Tactical body heat reduction

[justanothergunnut]

YEP I knew that if I put "tactical" in the title it would get you. Seriously though there are times when heat either our body temp or the outside air temp can be a serious concern. Enter the Mission Endura Cool product line. The endura cool is essentially a cloth towel or wrap that uses evaporation to cool your body. According to the manufacturer the material is a engineered multi level textile that enhances evaporation in the way it moves moisture through its various "levels". I know kinda sounds like bunk, however, they do have a patent for the tech so it can't all be lies. It was recommended to me by a lady that regularly plays golf in the heat of palm springs California and her statement to me was "I WON"T play during the day without it" So, hearing that off I go to plunk down my $20 and give it a shot. I purchased mine at Lowe's in of course tactical sand brown.(look i used tactical again) I was working in the desert that week and temps were expected to get high 110-116. The first day I tried out my new gear it was 113 and I was impressed. It did indeed cool drastically more than normal wet materials do through evaporation. To the touch I would say 20 deg plus cooler than a normal wet tshirt. So i did a unscientific test. I took a tshirt, got it wet then held it in front of a floor fan forcing increased evaporation. just wrapped around my neck and head the enduracool felt as cold as the shirt that had been placed in front of the fan. I used the enduracool all day and it help considerably. Was I still hot?? uhhh yeah it was 113 Degrees just breathing that air sucks.
Now for the tactical stuff I promised.. I used the product on a field day recently where the temps were not as hot only 102. So what I did to increase air flow over the wrap was to tuck a shemagh up under my hat and allow it to fall loosely over my shoulders acting as a air funnel. As I walked it funneled air towards my head cooling the enduracool wrap as well as my head, neck and upper back between my shoulders. Now for the downside, and for some of you it's probably a big one.. Because this product relies on evaporation to work those of you in high humidity areas just won't see the dramatic reduction in temps. I guess thats what you get for living under a mister..

Bottom line for me though,, I was convinced enough that my wife and son both got one and one will forever ride in my pack ooh they also make sleeves for your arms. Yeah ill be getting those as well.

[kappydell]

while i am pleased with the new approaches to evaporation cooling (I occasionally make neck coolers using water retaining crystals that work similarly) I am appalled at the prices. still and all, evaporation cooling is one of the bag of tricks one can utilize when looking for a no-tech solution to seasonal heat. Be it the old clay-pot butter coolers, a 'coolgardie' refrigerator, or a cooling cloth, they all work amazingly well if properly used (as you have learned while increasing the air-flow to enhance the cloth's performance).
These are excellent items to have in your kit.

[Rmplstlskn]

Thanks for the review jagn... I will look for those in my area. I like COOLNESS on hot days. Our humidity here in VA is not as bad as down south, so they should work well here.

Rmpl