do those "neck coolers" work?!?!?

[UMADDBG]

Have used mine for at least 10 years of Disney trips and love it! I put mine in the fridg at night after soaking. Also the folks at the drink carts will let you dip them in the ice water in the drink bins.

 

[pbrim]

I had high hopes for these but after one use (and I followed directions carefully- I did not oversoak) they went into the garbage. Ours became slimy in the humidity and my neck got a rash. The rest of the family didn't get a rash but couldn't hack the slime. Not fun all.

If they are slimy, it's because the crystals have been damaged or the maker used poor quality crystals without separating the crystals from the crystal dust. The crystal dust works it's way through the fabric and turns into slime when it gets wet. Unbroken crystals become gelatinous, but hold together and stay confined within the fabric.

If you have access to a garden store, you can probably make these yourself. I heard about this at an menopause support group where some women used them to fight hot flashes. The crystals are sold to mix in with potting soil so you don't have to water so often. You can sew a neck wrap with the fabric of your choice and sew in a tablespoon or so of crystals. Just make sure you rinse the dust off first!

 

[Gigi22]

I have used neck coolers with some success. One caution, the only time I've ever had a problem with the fabric bleeding color was when I had a Disney patterned neck cooler. Others I've used have been fine. I suggest you give a neck cooler a test drive before relying on it to keep you cool. Locally Mark's Work Warehouse has these in stock, also Tilley.

 

[RMmom]

We have them and love them. We have 4 different designs so we can tell them apart.

 

[serene56]

Do they make your clothes all wet>?

 

[bumbershoot]

We tried one from REI and couldn't get it to stop bleeding color. Luckily I did test runs on paper towels and scraps of fabics or I would have had to throw out lots of shirts. I finally gave up, and threw it out.

REI probably would have taken it back!

If they are slimy, it's because the crystals have been damaged or the maker used poor quality crystals without separating the crystals from the crystal dust. The crystal dust works it's way through the fabric and turns into slime when it gets wet. Unbroken crystals become gelatinous, but hold together and stay confined within the fabric.

If you have access to a garden store, you can probably make these yourself. I heard about this at an menopause support group where some women used them to fight hot flashes. The crystals are sold to mix in with potting soil so you don't have to water so often. You can sew a neck wrap with the fabric of your choice and sew in a tablespoon or so of crystals. Just make sure you rinse the dust off first!

Good info and GREAT idea!

 

[albertamommyof4]

i am attempting to make some in the next week. I am using 100%cotton as advised but couldn;t find the crystals at a store so i bought some from micheals. I am hoping it works lol

 

[Jacqui]

Have to say - we really used ours and thought they worked in the late August heat! And we're taking them back to use again this year.

Bought them online from a crafter who uses great Disney fabrics, etc. - but can't remember her name - it was years ago. (Google "disney neck wrap"???)

I second the above!! We were a group of 8 last year and we all had a neck cooler and they were great in the September heat. They are already in our suitcase for our September trip this year. I would use http://neckcoolersnmore.com/. I've bought from her twice and they were wonderful.

 

[mandi1590]

if you go to walmart look in the sporting goods area that is where they have them at mine.

 

[Schmeck]

Have used mine for at least 10 years of Disney trips and love it! I put mine in the fridg at night after soaking. Also the folks at the drink carts will let you dip them in the ice water in the drink bins.

Oh, how gross, to know that there have been multiple, sweaty, icky things (and guests' hands) in the ice water that is surrounding a bottle of water I will now not buy! I was better off not knowing this! Of course, there are probably other things that would gross me out if I knew it, but I'm not listening anymore, nope, not me ->

 

[PinballFamily]

Do they make your clothes all wet>?

Nope! Didn't for us, anyway.

 

[jessrose18]

I bought one from ebay before our trip last year and forgot to bring it along. I second the "washrag bath" though. Bring wet wipes or wash rag to wipe your self down with in the restroom, it does help you feel refreshed in the middle of the day at the parks!

 

[alicia080979]

I'm glad someone asked this bc I need to get these for our Sept trip. My poor DH sweats all the time so the FL heat about kills him! Between everyone that has them, have we figured out which brand gets slimey and which one doesn't?

 

[joybeth]

I'm glad someone asked this bc I need to get these for our Sept trip. My poor DH sweats all the time so the FL heat about kills him! Between everyone that has them, have we figured out which brand gets slimey and which one doesn't?

I posted this earlier on in the thread...

http://www.rei.com/search?query=cool+tie

Loved it! Worked great and didn't get slimey and the colors didn't run. I highly reccomend!

also lots of colors available.

jb

 

[rie'smom]

I use to see these in Wal-Mart but haven't for a while. I'd love to get a couple. Anyone know somewhere else to check (not online).

I still find them in the sporting goods section at our local Wal-Mart.
OP ours worked beautifully. There is no way that we'd ever go in the heat w/out them.

 

[suzquig]

I'm glad someone asked this bc I need to get these for our Sept trip. My poor DH sweats all the time so the FL heat about kills him! Between everyone that has them, have we figured out which brand gets slimey and which one doesn't?

That is exactly why I asked...my poor Mom sweats the moment it goes above 80 and walking around in the heat and humidity may make this a very unpleasant trip (for her...AND the rest of us!) I am going to check out the local REI this weekend and I will be sure to post back what I find. If these work they should definately be on everyone's "must haves" for the heat- along with mole skin, that skin glide stuff, powder, water fans etc.....

 

[phorsenuf]

I still find them in the sporting goods section at our local Wal-Mart.
OP ours worked beautifully. There is no way that we'd ever go in the heat w/out them.

I checked ours a while back but they didn't have any. I'll check again though. if not I'll try Sports Authority. I don't have a Dicks nearby.

 

[Jacqui]

I'm glad someone asked this bc I need to get these for our Sept trip. My poor DH sweats all the time so the FL heat about kills him! Between everyone that has them, have we figured out which brand gets slimey and which one doesn't?

The one I used from neck coolers did not get slimey at all!

 

[pbrim]

Do they make your clothes all wet>?

The trick is to put them to soak when you go to bed. Then in the morning you can squeeze the extra water out of the tag ends and kinda "squeege" the excess water from the gell stuffed part with your fingers. Let them sit in the hotel airconditioning while you get ready. By the time you are ready to go, the fabric will be just damp and will stay damp all day by releasing water from the crystals as the fabric dries. Evaporative cooling does the rest. You can recharge it during the day by getting a free glass of ice water from a vendor to soak it in for a few minutes.

One thing to be aware of if you fly: they will need to go in checked baggage on the way home. When hydrated, it counts as a gel and it will take about a week to dry out entirely.

 

[labattblue]

Oh, how gross, to know that there have been multiple, sweaty, icky things (and guests' hands) in the ice water that is surrounding a bottle of water I will now not buy! I was better off not knowing this! Of course, there are probably other things that would gross me out if I knew it, but I'm not listening anymore, nope, not me ->

I am normally pretty easy going, but I thought the same exact thing.