Comparison · Updated April 2026

ClemaCore vs evaporative vest

Humidity-proof. Works where evaporative cooling fails.

By Clément Messeri · CTO · Materials engineer, UC Berkeley

ClemaCore solid-state cooling vest

At a glance

Side-by-side comparison.

SpecEvaporative vestClemaCore (solid-state)
Runtime per cycle2–4 hr (dry climate)8–12 hr
Works in humidityNo — performance drops above 60% RHYes — unaffected by dew point
Works in radiant heatLimited — needs ambient evaporationYes — works in foundries, steel mills
Refresh requirementRe-soak in water every cycleNone — hot-swap battery
Worn weight1–2 lbs (when wet)<2 lbs
Indoor / non-AC usePoor (humid indoor air)Designed for indoor non-AC warehouses
One-time cost / worker$30–$80$500 (one-time)

Pick an evaporative vest if…

Evaporative still works for dry-climate outdoor work.

Evaporative vests are cheap and effective in low-humidity environments: Phoenix in July, parts of Nevada, high-desert utility work, Australia outback ag. If you're below 40% relative humidity and outdoors, evaporative is hard to beat on cost.

  • Pick evapOutdoor work in dry desert climates (AZ, NV high desert).
  • Pick evapBudget-constrained crews where partial cooling is better than none.
  • Pick evapOutdoor sports, hiking, recreation in dry air.

Pick ClemaCore if…

Anywhere humidity matters.

Gulf Coast refineries. Southeast US construction. Memphis warehouses. Indoor manufacturing. Anywhere humidity climbs above 60% — evaporative cooling stops working because the water can't evaporate. Solid-state cooling doesn't care.

  • Pick ClemaGulf Coast / Southeast / humid coastal work.
  • Pick ClemaIndoor warehouses (always humid, no airflow).
  • Pick ClemaRadiant-heat environments (foundries, steel mills).
  • Pick ClemaRefinery turnarounds (humid + FR coveralls).
  • Pick ClemaAny 8+ hour industrial shift.

Related guides

Keep reading.

Full Comparison

PCM, evaporative, ice, circulatory, solid-state.

ClemaCore vs Ice Vest

60-90 min vs 8-12 hr.

ClemaCore vs PCM Vest

Phase change vs solid-state.

Summer 2026 — 500-unit first batch

Cooling that works in humidity.

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