I finally have fabric that is 100% cotton and that I'm confident will be OK for the cool ties and helmet liners that I intend to make starting ..... today.

My question is this:  has anyone who has made or sent the cool ties and  helmet liners heard back from their solider's that these things actually work?  I have purchased them in the past for myself and have not been impressed with them.  Of course I wasn't wearing  them in 100 + degree heat either.  L.O.L.

When I was wearing them at the local race car track a few years ago to try and stay cool in the sunshine, they just got warm and then felt slimy against the skin.  Yuck!

Never made or sent helmet liners. so don't know about those.  I have sent cool ties and have had mixed reviews.  Most of the guys liked them and thought they helped but there were some who did not think they worked.  I also made a dog bed liner out of the same stuff but never heard back from the MWD handler.  So I guess I'd have to say...mixed reviews.  I do still send the cool ties, especially for those on return deployments who request them.

Kathy

I've never quite gotten the hang of making cool ties myself.  I did however purchase one for myself from an outdoor store here locally several yrs ago to test them out and used it in hundred degree plus temps plus humidity - GREAT STUFF.  Off course I can't find it right now so can't tell you what the fabric is:).  Sorry.  It is tan colored and works great but was rather pricey - about $5.00 if you had to purchase in bulk.

No 'slimy' problem as you stated with yours so wouldn't no what that comes from.  Guess effectiveness v aries - maybe with content, quality, manufacture?  No clue here.  Just guessing. 

Have had ship board gunners say they really depend on them tho to stay cool while they are on the deck of the ship in the hot sun for hours at a time.

Hope this helps.

Ann

Hi -- I just asked my friend who is an OIF Vet.  He said he had the cool ties and never used them.  He said they would dry up or fall off and then be muddy.  He said some people did like them, though.

So there you have it -- adding to the "mixed reviews."

--Marilyn

Hi Babs,

Here are some steps that I have used to make the cool ties.  

100% cotton, neutral tan, beige or similar color fabric.  I have heard of people making them out of muslin.  Pre-wash and do not use fabric softener.

If the cool tie was slimy, it could have had too many of the crystals or it could be that the weave was too loose.  In a 1-1/2 in wide tie you would use no more than one teaspoon of the crystals in a 7-8" section times two sections.

When you take the cool tie out of the water, you should distribute the crystals along the length of the pocket and gently remove the excess water, don't wring or squeeze. 

I have been using one in the last month or so and I can say that it does help me to keep cool.  It is only in the high 90s-low 100s, and maybe that has something to do with it versus the 120 plus temperature.  Mine has not dried out until the next day- day and a half inside the house.  When it doesn't feel cool enough for me, even though the crystals are still plumped,  I just run it under the cold water and then it is good to go. 

I really think it may depend on the instructions given with the tie and any previous experience by the user as far as liking the tie.  They can put them in the refrigerator after they are hydrated and they will stay cooler longer.  They should not be placed in a freezer.  In winter they can put them in the microwave after hydrated to keep warm.  I have read that they retain the heat longer than they provide cooling.  Not sure of the timing.  I think the information is on the Watersorb site.

My suggestion would be to send clear directions for them.  For some, this is the first deployment and they may not have seen them before this.

If you want to see a video of some construction techniques, let me know and I will find the link.

Vicki

Our group has been making them for 6 years now.  You can buy crystals and find directions on Watersorb.com.

We cut a yard of 100% cotton in 8 strips, 4.5 in. wide each.  We then serge the ends together.  We used to sew and turn and iron, etc. but then we got a serger.   Sew a seam down the middle and then fill with 1/8t ONLY (more makes it slimy) and then another seam and repeat and do same for other side til you have 4 pockets.  We put an address label on each end.  One has the directions for soaking on it and the other says it was made by our group.  We have rave reviews and requests for more.  They love them.  We average 3,000 per season and send from May thru August, and sometimes into Sept. if we have fabric or crystals left over.  We don't wash fabric first, we don't iron.  Any questions just ask.j

 Muslim is too limp and polyester blends are 'ok', but cotton works better.

.

I have made and sent dozens of these. Once you get the hang of it, it is a piece of cake.

If you have a slimy feeling using one, I agree with the previous comments, either too many crystals or too loose weave fabric. 

This is just my experience, but the fabric HAS to be 100% cotton to absorb properly.  The weave must be nice and tight or it also will not absorb and work properly.  I also do the initial 60 minute soak here at home, then let them dry out before sending.  After that, they plump up after just a few minutes in water each time.  They also hold the heat beautifully and 3x as long as cold.  They can be washed by hand with mild dish soap. 

They DO work.  I do rehab at fires here and we use wet towels behind the neck to cool off.  These are much better.  I had some of my firemen field test them while working out and doing yard work and other things.  Big thumbs up all the way around.  I had a couple coworkers who are former marines and soldiers do some field testing too...they also gave the thumbs up...and wished they had them while in desert storm.

While winding down before going to sleep one night, I was wondering if there was a way that the cool ties could be made in such a way as to have an outer shell with the gel insert separate to go inside, making the shell more easily washed without the gel inside it.  It seems like maybe one end could have a piece of velcro that would hold the gel "tube" inside until the outer part needed to be washed.  That would help with the ones that might happen to get muddy when dropped.  Anyone with designer skills that might work it out, or is that just a futile daydream?  My high school science teacher told me I had an overactive imagination

 Hi Gran,

Your idea is clever, but I am not sure that it is necessary.  The cool ties can be dipped in water with a drop or two of dishwashing liquid and rinsed out.  Probably easier than taking out the innards.  This way the entire tie is washed inside and out!

This is only my opinion and is not to be confused with being an authority on cool ties.

Vicki