Frequently Asked Questions

EZ Cooldown PCM cooling vests are distinct in offering a variety of PCM temperatures and pack configurations. This flexibility ensures you can always find the perfect setup for your needs. Here are some tips to help you make an informed choice:

Temperatures Offered:

• 15°C/59°F: Provides intense cooling.
• 21°C/70°F: Offers longer-lasting cooling, though less intense.

Choosing based on your needs:

• For intense cooling with the option to frequently rotate packs, choose 15°C/59°F.
• If you prefer not to switch packs often, opt for 21°C/70°F for extended cooling.

PCM Pack Configurations:

• Thin 8-cell packs: These keep your vest slim and more concealable but offer a shorter cooling duration.
• Thick 4-cell packs: These are bulkier but contain 30% more PCM, providing prolonged cooling.

Summary of Options:

• Thin 8-cell 15°C/59°F packs: Intense cooling, more concealable vest, shorter cooling duration.
• Thick 4-cell 15°C/59°F packs: Intense cooling, bulkier vest, moderate cooling duration.
• Thin 8-cell 21°C/70°F packs: Moderate cooling, more concealable vest, moderate cooling duration.
• Thick 4-cell 21°C/70°F packs: Moderate cooling, bulkier vest, extended cooling duration.

Select the configuration that aligns best with your requirements for cooling power and duration, as well as your preferences regarding the
visibility and comfort of the vest.

This is not an easy question to answer. Determining the exact duration of cooling from an activated set of PCM depends on various factors:

• Ambient temperature and humidity.
• Exposure to direct sunlight.
• Your activity level.
• Your physical condition.
• The type of vest you’re using.
• Which kind of clothing worn under or over the cooling vest.
• Your PCM's phase change temperature, e.g 15°C/59°F vs. 21°C/70°F
• Your PCM’s cell configuration (thick 4-cell packs vs. thin 8-cell packs).

Based on our testing and customer surveys, we can say that our Performers vest cools effectively for up to 4 hours when using the thicker 4-cell 21°C/70°F packs.

PCM is keeping you cool as long as you can see bits of solid PCM crystals in the packs. Only when all PCM has turned liquid, the packs are depleted and need to be replaced or re-activated.

It is normal that the packs don’t feel cold anymore after 10 or 20 minutes. This is because your skin gets used to the PCM’s temperature and doesn’t register it as being ‘cold’ any longer. You can test this simply by removing the vest and touching your skin. It will feel quite cold as the surface of your skin is now about the same temperature as the PCM pack. As a result, the packs won’t feel cold, but the packs are still cooling your body.

Also keep in mind that using PCM packs directly from the refrigerator or freezer results in a much colder sensation, given their activation at temperatures of 5°C/41°F (refrigerator) or -18°C/0°F (freezer). The PCM packs will quickly warm to their phase change temperature, thereafter maintaining this temperature for several hours. Remember, PCM packs are engineered to cool at specified temperatures of 21°C/70°F or 15°C/59°F, rather than the colder temperatures of your refrigerator or freezer.

• Opt for 21°C (70°F) PCM packs: These maintain a cool temperature longer than packs with lower temperatures.
• Select thicker 4-cell packs: These contain 30% more PCM, enhancing their cooling capacity.
• Ensure your PCM packs are fully activated: To check, press firmly on the activated packs (don't worry, they won't burst). If the PCM doesn’t deform, your packs are fully solidified and ready to use.
• Store unused activated PCM packs properly: If you're not using your activated PCM packs immediately after removing them from the fridge or freezer, keep them wrapped in a towel or in a small cooler to maintain their temperature.
• Wear a barrier between your skin and the PCM vest: Don’t wear the PCM vest directly on your skin. Instead, wear a Lycra or Spandex shirt underneath. We recommend Under Armour Heatgear for optimal comfort.
• Pre-cool before wearing your PCM cooling vest: Extend the cooling effect by drinking a glass of cold water, taking a cold shower, or applying cold washcloths to your neck or wrists before putting on your vest.

