Collection: Mission Statement
ThermApparel empowers people to take back control of their lives. Our cooling Vest and Cooling Gear combine comfort, dignity, and safety, helping people stay active, enjoy hobbies, and participate fully in life. Whether at a backyard BBQ, a graduation, a sports event, or performing in a costume. Using innovative science, we make life cooler, safer, and more fun.
Our Story
ThermApparel began with a simple insight: people with heat-sensitive conditions were limited by hot weather. Inspired to make a difference, we designed a lightweight, concealable, and comfortable cooling vest that lets people safely exercise, work, and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
Today, our products are used by a wide variety of people. They help individuals with MS, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, POTS, and other heat-sensitive conditions. They are trusted in theatre productions and Hollywood sets—including Station 19, Nope, Utopia, Horizon, DMZ, Gossip Girl, and The Waltons Homecoming—as well as by Santa, cosplayers, and furry fans. Industrial and trade professionals like beekeepers, HVAC technicians, electricians, and landscapers rely on them, too. And for hobbies or leisure, motorcyclists, anglers, and backyard BBQ enthusiasts love staying active in the heat.
Whether for health, work, or fun, ThermApparel cooling vests allow people to enjoy life safely, comfortably, and without limits.
Team
ThermApparel thrives because of its people, and the people we serve. We are obsessed with treating people with dignity and having fun.
Kurtis Kracke
Founder and Owner
Kurtis is the designer and creator of UnderCool. He believes deeply that the combination of creativity and compassion is the greatest leverage we have as humans in the challenges we face. Being dyslexic and having a rare disease has allowed Kurtis to understand this principle and the needs of ThermApparel’s customers. Before ThermApparel, he had an extensive career as a successful entrepreneur starting 3 businesses. For the past 20+ years, he has balanced his creative and business skills by working in the photography, design, and advertising industries working with retail, museums, and Fortune 500 companies. He is the risk-taker of the group that loves going fast, whether skiing or driving go-karts on a race track. He also enjoys bbqing, grilling, and stand-up comedy but hopefully not at the same time. He is “pun”ishing to work with because of his bad puns and worse “Dad” jokes. When he is around laughter is not far behind.
Julia Unruh-Kracke
Owner
Julia came to ThermApparel through a long career as a photographer. She cut her teeth in high-pressure situations by photographing weddings, events, and small babies. Her immense empathy for helping people get through the stress and difficult times helps our customers, and anyone else who happens to come to the office or she meets at conventions. Her own healthcare experiences make her the perfect fit to talk with our customers on a day-to-day basis. To know Julia is to know her kitties, one of which is a three-legged cat. Julia loves gardening and has the uncompromising ability to always see a good perspective on whatever happens.