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Ergodyne: Tenacious Work Gear. Established 1983.
Ergodyne®: Tenacious Work Gear. Established 1983.

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COOLING TECHNOLOGY, GEAR AND SOLUTIONS

Chill-Its Cooling

KEEP YOUR COOL—
INSIDE & OUT

Once internal body temps reach 104°F, it only takes 30 minutes to cause brain damage… or worse. Chill-Its cooling technologies are engineered to make sure workers have a stay-cool solution in any indoor or outdoor inferno.

  • Chill-Its Technologies
  • Wet Evaporative Cooling
  • Dry Evaporative Cooling
  • Phase Change Cooling
  • Resources
Worker in cooling vest

YOU NEED COOLIN’: GO BEYOND WATER, REST & SHADE

Along with the biggies of water, rest and shade, experts recommend cooling PPE as a simple way to maintain safe body and skin temps throughout the shift. And with advanced technologies putting the chill on full blast, keeping cool has never been… well, cooler.

CHILL-ITS COOLING TECHNOLOGIES: THE [RE]BIRTH OF COOL

Cutting-edge tech transports sweet relief light years beyond frozen washcloths and clunky ice packs.

WET EVAPORATIVE COOLING

Instantly activates with water and airflow for up to 4 hours of cooling

DRY EVAPORATIVE COOLING

Fill with water and add airflow for up to 3 days of 100% dry cooling

PHASE CHANGE COOLING

Low-profile charge packs do not require airflow for effective cooling indoors

Water drops in a hexagon

Wet Evaporative Cooling

Like sweat [on steroids]

Side by side of infared and normal camera showing cooling effect of wet evaporative cooling towel on a person

How it Works

Similar to sweat, advanced tech such as PVA, microfiber and polymers draw heat away from the body to keep you cooler longer

Best for

Hot and dry outdoor environments with low/moderate humidity and sufficient airflow

Cooling Time

Up to four hours

How to activate

Run or soak in water for between 1-5 minutes (depending on technology)

Person wetting an evaporative cooling towel
Chill-Its Wet Evaporative Technology Explained

TYPES OF WET EVAPORATIVE MATERIALS

Take the science of sweat to a whole new level with four different wet evaporative materials that combine water and airflow to deliver instant cooling in a variety of styles, fits and feels.

PVA

MICROFIBER

ACRYLIC POLYMERS

EMBEDDED POLYMERS

Airflow and water plus evaporation create cooling affect on body via polyvinyl alcohol material
Worker using PVA cooling towel
Current. Diagram of PVA technology cooling skin with water and airflow
Diagram of microfiber technology pulling sweat away from the skin to help cool 
Diagram of acrylic polymer technology using polymers to cool the skin 
Diagram of embedded polymer technology using polymers embedded in fabric to cool the skin 

PVA

Absorbing like a sponge, hyper-evaporative Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) holds the most water for maximum cooling power while remaining mostly dry to the touch.

PVA Cooling Solutions

View All PVA Cooling
Diagram of PVA technology cooling skin with water and airflow 
Current. Diagram of microfiber technology pulling sweat away from the skin to help cool
Diagram of acrylic polymer technology using polymers to cool the skin 
Diagram of embedded polymer technology using polymers embedded in fabric to cool the skin 

Microfiber

Ultra-soft, absorbent and moisture-wicking, microfiber is an always-on double threat—comfortably absorbing and wicking sweat when dry, refreshingly cool when wet.

Airflow and water plus evaporation create cooling affect on body via microfiber material
Worker in cooling microfiber headband

Microfiber Cooling Solutions

View All Microfiber Cooling
Airflow and water plus evaporation create cooling affect on body via acrylic polymers
Worker in cooling triangle hat with acrylic polymers
Diagram of PVA technology cooling skin with water and airflow 
Diagram of microfiber technology pulling sweat away from the skin to help cool 
Current. Diagram of acrylic polymer technology using polymers to cool the skin
Diagram of embedded polymer technology using polymers embedded in fabric to cool the skin 

Acrylic Polymers

When soaked in cold water, super-absorbent acrylic polymers plump up with moisture to deliver extended cooling relief.

