If you’re a tennis player, you probably already know what a “cooling towel” is. And if you live in the South like me, spending your summer on the courts as often as possible, you no doubt have one or two stashed in your tennis bag right now.
On the hottest summer days, cooling towels can help prevent heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses. Even pro tennis players and golfers can be seen on TV casually wrapping one around their neck in an attempt to keep from getting too hot under the collar (in more ways than one, I might add!)
Competitive spirits and soaring temperatures make for an explosive combination, as we just saw Stefanos Tsitsipas lose it in the New York heat at the US Open, dropping a couple of F-bombs on live TV. It probably won’t diffuse the tension, but a good cooling towel can definitely help you chill out 🙂 And tennis aside… an older teammate of mine swears they help her handle hot flashes, too!
That being said, these are our top 10 (no particular order) cooling towels and the reviews from the tennis players and coaches who have purchased them on Amazon:
MISSION ENDURACOOL COOLING TOWEL
The Mission Enduracool Techknit Towel is the only one personally endorsed by tennis legend and fan favorite Serena Williams. These were originally engineered for elite athletes so they could keep cool and recover during training or competition, but they are suitable for anyone and any activity. Bring the cool with you wherever you go to stay refreshed when the temperatures rise. When activated, the ultra-stretchy, breathable fabric cools down to 30 degrees below your average body temperature. Just wet, wring, and snap, and the chemical-free towel will instantly begin to cool and stay cool for up to 2 hours with the ability to reactivate with water. The soft mesh machine washable fabric provides you with years of reliable use.
A tennis player who gave it a 5/5 rating on Amazon said:
“I discovered these towels while on vacation last year and now can’t live without them. Soak them, (shake) them out and you’ve got a cooling towel for when you work out. I use my for tennis and for spin class and I’m always asked about them.”
MISSION ORIGINAL COOLING TOWEL
Who says cooling towels have to be plain? Enjoy staying active longer when it’s hot!
FROGG TOGGS CHILLY PAD COOLING TOWEL
Frogg Toggs is all about staying cool no matter how hot and bothered you might get. They’ve designed a range of products made from a unique and technically superior evaporative material that is lightweight and soft to the touch, like a chamois cloth. When wet, the Chilly Pad works very quickly and effectively to deliver a burst of much-needed cooling hydration.
Whether you’ve worked up a sweat on the court, in the gym, or on a long bike ride, you can count on this cooling towel to deliver instant relief. You can even store your Chilly Pad in the fridge so that it’s ready to grab and go the next time you head to the courts for a grueling 3-setter in the scorching summer sun. It’s the perfect size to wear over your shoulders and around your neck. It’s machine washable, too, and made to last for years.
This tennis player gave it five stars and a great review from a player and coach on Amazon:
“I play tennis every Tuesday and Thursday (average age 62). I purchased Frogg Togg Chilly Pad to see if they really stayed a little cooler and they do. Totally saturate the Chilly Pad with water and lightly squeeze. Put them back in container and put them in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before planning to use them. Wow, almost takes your breath away. After the first hour of tennis, I soak the Chilly Pad with iced water just to get relief from the Texas heat. The main advantage of the Chilly Pad is how it holds water. I absolutely love the product and bought fifteen more to give to my tennis buddies.”
FROGG TOGGS CHILLY PAD COOLING TOWEL
Absorbent towels that chill up to 30 degrees cooler than the air temperature.
COLD FACTOR COOLING TOWEL
The Cold Factor Cooling Towel comes either as one towel or in a pack of 3 towels. It activates when wet and offers a 50+ SPF protection. Those hot summer matches won’t seem hot when you have the Cold Factor Cooling Towel on hand… or neck… or head… or wherever you decide to wear it!
Check out this glowing 5-star review on Amazon:
“OMG, this is a must have on hot days. I may have to pour water on it two or three times an hour but the cooling / cool towel really keeps the chill on you.”
COLD FACTOR COOLING TOWEL
This long-lasting cooling towel comes in five colors and as a single towl or 3-pk.
CHILL PAL COOLING TOWEL
In one handy size measuring 40×12-inches, the Chill Pal Cooling Towel utilizes a thinner, comfy, and amazingly breathable design to keep you cool! There are no complicated instructions to follow in order to activate your Chill Pal Cooling Towel. Simply soak it in water, lightly wring out the excess moisture, and give it a quick “snap,” and it’s ready to wear around your neck or wherever you need cooling. Perfect for those long summer matches in scorching heat!
A 5-star reviewer on Amazon had this to say:
“This towel works exactly as advertised. I always bring this along with me to the tennis court. Wrap it around your neck for a couple minutes and it will really help cool you down.”
CHILL PAL COOLING TOWEL
Just soak it in cold water, wring it out, and it’s ready to drape around your neck.
YOURSELF COOLING RELIEF TOWEL
For instant cooling relief on the spot and on the go, you can’t beat the Yourself Cooling Towel. It quickly gets to work cooling you down, and the towel’s effects, when activated, can last for hours. All you need to do is soak, wring, snap, and repeat to have hours of cooling refreshment for you or even for your pet! The Yourself Cooling Towel comes in four sizes, too: 32×16 inches, 40×20 inches, 60×30 inches, and 72×32 inches, and lots of cool colors.
