Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I purchased this Chilly Pad, as an impulse buy recently, as I had been dealing with some hot flashes in recent times. I have since used it in several different situations, and have come to really appreciate it. Not only that, but I recently traveled and we experienced a power failure, with the outdoor temperature at 100 degrees. Without access to air conditioning or even a fan, in 100 degree heat, it was super uncomfortable and almost impossible to sleep at night. I really missed my Chilly Pad at that moment, and really wished that I had thought to carry it with me on my trip "just in case". Now the Chilly Pad will be placed on my packing list for future trips where hot weather might be a concern. Now, here are the details, including why I really like this product, and finally, a couple potential drawbacks that could be deal-breakers for some people (such as my husband). The Chilly Pad is a scarf-shaped piece of fabric that, when wet, stays quite cool against the skin, and seems to stay cool for hours, in my experience. In fact, as I write this review, I am wearing it around my neck, in my house, and I actually am cool to the point of experiencing some chills ... even though, I last wet the Chilly Pad four hours ago, then wore it outdoors, in 90 degree heat earlier today, for over an hour ... and yet it is still wet and cooling me four hours later! That's just remarkable! It seems to be a rather unique fabric. When wet, it is smooth, completely flexible, and sort of rubbery. It is extremely light-weight to carry or wear. Even wet, it seems to be practically weightless. It cools the skin, as long as it stays wet. However, once it dries, it becomes like a very stiff cardboard-like substance that is completely rigid and unbendable. Therefore, one needs to take care to allow it to dry in a shape (such as rolled up) that is easy to store. Or roll it up into the plastic container in which the Chilly Pad is packaged. Amazingly, the fabric quickly returns to its completely bendable and flexible qualities as soon as it is wet again. My Chilly Pad is bright blue, and I recently wore it to my son's school graduation, where someone complimented me on my pretty scarf! It is also available in lots of other colors. How does it work? From what I can tell, the secret is in the very subtle texture to the fabric. The texture allows the product to soak up lots of water, and keeps it from drying out for a really long time. The product tends not to get clothing very wet (depending on how hard one wrings the water out of the Chilly Pad when wetting it). However, if one intentionally squeezes the fabric, water will drip out of it. The Chilly Pad I am wearing at this moment still drips lots of water out of it (if I intentionally squeeze it) even now, despite the fact that I wet it four hours ago, and took a long hike outdoors in 90 degree weather earlier today! Wow! How have I used it? I have used this product both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, I use it to supplement fans or air conditioning, and have used it to help me cool down and fall asleep. I have worn it around my neck, but I sometimes move it to other areas of my body, to cool them down, as well, such as across my torso, over my legs, down my back, and even over my face. I have used it outdoors on hikes, and even use it to wipe sweat off my face. I tend to move it around to different "cold spots" on the Chilly Pad, and to different parts of my body. Potential drawbacks: To enjoy this product, one has to be comfortable wearing a fabric that is cold, wet, and sort of rubbery, in feel. I think that people, like myself, who do not mind walking around in a wet bathing suit, for example, would like this Chilly Pad, also. However, people who, like my husband, do not like the feel of a wet bathing suit, might not like this product either. Also, it is a bit inconvenient to have to remember to fold or roll up the Chilly Pad into a convenient shape for storing it, as it cannot be reshaped once it is dry. Finally, while it tends not to get clothing very wet, I would still avoid wearing it with any clothing that you do not wish to get wet at all. Similarly, people with hair length at neck-length or longer may find that their hair gets a bit damp when the Chilly Pad is worn around the neck. For me, this product is absolutely wonderful. During my hike earlier today in 90 degree heat, the Chilly Pad made a noticeable difference in my comfort level. While I was still aware of the heat (especially after hiking up hills for over one hour), it was far more pleasant than it would have been without that Chilly Pad around my neck. Highly recommended, if you do not mind the "cold, rubbery" feel and don't mind if your hair (if neck length or longer) gets slightly wet.