ColdSpark

ColdSpark is a Kickstarter project from EchoInnovate. According to the source, it raised $26,698 against a $5,101 goal, with 212 backers. The vest is aimed at people who work outdoors and at outdoor enthusiasts more broadly.

The development team says it borrowed from the semiconductor cooling used to dissipate heat in smartphones and other consumer electronics, arriving at ColdSpark after six months of trial and error. The vest runs from a standard 12V power bank.

Two cooling methods in one system

Conventional cooling vests tend to rely on either weak fans or bulky ice packs. ColdSpark's "dual cooling" approach combines contact cooling and airflow: semiconductor plates chill the skin directly while a fan pushes air through a T-shaped duct. The maker claims this drops body temperature by 7℃ (44°F) the moment it is put on.

An array of 127 P-N semiconductor elements sits against the area around the shoulder blades, which the maker says helps manage core heat stress rather than just cooling the surface, with a claimed drop of 18℃ (64°F) in 60 seconds. The fan is rated at 50CFM (6,000RPM), and the campaign says it delivers 22% more air than conventional fans to sweat-prone areas, with less noise and lower battery draw.

Heating, design and runtime

• Heating mode: 10℃ (50°F) to 20℃ (68°F) of warmth delivered to the upper back in 90 seconds, according to the maker
• Three temperature settings
• Detachable design for easier washing and maintenance
• Abrasion-resistant nylon with a breathable construction, multiple pockets and a chest-mounted MOLLE system
• Paired with a 20,000mAh power bank: 4–6 hours in cooling mode, 6–8 hours in heating mode, per the maker

Visually, ColdSpark leans toward tactical workwear rather than the utilitarian look of many cooling vests. Looking ahead, the team says it intends to keep refining the product, with lighter, more energy-efficient models and a wider range of sizes and designs mentioned as possibilities.