The Science of Cooling
Not all “cooling” fabrics work the same way. Here’s what really happens when you feel cool on contact versus staying cool in motion.
10.10.25
In performance apparel, “cooling” can mean very different things. Some fabrics feel cool the moment you touch them, while others actively help regulate body temperature during activity. Understanding the distinction between cool-to-touch and evaporative cooling is essential to designing garments that deliver both instant comfort and lasting performance.
Cool-to-touch fabrics are most often engineered with conductive minerals embedded in their yarns to create an immediate sensory response. They work by quickly transferring heat away from the skin, producing a cool-hand feel shoppers notice right away. It’s a bit of instant gratification: a short-term effect that helps create a positive first impression.
Evaporative cooling, on the other hand, is what keeps the wearer cool once the real work begins. This mechanism relies on moisture movement and optimized evaporation to help regulate temperature during activity. By spreading moisture evenly across the fabric surface, evaporative cooling enhances the body’s natural cooling process, keeping the wearer more comfortable over time.
“Thermal conductivity gives you that instant cool sensation, but true performance depends on moisture transport and evaporation. That’s what keeps you cool once you start to move.”
— Cynthia McMullen, Fabric Engineering Manager, Coolcore®
At Coolcore®, we’ve spent more than a decade harnessing the science of fiber geometry and fabric construction to mimic the way natural fibers move and manage moisture. The result is a cooling technology that’s chemical-free, permanent, and proven through independent testing to outperform leading competitors in moisture management and drying rate.
Yet in a warming world, consumers are always seeking out new and better products to help keep them cool. To help brands differentiate at the point of sale, Coolcore® is excited to introduce a new collection of fabrics that offer the best of both cool-to-touch and evaporative cooling.
Introducing the CoolTouch Collection
The new CoolTouch Collection from Coolcore® brings these two technologies together—delivering an instant cool-to-touch sensation layered on top of our proven evaporative cooling platform.
Each fabric in the collection integrates advanced ceramic-infused yarns that rapidly transfer heat away from the skin. This sensory cooling provides an immediate sense of comfort the moment a consumer touches the fabric, helping differentiate your products at retail. For lasting cooling, Coolcore’s Biomimetic Fiber Geometry™ ensures continuous performance by managing moisture and enabling long-term cooling throughout wear.
Together, these two mechanisms—instant perception and sustained performance—work in harmony to create a powerful experience, by first engaging the consumer’s senses, and then sustaining their comfort over time.
“CoolTouch adds another layer to your brand’s cooling story, one that performs from the first touch to the last mile.”
— Eric Schenker, CEO, Coolcore®
Get in touch to learn more about CoolTouch, request samples, and craft your most advanced cooling product yet.
