You know your fitness game is on point when you take time to cool down after a strenuous workout routine. And how do you do that? By using some of the best cooling towels! These cooling towels are simple and effective. All you have to do is soak them in water, wring them out, and snap them in the air (a few times) — voila, they are ready to use! Sure, you should also stretch, rest and hydrate, especially after intense outdoor activity, but a cooling towel makes it easier to lower your body temperature and cool off quickly. You can place it on your neck, hands, face, or anywhere that needs cooling down! It’s a must-have for fitness enthusiasts, outdoor adventurists, and nature lovers! You can also use cooling towels for fever or hot flashes, and it’s even recommended to provide cold therapy for post-surgery recovery. Do you know how it works? It’s a simple evaporative cooling technique and thereby safe. So, now that you’re convinced that you need one, how do you know which one to choose? Several cooling towels are available in the market, and we’ve listed out the best ones for you! Here are 11 fantastic cooling towels that you can choose from.
11 Best Cooling Towels
1. Best Highly-Absorbent: Froggtoggs The Original Chilly Pad Cooling Towel
This chilly pad from Froggtoggs is an innovative way to cool down. Made from hyper-evaporative material that retains water and remains dry to the touch, the highly-absorbent material can absorb up to 8 times its weight in water and sweat. With the help of simple evaporation, the wet towel can produce hours of cooling relief. With quick activation this lightweight towel can cool up to 30° and is suitable for any high level physical activity. They are highly durable and come in an easy-to-use plastic case for easy storage. Learn more about the product in this video. Pros
UPF 50 + UV protection Washable by hand or machine Recyclable and eco-friendly Available in an attractive color range
Cons
May require more water to activate Colors may bleed
2. Best For Long-Lasting Heat Relief: ChillPal PVA Cooling Towel
Made with high-grade and extra-thick PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) material, this cooling towel offers long-lasting heat relief. Simply activate the towel by soaking it in water and wring it thoroughly to start using. Wear the towel around your neck for an instant cooling effect. Pros
Thick towels Retains more water Plastic carry pouch with carabiner hook Compact size
Cons
May irritate skin if used for longer durations PVA material may become stiff when dry
3. Best Multipurpose: ALFAMO Cooling Towel
This multipurpose towel is 33 inches long and 11 inches wide, which makes it apt to be used as a head cover, bandana, or a neck wrap. The towel is ideal for athletes, sports enthusiasts, and even for those who spend hours working outdoors. The towel can also be used for post-operation cold therapy. It is made of high-quality breathable mesh fabric that is silky soft and easily foldable. Unlike PVA material towels, these towels remain soft, both wet and dry. This video gives you more information about the product. Pros
High-quality stitching to avoid loose thread UPF 50 protection Available in 4 sizes Waterproof carrying pouch with clip
Cons
The material may become warm sooner than expected
4. Best Lightweight Mesh: Sukeen Cooling Towel
This towel is made of breathable material, which makes it hyper evaporative. It activates quickly and provides an instant cooling effect. Its lightweight mesh design makes it a perfect gym towel as it also works as a sweat towel. Additionally, these microfiber towels come with reusable pouches with matching color coded clips — a practical solution to maintain hygiene. Pros
Pack of 4 in multiple colors Provides UV protection Exquisite sewing seam Machine washable
Cons
May not be ideal for extreme heat
5. Best Chemical-Free: MISSION Original Cooling Towel
Made of soft and durable brushed microfiber material, these cooling towels can be the ideal companions for long workout sessions. They cool instantly and provide a chilling effect for up to 2 hours. Designed for an active lifestyle, these seamless towels offer optimal comfort both wet and dry. Pros
Chemical-free UV Protection Machine washable Multiple color range
Cons
No carry case/pouch
6. Best For UV Protection: YQXCC Cooling Towel
This lightweight cooling towel is made of polyester and is soft and breathable. The towel uses moisture to draw sweat away from the skin and keeps it cool and comfortable. The towel stays cold for up to 3 hours, making it an ideal towel for sports, gym, or cold therapy. It also comes with a waterproof container that allows you to carry pre-soaked towels that are ready to use! Pros
Chemical-free Extra absorbent Pack of 2 UV Protection
Cons
May dampen clothes
7. Best For Instant Cooling: Ailawuu Cooling Towel
These multipurpose sports towels are made of premium microfiber material that is breathable and lightweight. The super-absorbent fabric ensures instant cooling effect and can stay cool for hours. The extra-long size makes these towels ideal to wear in any desired style. They offer a comfortable fit that is soft and skin-friendly. Pros
