Towel
We also like that this towel is machine washable and provides UPF 50 + sun protection. This cooling neck gaiter is named as such because it’s shaped in a loop you can put over your head but functions like a cooling towel. It’s made from fabric composed of polyester and spandex, and the brand says the towel stays cool for up to two hours. According to Mission, it can be worn around your neck or as a headband, bandana or hood.
We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list. Runners, listen up—the Perfect Cooling Towel is your new go-to for hitting the track or pounding the pavement. Measuring 29 x 11 inches, it's the ideal size and shape to place around your neck. The special fabric is soft against your skin, relaxed when you need it to be, and evaporates like no other.
Best with UV Protection
The ultra-absorbent material can hold a substantial amount of moisture while remaining dry to the touch, and it stays cool for two or more hours. If you work out every day, it's nice to have a set of cooling towels, like this four-pack from Sukeen. Each breathable microfiber cloth draws moisture away from your skin and keeps you chill for up to three hours.
Cooling Tower Depot® makes it quick and easy to find the parts you need for your cooling tower. Simply choose a parts category and we'll provide you with product listings, pricing and purchasing options--all online. Looking for something you can actually wear instead of just draping it around your neck? The anti-odor moisture-wicking fabric is designed with four-way stretch to be soft and comfy against your skin. Whether you rock it as a mask, headband, scarf, or bandana, it'll keep your head cool for hours. We rounded up cooling towels you can use while working out, during the warmer months and more.
Sweaty workoutsare empowering, satisfying, effective, and perhaps most importantly, good for you. But with perspiring skin, drenched clothes, and body heat through the roof, a cooling towel can help you power through and recover quickly. The innovative fabric provides instant relief for two or more hours, helping to regulate your body temperature while drawing sweat away. Just get it wet, wring it out, and snap it a few times to activate the cooling, moisture-wicking technology—no drips or puddles in sight. I ran my first 10K on a humid 90-degree summer day, which made for a less than enjoyable experience. Since it was my first race, I didn't come prepared to combat the heat — other runners, thankfully, did.
At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any cooling towels from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us we will evaluate the product ASAP. Aside from the material's cooling properties, look for something lightweight, breathable, and soft, as this will feel the best against your skin. When you don't have access to running water , these disposable wipes will come in handy. Thanks to a cooling blend of aloe, menthol, and jojoba, the toss-away towels deliver a refreshing sensation that mimics a cold shower. Not only that, but they soothe and clean your skin after even the most sweaty,vigorous workouts.
As for its chilling powers, you can count on up to two hours of cooling technology after wetting it, wringing it out, and giving it a few snaps. Designed to fold into its compact carrying case when not in use, this cooling towel is made from polyester mesh. The towel provides UPF 50 protection and is available in 10 colors like dark gray, purple and bright green. It’s machine-washable and remains soft when it dries, according to the brand. Like the Sukeen, Chill Pal’s blue cooling towel is designed with microfiber mesh fabric, which the brand says helps it dry soft and makes it easier to fold and store. It only comes in one color, but it comes with its own carrying pouch and a carabiner clip.
For HIIT enthusiasts, we recommend the Balhvit Instant Relief Cooling Towel. The silky-soft microfiber can be slung around your neck during an ultra-sweatyhigh-intensity interval trainingor draped over your head during a cool-down. Thanks to its evaporative cooling technology, you'll get instant relief and a long-lasting chill. Measuring 33 x 13 inches, the Chilly Pad isideal for everyone and every workout. It absorbs as much as eight times its weight in liquid and offers up to four hours of cooling relief. No matter what time of year it is or where you live, sun protection is a must when working out outdoors.
This affordable cooling towel is all you need to beat the heat during your next workout. Just soak it, wring it out, and repeat as necessary to get your chill on. Cooling towels can be great to keep on hand if you live in a warm climate, during the summer months or for workouts, but do they really work? We consulted experts about the science behind cooling towels and their effectiveness, as well as rounded up highly-rated options.
Whether you wear it as a mask, bandana, headband, or scarf, the antimicrobial fabric controls odors while keeping you cool and wicking away sweat. We're all aboutsun protection, which is why we love Mission's Original Cooling Towel. The soft fabric offers UPF 50 protection, even after several cycles in your washing machine.
Duke Cannon Supply Co. Cold Shower Cooling Field Towels
As soon as you get it wet, it immediately evaporates and becomes cool and soft—even if you dunk it in hot water. If you're looking for something to take with you on a trip to the gym or a boutique fitness class, you might want to get a slightly smaller towel. However, most cooling towels are made of a relatively thin, lightweight material, which can be rolled or folded up into a very compact shape. The hyper-evaporative fabric holds up to eight times its weight in water, and yet it's completely dry, cool, and soft to the touch— even when dunked in hot water. If you're looking for a wearable design, your best bet is theAlphaCool Cooling Neck Gaiter.
Many brought evaporative cooling towels — and extras for first-timers like me — to wear around their necks. The lightweight towel was cold to the touch when damp and provided a refreshing chill during and after the race. It stayed cold for multiple hours and was low-profile enough that it didn't get in the way while I was running. Chill-Its are perfect companions for on-the-go workouts and outdoor fitness. The super-evaporative PVA fabric absorbs water and then offers instant, long-lasting relief. Toss it around your neckbefore running or biking, or pat your face dry after a sweaty workout class.
