DenFur was awesome!
Julia and Kurtis had a blast at DenFur 2024!! Thank you to all the Fur's who came by our booth and chatted with us, purchased a ThermApparel Cooling Vest in the Dealer's Den, and attended our talk on How To Keep Cool in Your Fursuit.
Attending DenFur 2024 was an absolute blast! As one of the most exciting events in the furry fandom, DenFur is all about celebrating the art, creativity, and culture of anthropomorphism. Held annually in Denver, Colorado, this convention brings together thousands of fans from across the globe. In 2024, the event took place at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, nestled in the heart of Denver, where attendees had easy access to restaurants, shops, and plenty of local flair.
But what exactly is DenFur? It’s a vibrant convention showcasing the furry fandom in all its glory—complete with fursuits, art, panels, and a lively, electric atmosphere. With a massive crowd of 4,172 attendees this year, DenFur shines as a cornerstone of the Denver Fur community, welcoming furries and fans of the anthropomorphic arts from all walks of life.
Why Was ThermApparel at DenFur 2024?
For ThermApparel, DenFur wasn’t just an opportunity to experience the convention—it was about helping the Fandom stay cool. Many attendees dress in full fursuits, which can lead to overheating due to the heavy materials and insulation. ThermApparel’s goal? To make sure the community stays comfortable and cool, no matter how active they are during the convention.
Our UltraCool and RallyWrap products were a huge hit with fursuiters, offering 360-degree cooling ideal for full fursuits and plush costumes. These cooling solutions are easy to wear, fit discreetly under costumes, and provide relief from the heat without restricting movement—making them perfect for an event like DenFur, where staying cool and comfortable is key to enjoying the festivities.
Whether in a Full Fursuits, Protogen, Plantigrade, Plush, Digitigrade, Quad, Realistic, Kigurumi, or Toony our products are designed to help you enjoy the convention and meet-ups without worrying about overheating. We had a fantastic time connecting with the furry community, learning about their experiences, and sharing how ThermApparel can help them beat the heat at conventions like DenFur.
Shop Furry Cooling Gear
Are you ready to keep your cool at your next convention? Check out our UltraCool and RallyWrap options to stay comfortable in your suit all day long!
We met Zaldar87!
Zaldar87 tried out our cooling gear and LOVED it! He purchased the UltraCool with extra cooling packs and was so happy he gave us a plush!
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UltraCool:
- Idea for Full Fursuits, Protogen, Plantigrade, Plush, Digitigrade, Quad, Realistic, and Toony
- Ultimate Cooling Power
- 8-10 Cooling Packs, depending on size
- Cooling all the way around
- Weighs 5-4 lbs
- Lasts 3-4 hours with ExtendedCool Cooling Packs
It provides the most cooling power by having twice as many cooling packs as the UnderCool 3, and the cooling packs go all around the lower torso for 360 degrees of cooling. It's on the heavier side of the scale, but still allows for comfort and freedom of movement.
RallyWap:
- Idea for Full Fursuiters, Protogen, Plush Suits, Kigurumi
- Not recommended for Dance Wars
- Belt design, no straps for easy on and easy off
- 6-8 Cooling Packs, depending on size
- Cooling all the way around
- Weighs 2-3 lbs
- Lasts 2-4 hours with ExtendedCool Cooling Packs
Quick and easy is the best description for this large belt. Wrap it around your torso, close it tight, and let the cooling begin. Another advantage of RallyWrap is that it can go anywhere on the body. You don't have to wear it around your waist; put it on your legs, over your shoulder, you pick.
Examples include sitting on it after the Furry Parade, using a wheelchair, or activities where a cooling vest is impractical. You can quickly put RallyWrap on and take it off, or use it on your shoulder, back, knee, or while lying down.
- Idea for Mini Partial, Full Partial, Three-Quarter, Quad, Kemono, Kigurumi, and Poodle Suits
- The original Invisible Cooling Vest
- 4 Cooling Packs in the back, making it invisible
- Weighs less than 2lbs
- Lasts 1-3 hours depending on Cooling Pack (for all Furs we recommend ExtendedCool Cooling Packs
- Choice of SlimCool or ExtendedCool Cooling Packs
The do anything, go anywhere vest. UnderCool 3 is a lightweight, comfortable, hidden alternative to other bulky cooling vest options and has become the standard in lightweight cooling.
This vest has the option of ultra-lightweight SlimCool Cooling Packs or longer-lasting ExtendedCool Cooling Packs.
We do not recommend SlimCool Cooling Packs for heavy-duty activities like full Fursuiting. SlimCool is for situations when concealability is the absolute priority or weight is an issue, like a singer suffering from the hot lights on stage, or a wheelchair user who needs something super lightweight.
For Fursuiting the primary Cooling Pack for UnderCool 3 is ExtendedCool. This Cooling Pack is the perfect blend of lightweight and cooling power.
