CompCooler Liquid Cooling Vests

A pump circulates chilled liquid from a reservoir through tubing woven into the vest — essentially a wearable version of a car's cooling system. It works regardless of humidity, airflow, or what you're wearing over it, because it carries its own cold rather than relying on evaporation. That's why it's the answer inside sealed gear.

It's one of the main reasons people buy them. A rider in full leathers is sealed inside protective gear where evaporation can't happen — which is exactly the environment a circulatory system is built for. Check the specific product for how the pump and reservoir mount, since that's the practical question on a bike.

Quite possibly, and it's worth being honest about that before you spend the money. If a phase change vest with a spare set of packs gets you through your day, buy that instead — it's a fraction of the cost, has no moving parts, and nothing to fail. Circulatory systems are for when the simpler options genuinely run out.

A CompCooler system uses an active water circulation method to regulate body temperature. The system consists of a liquid-cooling vest or garment lined with a network of micro-tubing, a battery-powered pump, and a reservoir (such as an ice bladder or backpack). Chilled water is pumped from the reservoir through the tubing, where it absorbs your body heat. The warmed water then returns to the reservoir to be re-chilled, providing a continuous cycle of "refrigerated" cooling that is far more powerful than traditional evaporative or ice-pack vests.

Yes, CompCooler has specialized systems designed specifically for vehicle operators. Their motorcycle rider systems can be powered directly by the vehicle’s 12V DC outlet, eliminating the need for internal batteries. These systems are highly effective under leather riding suits where airflow is limited, as the circulatory technology doesn't rely on evaporation or external air.

A circulatory cooling vest, also known as a liquid-cooled vest, is the most advanced wearable technology available for managing heat stress. Unlike standard cooling vests that rely on frozen inserts or evaporation, a circulatory system uses an active motorized pump to move chilled water through a network of integrated micro-tubing sewn directly into a mesh or stretch-fabric garment.
This water travels from a reservoir, typically an ice-filled backpack, waist pack, or a stationary chiller unit, and flows across your chest and back, continuously absorbing body heat. The warmed water then returns to the reservoir to be re-cooled, creating a constant "refrigerated" cycle that provides uniform cooling across your entire torso.

These systems are the preferred choice for environments where traditional cooling fails, such as high-humidity areas, under heavy non-breathable PPE (like hazmat suits or racing leathers), or in extreme temperatures exceeding 100°F. Because the cooling is "active" and motorized, many systems allow you to adjust the flow rate to control the intensity of the chill. Depending on the size of the ice reservoir and the battery capacity, a circulatory system can provide 4 to 8 hours of high-performance cooling, making it the gold standard for pilots, professional racers, and industrial workers who need reliable, long-term thermal protection.