The 6 Best Cooling Towels, Tested by Fitness Editors and Trainers

These towels are subtle-looking and go with pretty much any outfit. They are made of a hyper-evaporative, breathable mesh material. Their unique cooling system uses moisture from the towel to draw sweat away from your skin, keeping you cool.

As with most towels in this guide, all you need to do to activate the towel is soak it in chilled water and wring it out. The water’s cooling effect on the towel lasts for several hours, keeping you refreshed whether you are doing yard work or hitting a run.

This towel is super versatile, allowing you to use it at the gym, as a yoga towel, or out in the yard. Each towel comes with a carrying pouch and a carabiner clip. They are easy to store, carry, and hang. It can be conveniently hooked onto sports bags and travel backpacks. They can be hand-washed or machine-washed and are super easy to clean.

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Constructed from FROGG TOGGS’ signature hyper-evaporative material, this towel also retains up to eight times its weight in water and sweat, according to the brand. And the best part? It’s machine washable and can be used over and over again, making it a reliable cooling companion for the long run.

After removing it from the packaging, wet the towel thoroughly, wring out any excess water, and allow it to begin evaporating. After use or washing, just store it in its original storage tube, in a plastic bag, or hang it up to dry.

The brand doesn’t recommend freezing these towels, but they can be refrigerated for an added chill. Plus, its internal mesh reinforcing material allows you to cut it into any shape you fancy, making it customizable and versatile. And at $10 for a 6-pack, it’s an incredible value for these mini towels.

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Made from a smooth and durable brushed fabric, this towel combines cooling tech with ultra-soft comfort. According to the brand, its proprietary performance fabric cools the body by up to 30 degrees below average body temperature in under a minute.

The cooling effect lasts for up to three hours, allowing you to stay active and focused. Simply re-wet and snap the towel to reactivate it, so you can enjoy long-lasting cooling comfort. The odor-resistant material also keeps you smelling fresh, even in the heat.

Bonus: Not only does its antimicrobial material fight bacterial growth, but it also offers UPF 50 sun protection and is machine washable.

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Scorching summer temperatures can’t slow you down if you’re equipped with the Cooling Towel from Tough Outdoors. Two simple steps are all that’s required to cool down: Soak with water and wring out. When it starts warming up again, just rinse and repeat.

This towel has also got you covered with sun protection, quite literally. Not only does it provide cooling relief, but it also blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays and is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Made from patented Evapocool performance fabric, this towel is designed to actively evaporate moisture while cooling. They are gentle on your skin, machine washable, and fast-drying, ensuring they remain a summer staple for years to come.

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This towel is constructed from Frogg Toggs’ exclusive 100% Poly Vinyl Alcohol material, known for its hyper-evaporative properties, which allow it to absorb up to 8 times its weight in water while remaining dry to the touch.

Wetting the towel with water triggers its cooling effect, which can lower the temperature to 30 degrees. Once wet, the towel utilizes the power of simple evaporation to produce a refreshing coolness. As long as the towel is wet, exposed to the air, and allowed to “breathe,” the Chilly Pad will continue to evaporate and keep you cool.

Measuring 33 x 13 inches, this towel provides generous coverage for maximum cooling relief and sun protection. You can even cut it to create smaller towels to suit your needs. Plus, the organic nature of the material means that when it’s time to dispose of the towel, you can grind it up and blend it with soil to help dry soil retain moisture, according to the brand.

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Stay cool hands-free with this innovative Cooling Hoodie Towel. It works just like the other cooling towels on this list, requiring only water to activate, but it offers a hands-free solution for chilling out. According to the brand, it stays cool for up to two hours.

With permanent cooling properties that won’t wash out, it’s both reusable and machine washable. It’s also UPF 50, shielding you from the sun’s harmful rays.

Its versatile design allows you to wear it in multiple ways, whether tucked, shifted, or draped. One downside: It’s pretty spacious and requires some securing to stay in place while moving about. Luckily, there’s a snap closure to help with that

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