Examples of what our customers like to do in their UnderCool 3 with ExtendedCool Cooling Packs are Fursuiting, golf, tennis, pickleball, cycling, hiking, jobs (bartending, electricians, security), horseback riding, gardening, keeping up with the kids, costuming, and acting.
Extra Cooling
Remember, you can add extra cooling with our Cooling Accessories, CoolSleeve, Grab-n-Go, and Headband. These offer short bursts of extra cooling power, especially after fursuiting. They are great for pre-cooling and post-cooling. Use them while preparing to suit up and after you are done fursuiting for the day. These products will increase your performance by reducing fatigue and speeding up recovery.
Q. Why should I only use it for pre- and post-cooling? Can't I wear them while I am fursuiting?
A. Great question! We don't recommend using them while you are in the suit because the cooling time is 30-45 minutes. Remember, the Cooling Packs act like a heat sink. Once they deplete entirely, they will put heat back into you, making you hotter. Here is our recommendation:
- Use your Cooling Accessories to cool yourself down while you are getting ready. If you have a cooling vest with extra packs, put it on now.
- Before zipping up, remove your Cooling Accessories and put them in the freezer.
- Put on your Cooling Vest - or switch out the Cooling Packs if you have an extra set (put the other set in the freezer)
- Zip up and have a fun time!!!!
- When you're finished fursuiting, unzip and get your Cooling Accessories from the freezer and put them on. If you have an extra set of Cooling Packs for the Cooling Vest, switch them out. If you don't have an extra set, get the Cooling Vest off.
- Get some airflow going. Sit before a fan, drink cold water, and cool off.
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CoolSleeve
Get the cooling right into the bloodstream by cooling down the radial artery, moving the cooled blood right to the core of the body.
Tip: Use for pre-cooling and post-cooling
Grab-n-Go
This small compact cooling pack is ready to go wherever you need quick, on-demand cooling relief, perfect for pockets and sports bras.
Tip: Use for pre-cooling and post-cooling
Headband
Nobody likes to be hotheaded; therefore, the Headband cools you from the top.
Tip: Use for pre-cooling and post-cooling
HOW TO KEEP COOL IN YOUR FURSUIT
Julia gave a great talk to a packed room on how to keep cool in your fursuit. Check the schedule at the next Fur Con you go to; she might be presenting. If you can't make it or missed the talk, below are some highlights.
Our own body is a massive source of heat. As your body produces energy to make your body work, the by-product is heat. But when we put ourselves in clothing it traps all the excess heat with no way to escape, creating sweat that makes a high-humidity environment.
What that means for Furry's is that if your Fursuit does not allow your sweat to evaporate, it will make you hotter every time, and with the way that many of the Fursuits are made, they can trap even more internal heat.
So the math tells us that your body is sitting at 98.6˚F / 37˚C, and as you sweat, the humidity inside your Fursuit goes from 20% to 40% to 100%. At 100% humidity, there is no possibility of evaporation.
Remember - no evaporation = no cooling.
Heat Stress Threshold
Did you know that the human body has a Heat Stress Threshold of 85˚F / 30˚C? Above that, our bodies can no longer dissipate the heat fast enough to keep our core temperatures stable, and doing pretty much anything becomes more difficult. When temperatures reach 95˚F / 35˚C, our work output drops by 45%.
Temperature Regulation
The human body is like a fine-tuned machine that needs to operate within a specific temperature range for optimal performance. It's like a Goldilocks situation; it's not too hot, not too cold, but just right!
Anything outside of the 92˚F to 104˚F / 33˚C to 40˚C range can lead to some wonky or dangerous symptoms.
At 80°F, the heart and lungs cease to operate.
At 109°F, the brain shuts down.
Internal Heat Generation
Your Fursuit is a massive source of Internal Heat Generation, and without proper cooling, you can quickly overheat and reach Hyperthermia, otherwise known as Heat Stroke.
Check out these thermal images of Fursuiters and how hot they are in their Fursuit!
Here’s a look inside a furry headpiece after it’s been removed. It’s 92.4°F inside! And that’s after taking it off—imagine how much hotter it will be when it’s back on. When combined with body heat and sweat, it will push temperatures well into the 100s.
Heat Stroke Happening
Remember - Heat stroke begins at 104˚F / 40˚C, and at 109˚F the brain shuts down.
Check out this other furry in the Dealer's Den. The maximum temperature here is 105.3°F—well into heatstroke territory, which begins at 104°F. This furry is likely experiencing classic signs of heatstroke: hot, red, or dry skin, a rapid pulse, headache, confusion, nausea, and dizziness. Without immediate cooling relief, this situation can become life-threatening.
FAQ
What sizes do you have?
UltraCool has two sizes M/L and XL/XXL
RallyWrap is one size fits most with a choice of 6 or 8 Cooling Packs. If you are on the smaller size, go with 6; if you are Medium or larger, go with 8
UnderCool has five sizes - XXS, Small, Medium, Large, XXL.
