Bexfield, who lives in Arizona, regularly updates his personal cooling vest recommendations. Cooling vests can be divided into two general categories: those that use passive technology and those that use active technology. Passive cooling vests do not require power while they are being worn. Instead, they use ice packs, materials that absorb body heat, or the process of evaporation to lower body temperature. Active cooling vests need electricity or a battery pack to function. They usually stay colder for longer but are heavier and more expensive than passive vests. Before you purchase a vest, it’s important to consider how much cooling you need, how long you would like it to last, and when and where you will be wearing the vest. Will you be doing yard work or walking outdoors? Is it okay if your clothes get somewhat wet? Are you comfortable sacrificing fashion for your vest, or do you want something discreet that fits comfortably under clothes? How much are you willing to spend? To help you decide, here’s a description of some of the vests available today and how they work.
