1. Europe’s Summers Are Getting Brutal
Remember when summer meant a few hot days, an ice cream, and open windows at night? Not anymore.
Across Central Europe, the story has changed. From Vienna to Lyon, and even in cooler cities like Zurich or Munich, summer heatwaves now stretch into weeks. Temperatures soar past 35°C, sometimes brushing 40. Streets shimmer. Brains fog. And for many, simply getting through the day becomes a full-body challenge.
This isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s a growing health risk. Heat stress affects concentration, heart health, and sleep. It hits hardest for older adults, people with chronic conditions, and anyone stuck in a top-floor flat or working outside under the midday sun.
So what do you do when staying cool isn’t optional—but staying indoors isn’t either?
2. Why Air Conditioning Isn’t Always the Answer
At first glance, air conditioning seems like the obvious solution. But here’s the catch: it’s not available for everyone—and it’s not much use when you’re on the move.
Most European homes weren’t built with A/C. Retrofitting is expensive, and running it adds to already high energy bills. In times of energy shortages or environmental concerns, it’s not the most climate-friendly option either.
But the biggest limitation? You can’t take it with you.
If you're weeding your garden, standing on a construction site, delivering parcels, or waiting for the bus in blazing heat—your wall unit isn’t coming along. Portable fans help a little, but they don’t actually cool your body. At best, you’re sweating. At worst, you’re overheating.
What people need is something different. Something that works anywhere. That’s where a small Swiss company stepped in—with a deceptively simple idea.
3. The Old-School Science Behind a New Solution
Long before compressors and refrigerants, there was sweat. The body’s natural cooling system works by releasing moisture and using airflow to evaporate it—pulling heat away as it dries. That’s evaporative cooling. Simple, effective, and time-tested.
Now, imagine applying that principle to clothing.
Evaporative cooling works by holding water in a specially designed fabric that gradually releases it as vapor. As the water evaporates, it draws heat away from the body—lowering skin temperature by several degrees. It’s not magic, and it’s not new—but the way it’s being used is.
Today, a team of Swiss engineers has taken that ancient principle and upgraded it into something surprisingly modern: wearable cooling gear that acts like personal air conditioning—without the plug.
4. Meet Duracool: Wearable Cooling from a Swiss Tech Spin-Off
The solution comes from Nahtlos AG, a startup based in St. Gallen. What began as a high-tech spin-off from Switzerland’s national research institute Empa has turned into something refreshingly low-tech: a cooling vest you can use with nothing but tap water.
The company’s Duracool product line includes lightweight vests and shoulder pads that rely on evaporative cooling. You don’t need batteries, cords, or chemicals. Just fill with water, close it up, and wear it. That’s it. The fabric releases moisture gradually, creating a cooling effect for several hours—no electricity needed.
Designed for mobility and comfort, Duracool products are used by people working in the sun, those with medical heat sensitivity, and anyone who just wants to get through a blazing hot day without melting. And because the technology comes from a background in health monitoring and wearable textiles, every detail is thought through—from ergonomic fit to fabric durability.
It’s Swiss engineering, made practical. And it might just be one of the smartest answers to a very sweaty problem.
5. Real-World Cooling, Anywhere You Go
Duracool isn’t a gadget for gearheads. It’s a daily essential for anyone trying to function in the heat.
Think about a landscaper working on a 38°C afternoon. Or a nurse in a non-air-conditioned clinic. Or a parent pushing a stroller through sun-scorched city streets. These people don’t just prefer to stay cool—they need it to stay safe, alert, and able to get through the day.
That’s where wearable cooling makes sense.
With the Duracool vest, there’s no setup. No wires. No bulky packs or strange fluids. You fill it with water in the morning, seal it, and it quietly does its job—keeping you several degrees cooler for hours. Once it dries, you can just fill it again.
Users report feeling significantly more comfortable, less fatigued, and more able to focus—whether indoors without A/C, hiking in southern Spain, or sitting through a heatwave in a third-floor apartment.
It’s like bringing your own personal breeze—no fan required.
6. A Smarter, Greener Way to Beat the Heat
There’s no question that Europe needs to rethink how it deals with rising temperatures. But energy-intensive fixes like air conditioning aren’t always practical—or sustainable.
Duracool offers a refreshing alternative: individual-level climate comfort that doesn’t require power grids, high bills, or environmental tradeoffs.
Because it works passively through water evaporation, the vest produces zero emissions. It doesn’t drain electricity, strain infrastructure, or add more heat to the outside world. It just quietly keeps you cool.
And unlike disposable cooling products or tech-heavy wearables, Duracool is designed to be used again and again. It’s durable, washable, and as simple to recharge as turning on a tap.
In a warming world, this kind of practical, personal adaptation isn’t just smart—it’s essential.
7. Made in Switzerland, Designed for a Hotter Europe
Duracool isn’t a gadget made in some distant factory. It’s the product of Swiss engineering, born from a research institute with a deep focus on health tech and biomonitoring.
But the result isn’t something academic or overbuilt. It’s the opposite: lightweight, comfortable, easy to use, and designed for everyday people facing everyday heat. Whether you’re catching a bus in Berlin, weeding your garden in Bern, or delivering mail in Marseille, Duracool fits seamlessly into your routine.
It’s built with intention—for people who can’t afford to slow down just because the temperature hits 39°C. For caregivers, grandparents, bike commuters, and festival volunteers. For people who need to stay out there, doing what they do, even when the pavement’s almost too hot to touch.
And it’s proof that smart climate solutions don’t have to be loud, expensive, or plugged in.
8. Conclusion: Wear Your Cool
As Europe faces more extreme summers, the question isn’t if we need new ways to stay cool—it’s how fast we can adopt them.
Duracool offers one of the simplest, smartest answers: a cooling vest you can wear, recharge with water, and rely on when the heat becomes too much. No noise. No emissions. Just relief you can take with you.
You don’t need to wait for cities to plant more trees or for buildings to be retrofitted with air conditioning. You can start with your own body, your own comfort—and one smart vest.
Cool doesn’t have to cost the earth.
Learn more about Duracool and shop the collection here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Duracool vest provide cooling without electricity?
Duracool uses evaporative cooling. You fill the inner layer with water, and as it evaporates through the fabric, it draws heat away from your body—lowering skin temperature without any power source.
Who should consider using Duracool?
Duracool is ideal for outdoor workers, caregivers, commuters, seniors, and anyone exposed to heat without access to air conditioning. It’s designed for everyday wear in Europe’s intensifying summer climate.
How long does the Duracool cooling effect last?
The cooling effect can last several hours depending on environmental conditions. Once the water evaporates, simply refill to reactivate the cooling function—no charging or downtime required.
Is Duracool reusable and eco-friendly?
Yes, Duracool is reusable, washable, and entirely battery-free. It produces zero emissions and is powered only by water, making it a sustainable alternative to air conditioning and disposable cooling solutions.
What makes Duracool different from other cooling vests?
Duracool was designed in Switzerland by a research spin-off with expertise in health-monitoring textiles. It’s lightweight, ergonomic, and built for real-life conditions—no wires, no chemicals, just reliable passive cooling.
Can I use Duracool while commuting or walking outdoors?
Absolutely. Duracool is perfect for commuting, walking, or working outdoors. It moves with your body and provides discreet, hands-free cooling—making hot-weather activities safer and more comfortable.