Offering Year-Round Comfort Apparel

Silver Eagle Outfitters offers a variety of comfort apparel from which to choose, but our evaporative cooling vests, headwear, blankets, and animal products are all made with the same, three-layer composite fabric. Sure, there are other types of cooling products out there, but we have chosen to use the same reliable, effective, durable, and machine washable cooling core that has made our customers happy for over seven years.

There are circumstances for which different kinds of cooling materials are recommended. You should know those times. So, we've listed the pros and cons of the different cooling systems available. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 888.672.6963 to discuss which of these methods or products might work best for you.

Passive Cooling Materials  |  Active Cooling Materials

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Passive Cooling

Silver Eagle Outfitters Garments made with water-retaining, fibrous-based materials

Description: Special water-absorptive material is extruded as fiber and blended to form water- retaining batting. This batting is combined with shell fabric and microporous liner. To use, fabric composite is soaked for five minutes. Works in similar manner as granular materials without added bulk and with more complete cooling.

Advantages: The design is simple and natural. The form of polymer used prevents excessive weight gain and bulk. Offers extensive cooling times without re-wetting. Size does not change when activated.

Disadvantages: Garment must be wet before using; however, the design of fabric eliminates wetting of clothing and can be easily accomplished in rinse/ spin cycles of washing machine or in a sink or bag with tap-water.

Ice Pack Vests

Description: Frozen or refrigerated solid material pouches are placed in pockets of garments absorb body heat.

Advantages: This is a very simple design and can be used with a variety of garments.

Disadvantages: Requires refrigeration or freezer to store pouches. Are relatively heavy and cool only where pouches are located.

Granular Materials

Description: Water-absorptive materials are incorporated into fabrics. When wet, these fabrics absorb body heat as water evaporates to allow heat escape to outside environment.

Advantages: Relatively simple and easy to use.

Disadvantages: Many existing products don't have even distribution of granules. Garments over-soak with water, leading to excessive weight and bulk.

Phase Change Materials

Description: Special liquids or polymers are encapsulated as beads and are impregnated into batting, foams, or other textiles. These beads absorb heat from the body, but must be exposed to cooler environment to release heat.

Advantages: Does not rely on refrigeration or external means if activation. Beads can be used in a variety of forms.

Disadvantages: Provide limited heat absorption capacity. Activation of Phase Change Material garments cause tightness and loss of mobility. Early versions are similar to ice pack vests. Requires temperature differential for recharging beads.

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Active Cooling

Recirculating Systems

Description: Tubes sewn into vest recirculate fluid using pumps; provides heat sink to remove heat absorbed by the circulating fluid.

Advantages: Can have high-heat absorption capacity for extended periods.

Disadvantages: Because these systems are extremely heavy (due to pump and power supply), the weight negates much of the cooling effect. These are generally bulky and difficult to use. Are relatively expensive.