Man wearing a fire-resistant cooling pack vest with promotional text on a blue background

Fire-Resistant Cooling Vests

When your work environment demands fire-resistant gear, staying cool shouldn't be a compromise. Polar Products' fire-resistant cooling vests are Class 1 NFPA 70E rated and built for workers in high-heat, high-risk settings — from electrical and industrial environments to military and emergency response. Each vest features insulated interior pockets compatible with your choice of Kool Max® frozen water-based packs or Cool58® phase change packs, delivering up to 2–4 hours of active cooling without any power source. Available in Banox™ and Nomex™ fabric options — see below for a full comparison to help you choose the right material for your application.

Man standing in a garage with a fire truck in the background wearing a blue flame-resistant adjustable cooling vest

What is the difference between Banox and Nomex?

Banox is flame retardant treated cotton. The treatment is good for 20-25 washings and then the resistance to fire is significantly diminished. This fabric is heavier than Nomex and is more durable than Nomex.
Nomex is a fabric that is treated by a single step flame retarding process that will last the life of the garment and does not reduce the wear life of the fabric. The Nomex is roughly 60% of the weight of the Banox and is a bit less durable fabric.

Please note: while these fabrics are class 1 NFPA 70E rated, there is exposure to potential arc flash and the user should not depend on a cooling vest for protection.

Two blue Kool Max body cooling packs and two white Cool58 cooling pads on a white background.

Choose the type of cooling you prefer!

Kool Max® Frozen Water-Based Cooling Packs offer the highest level of cooling energy for up to 3 to 4 hours, they require access to a freezer.

Cool58® Phase Change Cooling Packs freeze at 58ºF (14.4°C) providing a comfortable, constant cooling temperature of 58ºF for up to 2 to 3 hours. Ideal when freezers are not available.