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10 Best Cooling Towels Guide in 2020

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In our quest to determine the best cooling towel on the market we carefully reviewed the top 10 towels currently sold on Amazon.com. We rated them based on durability, cost, size and material. Above we have our top overall picks and below we have a detailed review on each towel. Our aim is to provide the most up to date comprehensive information on Cooling Towels on the web. Cooling towels are the most versatile solution to staying cool in the summer or during strenuous exercise

The Best Cooling Towel

Best Overall
01

Mission Enduracool Microfiber Cooling Towel

The Mission Enduracool Microfiber Cooling Towel brings affordability and quality to you with a wide range of vibrant colors. The unique blend of polyester (90%) and nylon (10%) offers the stretch and flexibility you need for the wear-and-tear of daily use without the feeling of rubbing your face against a plastic brush, perfect for all types of people and budgets. This is achieved via the best microfiber manufacturing technologies ensuring that the two materials are blended in such a way that it is both long-lasting and soft to the touch. As long as you maintain it, this towel will keep you cool and fresh for a very long time.

We know what you’re asking -- How is a towel going to keep me cool and refreshed throughout the day? -- we got you covered. This towel uses a chemical-free cooling system which means that the cooling properties are located within the microfibers themselves so the chemicals won't have a single chance to wash off, and it has UPF50, perfect for those hot summer days by the beach, while you’re working up a mean sweat in the gym or on a run, while mowing the lawn, or while you’re just relaxing on your patio catching some rays. This towel can cool the contacted area and bring the temperature down by up to 30 degrees below the average human body temperature in less than half a minute.

To care for your Enduracool Microfiber Cooling Towel, simply give it a machine wash and you can reuse it over and over again. Activating is simple, only three simple steps: Get the towel wet, wring it out relatively dry and snap it three good times. This is all you need to activate its cooling effects and it will remain active for up to two hours. When you can feel the cooling effects starting to fade, just repeat those three simple steps to reactivate it and you’re good to go for another two hours. This is certainly a top contender and you should look it up the next chance you get if you’re in the market for a great cooling towel.

KEY FEATURES
  • Available in one size
  • Up to 20 custom colors
  • Can cool for hours
  • Made in US
SPECIFICATION
  • Brand Mission
  • Model 107166-P
  • Weight 7.8 ounces
PROS
  • Compact. Great for Traveling
  • Stores Easily
  • Chemical-free
  • Very soft
CONS
  • Needs frequent re-wetting
  • On the small side
Cheapest
02

Alfamo Cooling Towel

A strong option in our best choices is the Alfamo Cooling Towel. Size selection is the name of the game here since it comes in a variety of sizes, the smallest being only 33 by 11 inches, and the largest measuring at a respectable 60 by 29 inches, making this one of the most diverse cooling towels in terms of size offerings. This towel can be used as a scarf, neck towel, bandana or as a head cover for hot flashes, as a soothing face mask, and even as a mini-blanket for when you need that heavy-duty cooling. The Alfamo Cooling Towel’s cooling effects can last up to three hours without needing reactivation. This is all thanks to its lightweight, soft and crease-proof material that makes this towel a miracle to travel around with no matter the size you choose. It also makes this extra comfortable to use as a face cover because it’s so breathable, contributing further to the cooling effect.

Again, its cooling effects can reduce the target area’s temperature by up to 30 degrees. The included carrying pouch with carabiner clip is also a nice bonus! Definitely consider this towel when you’re looking for your next cooling towel.

KEY FEATURES
  • Breathable material
  • Comes in different sizes
  • Multiple fun colors Soak, wring and snap-activation
SPECIFICATION
  • Brand Alfamo
PROS
  • Soft yet durable
  • Can be easily handwashed
  • Strong cooling feeling
  • Lightweight
CONS
  • Very small
  • Smells strongly of chemicals
Best Value
03

Chill Pal Original Cooling Towel

The folks over at Chill Pal have just updated the packaging of their Original Cooling Towel from the bulky tube of old to this year’s more compact, and sensible pouch design. All that changed on the actual towel was that they went with their updated logo. The thicker than normal design allows the cooling towel to have a greater cooling capacity for better and longer heat relief. For us, simplicity is always a sign of a great product and with this towel, it doesn't get any more simple: Wet, Wring, and Use, preferably draping it over the neck for instant cooling. When you feel it starting to heat up, just repeat the three steps. The Chill Pal uses extra thick PVA with evaporative technology meaning it holds more water. More water means better heat dissipation. With its durable and compact 12 by 32 design, it’s hard to beat the Chill Pal Original Cooling Towel in terms of convenience and cooling effect.

