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In the wake of some incredible summertime performances at a warm Western States Endurance Run (shoutout to Katie Schide, Jim Walmsley, Rod Farvard, etc.), cooling was top of mind for trail runners. I'd venture to say that on the whole, we have become more aware that high temps don't have to coincide with poor performance, overheating, and GI distress...as long as we're proactive with cooling strategies! Some such strategies include ice bandanas, ice hats, ice in sports bras, frozen bottles, etc. When Turtlefur sent me their Comfort Ice Tube neck gaiter, I immediately started experimenting with it on my summer trail runs to see how much of a difference it would make on keeping my body temperature under control during 80-90 degree weather with blasting sunshine at 6500ft.
Before I jump into the review, here are a few item specs from Turtlefur.
Versatility: the Comfort Ice Tube can be worn in a variety of ways. While I've primarily worn it around my neck as a cooling bandana, my friend Mere wore it over her hat and neck to protect against the sun rays at 10,000ft+ above sea level.
Cooling Properties: the gaiter works best if soaked in cold water every 90 minutes or so (this may not be the case in high humidity), but even as it dries, the fabric provides a unique cooling sensation. Since it is UPF 35, I've worn it as sun protection even after the cold water has evaporated. The only thing I wish it had was pockets for ice from aid stations or the freezer at home!
The Fabric: I've found that this fabric is incredibly soft and stretchy so I'll forget I'm even wearing it. It's lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for long days on trail, plus, it's easily stashed when no longer needed. The elastane/polyester blend seems to be holding up well after a few wash/dry cycles, so no need to worry about sweating in it! If you're interested in supporting a company that is committed to sustainable sourcing, Turtlefur uses recycled materials for many of its products--the Comfort Ice Tube included!
Turtlefur kindly provided me with the Comfort Ice Tube (courtesy of Lucie Rathbun) in exchange for my honest review.
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