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We Found the 8 Best Cooling Towels To Keep You Fresh Through Sweaty Workouts
Whether you're hanging at the beach, tackling yard work, or powering through an outdoor workout
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John Honerkamp is an RRCA and USATF-certified running coach, celebrity marathon pacer, and recognized leader in the New York City running community.
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Isabella Broggini is a health writer and editor, NASM-certified personal trainer, and fitness nutrition specialist. She is the associate editorial director for Verywell Fit.
Verywell Fit / Amelia Manley
Whether you’re hanging at the beach, tackling yard work, or powering through an outdoor workout, the best cooling towels offer a quick way to lower your body temperature and freshen up. Crafted from high-tech fabrics, these towels activate with water—simply dampen, wring, and snap for instant cooling relief. While they don't replace hydration or sun protection—two other hot-weather essentials—they do prove invaluable for combating hot and humid conditions, especially during rigorous physical activity.
To find the best cooling towels, we researched dozens of options from reputable brands. While comparing products, we consider their material, care instructions, size, and overall value to narrow down our picks. We also had an RRCA- and USATF-certified running coach from our Review Board review this article for what to look for in cooling towels, how they work, and the best ways to use them.
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Stays cool for up to 2 hours
Antimicrobial
UPF 50 protection
Dries quickly
This highly effective towel from Mission is our top pick because it starts to cool within 30 seconds of touching cold water. You simply soak it in cold water, wring it out, and it’s ready to drape around your neck. It stays cool for two hours, but once it starts to get warm, simply rinse and repeat. The soft and durable antimicrobial towel is chemical free, machine washable, and even provides UPF 50 protection from the sun.
The Max Plus towel is long, so it will stay in place when you put it around your neck, and it comes in four color options.
Key Specs:
Size: 36 x 9.5 inches | Care: Machine Wash | Fabric: 61% Polyester, 30% Nylon, 9% Spandex
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12 ways to wear
Budget-friendly
4 color options
Doesn't stay cool for long
Tight fit
For running in hot weather, what could be more convenient than having a cooling towel that stays put on your neck? This Chill Pal Cooling Band can be worn as a neck gaiter, balaclava, headband, bandana, face cover, hair cover, and more.
You simply soak it in cold water, wring it out, and it’s ready to wear. If it starts to get warmer, repeat the steps, and stay cool while working up a sweat during your run.
Key Specs:
Size: 6 x 4 inches | Care: Machine Wash | Fabric: Not listed
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Fun colors
Stays cool for up to 4 hours
Drip-free
Rubbery feel
Heavier than most towels
This cooling towel can easily be draped around your neck during a hot weather hike for fast, cooling relief. The activated advanced PVA material retains water while remaining dry to the touch, so it keeps you cool without the added bulk.
The 29-by-13-inch towel is thicker than most other cooling towels, so it absorbs more water and stays cool for longer, but it may also be heavier than other cooling towels listed.
Key Specs:
Size: 13 x 29.5 inches | Care: Machine Wash | Fabric: PVA
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Contours to fit your head
Cools in 30 seconds
UPF 50 protection
May need to be worn under hat or band to stay in place
Sometimes draping a cooling towel around your neck just isn’t sufficient to combat the intense summer heat. With this hoodie towel covering your head, you’ll get even more of a cooling effect when you’re working in the garden or hanging at the beach.
It stays cool for up to two hours when activated with water and also has UPF 50 protection.
Key Specs:
Size: One Size Fits Most | Care: Machine Wash | Fabric: 100% Polyester
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10 color options
Absorbs 8x its weight in water
Hyper-evaporative material
Color can bleed
May mildew quickly
When you’re scoring aces on a blistering hot tennis court, a few gulps of water aren’t enough to cool you down. For cold relief, try wrapping this Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad cooling towel around your neck in between sets.
Made from a hyper-evaporative material that retains water while remaining dry to the touch, it stays cool for up to four hours.
