Evaporative vs. Moisture-Wicking Cooling: Which One Works for You?

20 Feb 25
Two workers on a construction site. One is wearing an evaporative cooling product, the other is wearing a moisture-wicking cooling product

When the temperature soars and sweat starts pouring, we all know the struggle of staying cool in the heat. But with so many “cooling” wearable options out there, it can feel overwhelming to choose the cooling products that work for you, your environment and your needs. So, how do you know which one is right for you?

Enter two contenders in the battle against heat: evaporative and moisture-wicking fabrics. These two technologies offer different, but effective, cooling mechanisms, helping you curb the dangers of heat stress, both for work and for play.

So, what are the key differences between these two technologies? Where are they most effective and what do they offer the wearer that can help them stay safe in extreme environments?

Spoiler alert: it’s not just about looking cool — it's about staying alive.

Spoiler Alert: it's not just about looking cool, it's about staying alive

What are Evaporative Cooling Products?

Evaporative fabrics rely on the fundamental principle of thermodynamics: when a liquid evaporates, it absorbs heat from its surroundings, causing a cooling effect and keeping wearers safe and comfortable in intense heat.

Put simply, the fabric activates with water or sweat to cool the surface of the wearer’s body.

But how does it actually work? When you sweat, your body releases moisture onto your skin and as that moisture evaporates into the air, it pulls heat away from your body and lowers your body temperature.

Evaporative cooling apparel works in a similar way. It uses fabrics that retain water, allowing them to release moisture slowly over time. As the moisture evaporates from the fabric, it cools the surface of the material, and that coolness is then transferred to your skin, helping regulate, and lower, your body temperature. This is why these garments often feel cool to the touch when you first put them on — because they are actively working to draw heat away from your body.

Some common examples of evaporative cooling products include cooling towels, vests, and neck wraps. Evaporative cooling is effective in all environments, but it is ideal for dry, hot climates with sufficient airflow where evaporation happens quickly.

Worker pouring water on cooling sleeves. Wet to activate
Above: Ergodyne Chill-Its 6690 Cooling Arm Sleeves keep the wearer cool via evaporative cooling technology.

What are Absorptive (“Moisture-Wicking”) Cooling Products?

Absorptive, or moisture-wicking, cooling apparel draws sweat away from the skin and spreads it across the surface area of the fabric, in turn keeping the wearer cool and dry in extreme heat.

Unlike evaporative cooling, which relies on the evaporation of water to remove heat, moisture-wicking fabrics focus on managing sweat and moisture to prevent it from accumulating on the skin.

The key to how this works lies in the fabric’s hydrophilic (water-attracting) properties. Moisture-wicking cooling apparel focuses on hydrophilic properties of the fabric, actively wicking away moisture by absorbing it. When the fabric attracts sweat and moisture from the skin, heat escapes, making the wearer cooler in intense environments.

Diagram of How does moisture wicking work. Sweat absorbs into fabric while heat escapes from the body. Next, the fibers pull sweat through fabric. Finally sweat evaporates into air, cooling the skin temperature

While the cooling technology is the main event, moisture-wicking fabric is beneficial for many more reasons. Keeping the wearer cooler can reduce the risk of skin irritation and chafing resulting in a more comfortable and productive worker (or something like that).

Some common examples of absorptive cooling products include athletic wear, base layers and terry cloth headbands. Absorptive cooling apparel can perform consistently in a variety of climates, specifically including humid ones. Because absorptive cooling does not rely on evaporation of the product itself, it can work in humid environments and effectively cool wearers no matter the humidity levels on the jobsite of the weekend.

Key Differences Between the Two

A chart explaining Evaporative vs. moisture wicking technologies. Evaporative cooling relies on water evaporation, often requires rehydration and is used in cooling towels, vests and bandanas. Moisture-wicking cooling moves sweat away from body, has long-lasting performance through fabric, and can be found in sweatbands and performance fabric shirts

Advantages and Disadvantages of Each

Evaporative Cooling

  • Pros
    • Provides immediate cooling to the wearer
    • Portable and reusable
  • Cons
    • Less effective in high humidity
    • Needs frequent rehydrating (but, sweat can be the liquid that rehydrates the fabric)

One of the main advantages of evaporative cooling is its ability to provide continuous cooling as long as the garment remains damp. As long as the fabric retains moisture, it can keep cooling you down, making it ideal for long periods of outdoor activity. The downside, however, is that once the fabric dries out—due to heat, sun or wind—it loses its cooling properties. This means you’ll need to rehydrate the fabric, either through sweat or water (preferred) to maintain its cooling effect. So while evaporative cooling can be incredibly effective, it’s important to monitor your garment’s moisture level and re-wet it when needed to keep that refreshing chill going.

Moisture-Wicking Cooling

  • Pros
    • Keeps skin dry and comfortable
    • Requires no water to function
    • Beneficial in a large variety of conditions
  • Cons
    • Cooling effect may feel less dramatic
    • Can become saturated with excessive sweat

Moisture-wicking cooling technology offers several benefits, particularly for keeping the skin dry and comfortable during physical activity. It works by drawing moisture away from the skin, preventing it from feeling damp or sticky. One of the advantages of this fabric is that it requires no water to function, making it convenient for a wide range of conditions. However, the cooling effect may not always be as intense as other methods, which could be a drawback for those who need a stronger cooling sensation. Another downside is that the fabric can become saturated with excessive sweat, reducing its ability to effectively wick moisture away. When this happens, the garment may no longer provide the same level of comfort and dryness.

Worker wearing a moisture-wicking bandana while putting on a hard hat
Above: Ergodyne Chill-Its 6604 Multi-Purpose Cooling Towel keeps wearers cool on the job.

Choosing the Right Cooling Products for Your Needs

Factors to consider:

  • Climate: Is your environment dry or humid and is there any airflow?
    • Humid - Moisture-wicking products
    • Dry - Evaporative cooling products
  • Activity Level: Are you exercising, working outdoors or relaxing?
    • Exercising - Evaporative cooling products
    • Working Outdoors - Evaporative cooling products
    • Relaxing - Moisture-wicking products
  • Convenience: Do you prefer a maintenance-free product? Do you have to wear an outer layer of PPE such as coveralls or a tyvek suit?
    • Yes - Moisture-wicking products
    • No - Evaporative cooling products

Stay Cool in Chill-Its

While there are certain environments that are better suited for specific cooling products and technologies, there are products that combine both evaporative and moisture-wicking technology, making them the perfect option for both humid and dry environments.

Wet evaporative cooling instantly activates with water and airflow for up to 4 hours of cooling. Dry evaporative cooling provides drip-free cooling for days on end
Above: Ergodyne Chill-Its 6604 Multi-Purpose Cooling Towel - PVA Microfiber activates with water to actively cool the wearer in high-heat environments.

Ergodyne’s Chill-Its line of cooling products combine both technologies and help prevent the dangers of heat stress, both on a jobsite and on the weekends. Check out the full-line of Chill-Its cooling products.