Staying cool in the heat is no easy feat, especially when commuting on the train, walking under the scorching summer sun or waiting for your ride outside sans shade. Thankfully, cooling towels have been my ally throughout my stints in extra warm environments and even situations where I thought I was experiencing heat exhaustion.
According to board-certified sports medicine physician Dr. Steven T. Brown, cooling towels can work for thermoregulation. "When we cool the temperature of the skin, this allows for heat distribution within the body so that the core body temperature can decrease."
It's no wonder I nearly crashed during a long run a few weeks ago on a particularly hot day. Since I dislike being unprepared (and to avoid the potential of that happening again), I always make sure to keep a cooling towel on me.
These pieces of fabric have been my cooling nirvana for beating the heat. But what is the science behind it? I signed up for the task to discover if these "cooling towels" actually work when running outside, commuting on a hot day and waiting in balmy environments.
What is a cooling towel?
A cooling towel is a reusable cloth that cools quickly, explains Brown. "It uses the power of evaporative cooling to take heat away from the body." Basically, it's a thin fabric that offers a cooling effect.
“A cooling towel is a fabric product often made from materials like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) , polyester or hydrophilic microfibers designed to retain moisture and promote evaporative cooling as the water in the towel evaporates, it absorbs heat from the skin, creating a cooling sensation,” explains textile scientist Faisal Abedin.
It works best when you place the towel on your pulse points and areas of the skin that are more receptive to cooling, including the forehead, neck and wrists, according to Brown.
A 2022 study found that, when placed on the neck during activity in the heat, cooling towels improve thermal perception and can boost endurance or sprint performance.
While you might consider using a regular towel, Abedin says it is not the same. "Regular towels are made with a weaving process known as terry weaving, which features an open structure allowing greater water absorption," he notes. Most cooling towels are made from knit fabrics and are designed to evaporate the heat on your body.
After testing seven cooling towels, I found a clear winner, plus a few other contenders that kept me chill during this unbearable heat.
Best overall cooling towel
Absorption: 5/5 | Construction: 4/5 | Cooling time: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.67/5
This towel exceeded my expectations during a recent heat wave. This design wraps perfectly around my neck while providing a chilling sensation and it didn't irritate my skin. Though the towel is damp after activating it with water, the wetness doesn’t transfer to clothes, which makes it efficient to transport inside a bag. I have used it while running in the heat, at a concert and waiting for the train inside the station.
This wasn’t the softest material I tested, but the fabric remained damp for about 40 minutes in the heat. The towel is easy to fold, pack and reuse. I also found that it is easy to soak in seconds and it stays damp even in humid environments.
I tested the towel when it was 97.5 degrees outside. When measured, the temperature on the cooling towel was almost 20 degrees less than the outside temperature.
Out of all the towels I tested, this one is a cut above the rest due to its ultra-lightweight material, easy water absorption and the time it takes to dry.
More cooling towels, tested by en editor
Best to travel with:
Absorption: 5/5 | Construction: 4/5 | Cooling time: 4/5 | Overall score: 4.3/5
Similar to the winner, this towel provides an instant cooling effect. However, it needs to be soaked in water every 30 minutes in order to keep the cooling sensation ongoing. It's packable, lightweight and easy to soak. Though I wish this towel was a bit softer in texture, the cooling technology didn't disappoint. The fabric is absorbent enough to stay cool in dry and humid environments, plus it comes with a plastic pouch and ring so you can attach it to your bag.
Best for sun protection:
Absorption: 5/5 | Construction: 3/5 | Cooling time: 4/5 | Overall score: 4/5
This cooling towel is larger, so it's easy to wear over your shoulders. Before first use, you need to wash the towel with soap to remove any chemicals from the packaging. After it dried, I noticed the towel had become hard — basically like cardboard — which made storage a bit uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, the rubber-like construction wasn't my favorite part of this towel. It feels more like a sticky cloth when in contact with the skin.
While I found this fabric to be the least appealing, the texture remained cool in the heat. Overall, it's a great product if you're looking to instantly cool down after a long run.
Most absorbent cooling towel:
Absorption: 5/5 | Construction: 3/5 | Cooling time: 4/5 | Overall score: 4/5
The Chill Pal cooling towel works wonders for both outside and inside. While it was more difficult to unpack from its original package, the fabric becomes malleable instantly when soaked.
During the testing period, the towel kept me cool for at least an hour, even when walking outside in the heat. It's not long enough to wrap around the neck, but it feels soothing when completely wet.
