When you think of a cooling neck wrap, you might automatically picture an athlete drenched in sweat with a terry cloth towel draped around his or her shoulders. But the truth is, you can benefit from using a cooling towel, even if you're not a total gym rat.
A cooling neck wrap can help anyone who plans on breaking a sweat, whether you're exercising, camping, cycling, lounging on the beach, or attending an outdoor sports game or concert. For most of these types of towels, in order to activate the cooling technology you must soak them in water, wring out the excess, and then either snap them a few times or twirl them overhead. The wrap absorbs the water and expands as it fills up, and then cools you down through the process of evaporation—the same way your body would when you sweat.
Many are designed to stay cold for a few hours, and once your towel looses its cool ~literally~, just wet it again and give it a snap. The great thing about cooling neck wraps is that they're reusable (yay for sustainability!) and extremely durable (read: you can wash them over and over again without worrying about them becoming defective).
RELATED: 13 Heat Exhaustion Symptoms to Look Out for This Summer
But why are they *so* great for workouts, in particular? “When we overheat, it limits our endurance so much,” says Chelsey Wilkens, personal trainer at SoHo Strength Lab in New York City. Here's why: Heat exhaustion caused by exercise can cause debilitating symptoms such as weakness and dizziness. This is where a cooling neck wrap comes into play. It helps your body keep from overheating, meaning it can potentially help you keep up a high-intensity workout if you, for example, wear one while you're taking a break.
Additionally, cooling neck wraps can be helpful to those who have conditions that make them prone to overheating. For example, menopausal women and people with multiple sclerosis (MS) can benefit from a cooling neck wrap since it can help bring down their body temperature when it starts to get uncomfortably high.
Ahead, a guide to the best cooling neck wraps if you have a medical condition that makes you heat intolerant, as well as options that can aid in recovery from an intense workout, keep you cool on summer days, and even help to relieve fevers, hot flashes, headaches, and more.
RELATED: 13 Heat Exhaustion Symptoms to Look Out for This Summer
Best for Workouts: Mission Enduracool Techknit Cooling Towel
cooling neck wrap mission wrote: "Love this cooling towel – Bought 2 and went back to get a 3rd since I use it daily at the gym. Even after a year + of using this product – washing it, it still works awesome. I put cold water on, ring out and bring it the treadmill or elliptical with me, and when I start getting hot, I put it around my neck or use it by placing it on and around my face and it cools me down. I get so hot working out that this has been a life changer for me. I've been able to workout longer (indoor) by having this available so that I don't overheat!"
To buy: Mission Enduracool Techknit Cooling Towel ($23; amazon.com)
Best for Hot Days: Chill Pal Mesh Cooling Towel
cooling neck wrap chill pal .
To buy: Chill Pal Mesh Cooling Towel ($14; amazon.com)
Best for Headaches: Ergodyne Chill Its 6700CT Cooling Bandana
cooling neck wrap ergodyne , and how it relieves headache and helps with mild nausea.
"This little bandana is awesome for fevers, neck aches, headaches and migraines! I haven't tested it outside, but I totally love it for a bad headache day," said a shopper.
To buy: Ergodyne Chill Its 6700CT Cooling Bandana ($5; amazon.com)
Best for Hot Flashes: Hot Headz Cool Downz Cooling Bandana and Neck Wrap
cooling neck wrap hot headz and children, too.
"Helps with hot flashes and hot days!" raved a buyer. "I received this a while ago and recently I had to go back on steroids, because of [an] autoimmune disease. One side effect is constantly feeling hot, my skin feels like it's burning, even without a fever. I also get very uncomfortable if it gets much above 70 [degrees]. This is easy to use and comfortable enough, and helps to make me feel cooler."
To buy: Hot Headz Cool Downz Cooling Bandana and Neck Wrap ($8; amazon.com)
Best Everyday Option: KoolGator Cooling Neck Wrap
cooling neck wrap kool gator wrote: "I'm working in a covid unit. We have very little air conditioning and paper PPE + on. SO HOT! This really did help me tolerate the heat. I froze it. I need to get 3 more and keep them in a cooler in my car and swap them out about every 2 hours. If I have time to go get them. Just wetting them did help a little though."
To buy: KoolGator Cooling Neck Wrap ($9; amazon.com)
Best for Menopause: Alfamo Cooling Towel
cooling neck wrap alfamo also commented on how it's helpful in keeping her skin at a cool temperature.
"Also, I am going through menopause and every night I am overheated, so I am looking forward to using this towel around my neck to help keep me cool. I used it last night already after just receiving it yesterday and it really helped. Looking forward to sleeping better with this little miracle towel," shared a customer.
To buy: Alfamo Cooling Towel (from $8; amazon.com)
Best for Multiple Sclerosis: Polar Products Neck & Upper Spine Wrap with Kool Packs
cooling neck wrap polar products .
To buy: Polar Products Neck & Upper Spine Wrap with Kool Packs ($40; polarproducts.com)
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