Cooling Strategies For Urban Environments — What Works Best?

Cooling with Evaporation

Evaporation is a highly effective method for cooling the body. When sweat evaporates, it takes heat away from the skin, cooling the body. To maximize evaporation, it’s essential to wear light, loose-fitting clothing that allows for air to circulate and sweat to evaporate quickly. This can be achieved by wearing a white or light-colored cotton shirt, which has a high albedo (ability to reflect sunlight). Additionally, wearing clothing with built-in moisture-wicking technology can also enhance evaporation.

Shading and Cooling Devices

Shading is another effective method for cooling the body in urban environments. This can be achieved by finding or creating shade using umbrellas, canopies, or buildings. In addition to shading, cooling devices such as personal misting fans and cooling towels can also be used to cool the body. Personal misting fans can spray a fine mist of water, which can be cooled in advance using ice or cold water, to provide relief from the heat. Cooling towels can be soaked in cold water, wrung out, and worn around the neck or on the head to provide cooling.

Clothing and Devices for Hot Weather

In hot weather, it’s essential to wear clothing that allows for good airflow and evaporation. Clothing with built-in cooling technology, such as phase-change materials or moisture-wicking fabrics, can also be effective in keeping the body cool. Additionally, using cooling devices such as cooling scarves, bandanas, or neck gaiters can also provide relief from the heat. These devices can be soaked in cold water, wrung out, and worn around the neck or on the head to provide cooling. It’s also essential to drink plenty of water and electrolyte-rich fluids to stay hydrated in hot weather.