KEY FEATURES
  • One Size -32 x 12 inches
  • Extra-thick PVA material
  • Great for Sweat relief
  • Looks like a cardboad when dry
SPECIFICATION
  • Brand Chill Pal
  • Weight 7.2 ounce
PROS
  • Thicker than other PVA towels
  • Feels very high quality
  • Instant cooling effect
  • Softer and more absorbent
  • Odorless
CONS
  • Developed mold when left just a little damp
  • Dries into a bulky, hard mass
Luxury Pick
04

Tough Outdoors Cooling Towel

The Tough Outdoors Cooling Towel makes it a breeze to stay cool and energized while doing your favorite sports and outdoor activities with its absorbent and hyper-evaporative cooling material. This towel will keep you cool for hours on end and carrying it around will pose no problems as it is lightweight and comes packed in a versatile carrying pouch.

It also comes with UPF50 if you were planning to work long hours in the sun. This towel will surely keep your skin cool and protected from the harsh sun. The mesh weave allows this towel to retain much more water than similar products. With the guarantee of long lasting cooling repeated usability, this cooling towel deserves this spot on our list of the best cooling towels.

KEY FEATURES
  • Made of mesh and PVA fabrics
  • One size only
  • Lightweight
  • Instant and lasting cool relief
SPECIFICATION
  • Brand Tough Outdoors
  • Size 4.96 x 4.09 x 1.34 inches
PROS
  • UPF50 Sun protection
  • Very tough, as the name suggests
  • Toss-and-forget washing
  • Hyper-evaporative material
  • Great bang for your buck
CONS
  • Strong chemcial smell out of the box
  • Included carrying pouch feels cheap
05

Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad Cooling Towel

Staying cool all day is no simple task. That’s where the FROGG TOGGS Chilly Pad Cooling Towel has got you covered. With its exclusive, hyper-evaporative materials that retains moisture while being dry to the touch, this cooling towel removes that damp sticky feeling that you get from other cooling towel brands. The included hard plastic carrying tube also ensures that your Chilly pad is protected. Whether you’re in the gym, on a bike, doing manual labor, or taking a hike, the Chilly pad will always make sure you’re feeling cool and refreshed. It’s machine washable so clean up is hassle-free and with the proper care, this towel will reward you for the foreseeable future.

KEY FEATURES
  • One size but multple colorways
  • Breathable hyper evaporative material construction
  • Simply soak, wring then snap to activate or wet again to re-activate.
  • Provides hours of cooling relief
  • Cools up to 30 degrees and provides UPF 50 sun protection
  • Reinforced wiht athletic mesh to last for years
SPECIFICATION
  • Brand Frogg Toggs
  • Model MGT910-LIME
  • Weight 5.6 ounces
PROS
  • Soft and supple skin feel
  • Very breathable
  • Easy to store
  • Handy carrying case
CONS
  • Comes in only one size
  • Hard as a rock when dry
06

SYourself Cooling Relief Towel

With a compact and durable carrying case and a large 40 by 12 inch footprint, the SYourself Cooling Towel has got plenty of cooling power. It's got a plush, soft feel to it that makes it a great companion for any skin type. Even your pets will love it! You can use it as a scarf, towel, headband, or as a bandana.

A unique feature that this product boasts is its RoHS approved materials that are eco-friendly and chemical-free so this towel not only cools you, it also cools the planet by not contributing to the global waste problem. If it’s a top quality and fashionable towel you’re looking for, then it doesn’t get much better than the SYourself!

KEY FEATURES
  • Softcool, breathable and smooth material
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Folds into a small waterproof carry pack
  • Range of colors to choose
  • Superb absorption and water holding capacity
  • Antibacterial,anti-mite, anti-static and anti-UV
SPECIFICATION
  • Brand: SYOUSELF
  • Model SYNCHKG128964
PROS
  • Range of colors and designs
  • Included carabiner is a nice touch
  • Very absorbent
  • Relatively inexpensive
CONS
  • Too short to drape over shoulders comfortably
  • Requires frequent snaps to activate
07

Chill It’s Cooling Towel

The Chill It product range was originally made with construction workers in mind since they spend most of their working hours under the hot sun or under very strenuous conditions. This product helps cool off those hot heads with its cooling PVA materials requiring only a short time under running water to activate. This towel reduces the risk of heat stroke and other heat-related conditions by effectively lowering the temperature of the contacting skin. It can also be used to bring down high fevers in just a few minutes, hot flashes and night sweats. Making sure you’re well cooled during long periods of high temperatures is essential if you want to keep yourself healthy.

