<p class=”body-tip”><strong>Meet the experts:</strong> <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/alyssa_runfit/” target=”_blank”>Alyssa Lombardi</a>, CPT, is a certified personal trainer, running coach, and exercise physiologist. <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/dc_balicki/?hl=en” target=”_blank”>Dylan Balicki</a>, CPT, is a NASM-certified personal trainer and Orangetheory regional fitness coach based in New York City.</p><p>While regular towels can be very heavy when wet and dry quickly, a cooling towel is meant to stay light and moist for an extended period of time, says Lombardi. It may seem magical, but the towel is also usually dry to the touch while holding in the moisture to stay chill, she adds. This is because the material prevents the water inside the fabric from evaporating and/or drying up. All you have to do is soak the towel in water, wring it out, snap a few times, and ta-da! </p><p>So, whether you’re <a href=”https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a43785599/running-over-40-beginner-plan/” target=”_blank”>running</a>, <a href=”https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/g43854289/your-spring-hiking-adventure-outfitted-by-rei/” target=”_blank”>hiking</a>, <a href=”https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a44467277/liesl-lar-fertility-bike-race-documentary/” target=”_blank”>biking</a>, or just <a href=”https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/g36143332/best-cooling-comforters/” target=”_blank”>super-hot in bed</a>, a cooling towel is a perfect and convenient way to cool off and dry off at the same time, says Lombardi.<br></p><h2 class=”body-h2″>How Cooling Towels Work</h2><p><strong></strong>Cooling towels are typically made from synthetic microfibers that are designed to hold cool moisture for long periods of time, says Dylan Balicki, CPT., an Orangetheory regional fitness coach. Here’s how it works: Most towels are activated with water and set off an evaporative cooling process, he explains. 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,” adds Balicki.</p><p>Most quality towels are made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or microfiber, says Balicki. Both materials are lightweight and effective, but PVA can hold up to 12 times its weight in water. It’s typically more absorbent and stays cool for hours. Microfiber towels feel soft against the skin, but the chilling effect is not always dry to the touch. 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, <a href=”https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemical-engineering/polyvinyl-acetate” target=”_blank”>research</a> shows.</p><p>What’s more, many cooling towels have built-in <a href=”https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a43942704/how-a-derm-who-specializes-in-skin-cancer-does-sun-care/” target=”_blank”>UPF 50, which is great for outdoor workouts and activities</a>. Whether you’re traveling or working out in the heat, see below for the best cooling towels on Amazon, all of which are trainer-recommended and loved by happy reviewers. </p>” />