Why are ice-cooled or gel-packed vests popular among users?

Ice-cooled or gel-packed vests are popular among users primarily for their cost-effectiveness and ease of recharging. These vests utilize ice or gel packs to absorb heat from the body, helping to regulate the wearer’s temperature in high heat situations, which is crucial for maintaining comfort and preventing heat-related illnesses. The opportunity to easily recharge by simply refilling them with ice or replacing the gel packs makes them practical for repeated use.

While maintaining body heat is important in some situations, these vests actually serve the opposite function by aiding in cooling, making them unsuitable for that specific purpose. Structural support is not a function of cooling vests; rather, this would pertain to equipment designed for physical protection or stability in hazardous environments. Furthermore, certain cooling vests can be used in various temperature environments, not exclusively high-temperature scenarios, as they can also help refresh the wearer in warmer settings generally. Overall, the combination of affordability and practicality in recharging highlights their attractiveness to users.