How to Use Your Arctic Heat Cooling Vest

The Arctic Heat Cooling Vest is a lightweight gel-based cooling garment — the entire vest contains a special non-toxic, biodegradable viscose gel that absorbs water and retains temperature for extended periods. There are no separate ice packs or inserts. The whole vest is your cooling element.

Here is everything you need to know to get the best results.

Activating Your Vest for the First Time

Your vest arrives in a dry, dehydrated crystal state. Before first use it needs to be activated:

Submerge the entire vest in cold water for 10–15 minutes until the gel crystals have fully absorbed the water and the vest feels evenly hydrated throughout. Remove from water and gently squeeze out any excess. Do not wring. Your vest is now activated and ready to chill or freeze.

You only need to activate it this way once. After that, simply re-chill or refreeze between uses.

How to Get the Best Cooling Effect

For maximum cooling — freeze the vest. Place the activated vest flat in your freezer for 45–60 minutes, or until thoroughly chilled. Remove, shake gently to restore flexibility, and wear immediately.

For moderate cooling — refrigerate the vest for 30–45 minutes before use.

For a quick cool-down during sport — submerge the vest in ice water for 2–3 minutes, wring gently, and wear. Clothes may feel slightly damp using this method but cooling is immediate.

Wearing Your Vest

The vest should fit firmly against your skin or directly under a single layer of clothing. A firm fit maximises contact between the gel panels and your body, which is what drives the cooling effect.

The back of the vest has 3 cooling panels across the upper back only. This is intentional — keeping cooling away from the kidney area. The front of the vest has 4 cooling panels.

The vest will not make your outer clothing wet when used in frozen or refrigerated mode.

How Long Will It Stay Cool?

Cooling duration depends on ambient temperature and activity level. In typical conditions the vest stays noticeably cool for up to 2 hours. In extreme heat or during intense exercise, cooling will be shorter. In mild conditions it may last longer.

The gel inside the vest has the ability to hold the temperature it is introduced to — so the colder you start it, the longer it performs.

Using Your Vest for Warmth in Winter

The Arctic Heat vest works in both directions. To use warm, place the activated vest in a microwave in 30-second intervals until the desired temperature is reached. Always check the temperature against your skin before wearing to avoid burns. Heating times vary depending on microwave wattage.

Wearing the Vest During Sport or Work

The vest can be worn under a jersey, uniform, or hi-vis vest. It is low-profile and lightweight — from 2.2 pounds — making it practical for athletes, outdoor workers, and industrial settings where bulky cooling equipment is not suitable.

Care and Washing

The vest is made from 100% polyester and can be machine washed. Wash on a gentle cool cycle. Do not tumble dry.

Storage Between Uses

Short-term: hang the vest in a ventilated area while in its activated (gel) state. Do not fold and seal in a bag while wet.

Long-term storage: allow the vest to fully dehydrate — the gel will return to dry crystal form. This takes 24–48 hours hanging in a ventilated room. Once fully dry and hard, the vest can be folded and stored in a bag or box indefinitely. To reactivate, simply soak in water again.

Initially you may notice small traces of gel appearing at seam lines. This is normal. Simply wipe away with a damp cloth.

Important Safety Notes

Always check temperature before wearing when using the vest warm — burns are possible if overheated
Some medical conditions may require advice from a health professional before use
Keep out of reach of small children when frozen
The vest is not a replacement for proper heat-safety practices — always maintain hydration, take rest breaks, and seek shade in extreme heat

Questions?

Visit our FAQ page or contact the Arctic Heat USA team directly. We're here to help you get the most from your vest.