Key Specs:
Size: 13 x 33 inches | Care: Machine Wash | Fabric: PVA
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Includes reusable airtight container
Durable
Cools instantly
Only one color option
Stay cool when you’re hitting the golf course with this convenient and dependable cooling towel from Callaway. Measuring 24 x 17 inches, it’s the perfect size to stash in your golf bag (or gym bag) for cooling relief out on the course.
Simply soak the towel in cold water and place it on your head or neck. When you’re not using it, you can keep it in the included sealable container for repeated use throughout your game.
Key Specs:
Size: 24 x 17 inches | Care: Machine Wash | Fabric: 100% Polyester
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Lightweight
Easy to clean
Many color options
Doesn't stay cool for long
This towel's cooling properties can be activated in seconds by soaking it in water and wringing it out. Made of a polyamide and polyester blend, the breathable fabric is soft, lightweight, absorbent, and has UPF 50+ sun protection.
The towel is available in nine colors and even comes with a small mesh pouch for convenient storage, so it’s easy to take on the road — tuck it into your running backpack.
Key Specs:
Size: 38 x 12 inches | Care: Machine Wash | Fabric: 100% Polyester
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Extra thick fabric
Evaporative technology
Dries stiff
For a cooling towel that stays cold for your entire hot yoga class, you can’t beat this thick one from Chill Pal. Just wet it before class, wring it out, and put it around your neck for cooling relief.
It even comes with a convenient pouch that can be attached to your gym bag using the included carabiner clip.
Key Specs:
Size: 32 x 12 inches | Care: Machine Wash | Fabric: PVA
How We Selected the Cooling Towels
To find the best cooling towels, we spoke to an avid runner and researched the most popular and well-reviewed products on the market. We also looked at user reviews to determine what cooling towel features were most important for users.
Based on this research, we determined that cooling efficiency (how long towels stay cool), average cooling time, ease of use, and material were the most important factors when considering a cooling towel.
We favored options that were durable but lightweight, made with polyvinyl acetate (PVA) material, and machine washable. Because some towels have different price points, we then weighed the cost against the strengths of the towels to determine which options offered the best value at different price points.
What to Look for When Shopping for Cooling Towels
- Materials: Towels made of PVA (polyvinyl acetate) are extremely absorbent and remain cool for several hours. The advanced fabric won't soak your clothing or weigh you down because it feels dry to the touch even when it’s wet. Microfiber towels provide reliable cooling, and they feel soft and comfortable against your skin. However, they won't stay cool for as long as a PVA towel, and they're not dry to the touch when wet.
- Size: Extra small and small towels are usually up to 35 inches in length and are ideal to use around your neck or head. Towels around 40 inches in length can be hung around your neck or tied around your waist. Extra-large towels are 50 inches or longer and big enough for full-body use.
- Care: Most cooling towels are machine washable, but be sure to double-check the care instructions before buying. You definitely don’t want to hand-wash your towel after each sweaty use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do cooling towels work?
Cooling towels are made with high-tech fabrics that, when activated with water, draw sweat and moisture away from the body via evaporation. This creates a noticeable cooling effect on the skin. Simply get your towel wet, wring it out, and apply it to your neck, head, back, or waist.
What is the best way to use a cooling towel?
A cooling towel is designed to reduce your body temperature and absorb sweat in the process. You can use one to cool down during intense workouts, when you have a fever, while traveling, anytime you're out in the hot sun, and more.
How long do cooling towels last?
If you take proper care of your cooling towel, it can last for several years. The lifetime of a cooling towel also depends on the quality of the materials. Usually, you can expect your cooling towel to last for up to five years.
How do you keep cooling towels cool?
Cooling towels maintain their effects for about two hours after activation. Since their cooling effects are partly due to evaporation, swinging the towel around can reduce the temperature further. If the towel is still moist, you can reactivate the cooling effects by circulating air through it.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
An avid runner and marathon running coach, Christine Luff, ACE-CPT, runs and coaches outdoors through the hot and sticky summer months, so she has researched, tested, and recommended lots of hot weather running gear, like cooling towels.
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