As temperatures rise, cooling towels have become an extremely popular way to find quick relief from the heat. These towels are made from specialized fabrics that provide a cooling sensation when wet. The cooling effect comes from the towel’s ability to absorb and evaporate moisture rapidly.
Two of the most well-known and top-selling cooling towel brands are Mission and Frogg Toggs. But when it comes to choosing between Mission vs Frogg Toggs, which one is better?
How Cooling Towels Work
Before diving into the specifics of Mission and Frogg Toggs, it’s important to understand the science behind cooling towels.
Cooling towels rely on a process called evaporative cooling. When the towel gets wet, the water gets trapped within the towel’s fabric fibers. As the water evaporates, it draws heat away from the towel’s surface, creating a cooling effect.
The rate of evaporation depends on the towel’s material, weave, and ability to retain moisture. The more effectively the towel allows moisture to evaporate, the greater the cooling sensation.
As long as the towel remains wet and exposed to air, it will stay cool. When the cooling effect starts fading, you simply rewet the towel to reactivate evaporation and boost cooling power again.
Comparing Mission vs Frogg Toggs Cooling Towels
With the basics covered, let’s analyze some key differences between Mission and Frogg Toggs cooling towels:
Fabric and Materials
The fabric a cooling towel is constructed from plays a significant role in its moisture absorption, drying time, breathability, durability and comfort against the skin.
Mission cooling towels feature a polyester and spandex blend. The ultra-soft, flexible fabric feels smooth and gentle on your skin. Mission uses their exclusive “Techknit” performance fabric as the base material for their cooling towels. According to the brand, the fabric is woven in a unique cross-hatch pattern to increase breathability, cooling power and durability.
Frogg Toggs utilizes an exclusive type of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for their cooling towels. Their “Chilly PAD” fabric is designed to retain moisture well while staying completely dry against your skin – a claim that Frogg Toggs states their PVA towels can absorb up to eight times their weight in liquid. The PVA fabric is also praised for its antibacterial properties.
The Frogg Toggs fabric feels more pliable and towel-like, while Mission’s polyester blend has a sleeker, slightly “techier” feel. For some, the PVA may have a rubbery texture. Ultimately, personal preference plays a role here.
Key Takeaway: Mission cooling towels use a polyester/spandex fabric, while Frogg Toggs relies on a proprietary PVA material. The fabrics have a somewhat different feel – Mission is smoother while Frogg Toggs is more towel-like.
Absorbency and Cooling Power
A towel’s ability to retain moisture correlates directly to its cooling capabilities. The more water is present, the greater the evaporative effect and cooling power.
According to product details and user reviews, Frogg Toggs seems to have an edge when it comes to moisture retention and absorbency. The unique manufacturing of their PVA cooling towels enables them to absorb significantly more liquid than standard fabrics.
Frogg Toggs states their cooling towels can retain up to eight times their weight in water. Reviews often highlight the towel’s exceptional moisture retention, allowing it to provide longer lasting cooling relief before needing to be rewet.
The Mission cooling towels, while still highly effective at absorbing moisture, likely cannot match the extreme liquid retention abilities of the Frogg Toggs PVA material. However, many users still praise Mission’s cooling longevity. The soft fabric may also feel more pleasant for some when up against bare skin.
| Cooling Towel Comparison | Mission | Frogg Toggs |
|---|---|---|
| Base Fabric | Polyester/Spandex Blend | PVA Material |
| Absorbency | Good | Excellent |
| Cooling Longevity | Good | Excellent |
| Comfort Against Skin | Excellent | Very Good |
Key Takeaway: Frogg Toggs cooling towels use proprietary PVA material enabling extreme liquid absorption and extended cooling power. Mission’s polyester towels absorb well but likely can’t match Frogg Toggs towels for moisture retention.
Additional Features
Both Mission and Frogg Toggs cooling towels provide some nice extra features to enhance functionality:
- Antimicrobial properties: Mission uses “HeiQ NPJ03” technology to give their towels permanent antimicrobial functionality to inhibit bacterial growth and prevent odors. Frogg Toggs PVA fabric also naturally resists bacterial buildup.
- UPF sun protection: UPF 50+ sun protection is built into both Mission and Frogg Toggs cooling towels, allowing them to block 98% of harmful UV radiation from your skin.
- Reusable and machine washable: No need to worry about wear and tear – both Mission and Frogg Toggs cooling towels are made of durable fabrics that retain their cooling capabilities wash after wash.
When it comes to extras beyond cooling, Mission and Frogg Toggs are generally on par. One advantage of Mission is they offer their antimicrobial “HeiQ” technology on all towels, while Frogg Toggs provides more limited anti-microbial functionality.
