'I’m a fitness editor who loves to run outside. These are the best cooling towels for hot days.'

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This year is scorching, folks. July 2024 ushered in two of the hottest days ever recorded on Earth, which means working out, running, or even going for a standard hot girl walk outdoors lately is, well, a sweaty pursuit. But what if we told you that, aside from sunglasses, hats, and water bottles, there's an underdog workout accessory that can be incredibly helpful in staying comfortable and beating the heat? Whether you're a hot yoga class regular or a fiend for long runs outdoors, cooling towels are key for staying safe and performing your best when things heat up.

Best cooling towels

You can wet any towel for a refreshing cool down, but these towels are designed with highly evaporative fabric to stay cold for longer, says Alyssa Lombardi, CPT, a personal trainer, running coach, and exercise physiologist. Regular towels can be very heavy when wet and dry quickly, but a cooling towel will remain lightweight and moist for an extended period of time, says Lombardi.

It may seem magical, but cooling towels also usually feel dry to the touch despite holding in moisture to stay chilled. This is because the materials used prevent water inside the fabric from evaporating and/or drying up. All you have to do is soak the towel in water to activate, wring it out, snap a few times, and ta-da—ice, ice, baby.

What to consider

Material

Most quality towels are made from hyper-evaporative fabrics like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or synthetic microfibers that are designed to hold cool moisture for long periods of time, says Dylan Balicki, CPT, an Orangetheory regional fitness coach. Both fabrics are lightweight yet super absorbent, which helps to ensure your towel will stay cool for longer without feeling heavy or cumbersome.

Both materials are effective, but PVA can hold up to 12 times its weight in water, meaning it's typically the most absorbent option, and in our testing experience, stays cool for longest. Microfiber towels feel softer and more natural against the skin, but the chilling effect is not always as apparent or long-lasting. And while some towels have built-in cooling gels or alcohol-based fabrics, towels made from PVA may be best for the cooling and water wicking technology, research shows.

Cooling duration

Convenience is crucial, and that extends to how long your towel stays cool. Some towels only stay chilled for an hour, while others have a lasting effect up to three or four hours. If you're doing a workout or taking a walk on a hot day, you’ll want a towel that doesn’t require frequent re-wetting.

Size and portability

Functional fitness gear that’s easy to use and carry around is essential to most active people. The towels come in various sizes, so think about how and where you’ll use it most. A smaller one might be best for tossing in your gym bag or clipping onto your clothes during a hike, while a larger one could be great for draping over your shoulders or on your mat during a hot yoga class. Either way, portability is key—make sure it’s lightweight and folds up easily so you can get the most use out of it.

UV protection

If you’re planning to exercise outdoors, especially in the summer, a cooling towel that offers UV protection is a smart choice. This means your towel not only cools you down but also protects your skin from harmful sun exposure. Look for towels that specifically mention UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) ratings for the best sun protection, so you’re covered (literally) in more ways than one. (Yes, you should still be wearing SPF!)

How we tested and selected

For the past year, Women’s Health editors and experts, including fitness editor Talene Appleton, CPT, and contributor Andi Breitowich, tested the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated cooling towels on the market. Our team also consulted two personal trainers (who are no strangers to hot, sweaty workouts!) to understand what features and factors help the best cooling towels stand out from the rest.

So, whether you’re running, hiking, biking, or just trying to stay cool at home, these towels are a low-cost and convenient way to cool off and dry off at the same time. Below, check out the six best editor-tested and vetted cooling towels for all budgets, preferences, activities, and seasons.

Chilly Pad Instant Cooling Towel

If you’re looking for the ultimate cooldown, Lombardi recommends the Frogg Toggs cooling towel. The machine washable towel feels icy cold to the touch straight out of the package even before wetting, and provides up to four hours of cooling relief. The hyper-evaporative material retains water better than other towels we tested while remaining dry to the touch (you kind of have to feel it yourself to believe it). This towel won't last as many uses compared to mesh towels (PVA dries out and becomes less absorbent over time), however it has the most pronounced and long-lasting cooling effect out of all the towels we tested.

It’s also perfect for outdoor activities as it cools up to 30 degrees and offers UV protection. The towel is large and thicker than mesh and microfiber options we tested, which enables it's high absorbency. We recommend airing this towel out for a day or two before use, as it comes out of the package smelling strongly of chemicals due to the material.

Cooling Towels

Blistering temps have nothing on you with these mesh cooling towels. The breathable fabric is designed to draw sweat away from your skin while staying cool for up to three hours. In our testing, we found it stayed satisfyingly cold for a solid two hours, and just a little cool within the third hour. It's made from microfiber and chemical-free, and therefore won't come with any chemical-y or plasticky smell out of the package.