It's important to note that the PVA material converts into a stiff fabric after drying, which adds extra volume and makes storage a bit more difficult.
Most comfortable material:
Absorption: 4/5 | Construction: 5/5 | Cooling time: 3/5 | Overall score: 4/5
I had higher expectations for Mission since it was the first cooling towel I ever tried. The material is superior as it is made from a brushed microfiber, which feels soft on the skin, especially if you are prone to sensitivity.
I tested it during a 4-mile run and found that I had to reactivate it every 20-30 minutes. It remains damp without dripping water, but the moisture retention wasn't up to par with the other ones I tested. Though it dries faster, the towel is comfortable and is a decent size to carry in your bag. I opt for this one for extra sun protection since the product offers UPF 50+ protection — ideal for gardeners, runners and outdoor enthusiasts who spend longer hours under the sun.
Frequently asked questions
According to Abedin, anyone exposed to heat like athletes, medical responders and outdoor workers are likely to benefit from cooling towels. They can prevent heat-related issues and manage heat stress, "especially when they're wet, wrung out and applied to strategic areas."
"We use cooling towels with our athletes — both at the collegiate and the professional level — which I take care of. Also, people who suffer from hot flashes, perimenopausal [and] menopausal women or patients who have trouble regulating their thermal cycle also can benefit from cooling towels," adds Brown.
According to Abedin, cooling towels should have fast absorption, optimal wet conductivity (moderate thickness), high air permeability (made of mesh or another breathable weave construction) and be made of optimal materials.
Experts agree that effective cooling towels are made from PVA for long-lasting chill, microfiber for comfort or polyester for quick dry. "PVA is highly absorbent. So, a combination of PVA and polyester would be great," adds Abedin.
"Those made from a PVA material have a sponge-type material versus the microfiber. The PVA towels are more dense and absorbent of water, which (theoretically) can result in greater evaporative power," shares Brown.
A step-by-step guide to using a cooling towel, according to Abedin:
- Soak: "Fully immerse the towel in tap water at room temperature until saturated."
- Wring: "Squeeze until the towel is damp but no longer dripping."
- Activate: "Snap or wave the towel in the air to enhance water distribution and initiate evaporative cooling."
- Apply: "Place around the neck (or other pulse points) during heat exposure or physical activity."
"Once the cooling effect diminishes, resoak, wring, resnap and reapply to restore the sensation." he concludes.
In theory, cooling towels (if cold enough) may be able to provide a bit of migraine relief.
“Scientific evidence suggests that cold/evaporative cooling can help relieve migraines or other heat-related symptoms,” says Abedin.
While cooling towels are great, they're not miracle workers. If you're in a heat emergency, "cooling towels will not provide enough cooling. You can place it in your body, but you still need urgent care if experiencing a heat stroke or heat exhaustion," emphasizes Brown.
How we tested cooling towels
I, Jannely Espinal, tested seven cooling towels over a three-week period. I soaked each towel in room-temperature water as recommended by the brand's instructions and wore it for three hours or more when running or walking outside. All towels were tested during days when the temperature was 95 to 97 degrees.
Each towel was evaluated based on its fast absorption, drying time, construction, material and size. I waited for optimal conditions and hotter environments to test their overall performance, while measuring how long passed before each towel needed to be reactivated. To measure their efficacy, I used an infrared thermometer to assess how well they maintained their coolness during heat exposure and in contact with my skin.
After that, I let the towels air dry in my home to compare how they hold their shape and drying times. For a final test, I took all the towels out to the park during a heat wave and compared each towel's temperature to the outside temperature.
Why trust Shop TODAY
Jannely Espinal has been a fashion and lifestyle journalist for the past 7 years. She has previously tested several other types of products for Ranked including shower cleaners and white T-shirts. She’s well-versed in product sourcing, selection and testing, especially when it comes to the latest trends in home, style and beauty. Additionally, Espinal combines her testing process with experts’ insight to select the best products for Shop TODAY’s audience.
Meet the experts
- Faisal Abedin is a textile scientist and postdoctoral researcher at Arizona State University, where he investigates advanced thermal manikins to study human heat exposure in extreme environments. He earned his Ph.D. from NC State University, where he pioneered new methods to evaluate breathable fabrics under dynamic conditions.
- Dr. Steven T. Brown is a fellowship-trained, double board-certified primary care sports medicine physician and the division chief of sports and exercise medicine in the department of family and community medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
