Click each frequently asked question for its answer below:
Why do you offer different sizes and quantities of cooling packs for your adjustable vests?
What is the benefit of choosing the vest with a eight to twelve small cooling packs?
What is the benefit of choosing the vest with four cooling pack strips?
What is "patent pending spinal pack placement"?
Where are the cooling pack pockets?
Can the vests use different cooling pack technologies?
Which is the best adjustable cooling pack vest choice for...? (MS, industrial workers, etc.)
I'm still confused! Can you help me? Q. Why do you offer different sizes and quantities of cooling packs for your adjustable vests?
A. Polar Products is passionate about providing the right solutions for keeping people cool. We are the only manufacturer of body cooling systems offering every type of body cooling technology as well as many different cooling vest sizes and styles. This presents a huge educational challenge for us: how easy would it be to produce just one vest and then claim it's good for all applications?
There is an old saying: "If all you have is a hammer, the whole world looks like a nail to you" ... but this is not so! Too many manufacturers produce ONE type of cooling vest and then claim that this vest is the best available and good for all needs. This is just not true!
We're here to help you choose the right size, type and style of cooling vest (and accessories!) to meet your unique needs and preferences. Hopefully the answers below will help you make your purchase with confidence, but if you need any assistance, please give us a call at
1.800.763.8423 and we will be happy to help!
Back to Top
Q. What is the benefit of choosing the vest with a eight to twelve small cooling packs?
A. The short answer: flexibility! Smaller packs allow for weight and cooling location flexibility. The overall vest weight may be adjusted by varying the number of cooling packs used; in other words, you don't have to use all of the packs! The use of separate, individual packs allows the number of cooling packs used to be customized for each person's preference and size. An additional benefit is that smaller vest sizes use fewer packs than larger vest sizes to keep the vest weight in proportion to the wearer's size. (For example, the size S/M uses eight packs and the 2XL/3XL uses twelve packs.) The smaller Kool Max® packs are 4.5" x 6" and the smaller Cool58® packs are 5" x 6"; these packs can be used interchangeably.
Smaller pockets in the front and back of the vest allow you to choose where you would like targeted cooling. For example, some women don't like to use cold packs on their chest.
The example vest shown above is size M/L. The number and location of pack pockets varies for each size. The different vest sizes include eight (8) to twelve (12) cooling packs. See the size chart on individual product pages for more information. This style of vest also features
patent-pending spinal pocket placement. The pockets in the pack are placed strategically along the spine for optimal cooling. Targeting the cooling on key areas and arteries allows fewer cooling packs to be needed for effective body cooling and therefore keeps the vest weight minimal.
Click here to shop our bestselling cooling vest (since 1984!) that uses eight to twelve 4.5" x 6" Kool Max® cooling packs! Back to Top
Q. What is the benefit of choosing the vest with four cooling pack strips?
A. The short answer: convenience! The long pack strips (measuring approximately 6" x 15" each) offer convenience in changing out the packs. Some people (particularly those in
military,
surgical or
industrial fields) like the convenience of fewer packs to trade out then they thaw.
Larger packs stay frozen longer than smaller packs, so the larger size packs offer extended cooling.
Click here to shop adjustable vests with four long pack strips. Back to Top
Q. What is "patent pending spinal pack placement"?
A. The pockets in the pack are placed strategically along the spine for optimal cooling. Targeting the cooling on key areas and arteries allows fewer cooling packs to be needed and therefore keeps the vest weight minimal.
The example vest shown above is size M/L. The number and location of pack pockets varies for each size. The different vest sizes include eight (8) to twelve (12) cooling packs. See the size chart on individual product pages for more information. Click here to shop vests with patent pending spinal pack placement. Back to Top Q. Where are the cooling pack pockets?
A. The insulated cooling pack pockets are sewn discreetly on the interior of the vest. They are not visible from the exterior.
Here is the interior of a vest style that uses eight (8) to twelve (12) 4.5" x 6" cooling packs (number cooling packs varies by size; the example shown is a M/L):
Here is the interior of a vest style that uses four (4) 6" x 15" cooling pack strips:
Note: Both examples above are shown with
Kool Max® Frozen Water-Based Cooling Packs, but the pockets are compatible with the corresponding size of
Cool58® 58 Degree Phase Change Packs as well. See the next Q. and A. for more information about the cooling pack technologies.
Back to Top
Q. Can the vests use different cooling pack technologies?
A. Yes! The pack pockets in Polar cooling vests are compatible with both cooling packs technologies. This allows you to choose the type of pack that will best meet your needs!
Kool Max® Frozen Water-Based Cooling Packs require access to a freezer and offer the highest level of cooling energy for up to 3-4 hours. (It's science! It takes more energy to charge these packs in a freezer and in return, the packs offer greater cooling energy for a longer time.) The photos below show the two different sizes of Kool Max® packs: 4.5" x 6" packs on the left and 6" x 15" pack strips on the right.
Cool 58® Phase Change Cooling Packs freeze at 58°F (14.4°C) and provide a comfortable, constant cooling temperature of 58°F for up to 1.5-3 hours. Ideal choice when freezers are not available: these packs can be recharged in a cooler of ice water in just 15 to 20 minutes! The photos below show the two different sizes of Cool58® packs:
5" x 6" packs on the left and
6" x 15" pack strips on the right.
(Please note that the photos above are not to scale.)
You have the option to add an extra set of cooling packs with your vest. You may want to order both types of cooling packs for flexibility on-the-go! Back to Top
Q. Which is the best adjustable cooling pack vest choice for...
... someone with multiple sclerosis? Our best-selling vest for people with MS is our
Adjustable Zipper Vest with (8-12) Small Kool Max® Packs.
... someone on vacation? You might not always have access to a freezer w
hen you're on vacation. Smaller Cool58® packs can be activated in a cooler of ice water or a hotel mini-fridge. We recommend our
Adjustable Zipper Vest with (8-12) Small Cool58® Phase Change Packs.
... outdoor activity? If you're doing yard work our outdoor activities at home and have access to a freezer, our
Adjustable Zipper Vest with (8-12) Small Kool Max® Packs is a great choice. If you're going to be hiking or at an event away from a freezer, we recommend freezing these smaller packs at home and taking the frozen packs with you in a cooler. You can put them in your vest when you're ready to begin your activity.
... industrial or construction workers? Our
Adjustable Zipper Vest with (4) Long Kool Max® Pack Strips is a great choice for workers! Kool Max® packs are are colder than Cool58® packs and stay frozen longer. It's a great idea to have an additional set of Cool58® packs for longer shifts or when access to freezers will be limited. You can purchase a kit with both sets of cooling packs at a discounted price; check out our
Adjustable Zipper Vest Technology Kit!
Do you have a unique application? Please
send us an e-mail or give us a call at
1.800.763.8423 and we will be happy to make a recommendation for you!
Back to Top
Q. I'm still confused! Can you help me?
A. Of course! Please
send us an e-mail or give us a call at
1.800.763.8423.
Click here for more information about the
different types of cooling technologies.
Click here for
Frequently Asked Questions about Body Cooling.
Back to Top
