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Kafka's Kool Tie
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Kafka's Kool Tie

Item # 691097

$10.00

Item qualifies for annual
REI Member Refund (typically 10%)

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Beat the heat with a cooling tie! This lightweight scarf is filled with polymer crystals that slowly release water in a cooling action.

  • Soak tie in water and the crystals hydrate, then wrap around your neck and feel the evaporative cooling action--works from hours to several days
  • Evaporative action can cool blood flow to the brain, reducing heart rate and blood pressure
  • Great for most activities, Kool Tie® is soft, comfortable and easy to wear
  • Colorful print patterns add fun and flare to your outdoor adventure
  • Instructions included

Made in USA.

Item 691097

Kafka's Kool Tie Specs

Specification

Description

FabricCotton
Dimensions(length) 36 inches

Kafka's Kool Tie Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Kafka's Kool Tie
 
4.5

(based on 10 reviews)

90%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Durable (8)
  • Comfortable (7)
  • Good size/fit (5)
  • Stylish (5)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Casual wear (3)
    • Wear to work (3)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Casual dresser (7)
    • Comfort vs Style:
    • Comfort driven (7)

    Reviewed by 10 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-10

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    May

    5

    2008

    (13 of 13 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Kool Stuff

    By Rebalee

    from Minneapolis, MN

    About Me Adventurous, Comfort-Oriented, Modern, Practical, Stylish

    Pros

    • Comfortable
    • Durable
    • Good Fit

    Cons

    • Bulky

    Best Uses

    • ActivityWork when Hot
    • Travel

    Comments about Kafka's Kool Tie:

    This thing is wonderful! An ingenious invention that could prevent heatstroke. I bought it right before I traveled to a tropical climate, an activity I repeat as often as I can. I was able to withstand the heat & humidity while hiking & other activities. Kept me pretty comfortable & allowed me to do more longer. I also use it in the city when I exercise walk, play sports, etc. It has been durable & the crystals show no sign of failing after 3 summers use in addition to several longer trips in hot climates. Used it one summer when my AC went out & couldn't get it fixed for several weeks! Most comfortable around neck, but can be used around head (if not very large) or as a compress on pulse points.It really works great if you put it in a bowl of water in the fridge before use. For maximum cooling, have two w/one cooling while you wear the other. I've accidently partially frozen it with no damage!Cons: Takes an hour-2 hours to reach its full size, so preplanning is necessary. Takes a few hours to dry out & return to crystal form, depending upon humidity. Looks a little weird, like a fabric sausage around your neck, but well-worth looking a little unusual, especially where & when one would use it. Definitely not for a social situation, though the fabric colors/designs do add some panache to hiking clothes!I'm buying two for my son-in-law for Father's Day. He's a carpenter & summers can be brutal, especially in a closed up environment. He can keep them in his lunch cooler, be more comfortable & avoid heat stroke! I'm also buying another for my self. [$]

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (13 of 13 customers found this review helpful)

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    Mar

    14

    2009

    (11 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Kool Tie helps MS

    By densa

    from Hopkins MN

    About Me Casual Dresser

    Pros

    • Comfortable
    • Durable
    • Good Fit
    • Stylish

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Casual Wear
      • Wear To Work

      Comments about Kafka's Kool Tie:

      As a person with Multiple Sclerosis, I really appreciate any product that lessens my symptoms. This cooling scarf has made an enormous difference in helping tolerate the humid MN summer heat, as I still love to garden, and am learning to kayak. Since heat can make MS symptoms worsen, the scarf has allowed me to spend more time outside. It's also helpful inside when air conditioning isn't available. I have given lots of these to outdoor loving people, and to others with MS. These things float for awhile too, if it falls off while you are on the water.

      • Gift:
      • No
      • Comfort vs Style:
      • Comfort Driven

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (11 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

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      Apr

      28

      2009

      (9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Amazing Product

      By Frank1967

      from San Francisco, CA

      About Me Casual Dresser

      Pros

      • Comfortable
      • Durable
      • Good Fit
      • Stylish

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Casual Wear
        • Wear To Work

        Comments about Kafka's Kool Tie:

        My wife and I have been wearing these Kool Ties for over 10 years. My wife, a cardiologist, recommends them to her patients all the time for their ability to help reduce blood pressure. We like to hike and bike and these are a part of our kit. They are simple to use, last for 2-3 days before you need to resoak them, and last for years. My wife talked to the creators of this product and they are correct in all of their claims about reducing blood pressure and heart rate. They will even send you proof of testing that was overseen by a cardiologist in controlled conditions that is very impressive. We have used them in all conditions and have noticed an improvement in our physical stamina while hiking and biking. Don't be without one!

        • Gift:
        • No
        • Comfort vs Style:
        • Comfort Driven

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

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        Oct

        13

        2008

        (9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        Buy it if you do anything in the sun!

        By Deb the tennis net queen

        from San Diego

        About Me Casual Dresser

        Pros

        • Comfortable
        • Durable
        • Good Fit
        • Keeps you cool
        • Stylish

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Exercise
          • outdoor wear

          Comments about Kafka's Kool Tie:

          I use this when I exercise outdoors: hiking, tennis.

          Just soak for 20 minutes to hydrate and wear it around your neck. It keeps me cool in the sun. Everyone on our tennis team has purchased one.