Acrylic Polymer Cooling Solutions

View all Acrylic Polymer Cooling
Diagram of PVA technology cooling skin with water and airflow 
Diagram of microfiber technology pulling sweat away from the skin to help cool 
Diagram of acrylic polymer technology using polymers to cool the skin 
Current. Diagram of embedded polymer technology using polymers embedded in fabric to cool the skin

Embedded Polymers

Similar to acrylic polymers, embedded polymers absorb cold water to deliver the same prolonged cooling with less of the bulk.

Airflow and water plus evaporation create cooling affect on body via embedded polymers
Worker in cooling bandana with embedded polymers

Embedded Polymer Cooling Solutions

Airflow lines blowing in a hexagon

Dry Evaporative Cooling

Drip-free cooling for days on end

Airflow and evaporation create cooling effect on inside of vest

How it Works

Gradually releases water via evaporation from the inside out to keep you comfortably cool and dry

Best for

Hot and dry outdoor environments with low humidity and sufficient airflow

Cooling Time

Up to 3 days

How to activate

Fill with 16-20oz water

Water being poured into dry evaporative cooling vest
Chill-Its Dry Evaporative Technology Explained

Dry Evaporative Cooling Gear

Ice cubes in a hexagon

Phase Change Cooling

Where we’re going, we don’t need air[flow]

Airflow and evaporation create cooling effect on inside of vest

How it Works

Low-bulk charge packs maintain constant 64°F (18°C)

Best for

Hot indoor environments (no airflow required)

Cooling Time

2-4 hours

How to activate

Place in cooler of ice water, freezer, refrigerator or near air conditioner for between 5-60 minutes (depending on method)

Water being poured into dry evaporative cooling vest
Chill-Its Phase Change Technology Explained

Phase Change Cooling Gear

THIS WAY TO SWEET RELIEF

View All Chill-Its

Podcast

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View All Podcast Episodes

Recommended Videos

View full transcript ▶
Does Cooling PPE Work Indoors?
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The TACO Method: Life-Saving Heat Relief
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Understanding OSHA's National Emphasis Program for Heat Stress
View All Heat Stress Videos

Recommended Blog Articles

Two workers on a construction site. One is wearing an evaporative cooling product, the other is wearing a moisture-wicking cooling product

Evaporative vs. Moisture-Wicking Cooling: Which One Works for You?

With so many “cooling” wearable options out there, it can feel overwhelming to choose the cooling products that work for you, your environment and your needs. So, how do you know which one is right for you?
Worker pouring water on Ergodyne cooling sleeves. Red dots along the wrist and finger tips to indicate pulse points

Pulse Points: Your Hot Spots For Cooling Relief

Did you know your body comes with a nifty, built-in heat stress hack? Yup. When the world goes volcanic, you've got a trick up your (cooling) sleeve, thanks to a few strategic spots known as pulse points.
man wearing cooling hat

Covering Up + Staying Cool In the Heat

Worksite sizzling in the sun? Learn how to properly prepare & properly dress before taking on the scorching jobsite.
View All Heat Stress Blog Articles

Guides & Documents

heat stress handbook pdf
Jan. 28, 2025
Heat Stress Handbook: Complete Cooling Catalog (99897)
heat stress card pdf
Jan. 17, 2025
2025 Heat Stress Solutions Card (99817)
ergodyne cooling vest selection tool pdf
Feb. 16, 2024
Chill-Its Cooling Vest Comparison Chart - Flyer
chill its 6667 instructions flyer pdf
Jan. 23, 2023
How To Activate Chill-Its 6667 Cooling Vest Flyer
skullerz hard hats chill its cooling ppe pdf
Jul. 6, 2021
Skullerz Hard Hats + Chill-Its Cooling PPE
View All Heat Stress Guides & Documents

FAQ

Evaporative cooling is a simple, effective and relatively inexpensive approach that can be used in outdoor and indoor environments, but works best in drier, low-to-moderately humid conditions with sufficient airflow. Similar to sweat, evaporative solutions draw heat from your body using an external source of water to create an enhanced cooling effect. More advanced and comfortable than a damp towel, controlled evaporative gear keeps you cool for up to four hours once activated.

