Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've been using my EnduraCool Multi-cool for about a month for desert hiking. I hike 4+ miles every day and a 10-20 mile hike once a week regardless of weather in a desert wilderness area. In late spring or summer it's 95-105 degrees (30% humidity); hotter than that I stay home. I cover up with a Tilley hat and light-colored clothing. Very little exposed skin. It has worked for me for many years, but I decided to try the EnduraCool Multi-Cool which my son (in construction) swears by. Before a hike, I soak it good at home or camp and store it in a ziplock bag. When I get to the trailhead, I wring the excess water out into the ziplock bag, then save that water to re-wet the cloth later. There are no opportunities for water later in the hike so every drop is important on a 2 hour or longer hike in that heat. The instructions say to give it three snaps after wringing it. Some marketing guy thinks he's brilliant for coming up with that one, but it's pointless and potentially wastes water. I stretch the cloth to distribute the moisture, but snapping it doesn't make any difference. You might as well click your heels three times. There is nothing to "activate". Water on cloth evaporates. Evaporation is one of the few things we can depend on. Sort of like gravity in that respect. I rarely have to activate my boots to hold me on the ground. I initially wear it as a neck wrap, tucking the excess inside my shirt collar. This keeps my neck cool, and cools the blood supply to my head keeping my head cooler. Excess water is absorbed in my shirt where it evaporates and adds to the cooling effect. In ~30% humidity, the cloth stays cool for about 30-60 minutes or more. Periodically, I reach inside the wrap, grab the bottom hem and pull it to the top, thus flipping it and putting the wetter end around my neck. I can feel the cooling, but I can also feel the effects of a cooler head. My thinking is sharper, and I don't fatigue as easily--both good things hiking alone in a desert without trails. As the day heats up and a hot wind materializes, I pull the top hem up in the back as a hood, but I don't pull it up anymore than I need to keep it in place. My ventilated hat lets the sweat in my hair continue to cool me while keeping the sun off. The moisture in the cloth evaporates faster, but that's what you need as it gets hotter and more windy. If it gets too dry, I sometimes remove the cloth and re-wet it in the ziplock bag. I don't pour water on as it is too wasteful where freerunning water is non-existent. Another trick I use is to keep track of how my throat feels. In a dry climate with lots of exertion (e.g. uphill), my throat dries out from respiration. When that starts to happen, I pull the top hem over my nose and mouth and breathe through the cloth. This reduces moisture loss as you breathe. The cloth captures moisture as you exhale keeping your throat from feeling dry. That recycled moisture keeps your face cool. Moisture management lets you hike longer and safer. I don't do this unless I feel the need as I honestly can't stand to have anything covering my face, but sometimes I have to compromise. Anyway, it's a winner. I don't much care about the elaborate measurements a dozen youtube video reviewers performed with infrared thermometers in their backyard. The value for me has been the added comfort and safety the Multi-cool has provided me in actual harsh desert conditions. My Tilley hat, Multi-cool and sunblock are indispensable tools for desert hiking in summer.