          • Gift:
          • No
          • Comfort vs Style:
          • Comfort Driven

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

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          Jun

          1

          2008

          (8 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          Little Correction to Above

          By Rebalee

          from Minneapolis area

          Site Member

          Comments about Kafka's Kool Tie:

          Correction! Above I said it needed a couple of hours to reach full size. BUT--the instructions say to leave it in water about 45 minutes or so and NOT to leave longer because the full size can damage the fabric/seams. The one I bought a few years ago had no instructions.
          I'm buying two more for Father's Day gifts.

          Service and delivery comments:

          FAST! Got this by Priority Mail in two days. Very satisfied.

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (8 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

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          Jul

          28

          2008

          (5 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

           
          3.0

          Not all that I had hoped.

          By like2hike

          from Apex, NC

          Site Member

          Pros

          • Durable

          Cons

          • Bulky

          Best Uses

            Comments about Kafka's Kool Tie:

            This is an ingenious and well-made product, but I was a little disappointed with it's performance, particularly when used outdoors in humid weather. Evaporative cooling just doesn't work all that well in the typical damp summer weather where I live (North Carolina). I think it is more suited to dry climates such as the desert Southwest. I found that it quickly feels hot against my skin. Frequently rolling over the tie helps, but overall it is probably more fuss than it is worth. The previous reviewer mentioned rotating two through the refrigerator and that may be an effective method, but not always convenient when out and about. It is also not the way the product is promoted to work. The only way I have found to get effective evaporative cooling where I live is by wetting a polyester jogging tank-top shirt and wearing that as it dries. It provides a much greater surface area for evaporation and heat transfer from the body.

            The Kool Tie works better and feels more consistently cool indoors with air conditioning. The drier indoor air allows the evaporative cooling process to work better and the moderate relief this product provides seems more noticeable in a more comfortable environment. This would provide some benefit indoors for people with hot flashes or who are just hot-natured. However, running an electric fan may be more effective. Also, remember that cooling a narrow band around your neck will help, but it is not the same thing as cooling your entire body. Note that in use, the tie does not look like the picture or like the product in it's packaging at the store. It swells up considerably and looks like an Italian sausage. Not fashionable.

            Overall, I am unenthusiastic about the Kool Tie, but it does have its uses. I would recommend it, but only for certain situations, and given realistic expectations. It is helpful to understand this product's limitations (which are not explained in the product literature). I am down-rating it because it does not live up to it's hype for me. However, if you live in a climate that is both hot and very dry, I think it would work well and could be very nice to have.

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            (5 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

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            May

            10

            2009

            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            Kool Tie

            By beanerboon

            from Truckee, CA

            About Me Casual Dresser

            Pros

            • Comfortable
            • Durable

            Cons

              Best Uses

                Comments about Kafka's Kool Tie:

                I got this for myself, as I am menopausal and have hot flashes all day long at work. However, I haven't used it yet, since my teen-aged daughter immediately commandeered it for a cooling headwrap. Last saw it heading for a soccer match on her head, and her friend was asking where we got it. I think it's a hit!

                • Gift:
                • No
                • Comfort vs Style:
                • Comfort Driven

                Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

                (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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                Jan

                8

                2009

                (2 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                2.0

                Felt like a wet sausage around my neck

                By cycling girl

                from Issaquah, Wa

                About Me Casual Dresser

                Site Member

                Pros

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                      Comments about Kafka's Kool Tie:

                      I bought this product to use for long hot rides on my bike. This last STP ride was hot, very hot and it would have been nice to have had something cool around my neck. This item was however, too heavy and thick like a "sausage around my neck."

                      • Gift:
                      • No
                      • Comfort vs Style:
                      • Comfort Driven

                      Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

                      (2 of 12 customers found this review helpful)

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                      Jul

                      28

                      2009

                      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                       
                      5.0

                      PERFECT for the Desert Southwest

                      By GC Cheryl

                      from Las Vegas

                      About Me Casual Dresser

                      Site Member

                      Pros

                      • Comfortable
                      • Cooling
                      • Durable
                      • Stylish

                      Cons

                        Best Uses

                        • Desert Southwest Hiking

                        Comments about Kafka's Kool Tie:

                        I hike often in the Desert Southwest (especially Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Escalante area) and wouldn't be caught without this. Temps during the summer can be brutal, and, along with the other obvious means (i.e., drinking plenty of water), this Kool Tie works wonders to help keep heat from becoming an issue too quickly. I wouldn't hike without it!

                        • Gift:
                        • No
                        • Comfort vs Style:
                        • Comfort Driven

                        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

                        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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                        Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

                        Jul

                        28

                        2009

                        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                         
                        5.0

                        RELIEF IN EXTREME HEAT!!

                        By Love the Sticks

                        from Milwaukie, OR

                        About Me Casual Dresser

                        Site Member

                        Pros

                        • Affordable
                        • Comfortable
                        • Cool
                        • Durable
                        • Functional
                        • Good Fit
                        • Lightweight
                        • Soft
                        • Stylish

                        Cons

                          Best Uses

                          • Active Wear
                          • Casual Wear
                          • Hiking
                          • outdoor wear
                          • Wear To Work

                          Comments about Kafka's Kool Tie:

                          I bought this wrap for an upcoming backpacking trip with my dad and brother in the Sisters Wilderness area. However, this week has been over 100 and I work in a non-air conditioned parts department at an auto body shop. IT GETS HOT in here!! I wore it today and cannot believe the immediate relief this provides! What would be an absolutely unbearable day has become something I can function in. I have recommended it to everyone I work with that is also suffering from the heat, and recommend it to anyone that has to work in a super hot environment!

                          • Gift:
                          • No
                          • Comfort vs Style:
                          • Comfort Driven

                          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

                          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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                          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

                          Displaying reviews 1-10

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