Price and Value
Mission and Frogg Toggs cooling towels have very similar price points, typically ranging from $10-$20 USD depending on size and quantity. Both brands frequently offer sales and specials on multi-packs.
At full retail pricing, most Frogg Toggs and Mission towels are similarly priced at the $15-$20 level for single towels. The pricing holds consistent on larger “body towel” sizes as well.
When comparing value for money, here is a breakdown:
- Mission towels provide very good cooling coupled with antimicrobial tech and UPF sun protection at a reasonable cost. The soft fabric may justify slightly higher pricing for some buyers.
- Frogg Toggs arguably offers better “value”, with extreme cooling power and moisture retention compared to Mission, wrapped up in a uniquely durable and antimicrobial PVA fabric.
Considering performance benefits, Frogg Toggs likely gives you a bit more “cooling bang for your buck” – but Mission still delivers excellent function for the costs.
Key Takeaway: Both Frogg Toggs and Mission towels are affordably priced between $10-$20 USD, with frequent sales on multi-packs. Frogg Toggs provides exceptional cooling properties from its proprietary fabric, making it a great value pick.
Style and Design
Beyond standard towel sizes and shapes, some other variations help differentiate Mission vs Frogg Toggs:
Mission offers a wider range of styles, including:
- Cooling gaiters
- Back of neck bandanas
- “Hoodie” towel wraps
- Cooling hats
- Wristband wraps
- Full body towels
Frogg Toggs focuses more on their classic cooling towel design in different sizes. Unique Frogg Toggs options include:
- Several “mini” and “micro” compact neck towel sizes
- Cooling pads for placing inside hats
- Multi-packs with assorted colors
When it comes to versatile design, Mission likely takes the lead in providing cooling solutions for different body parts, uses and preferences. Frogg Toggs offers less variation but quality choices for compact neck cooling.
Additional Pros and Cons
Here are some extra beneficial highlights along with downsides associated with Mission and Frogg Toggs cooling towels:
- Mission Pros: Extremely soft and comfortable material; infused with anti-microbial technology; wide range of styles and designs; provides excellent air circulation
- Mission Cons: Shorter cooling duration compared to Frogg Toggs; may have more drying time; doesn’t retain as much water
- Frogg Toggs Pros: Unmatched cooling power and longevity; proprietary hyper-absorbent material; naturally antimicrobial; very durable and long-lasting
- Frogg Toggs Cons: Rubbery texture not for everyone; takes effort to revive once dried out; limited style options; relatively heavy when soaked
FAQs
What sizes do Mission and Frogg Toggs cooling towels come in?
Both Mission and Frogg Toggs offer cooling towels in a variety of sizes. Standard sizes range from small neck towels around 12 x 30 inches up to larger full body towels approaching 30 x 60 inches. You’ll also find compact hair/neck wraps, wrist bands, and other specialty shapes. Frogg Toggs focuses most on compact neck towels while Mission provides a greater array of unconventional styles.
How long does the cooling effect last in Mission vs Frogg Toggs towels?
Cooling duration depends on usage conditions, but expect:
- Mission: 30 to 120 minutes of cooling relief before needing to rewet
- Frogg Toggs: Up to 2 or more hours between rewetting (thanks to extreme liquid retention)
No matter the brand, you can easily restore cooling power by wetting the towel again once it starts to warm.
Can you put Mission or Frogg Toggs cooling towels in the freezer?
You should never place a cooling towel in the freezer. The frozen moisture can damage fibers and cause towels to rip or fall apart prematurely. For extra cooling power, the brands recommend storing towels in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. Just be careful taking them out, as the towel will be extremely cold initially.
What is the best way to clean Mission vs Frogg Toggs cooling towels?
The good news is both Mission and Frogg Toggs cooling towels are machine washable. Standard laundry detergent and cold or warm water (not hot) will adequately get them clean without harming durability. It’s best to hang towels or lay flat after washing so they fully retain their shape and performance. Putting extremely wet towels in the dryer can degrade materials over time.
Conclusion
When choosing between Mission vs Frogg Toggs, both brands make excellent cooling towels packed with helpful features.
Frogg Toggs ultimately wins out if extreme cooling power is your top priority. The ultra-absorbent PVA fabric provides unmatched moisture retention and rapid heat dispersion. The towels stay ice cold for hours of enduring relief. While the texture may seem rubbery or slippery to some, the exceptional performance outweighs minor drawbacks.
For those who prefer a softer, more towel-like feel, Mission makes an outstanding alternative. The smooth polyester fabric offers great breathability and a lightweight, barely-there feel during wear. While cooling longevity falls slightly below Frogg Toggs, Mission’s antimicrobial protection and assortment of stylish designs help offset the difference.
