Every summer seems to bring new temperature records. What was once considered an occasional heatwave has become a recurring challenge across Europe. While many associate hot weather with holidays and beaches, for millions of people it means something entirely different: physically demanding work under increasingly extreme conditions.
Healthcare professionals, firefighters, warehouse employees, factory workers, greenhouse staff, construction workers and logistics personnel all face the same challenge. Working in high temperatures puts additional strain on the body, leading to fatigue, reduced concentration and slower recovery.
As heat becomes more frequent, employers are looking beyond traditional measures such as extra breaks, hydration and ventilation. Increasingly, they are turning to personal cooling solutions to help employees remain comfortable, productive and safe throughout the working day.
Cooling vests are no longer a niche product
For many years, cooling vests were primarily associated with elite sports or specialist professions. Today, that is rapidly changing.
Across Europe, cooling vests are being introduced in healthcare facilities to improve comfort for staff during long shifts. Industrial companies use them to reduce heat stress in manufacturing environments, while greenhouse workers benefit from additional cooling during physically demanding work in high temperatures.
Emergency services are also recognising their value. The French National Fire Service, for example, uses cooling vests during training exercises and operational deployments where prolonged heat exposure is common.
Rather than being a luxury item, cooling vests are increasingly becoming practical equipment that supports people in demanding environments.
How PCM cooling technology works
Modern cooling vests differ significantly from older designs that relied on frozen gel packs or ice inserts.
Many premium cooling systems now use Phase Change Material (PCM) technology.
PCM absorbs excess body heat while maintaining a constant temperature. Instead of feeling extremely cold, it delivers stable, comfortable cooling over several hours. Once the material has absorbed enough heat, it gradually changes phase while continuing to regulate temperature.
One of the biggest advantages is convenience. PCM cooling packs can typically be reactivated in a refrigerator, cool water or an air-conditioned room. There is no need for a freezer, making them suitable for workplaces where rapid reuse is essential.
The result is cooling that supports the body's natural temperature regulation without causing discomfort from excessive cold.
Supporting people rather than cooling the environment
Traditional cooling solutions focus on lowering the temperature of an entire building or workspace.
Personal cooling works differently.
Instead of cooling the room, it directly supports the person wearing the vest. This often provides a more efficient and practical solution, particularly in large warehouses, production facilities, greenhouses or outdoor working environments where climate control is difficult or impossible.
As temperatures continue to rise, personal cooling is becoming an increasingly important part of occupational health and workplace safety strategies.
Looking ahead
Climate experts expect heatwaves to become more frequent and more intense across Europe over the coming decades.
Just as safety helmets, high-visibility clothing and protective footwear became standard equipment over time, personal cooling may soon become another essential part of professional workwear in many industries.
Innovation is also expanding beyond the workplace.
The same PCM technology used in cooling vests is now being applied to bedding products. Rather than using electricity, water or gel, PCM bedding absorbs excess body heat when you become too warm and gradually releases it as your body cools. This helps maintain a more stable sleeping temperature throughout the night, providing greater comfort during increasingly warm summer nights.
As our climate changes, the question is no longer whether we need to adapt, but how. Personal cooling offers a practical, sustainable way to help people stay comfortable, productive and safe—both at work and at home.
