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Cooling towel guide: how it works, fabrics and heat safety
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- Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad PRO Magnetic Sport Towel. Best for: Gym, golf and running. See options on Amazon
- PVA cooling towel two-pack. Best for: Yard work and long hot days. See options on Amazon
- Mission Original Cooling Towel. Best for: Everyday heat on errands or outdoors. See options on Amazon
How a cooling towel works
Cooling towels are activated with water. Frogg Toggs says to wet its Chilly Pad PRO with clean water, wring out the excess with a light squeeze, and let the brushed microfiber gently cool your skin; you reactivate it by rewetting. Mission says its Original Cooling Towel is designed to cool up to 30° below average body temperature when activated with water. Treat that figure as a maker claim.
Microfiber vs PVA towels
| Towel | Material | Maker notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad PRO Magnetic Sport Towel | Brushed microfiber | Cools 2+ hours per wetting; UPF 50+; magnet and self-storage pouch |
| Frogg Toggs iCOOL PVA Cooling Towel | PVA with athletic mesh | Absorbs up to eight times its weight; 26 by 17 inches; UPF 50+; 2 pack |
| Mission Original Cooling Towel | Lightweight, breathable fabric | Marketed to cool up to 30° below average body temperature |
Details are from Frogg Toggs and Mission product pages.
Frogg Toggs describes its Chilly Pad PRO as chemical free, with soft, sturdy microfiber and surged edges for durability, and says its iCOOL towel is reinforced with long-lasting athletic mesh to withstand wear and tear.
Getting the most from one
- Wet and wring. Wet the towel with clean water and wring out the excess, as Frogg Toggs directs.
- Rewet when it warms. Frogg Toggs says its towel is easily reactivated by rewetting.
- Drape it on. Mission and Frogg Toggs pitch their towels for gardening, errands, the gym, golf and running, worn where you want cooling relief.
- Keep it handy. Frogg Toggs' magnetic towel attaches to clothing or metal, and packs into its own pouch.
- Wash it. Frogg Toggs describes its iCOOL towel as washable and reusable.
Know the signs of heat illness
CDC's heat-related illness guide lists heat stroke signs as a high body temperature of 103°F or higher, hot, red, dry or damp skin, a fast, strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and losing consciousness. It says to call 911 right away, move the person to a cooler place, help lower their temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath, and not give them anything to drink.
For heat exhaustion, with heavy sweating, cold, pale and clammy skin, a fast, weak pulse, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, tiredness, dizziness, headache or fainting, CDC says to move to a cool place, loosen clothes, put cool, wet cloths on the body or take a cool bath, and sip water. Get medical help right away for vomiting, worsening symptoms, or symptoms lasting longer than 1 hour.
Heat cramps and staying ahead of heat
CDC says heat cramps bring heavy sweating during intense exercise and muscle pain or spasms. Its advice is to stop activity and move to a cool place, drink water or a sports drink, and wait for cramps to go away before more physical activity.
A cooling towel is one comfort tool alongside shade, rest and fluids. For cooling at night, see our cooling sheets and cooling pillow guides; for a sore neck, see our neck ice pack guide.
Choosing a cooling towel
- Material. Microfiber feels soft; PVA towels, as Frogg Toggs describes, absorb a lot of water.
- Size. The iCOOL towel is 26 by 17 inches; larger towels cover more of the neck and shoulders.
- Sun protection. Frogg Toggs lists UPF 50+ wet or dry on its Chilly Pad PRO.
- Carry options. Look for a pouch, loop or magnet if you will use it while moving.
- Pack count. Two-packs let you swap a fresh towel in while the other is rewetted.
What to look for when you buy
Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad PRO Magnetic Sport Towel
Best for: Gym, golf and running
Frogg Toggs lists brushed microfiber that cools 2+ hours per wetting, UPF 50+, a magnet and a built-in storage pouch.
Watch out: Rewet when it stops feeling cool.
See options on AmazonPVA cooling towel two-pack
Best for: Yard work and long hot days
Frogg Toggs says its iCOOL PVA towel absorbs up to eight times its weight in water, is 26 by 17 inches and comes as a 2 pack.
Watch out: Not a treatment for heat illness; seek help for warning signs.
See options on AmazonMission Original Cooling Towel
Best for: Everyday heat on errands or outdoors
Mission describes lightweight, breathable fabric activated with water.
Watch out: The 30° cooling figure is a maker claim.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- How do cooling towels work?
- You wet and wring them; Frogg Toggs says they cool on contact when wet and reactivate when rewetted.
- How long does a cooling towel stay cold?
- Frogg Toggs says its Chilly Pad PRO lasts 2+ hours before needing to be rewetted.
- Do cooling towels have sun protection?
- Some do; Frogg Toggs lists UPF 50+ on its towels.
- Can a cooling towel treat heat stroke?
- No. CDC says heat stroke is a medical emergency; call 911 and cool the person while waiting.
- Microfiber or PVA cooling towel?
- Microfiber feels soft; Frogg Toggs says its PVA towel absorbs up to eight times its weight in water.
Sources
- Chilly Pad PRO Magnetic Sport Towel (froggtoggs.com), Frogg Toggs
- iCOOL PVA Cooling Towel 2 Pack (froggtoggs.com), Frogg Toggs
- Original Cooling Towel (mission.com), Mission
- Heat-Related Illnesses (cdc.gov), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention