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Allegro Industries has the Cool OffS bandana--
Cool Off's. Lightweight cooling bandana's available in 5 patterns.

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Does anyone know where I can purchase these at a retail store instead of online?

Anyone use these and like them?

Anyone have a suggestion of a homemade version?

Are there any other cooling off items you use???


Thanks,

Sherileeaz

The "cool-danas" are filled with little beads that absorbs water. The water is slowly released from the bead and evaporates. Since evaporation is endothermic, heat is consumed and a cooling effect results. The slower the water is released the greater the cooling ability.

They can be had from laradas military surplus for about the same price as on the site. They also have some other variations of ones that cover the whole head. I own a couple of them and never use them. Sometimes I'll dip plain 'ole bandana in water and tie it around my neck, but you have to soak the cool-danas for like 15 min beforehand and I never remember to do that so it usually stays at home.

I've used them at work before. They cool really good, but don't retun to their original shape. They become kind of a soggy, jelly mess.

matt gilbert wrote: Sometimes I'll dip plain 'ole bandana in water and tie it around my neck.

Matt, thanks for the tip about the plain ole bandana, BryanM showed me that at Tonto Narrows.

I'll try Larados for the cool offs if I can't find some where closer on the West side of Phoenix.

AK, thanks, good to know they work but that they don't keep their shape.

Sherileeaz

Seen 'em, some of my friends have 'em at work, and they love 'em. 'Bout the only thing I use to cool down is my ball cap I soak in water and wear on my afternoon jog.

Walmart carries them for about 3 dollars different patterns or you can make your own. Directions below....

NECK COOLERS
Polymer beads (at garden shops)
Tightly-woven cotton material
Cut a rectangle 35 x 4 1/2 inches. Mark the material at both 7 and 9 1/2 inches from the short ends. You can taper the short ends to a curved point for about 6 1/2 inches, so you end up with something looking like a surfboard, these ends are used as ties. Finish the raw edges from one 9 1/2-inch mark around the point, to the other 9 1/2-inch mark, either with an overlocked/serged rolled hem or with bias binding.

Fold the rectangle wrong sides together and sew along the long sides, between the 7-inch marks, using a small stitch and 1/4 inch seam allowance. Turn right side out and sew a double row of small stitches across one end at the 7-inch mark. Place 1 to 2 teaspoons polymer beads in and sew across other end at 7-inch mark, making sure there are no gaps.

Dschur wrote:Walmart carries them for about 3 dollars different patterns or you can make your own. Directions below....

NECK COOLERS
Polymer beads (at garden shops)
Tightly-woven cotton material
Cut a rectangle 35 x 4 1/2 inches. Mark the material at both 7 and 9 1/2 inches from the short ends. You can taper the short ends to a curved point for about 6 1/2 inches, so you end up with something looking like a surfboard, these ends are used as ties. Finish the raw edges from one 9 1/2-inch mark around the point, to the other 9 1/2-inch mark, either with an overlocked/serged rolled hem or with bias binding.

Fold the rectangle wrong sides together and sew along the long sides, between the 7-inch marks, using a small stitch and 1/4 inch seam allowance. Turn right side out and sew a double row of small stitches across one end at the 7-inch mark. Place 1 to 2 teaspoons polymer beads in and sew across other end at 7-inch mark, making sure there are no gaps.

THANKS!! I like crafty things and I will check out Walmart too.

Sherileeaz