When Phase Change Material (PCM) is exposed to a temperature below its phase change temperature, it solidifies. This behavior is typical and indicates that the PCM is
functioning correctly. A solid PCM pack signifies that it is activated and ready for use. If your PCM packs have solidified into an awkward or inconvenient shape, you can easily reshape them by placing them in warm
water until they return to a liquid state. Afterwards, lay the packs
flat in a refrigerator or freezer to re-activate them.

This indicates that your PCM packs are nearing the end of their phase change from solid to liquid. The temperature will likely be slightly higher now than the target temperature of your PCM. When this occurs, it’s time to either reactivate your packs or replace them with freshly activated ones.

If you observe crystals in your packs after storage, this simply means they were stored at a temperature slightly above the target temperature of your PCM packs. This does not suggest any abnormality.

During transport, PCM may solidify under cold conditions, which can
cause the packs to appear misshapen. To rectify this,
simply place your packs in warm water for a few minutes until the PCM returns to its liquid state. Afterwards, lay the packs flat and
reactivate them in a refrigerator or freezer.

You can safely take PCM packs on planes, but be sure to pack them in your checked luggage, not in your carry-on. To date, we haven't received reports of customers facing issues with airlines or border security.

We advise against traveling with PCM packs in your carry-on luggage. If you're traveling with only carry-on luggage, ensure your inserts are fully activated and keep them in a cooler bag or wrapped in a towel. The PCM inside the packs will stay solid for many hours. Since most airlines prohibit carrying liquids, do not bring deactivated PCM inserts in your carry-on.

Security officials may inquire about your PCM inserts; simply explain their purpose and use. If questioned, inform the officials that the inserts contain a mixture of solid vegetable oils and direct
them to our website for more information.

You can activate PCM packs by exposing them to any temperature below their phase change temperature:

For the blue packs this is 15°C (59°F). and for the yellow packs it’s 21°C (70°F)

Activation times vary by method—20 minutes in ice water, 40 in the freezer, or 60 in the refrigerator.

The 15°C (59°F) inserts take a bit longer to activate compared to the 21°C (70°F).

For quick activation, place the packs side by side in a fridge or freezer. When activating overnight, stacking the packs is more effective.

PCM packs activated in a freezer can remain cool and ready for up to 12 hours when stored in an insulated bag or cooler. To ensure efficiency, select the smallest cooler that can fit the necessary amount of packs.

You can store your PCM packs at room temperature however, we recommend keeping the packs in your freezer or refrigerator so they’re always ready to use.

When placing packs in a freezer, make sure they are completely dry so they don't stick together when frozen.

That would be very unlikely. EZ Cooldown PCM packs are extremely robust and can stand immense pressure without bursting.

We have put our PCM packs through some very extreme tests. See the results for yourself!

The only way to destroy a pack is by puncturing it with a very sharp object.

EZCooldown PCM is bio-based and non-toxic. If PCM gets in contact with your skin, simply wash with a mild soap.

A light greasiness on the surface of the pack is normal, resulting from the so-called permeation of the PCM material, meaning the packs release a tiny amount of PCM. This is normal and not indicative of a leak or damage. To reduce permeation, PCM packs can be stored in a refrigerator or freezer.

It's important to understand that a cooling vest doesn't actively reduce heat like an air conditioner. Instead, it helps your body regulate temperature more efficiently over time. By keeping your core temperature stable for a longer period, it can help prevent or delay heat stress, provided the cooling vest is used correctly and within its intended limitations.

When considering PCM temperatures and how PCM packs interact with your skin, it's helpful to compare it to how water feels at a certain temperature, rather than to ambient (air) temperature. For example, being in a 21°C/70°F swimming pool would feel cool to most individuals, while being in a room at 21°C/70°F ambient temperature would feel much warmer. Therefore, when you think about 21°C/70°F or 15°C/59°F PCM, imagine how water would feel at that particular temperature.

In general, these temperatures are considered safe to wear against the skin, and most people don’t experience it as unpleasant or too cold.
If PCM does feel too cold; wearing a (Lycra) shirt under the vest will make the cooling effect less intense.