KEY FEATURES
  • Advanced cooling super evaporative material
  • Run under water for 1 minute the snap
  • Single soak last up to 4 hours
  • Durable and re-useable, time and time again
  • Machine washable with anti microbial agents
SPECIFICATION
  • Brand Ergodyne
  • Model 6602
  • Weight 6.4 ounces
PROS
  • Long-lasting cooling (up to 4 hours)
  • Added length options are very appreciated
  • Feels durable enough
  • Gentle on the skin
CONS
  • Prone to color bleeding
  • Needs frequent re-snaps
08

Chill Pal Ultimate Cooling Towel

The Chill Pal’s big brother is also on this list, providing much more area for evaporative cooling. It’s now thinner, more breathable and softer than ever before making it a must have if you plan on beating the heat. Its superior evaporative technology makes sure that you stay cooler for longer, even when one part of the towel dries up. It’s got some cool color and pattern options too so it can match any style of outfit you choose. It comes with its very own carrying pouch so even though it seems a bit bulky, it actually folds up into a nice, neat pouch, perfect for carrying it around!

KEY FEATURES
  • Thinner and comfier mesh fabric for breathability
  • Soak, wring and snap
  • Bigger and surface area for more cooling action
  • Evaporative technology
  • Dry fold design for each fold and pack away
SPECIFICATION
  • Brand Chill Pal
  • Weight 2.4 ounces
  • Size 12 x 40 inch
PROS
  • Odorless
  • Activates in only one good snap
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable
  • Comes with a carrying pouch
CONS
  • Towel drips if not wrung properly
  • Dries quickly
09

Way 2 Cool Mesh Cooling Towel

Providing on the spot cooling at a size that’s reasonable for all purposes, the Way 2 Cool Cooling Towel offers the best of both worlds without sacrificing anything too important. Using it is as simple as getting it wet, wringing it out and placing it on the area of the body you want to cool. It touts the best mesh technology offering the best breathability of any product on the market today, a bold claim to make since there are now so many great cooling towel products in the market. Evert cooling towel also comes with the company’s 100% money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the product.

KEY FEATURES
  • Mesh design technology for longer cooler
  • Re-useable and machine washable
  • Vibrant and stylish colors
  • UPF 50 Sun protection
  • Chemical free
  • Soft, dry and super absorbent
SPECIFICATION
  • Brand Way 2 Cool
  • Weight 2.2 ounces
PROS
  • Extremely thin and light
  • Comes in some pretty cool designs
  • Large enough to wrap around the neck
  • Refreshing levels of cooling
  • Convenient
CONS
  • Not ideal for humid areas
  • Thin fabric may affect long term durability
10

Way 2 Cool Elite Microfiber Cooling Towel

Another product from Way 2 Cool, their elite microfiber cooling towel makes a fashion statement with its stylish carrying case and sleek designs. It’s not all for show, though, as its superior cooling technology cools you by 30 degrees if used properly. Speaking of using it properly, it’s as simple as soaking, wringing, and wrapping it around your neck.

It also has a unique UPF50 sunscreen that blocks up to 98% of radiation coming from all sources. And while it provides great sunlight protection, it’s mild enough to even be used on babies.

KEY FEATURES
  • Easy to activate - soak, wring, wrap then re-wet
  • Guaranted to dry soft and comfortable
  • Highest level of water retention
  • Multipurpose and versatile
  • Attractive color range
  • Stay up to 30 degrees cooler during intense heat
SPECIFICATION
  • Brand Way 2 Cool
  • Weight 4.8 ounces
  • Size 9 x 3.1 x 2.3 inches
PROS
  • Very durable feeling
  • Machine washable
  • Pliable even when dry
  • Doesn't have that harsh chemical smell
CONS
  • Heavier fabric may cause some dampness
  • Dries out really quickly

Buying Guide & FAQs

Things to consider when you’re looking to buy a cooling towel

Cooling towels have become some sort of a minor craze recently, so due to the sudden increase in demand, we thought you could use some help in knowing which features to look for when choosing your next cooling towel.

  • Material
    Almost all cooling towels that are made today use either one of two materials: PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) or a microfiber cloth mesh (usually made from synthetic fibers like nylon). Both materials feel quite different. For example, PVA cooling towels can end up feeling rather plastic-y, can hold more water yet are soft to the touch. Microfiber material being soft and breathable. We recommend you try out cooling towels made from both materials and choose the one that feels more comfortable to you.
  • Cost
    Some cooling towels are able to jack up their prices just because “they printed a larger logo than most other competitors.” Know the relative prices of several models and make sure that you find the cooling towel that fits your budget range
  • Size
    Cooling towels come in a variety of sizes ranging from the size of a regular napkin to towels that you can use as a mini blanket. Look for the dimensions when browsing your next cooling towel.
  • Durability
    If you plan on using your cooling towels daily, then expect them to be put under a considerable amount of wear and tear. Check if the towels you’re looking at are made from high quality materials that can withstand daily use.

Frequently Asked Questions

*Click on one of the questions below to show the answers.
What is a Cooling Towel?