It’s super soft, and with four sizes, it should be small AND large enough to meet all your needs. Use it as a towel, a neck scarf, a headband, or even a bandana. It’s all certified eco-friendly, too, so it’s good for you but great for the environment. So make sure to pack your Yourself Cooling Towel next time you head to the courts, trails, or for a long weekend hike.
This tennis player left a 5-star review:
“I have used several other cooling towels and knew exactly what I was looking for. These towels did not disappoint. Perfect for the 90 degree weather on the tennis courts.”
YOURSELF COOLING RELIEF TOWEL
High-quality microfiber cooling towel that is reusable and comes in a nifty plastic pouch.
CHILL-ITS COOLING TOWEL
The Chill-Its fabric was originally developed for a line of workwear/gear designed to keep construction workers and others who work outdoors cool when it’s hot. The heat can ruin a match and even be dangerous to your health, so it’s important to have something on hand that can cool you down quickly and get you back on the court. Made from super absorbent PVA material, the Chill-Its Cooling Towel is designed to keep you cooler and longer. Fight heat and fatigue and keep yourself very much in the game with this fantastic towel. The cooling lasts for hours, and you can use it for all kinds of outdoor and indoor sports, active pursuits, work situations… basically any time you need to chill out.
Here’s what a tennis-playing 5-star Amazon reviewer had to say:
“Large size and really helps cool me down in tennis between games. Use it when switching sides for a minute, and it really helps. Nicer and larger than most others. Holds water well and says cool.”
CHILL-ITS COOLING TOWEL
Cooling relief can last up to 4 hours on a single soak. Simply re-wet to increase cooling duration.
COOL RAG EXTREME COOLING TOWEL
Measuring 27×17 inches, the Cool Rag Extreme Cooling Towel is the perfect size to pop in your tennis, gym, or golf bag to provide on-the-spot cooling relief when you need it the most. Whether you are in the heat of competition on the court or spectating from the hot stands, a cooling towel is a genius way to cool you off when the heat is on. The unique cooling system uses moisture from the towel to draw the heat away from your skin to keep you cool. It also provides that all-important UPF 50+ sun protection. Available in all the colors of the rainbow (and then some!), there’s one that’s just right for you.
This Amazon customer gave 5/5 stars, saying:
“I absolutely love this product. I think it was one of best inventions ever! It has saved me from having heat stroke more than once by instantly cooling me. I love how soft it is and the cooling is unbelievable. I will never use another brand, this is by far the best in my opinion. Thanks so much.”
COOL RAG EXTREME COOLING TOWEL
The unique cooling system uses moisture from the towel to draw the heat away from your skin to keep you cool.
HERO COOLING TOWEL (2-PK)
Made in the USA, these Hero Cooling Towels are woven with a premium-grade microfiber that will have you ready for all activities under the sun, including tennis and other sports, fitness, and even hiking. Simply dip in water to provide an hour of instant cooling relief. For more cooling – just wet again!
Far more portable than a thick, heavy cotton towel, this lightweight 40×12-inches cooling towel is designed to last through your match! It can also help protect your skin from sunburn.
One reviewer who gave it 5 stars had this to say:
“This towel for me is a game changer. I go on daily heat runs in over 100 degree temperatures and this towel cools down to around 30 degrees lower than the ambient temperature which makes it possible for me to run in such high heat. The material is unique in that it actually cools you. Love the colors and design, packaging looks great and it comes with a personalized note from the business owners which is a nice touch and shows they take pride in the product. Will be ordering more in the future for myself and for gifts.”
These are super easy to use, too: simply soak, wring out, and give each piece a good shake. Then put them on so you can cool off!
Hero Cooling Towel (2-PK)
The super-soft microfiber not only feels great on your skin but is also safe with its chemical-free material.
MEIYANTE ADVANCED COOLING TOWEL
The Meiyante Advanced Cooling Towel chills instantly… almost like magic! Simply soaking-wring out and snap it, just a few seconds the chill towel will keep cooling for several hours. To reactivate the chilling, simply repeat the steps. This is the perfect cooling towel for tennis players, runners, cyclists… anyone who works up a sweat! The Meiyante Advanced Cooling Towel is made of an eco-friendly, high-density cooling microfiber which is super absorbent, breathable and hyper-evaporative. This cooling towel comes in one size (43.3×15.7-inches) and in 7 beautiful colors.
An Amazon customer who gave a 5/5 star rating said:
“I get these for my son for baseball and golf. We dip them in ice water and he uses it. These are perfect for hot days on the course and fields.”
SHAKEitCOOL 40″ X12″ COOLING TOWEL
Whether you’re on the courts, at the gym, or somewhere hot, this SHAKEitCOOL extended-size cooling towel keeps you cool, comfortable, and stylish, with 23 “cool” patterns and colors. Activate the cooling effect by simply wetting, wringing out excess water, and shaking the towel. Reuse it as often as you need by re-shaking to reactivate the cooling properties.
This Amazon customer give it this fab 5-star review:
“From the design to the quality to the length and performance, everything about this cooling towel was impressive. Longer than a few cooling towels I have, lightweight and less bulky. It works and looks great. The packaging also makes it more personal with a sticker image of the person who packed it. I’m an instant fan of this brand.”
SHAKEitCOOL COOLING TOWEL
An extended-size cooling towel that comes in 23 “cool” patterns and colors.
