Britain and Ireland are better known for wet and windy weather than heatwaves, but recent summers have shown how quickly a site, a polytunnel or a delivery van can become uncomfortably hot. When the mercury hits 30°C on a scaffold or a road crew is laying fresh tarmac, staying cool is no longer a luxury. Gløde is best known for heated clothing, yet every spring more customers ask us what helps when it is too warm. This guide compares the main types of cooling workwear in plain terms. To be upfront: our own cooling range is still small, and where a competitor does something better, we say so.
The short answer: which type of cooling for which job?
- Lighter work, drivers, cycling to site, front desk: the Gløde neck cooler, a wearable neck fan. Hands-free airflow around your neck. Currently out of stock.
- Heavy physical work outdoors in the sun, all day: an evaporative cooling vest such as the INUTEQ Bodycool or the E.COOLINE PowerCool SX3 vest.
- You do not want a damp vest, or the air is humid: a cooling vest with PCM elements, for example from Bertschat.
- Your crew already runs Makita batteries: a fan jacket like the Makita DFJ214A.
- Gløde cooling clothing and jackets: on the way. Visit Gløde cooling clothing to join the waiting list.
Cooling workwear comparison table
Figures based on manufacturer or retailer specifications. Competitor prices: as of November 2026 and subject to change.
| Model | Brand | Price | How it cools | Cooling time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neck cooler, wearable neck fan | Gløde | €89.95 | Bladeless fan, 3 speeds, 14 air vents | 1 to 10 hours (6000 mAh battery) | USB charging in about 3 to 4 hours; currently out of stock |
| Bodycool Hybrid | INUTEQ | €100.95 | Evaporation plus PCM cool packs (sold separately) | Water up to 8 h, packs 2 to 4.5 h | Hi-vis, ISO 20471 class 2 |
| PowerCool SX3 vest | E.COOLINE | from €199.90 | Evaporation, outside stays dry | Brand says usually a full day | 0.32 kg |
| Cooling vest with elements PRO | Bertschat | from €119.95 | PCM elements | Up to 8 h | Elements recharge in about 20 min in a fridge or freezer; washable at 30°C |
| DFJ214A fan jacket | Makita | €170.67 without battery | Fan powered by 12V or 18V tool battery | Up to 68 h on lowest setting (18V 6.0 Ah) | Hi-vis, 4 speeds, 0.54 kg |
What to look for when buying
1. How it cools
Evaporative vests are soaked in water and lose heat as it evaporates. PCM (phase change material) elements are chilled beforehand and hold a steady temperature for a while. Fan clothing moves air along your body or neck. Each has its strengths.
2. Humidity where you work
Evaporation works best in dry heat. In a muggy greenhouse or on a close, thundery day it loses effect. PCM depends less on humidity but needs to go back in the fridge after a few hours.
3. Cooling time versus your shift
Plan for a full shift. If a vest cools for 2 to 4.5 hours, you will need a second set of elements or a cool box in the van.
4. Safety and visibility
On roads and building sites, hi-vis remains a must. A hi-vis cooling vest or fan jacket can combine both. Always check which certification a product actually carries.
5. Battery and charging
Fans need power. A built-in battery is simple; a tool battery makes sense if your team already uses that platform. Check charging time too.
6. Comfort and weight
A vest with a wet filling or cooling elements weighs more than a T-shirt. A neck fan is light but only cools your neck and face.
The products reviewed
Gløde neck cooler: hands-free airflow
We list our own Gløde neck cooler first because, for many roles, it is the easiest step: put it on, switch it on, carry on working. It is bladeless, so there are no exposed blades near your hair. Air comes out through 14 vents, you choose from 3 speeds, and the 6000 mAh battery gives 1 to 10 hours of cooling depending on the setting. It charges via USB in about 3 to 4 hours. You also get the usual Gløde assurances: a 2-year warranty, CE marking and European customer service. To be fair: it is a fan, not a cooling vest. It cools your neck and face, not your torso. And it is out of stock at the moment. Keep an eye on the neck coolers collection for its return.
INUTEQ Bodycool Hybrid
Pros: combines evaporative cooling (up to 8 hours according to the maker) with PCM cool packs, and is made as a hi-vis vest to ISO 20471 class 2, which makes it an obvious option for road crews. Cons: the cool packs last 2 to 4.5 hours and are sold separately. Price: €100.95 (price as of November 2026). For the neck, INUTEQ also offers the Neckcool Pro, an evaporative neck cooler at €19.95 (price as of November 2026) with 2 to 8 hours of cooling.
E.COOLINE PowerCool SX3 vest
Pros: evaporative cooling where a 3D fleece binds the water, so the outside stays dry. Light at 0.32 kg, and the brand says it usually lasts a full day. Cons: no product-specific cooling time stated, and a higher price from €199.90 (price as of November 2026).
Bertschat cooling vest with elements PRO
Pros: no damp vest, up to 8 hours of cooling, elements recharge in around 20 minutes in a fridge or freezer, and the vest is washable at 30°C. Cons: you need a fridge or freezer nearby. Price from €119.95 (price as of November 2026).
Makita DFJ214A fan jacket
Pros: hi-vis jacket with fans, 4 speeds, light at 0.54 kg and a long run time of up to 68 hours on the lowest setting with an 18V 6.0 Ah battery. Cons: sold without a battery (€170.67, price as of November 2026), so mainly worth it if you already own Makita batteries.
Who is cooling workwear for?
- Roofers, scaffolders and road crews during a heatwave.
- Growers working in polytunnels and glasshouses.
- Couriers and van drivers without decent air conditioning.
- Commercial kitchen staff and factory workers next to hot machinery.
- Employers looking for an extra measure alongside breaks, shade and drinking water. See our employer's guide to workwear as well.
Frequently asked questions
Does an evaporative vest work in a British summer?
On a dry, sunny day it works well. On a humid, close day the effect drops, and a PCM or hybrid vest holds up better.
Is a neck fan enough for labouring work?
For lighter tasks and travelling it is pleasant. For heavy work in full sun we would sooner recommend a cooling vest, or a combination of both.
When will Gløde launch cooling clothing?
Our cooling clothing and cooling jackets collections are still empty. Sign up for the waiting list there and you will hear first.
Can my company order in bulk?
Yes. Request a quote via business orders, or open a business account to order on invoice.
What if the neck cooler develops a fault?
It comes with a 2-year warranty. Find out how claims work on our repair and warranty page.
Conclusion
For truly heavy work in the heat, an evaporative or PCM cooling vest is currently the strongest choice, and competitors such as INUTEQ, E.COOLINE and Bertschat are further ahead there than we are. For lighter jobs and travelling, the Gløde neck cooler is a simple, hands-free option once it is back in stock. To find out when our own cooling range is ready, visit Gløde cooling clothing. And for the colder months, our guide to heated workwear covers the rest.
Updated November 2026.