Both evaporative cooling technologies that activate with water, PVA and microfiber have slightly differing feels and uses. Hyper-absorbent Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) holds more water than microfiber to provide a more enhanced cooling effect but, like a sponge, it dries stiff—making it only effective when wet. 

Conversely, microfiber provides a benefit when wet or dry. When dry, it remains comfortably soft while absorbing and wicking away sweat. When wet, it provides hours of cooling relief

If a fabric is moisture-wicking, it means it will 1) transport sweat away from your skin into the top layer 2) dry out quickly to prevent sweat from soaking the fabric. Moisture-wicking performance is predicted by the capillary action—the movement of liquid through spaces in the fabric. The most effective moisture-wicking fabrics are synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon or microfiber (often a polyester-nylon blend). These fabrics are “hydrophobic”, meaning they resist water penetration. 

While all fabric provides a degree of protection from the sun, certain cooling products have an additional UV treatment applied for enhanced protection from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. A fabric’s Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) indicates how much radiation it will allow to reach your skin. A UPF rating of 30-49 indicates very good protection, with a UPF 50+ rating providing excellent protection (blocking 98% of the sun’s rays). 
 

Cooling products can be activated in a variety of ways depending on their technology. Evaporative cooling products require water. Wet evaporative cooling products are activated by running or soaking in water, while dry evaporative products are filled (similar to a water bottle) so that the exterior remains dry. Evaporative cooling products do not require the use of a refrigerator or freezer. Phase change cooling does not require moisture, and packs can be activated by placing them in a cooler of ice water, freezer, refrigerator or near an air conditioner.

If cooling products made with acrylic polymers are placed in/run under water for more than the recommended 5 minutes, they can overly “plump up” and become uncomfortable to wear. For other cooling technologies (PVA, microfiber, phase change, embedded polymers), there is no risk of over-activation.

Yes. To reactivate, simply rewet (wet evaporative), refill (dry evaporative) or rechill (phase change).

Cooling products can be machine or hand washed depending on product wash instructions. It is recommended that all products be hang/air dried regardless of wash method (note: products containing PVA will dry stiff).

PVA is hyper-evaporative, which means that by definition it is designed to push all moisture out. Like a sponge, it will get hard when dry. Simply rewet to activate and soften.

To store cooling towels, wring out excess water, fold up and place in the package tube or a plastic zippered bag for safe keeping. Towels made with PVA will dry stiff. When removing, make sure to re-wet the towel before unfolding to avoid tearing of the PVA material. Both PVA and evaporative cooling towels can also be stored by hanging to dry. Before storing, check the towel for dirt and debris. If dirty, machine wash and hang to dry.

While it is possible for evaporative cooling products to be used in indoor environments with low humidity and sufficient airflow, they are not nearly as effective as phase change cooling products. Because phase change charge packs do not require airflow, they can be used in any environment.

Phase change cooling technology pulls heat from the body via rechargeable cooling packs filled with non-toxic phase change liquids that, when activated/solidified, will maintain a temperature between 55° F (13° C) and 64° F (18° C). Depending on what you have available (cooler, fridge or freezer), activation takes between 5-60 minutes and lasts up to four hours. Because the charge packs do not require airflow to work, they’re an ideal choice for high-heat indoor settings like foundries, glass manufacturing and paper & pulp.

Phase change packs contain non-toxic liquids that can be quickly activated to deliver a cooling effect that lasts hours longer than standard ice or gel packs. Unlike these alternatives, phase change packs are also not stiff or frosty—making them a more comfortable solution for long term wear, especially underneath bulky PPE.

Heat Stress & Heat-Related Illnesses

Hazardous heat can impair job tasks related to complex cognitive function and also reduce decision-making abilities and productivity. Additionally, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated that these heat-induced impairments may result in significant occupational injuries that are not currently factored into assessments of the health hazards resulting from occupational heat exposure.

Learn more about the risk
Ergodyne: Tenacious Work Gear. Established 1983.


Since 1983, Ergodyne has pioneered the development of products that Make The Workplace A Betterplace.

What started with just one product has grown into a line of top flight, battle-tested, Tenacious Work Gear; all precision crafted to provide protection, promote prevention and manage the elements for workers on job sites the world over.

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