RS Recommends: These Cooling Neck Wraps Deliver Rapid Relief After a Workout or Run

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If you’re someone with a regular workout routine, you know how beneficial exercise can be. Not only does it keep you in shape physically, but a good workout can also improve your mood and mental state thanks to the brain’s release of endorphins. But when it gets hot outdoors (or in the gym) workouts can seem less appealing. Who wants to go for a run when you can already break a sweat by just being outside? Rather than ditch your healthy routines, you can beat the heat with a cooling neck wrap, which will keep you cool and keep you on track to meet your fitness goals.
How Does a Cooling Neck Wrap Work?
A cooling neck wrap is a water-activated towel that draws sweat away from your body through the process of evaporation.
To use a cooling towel, soak it in cold water for 5-10 seconds, then wring the water out to remove excess water. As the name suggests, you wear the towel around your neck, with the moist fabric delivering an instant cooling effect.
The best cooling neck wraps (also called “ice towels”) will stay cool for up to two hours, with the performance fabrics retaining the temperature of the water. At the same time, the towel can also help to wick away sweat from your body, offering another way to cool down fast.
What Are the Best Cooling Neck Wraps?
When you’re shopping for the best cooling neck wrap for you, the most important product feature to take notice of is the fabric that the cooling towel is made from. Cooling neck wraps aren’t just made from any standard towel material — they are made from ultra-breathable, hyper-evaporative materials. Oftentimes, this means they’re made from mesh or microfiber materials that retain a cold temperature without retaining excess water.
You should also think about how and where you’ll be using the cooling wrap. You can cool down with one of these during breaks in high-intensity workouts, and this will help keep you from overheating.
Cooling neck wraps are also a great way to chill out and cool down after your workout is completed. Not only will your body’s temperature be more comfortable, but you’ll also be less sweaty and more comfortable in your skin. Consider picking up a smaller or larger cooling neck wrap, depending on what you’re using it for.
1. Sukeen Cooling Towels
Once you enjoy the benefits of a cooling neck wrap for the first time, you’re not going to workout without one. If you’re committed to your workout routine, that means you’re going to want more than one cooling neck wrap so you can make it to laundry day. That’s where this value pack comes in: you get six cooling neck wraps included in this deal.
Each cooling neck wrap is made with breathable, hyper-evaporative mesh and comes in a different color so you know which one to use. It’s great for families going on vacation or on a hike too. Each towel also has its own clip-on carrying bag that fits on your gym bag or backpack.
2. Tough Outdoors Cooling Neck Wrap
If you’re spending extended periods being active outside, this is the cooling neck wrap that you’ll want to take with you. The brand uses patented cooling performance fabric that stays cool for two hours once it’s activated. To re-activate the towel, all you have to do is soak it or run it under cold water again.
We also love this neck wrap because it offers protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. When you’re done with it, just fold it up into the attached carrying case, which makes it easy to take the towel to go.
3. SmallElectrics Cooling Towels
These cooling neck towels are a little more heavy duty, yet still lightweight enough to travel with.
This set gets you four cooling towels made from soft, breathable microfiber. These are great cooling neck wraps to have on hand when you’re at the gym because they quickly absorb your sweat. They’re large enough that you can wear them around your neck or use them as towels to wipe down the rest of your body too.
4. MISSION Cooling Neck Gaiter
We love this cooling neck wrap for its unique design. Rather than being towel shaped, it takes the form of a neck gaiter. You can wear it twelve different ways, including as a headband and facemask. It’s one of the best cooling neck wraps to have on hand for everyday activities in the heat. It’s made from 100% polyester and stays cool for two hours once it’s reactivated.
It also comes with a UV coating to offer additional protection from the sun.