The mesh fabric feels soft against the skin, is super thin and easy to fold up small yet highly absorbent, and comes in a range of colors. Generally, mesh options like this one feel more natural to use against the skin compared to PVA towels, but won't feel quite as cold for quite as long.

While it might require more frequent re-wetting compared to the Frogg Toggs towel, you really can't beat this value. One order includes six towels, each with its own carrying pouch and carabiner clip, so it’s perfect for on-the-go travel or attaching to your gym bag.

2 Pack Cooling Towel

YQXCC is one of the biggest cooling towel brands on the market and comes with a nice carrying case, says Balicki. The material is an optimal combination of soft and durable. On top of that, the microfiber mesh is chemical-free and gentle on skin.

"I pulled one of these towels out mid 10-mile run in July and soaked them with tepid water from a public park water fountain," says WH fitness editor Talene Appleton, CPT. "It instantly turned ice cold, lasting for over an hour. I love that when I was finished with it, I slipped it back into the plastic case and clipped it on my running belt."

Original Microfiber Cooling Towel

Whether you’re on a long hike, running a marathon, or in a hot yoga studio, MISSION's original cooling towel is one of Lombardi’s go-to’s. The brand's fabrics are powered by the instant cooling technology designed to enhance the natural evaporation process, lowering your body temperature by up to 30 degrees in under 30 seconds.

This one stayed refreshingly cold on a 80 degree NYC summer day for about 90 minutes, and stayed relatively cool for an additional 40 minutes after that. It also provides UPF 50 sun protection for staying active outdoors on even the hottest of days. “I'm so glad I had this towel during my first-ever padel lesson earlier this summer," says Appleton. "It kept me cool in the 90-degree heat and 7 UV index for over an hour."

MISSION Dual Action Cooling Sweat Towel

The towel features MISSION's science-backed instant cooling technology in a new design that packs even more functionality. It's the most versatile towel we tested due to it's dual-sided design: the smooth side cools you down while the terry side is super absorbent. It's super lightweight, offers UV protection, and is machine washable, too.

"Unlike some cooling towels that can feel rubbery, unnatural, or too thin against the skin, this one is ultra-soft," says Appleton. "A wipe down mid-workout with this towel is a super effective way to release excess heat and moisture from my body."

Cooling Hoodie Towel

Ok, the hood might be giving Jedi, but what's wrong with that? The wearable towel is a bit unconventional for more active fitness pursuits, but it's super practical for staying cool and protecting your scalp from the sun when gardening, walking, or spectating sports outdoors. (It's also a great way to protect color-treated hair from the sun's harmful rays!)

This towel has everything we love about MISSION's Original Microfiber Towel, just in a longer, hooded design. We're talking machine washer-friendly, instant cooling tech, and hours of chilling relief.

Cooling Towel Benefits

Support performance

Keeping your body temperature regulated can help you perform your best, research shows. That's because excess heat causes fatigue and impedes endurance, according to study in Perceptual and Motor Skills. Cooling towels help to direct heat away from the body by absorbing sweat and moisture, says Balicki. During the evaporation process, the towel provides a cooling effect to the skin to help maintain a normal body temperature.

Reduce sun exposure

Many cooling towels have built-in UPF sun protection, which is great for outdoor workouts and travel. Too much sun exposure can lead to sunburn, increased risk of skin cancer, and premature skin aging, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Consider a cooling towel another way to stay safe and limit direct exposure on top of wearing (and reapplying!) SPF.

Maximize comfort

Never under estimate the power of a little mid-workout cooling effect to boost morale. It’s no lie that an extra steamy workout can be a little unpleasant, whether you’re indoors or outdoors. In these cases, a cooling towel can offer a refreshing chill to keep you comfortable and focused on your training instead of the heat, says Balicki.

How do cooling towels work?

Cooling towels work by retaining moisture and then using that moisture to cool you down as it evaporates—kind of like how sweat naturally cools your skin.

Most towels are activated with water to set off the evaporative cooling process, says Balicki. The water is dispersed evenly across the towel and as the moisture evaporates, it creates a chilling effect. “The temperature of the cooling towel drops, and so does your body temp,” says Balicki.

Meet the experts

• Alyssa Lombardi, CPT, is a personal trainer, running coach, and exercise physiologist.

• Dylan Balicki, NASM-CPT, is a personal trainer and Orangetheory regional fitness coach based in New York City.

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