WEoCool

Wearable cooling has become a category of its own as summers grow hotter, and WEoCool is one Kickstarter project aiming at it. Rather than relying on cold packs or evaporative fabrics, the vest uses moving air: the maker describes it as delivering a cooling effect in a matter of seconds.

How it works

At the core are two built-in fans that circulate air between the vest and the body. According to the maker, the airflow is routed from the neck down across the back and around the waist, with fan placement based on where the body tends to build up the most heat.

Fan output is adjustable across three levels. The maker suggests the highest setting for direct sun outdoors, the middle setting for shade or a balcony, and the lowest for light activity in an air-conditioned room.

Key specifications, per the maker

• Two built-in fans
• Three fan speed levels
• Included 10000mAh power bank, removable for charging or swapping
• Up to roughly a full day of use (about 6 to 10 hours)
• Power bank can also charge a smartphone
• Vest section separates from the electronics and is washable
• Total weight: 430g

The washable vest addresses a common drawback of electrified clothing, which often requires careful handling around its components. The maker positions WEoCool as suitable for office workers, outdoor workers, outdoor enthusiasts and older people, and describes the design as sporty enough to wear in everyday settings.

Looking ahead, the source frames WEoCool within a growing personal-cooling market and speculates about future directions such as integration into sportswear or uniforms, sensor-based automatic temperature control, and further gains in weight, noise and battery life. These are possibilities, not announced features.