Cooling towels are pieces of fabric that were once targeted towards athletes to lower their body temperatures in the hopes of improving their performance. These up and coming accessories have recently seen a rise in popularity outside sports and have moved to cater to more mainstream users. Today, almost anyone can find a use for a cooling towel, especially during summer where the elevated temperatures may cause health-related problems for some people.

Cooling towels can address problems related to temperature regulation. Putting these on particularly warm spots on your body can effectively bring down the skin temperature by up to 30 degrees thus relieving any discomfort and pain you may feel from that area. Cooling the skin also improves performance as muscles recover faster as prolonged high temperatures can negatively affect your body. Cooling towels can also remove fatigue from affected body parts.

Who are Cooling Towels made for?

Cooling towels can be used by virtually anybody who wants an easy and convenient way of cooling themselves down. However, cooling towels are particularly effective for those doing moderately demanding activities such as manual laborers, people with medical conditions limiting their capacity to work and impacting their quality of life such as heat exhaustion.

People with sleeping disorders like insomnia can greatly benefit from using cooling towels. Recent studies have also shown that lowering your body temperature can help improve sleep quality. For most people, heat interferes with sleep more than cold. Placing a cooling towel on your forehead, under your armpits or even on your belly can help make sure that your body stays at a comfortable temperature for better, longer periods of sleep.

Do Cooling Towels Really Work?

In short, yes. Cooling towels really do work. Ever wondered why damp or wet towels feel colder when you touch them? This is caused by a process called evaporative cooling. This natural process happens everyday. Evaporative cooling is a process where ambient temperatures are brought down as water evaporates. As the water evaporates, it naturally pulls heat away from its surroundings to convert liquid water into vapor. This is because matter needs energy to change from one phase to another. The liquid water gets this energy from the surrounding surface. This energy change manifests itself as a temperature change and for this case, the lowering of the temperature of the surrounding surface. Pretty neat right? This is a naturally occurring and spontaneous process so it will work regardless of the surrounding air temperature.

Cooling towels utilize the principle of evaporative cooling to bring down the temperature of the surface it’s in contact with. Ordinary rags or towels also utilize this principle but they exchange heat very slowly. They can provide temporary, albeit limited, cooling relief but the heat exchange is so inefficient that the cooling effect will last less than 30 minutes before you have to soak the towel again.

How long will the towel stay cool?

Because of how cooling towels are manufactured, they hold much more water and let it escape faster into the surrounding air. Both of these properties allow cooling towels to stay cooler for longer. Most brands claim that their towels stay cool for up to 3 hours but a few things can affect this time such as the temperature of the water you soaked the towel with or the temperature where the towel will be placed. Regardless, expect them to stay cool around the claimed time, give or take a few minutes.

Making cooling towels this effective was no easy task, however. Major breakthroughs in material science and manufacturing technologies are what allowed cooling towels to become as efficient as they are.

How do I use Cooling Towels?

All cooling towel product listings have some sort of a how-to guide on how to use them. We’ve compiled the most common instructions and have compiled them to an easy to follow “one size fits all” guide for you.
• Soak or run your cooling towel under running tap water for around 30 seconds, tap water should be cold enough for general purposes but you can use refrigerated water for heavy duty uses.
• Wring the towel out until it’s damn but not wet to the touch. Snapping the towel a few times doesn’t seem to do much in terms of cooling (except for making you look cool while you do it).
• Place the towel on the intended area. If the towel starts to warm up, repeat the previous 2 steps.
These are the only necessary steps to help you maximize your cooling towel experience. Use these steps so you can get the most out of your cooling towel.

How do I take care of my Cooling Towels?

Cleaning a cooling towel is a simple process. All you need is warm water and some detergent. The detergent should be mild, and the cooling towel can be hand-washed or machine-washed. However, you should never clean your cooling towel in a dryer. The drier might make your towel too dry making it brittle causing it to become susceptible to chipping and breaking. Here’s a bulleted list so you can remember things easier.

• Get some warm water in a bowl
• Pour some mild detergent into the water
• Soak your cooling towel in the water for at least five minutes
• Wash gently to rub off any unloosened stains
• If some stains aren’t removed by this point, add a little bleach
• If you have a machine washer, you can place the cooling towel in it for proper washing

Storing your cooling towels is pretty simple. Some cooling towels dry soft while some dry hard. That is because of the materials they are made of. Some are made of PVA which makes them as hard as cardboard paper when dry. When not in use, such cooling towels should be folded and stored in a bag. Experts advise that cooling towels should be stored damp in their packages for a longer productlife. The truth is, whatever way you deem fit to store your cooling towel, anything will work. Cooling towels are very low maintenance and so long as you store them reasonably, they will last you many years.

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