Pack of 6 UPF 50+ Kid-friendly Chemical-free
Cons
No carry case/pouch
8. Best Drip-Free: Ergodyne Chill-Its 6603 Evaporative Cooling Band Towel
Made of super-evaporative PVA material, these cooling band towels absorb water and then allow it to evaporate for instant cooling effect. The band is designed to hold water for long-lasting cooling. Simply run it under water until the towel is saturated and wring out excess water. The towel provides drip-free cooling that makes it comfortable and user-friendly. For a secure fit, this cooling towel can be easily fastened around the neck by pulling one end through a slit on the opposite side. Pros
Lasts up to 4 hours on a single soak Machine washable Lightweight Extra long
Cons
Material may dry stiff Can be used only as a neck wrap
9. Best Hypoallergenic: G Grounded Sport Cooling Towels
These highly-absorbent cooling towels are made with fine-quality microfiber blended material, making them ideal for both wet as well as dry use. The premium fabric used in these towels are highly durable and comfortable for daily use. These hypoallergenic towels are machine-washable and also provide UV protection. Pros
Ultra lightweight Pack of 3 Odor-free Quick-drying
Cons
No carry case/pouch
10. Best Skin-Friendly: Hibiker Cooling Beach Towel
This product consists of a pack of 2 cooling towels – 1 oversized cooling beach towel and 1 extra small cooling towel. Made of lightweight microfiber material, these towels are ideal for use on a hot summer day at the beach. These soft towels are skin-friendly as they are chemical-free and the double layer fabric provides extra comfort. The easy-to-use towels instantly activate when soaked in water and are suitable for all kinds of sports, yoga, camping etc. Pros
Sand-free Quick-drying UPF 50+ Sunscreen protection Kid-friendly
Cons
May be bulky to carry
11. Best Easy-To-Carry: XYXYLY Instant Cooling Towel
This cooling towel is made of 45% polyester and 55% nylon, which makes it an all cold-feeling material. The towels are highly-absorbent and provide a long-lasting cooling effect. The soft and lightweight material makes it easy to carry and use for any outdoor activity, sports, yoga, hikes, or gardening. They can be washed easily with hands or machines and are durable for several years. Pros
Comes with easy to carry pouch with carabiner hook Ideal size Ultra-thin fabric Strong water retention
Cons
No sunscreen protection
Now that we have looked at the 11 best cooling towels, let’s keep in mind few important features that will help you pick the right cooling towel.
How To Choose The Right Cooling Towel?
When picking a cooling towel, keep an eye out for the following features:
Material
Just like your body naturally cools down by evaporating sweat off the skin, cooling towels use the same evaporative cooling process to provide a cool sensation. They are made of either PVA material or microfiber mesh. Both of these materials soak water and evaporate it at a high rate for a chilling effect. But they are different in texture and feel. While towels made of PVA feel rubbery, microfiber towels are soft to the touch. PVA towels absorb more water but become stiff when dry while microfiber towels may not absorb as much water but are definitely softer on the skin, both dry or damp.
Size
This depends on what type of activity you usually need the towel for. If you are looking for a towel that can be used for gym sessions or running, a 35-inch towel would be ideal to be used as a neck scarf. If you are looking to use the towel for various other activities like camping or hiking or a beach day, a 40-inch or a 50-inch towel would be ideal to wrap around your waist, head, or cover your entire body.
Product care
Most cooling towels are machine-washable and need air drying. You must check the care instructions to make sure the material is easy to wash, stain-resistant, and doesn’t not bleed color. If you are using the towels frequently, hand-washing them could be cumbersome.
Safety and durability
Cooling towels are reusable but you must ensure fabric quality for durability. The towel edges should be secured enough to avoid loose threads and fraying. Chemical-free towels are skin-friendly and odorless for prolonged usage.
Additional features
In addition to cooling, the towels also shield you from harmful rays of the sun. The added feature of providing UV protection with SPF 50+ is definitely helpful. Along with that, a choice of colors lets you easily identify your towel. Another feature to look for is a handy carry case or pouch to store your wet or dry towels.
Why Trust MomJunction?
We have thoroughly researched the durability and comfort of the products to bring the best ones for you. Our writers have studied and analyzed several customer reviews from various e-commerce websites and chosen the best cooling towels listed here. The detailed descriptions can assist you in making the right choice. This post also contains a well-researched buying guide for more information.
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