ColdAthlete

What it does

Coldathlete is a wearable with three integrated thermoelectric cooling units, strategically placed on the upper arms and neck. These cooling units target areas where blood vessels are closest to the skin to effectively reduce overall perceived temperature.

Your inspiration

ColdAthlete was developed in response to the lack of effective personal cooling solutions, particularly for outdoor and active use. While heating products are widely available, cooling options are limited and often uncomfortable or designed for stationary use. With rising temperatures and increasingly hot summers in Europe, there is an urgent need for functional, wearable cooling systems to maintain a high quality of life during heat waves. ColdAthlete aims to fill this gap by providing targeted cooling in a design that supports movement and athletic activity.

How it works

ColdAthlete is a modular vest equipped with thermoelectric cooling units based on the Peltier effect. These units are placed in key locations, such as the neck and upper arms, where blood vessels are closest to the skin. Cooling these areas effectively regulates the body's overall temperature perception. The cooling units use Peltier Elements. These are thermoelectric devices that create a temperature difference by transferring heat from one side to the other when an electric current flows. The cold side will cool the skin, while the heat on the hot side will be dissipated via a heat sink. The electronics are powered by a compact battery pack. The cooling duration and intensity can be adjusted manually using an app or by using predeterminded refreshing cooling patterns. This spot cooling approach significantly reduces energy usage compared to full-body cooling systems while offering immediate thermal comfort during physical activity.

Design process

The design process began with a deep investigation into climate data, health effects of heat, and existing cooling technologies. An interview with a climate expert was conducted and a cooling experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of pulse-point cooling was carried out. Several conceptual prototypes were developed, ranging from portable cooling tools to body-worn systems. Based on user needs, I focused on athletes as a target group. I created personas, moodboards, and tested materials for ergonomics, weight, and ventilation. The vest was developed in iterative cycles: paper prototyping, digital modeling, and sewing multiple wearable mock-ups. Several rounds of user testing led to refinements in fit for different body types, material comfort in heat stress, and the accessibility of the cooling units. For the cooling units, I explored different shapes, ventilation patterns, and electronics housings. In addition I tested the Peltier elements in a functional setup to assess their cooling performance and usability. A docking station for intuitive and easy charging was also developed. The final prototype is a functional, user-centered product combining thermoelectric tech, user-friendly design, and ergonomic design for all body shapes.

How it is different

ColdAthlete is a unique product in the field of wearable cooling devices. Most existing solutions rely on passive cooling methods such as ice packs or gel inserts, or basic fan-based ventilation. These technologies cannot be accurately controlled and fail to deliver continuous cooling. ColdAthlete introduces Peltier elements - typically used in laboratory or industrial applications - into a wearable sports context for the first time. This active cooling technology enables precise temperature control, energy-efficient spot cooling and the possibility of recurring cooling effects by utilising temperature variation patterns. Combined with a lightweight, ergonomic design that targets only minimal skin surface at key pulse points, ColdAthlete offers an entirely new approach to thermal comfort in motion. Its modular setup and sports-oriented usability set it apart from current cooling vests, making it a pioneering solution for athletes training in heat.

Future plans

Ongoing development will center on refining ColdAthlete through iterative user testing and continued exploration of materials to optimize breathability, fit, and comfort across various climates and activity levels. A key development will be conducting controlled testing in a climate chamber to gather precise performance data. Looking ahead, the integration of the cooling technology into other garments - such as T-shirts, sports bras, or trousers - offers the potential to expand the product range and adapt to different athletic needs. Ultimately, the goal is to evolve ColdAthlete into a collection of functional, thermoregulating sportswear.

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