We also offer 6.5°C (44°F) PCM packs, designed for medical applications and professional athletes. However, using PCM packs at such low temperatures may carry potential health risks. Therefore, these low-temperature PCM packs should only be used under the supervision of a medical professional or sports physiologist.

Cooling vests are designed to assist in maintaining a safe core body temperature in warm environments or during physical activity, it is not a substitute for essential safety practices to prevent overheating. Users should continue to follow all recommended guidelines for heat safety, including but not limited to staying hydrated, taking regular breaks in a cool environment, and monitoring for signs of heat-related illnesses. Cooling vests are intended to provide additional comfort and support under high temperature conditions; however, it does not eliminate the risks associated with extreme heat exposure. Always prioritize your health and safety by engaging in responsible behaviors when dealing with high temperatures.

All our PCM vests can use any PCM pack configuration. Vests and packs are forwards and backwards compatible. You can even mix and match PCM pack configurations for each vest, should you wish. 

Our PCM Cooling Vests contain significantly more PCM compared to the PCM CoolCollar, giving the vest a greater capacity to keep you cool. That's why we recommend using the PCM vest primarily, with the CoolCollar as an additional cooling aid. While using only a CoolCollar will provide some cooling, it won’t be as effective as a vest.

Our cooling vests won’t limit your range of movement. In fact, our
Performers vests are used by professional dancers, actors, and stunt performers for this very reason. They do add some weight—1.5kg to 1.8kg (or 3.3lbs to 4.0lbs)— but in general, this extra weight has a minimal effect on movement.

The dimensions of our PCM packs are as follows:

8-cell pack:
12 x 140
x 300 mm or 0.47 x 5.51 x 11.81 inch / weight: 300 gr or 0.66 lbs

4-cell pack:
20 x 140
x 300 mm or 0.79 x 5.51 x 11.81 inch / weight: 400 gr or 0.88 lbs

Pack for a size S CoolCollar (5 cells):
12 x 70 x 415 mm or 0.47 x 5.51 x 16.34 inch / weight: 200 gr
or 0.44 lbs

Pack for a size L CoolCollar (6 cells):
12 x 70 x 500 mm or 0.47 x 5.51 x 19.70 inch / weight: 250 gr
or 0.55 lbs

Our PCM was tested during 12,000 activation cycles without any measurable loss in performance.

No. Our PCM is made with respect for the environment, meaning no petrochemical processes are involved in its production. It is based on
vegetable oils and has an expected lifespan of at least 10 years with average use. In theory, wear and tear or damage might be the only reasons to replace them. After disposal, the environmental impact of our
bio-based PCM is negligible.

On PCM packs for CoolCollars, the temperature is marked on the pack alongside the production number. For cooling vests, the temperature of the packs can be identified by their color-coded Velcro tabs and PCM color as follows:

• Yellow Velcro tab: 21°C/70°F
• Blue Velcro tab: 15°C/57°F
• Orange PCM: 6.5°C/44°F
• Red PCM: 29°C/84°F

We sell individual inserts here so there is no need to buy a complete new set

Yes, you can! First order your preferred vest without inserts here. Then choose your individual PCM inserts here.

You can mix and match temperatures and cell configuration as you like.

Yes, you can! First order your preferred vest without packs here. Then choose your individual PCM packs here.

By default, we offer the choice between 15°C (59°F) and 21°C (70°F) PCM packs with our cooling vests. However, in certain situations, other PCM temperatures might be preferred:

• 6.5°C (43.7°F): These packs are used by medical professionals and elite athletes. They provide significant cooling but for a very short duration. We do not recommend using 6.5°C (43.7°F) PCM packs unless you are familiar with the physiological effects and risks associated with low-temperature body cooling.

• 29°C (84.2°F): When longevity is a priority, these packs are ideal. At 29°C (84.2°F), they help you stay cool over the longest possible period. The temperature of these PCM packs is still considerably lower than your skin temperature.

How to order a cooling vest with 6.5°C (43.7°F) or 29°C (84.2°F) PCM packs? First, order your preferred style of PCM vest (without PCM packs) here. Next, select your PCM packs here.