Check our sizing page for all sizing info and a video explaining how to get the correct fit.
- Sizing is based on your natural waist, not your hips or pant size.
- You will wear a smaller size than you think.
- ThermApparel Cooling Gear needs to fit your body like a glove to give you the best cooling support.
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If you fall in between the two sizes, order the larger size.
- If you need help with sizing, give us a call at 855-232-7233. We are happy to help.
How do I order a cooling vest?
- Go to our Furry shop page, select your size and cooling pack type, enter your address and credit card information, and we will ship it to you.
- If you need help placing an order, call us at 855-232-7233. We are happy to take phone orders.
How do ThermApparel Cooling Vests keep me cool under my Fursuit?
Our cooling vest is a PCM Cooling Vest, not gel or ice. PCM works better than gel and ice. Why is that, and why is it important?
- When your body is hot, blood vessels open up to release heat. In other words, you sweat, and when the air hits your sweat, it cools your body.
- Ice and Gel Packs cause blood vessels to constrict, preventing cooled blood from reaching your core. Ice is excellent for cooling down a specific part of your body or bringing down swelling, but it doesn't cool your entire body. There is a reason doctors say 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off with ice packs. You need your blood vessels to open back up to allow the blood to start flowing again.
- ThermApparel PCM Cooling Packs act like heat sinks and cool the blood without constricting blood vessels. As your blood flows past the PCM Cooling Packs, it cools, and your body keeps pumping cool blood through your system, keeping your whole body cool.
Will it be comfortable while seated?
- YES! Pilots, race car drivers, and Santa wear our product with great results. It's so comfortable that most people forget they have it on.
Can I dance in it?
Yes! Dance, shimmy, shake your groove thang. ThermApparel Cooling Gear moves with you.
Will it interfere with the sizing of my Fursuit?
Nope! Our cooling packs are worn directly against the skin. The garments' low-profile design means that they won't require a larger suit size due to their placement on the lower back or lower stomach.
Will anyone know I am wearing it?
Nope, unless you are wearing something super skin-tight like a Poodle Suit, but even then, it blends right in. ThermApparel Cooling Gear has a Velcro closure in front, and with its low-profile design, it won't add any bulk to your suit.
How long will it keep me cool?
ThermApparel Cooling Gear will last 2-4 hours, depending on the Vest Garment and Cooling Packs. We highly recommend the ExtendedCool Packs. SlimCool isn't going to last long enough for you.
Cooling Packs
SlimCool Packs last 45 minutes to 1 hour
ExtendedCool Packs last 2-3 hours
UltraCool - Maximum Cooling
3-4 hours of Cooling Time
8-10 ExtendedCool Cooling Packs
Cooling Packs in the back and front of the Vest Garment
RallyWrap - Easy on / Easy off
2-3 hours of Cooling Time
6-8 ExtendedCool Cooling Packs
Cooling Packs in the back and front of the Vest Garment
UnderCool 3- Lightest
1-2 hours of Cooling Time with SlimCool Cooling Packs
2-3 hours of Cooling Time with ExtendedCool Cooling Packs
4-6 SlimCool or ExtendedCool Cooling Packs
Cooling Packs all in the back of the Vest Garment
CoolSleeve - Cooling Booster
45 minutes of targeted cooling on your radial artery for a fast cool down. Use for pre- or post-cooling
Comes with 2 Sleeve Garments and 2 CoolSleeve66 Cooling Packs. CoolSleeve66 freezes at 66°F (19 °C), so it's safe for contact with the skin. These are slightly colder than our regular packs, providing more cooling power to the limited surface area.
If you need it to last longer, the packs can be refrozen and placed back in the vest, or you can purchase additional cooling packs and swap them when needed.
The cooling packs can be doubled up in the vest to make them last longer, but this will add more weight and bulk to the vest.
The unique thing about our packs is their recharging time and ability. Check out our tech.
- 30 min - ice water
- 45 min - freezer
- 60 min - fridge
The frozen Cooling Packs can be placed in an insulated cooler and stay cold for a few hours until you need to switch.
For refreezing on the go, use a 3-gallon Ziplock-type plastic bag filled with ice and water.
What do you recommend for Furries?
We have three different Garments for you, and the Cooling Packs will fit into each.
We recommend going with the UltraCool and an extra set of Cooling Packs (note: you will get a significant discount if you order an additional set of Cooling Packs at the time you order your UltraCool)
Option 1
• UltraCool M/L Fits a natural waist of 31"-45" and comes with 8 ExtendedCool Cooling Packs - 4 in the back and 4 in the front
• Extra set of ExtendedCool Cooling Packs
Option 2
• UltraCool XL/XXL - Fits a natural waist of 45"-64" and comes with 10 ExtendedCool Cooling Packs - 4 in the back and 6 in the front
• Extra set of ExtendedCool Cooling Packs
