IMPACT LOCK® Launches "Evaporative Cooling Vest" That Cools by Simply Adding Water, No Battery or Ice Packs Needed, for Heatstroke Prevention Voice Call Project (July 3, 2026)

DIC Corporation (Headquarters: Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture, President: Toshimasa Tsuchida) will launch the "Evaporative Cooling Vest," a heatstroke countermeasure garment utilizing the evaporative heat of water, from its brand "IMPACT LOCK®," which supports workers in harsh environments, on July 3, 2026.

This product is certified by the Heatstroke Prevention Voice Call Project. It is a water-injection type evaporative cooling vest that uses water added from a filling port on the back. It does not use fans, batteries, or ice packs, but instead utilizes the principle of "evaporative heat," which absorbs surrounding heat as moisture evaporates.

It supports maintaining condition in various work scenes where heat is a concern, such as outdoor work, agricultural work, warehouse work, construction, traffic guidance, inspection/maintenance, and event setup.

Common evaporative cooling items include poncho-type and towel-type products where the fabric is wet, wrung out, and then draped over the body. In contrast, the IMPACT LOCK® "Evaporative Cooling Vest" has a structure where water is injected into the vest, rather than wetting the body or clothes directly. It is easy to wear over work clothes and is designed with consideration for situations where the sticking of wet clothes or the wetting of uniforms is a concern.

Image of wearing the evaporative cooling vest

Development Background: Providing a Heatstroke Countermeasure Option for Sites Where Existing Electric Cooling Wear Cannot Be Used

In recent years, reducing the physical burden caused by heat during outdoor and semi-outdoor work in the summer has become a critical issue. For people working outdoors in fields such as construction, civil engineering, agriculture, landscaping, security, and logistics, heat countermeasures during work are essential.

As heat countermeasure wear, electric types such as fan-equipped wear and Peltier cooling wear are widely used. While these are effective options, they are not suitable for all work environments.

For example, in painting work or environments with a lot of dust, there are situations where it is desirable to avoid fans sucking in surrounding dust, mist, or paint components, which can cause malfunctions, or blowing them around the surroundings with the wind. Furthermore, in terms of workplace safety management, the carrying and use of electrical products and battery-powered devices may be restricted on some sites.

In addition, some workers feel burdened by the daily use and concerns such as battery charging/management, battery depletion, operating noise, fan cleaning, and clothing bulkiness.

The IMPACT LOCK® "Evaporative Cooling Vest" was developed as a power-free, battery-free heat countermeasure garment that is easy to adopt even in "sites where electric cooling wear is difficult to use." All that is needed is water. Simply add water before work and wear it to support heat countermeasures through the principle of evaporative heat.

Main Features of This Product

Feature 1: Reduces heat buildup around the core by utilizing the principle of evaporative heat

This product utilizes the principle of "evaporative heat," which absorbs surrounding heat as moisture evaporates.

Evaporative heat is a phenomenon where liquid water absorbs surrounding heat as it turns into water vapor. The cooling sensation when sweat dries or the cooling of the surroundings when water is sprinkled on the ground are due to the same evaporative heat effect.

The IMPACT LOCK® "Evaporative Cooling Vest" gradually evaporates the moisture inside the vest, absorbing heat from the outside air and the body surface, thereby supporting heat countermeasures when worn.

Unlike types where the body or work clothes are directly wet and then draped, this vest has a structure where water is injected into the inside of the vest, making it easy to wear over work clothes.

If the cooling effect weakens, it can be reused by draining the remaining water and refilling with cold water, or by folding it and chilling it in the refrigerator for 1-4 hours.

*Usage sensation and cooling sensation vary depending on temperature, humidity, wind, and wearing environment.

Image of evaporative cooling before wearing - thermographic image (ambient temperature 32°C) Image after wearing - thermographic image (ambient temperature 32°C)

Feature 2: Just add water. Cooling vest with no power or battery required

This product is used by adding approximately 500ml of water from the filling port on the back. After filling, the vest is laid flat and gently patted by hand to spread the water throughout, completing the preparation for use.

Since it does not require fans, batteries, or ice packs, there is no worry about running out of charge, making it easy to use for outdoor work where power sources are scarce or for jobs that involve a lot of movement. After use, it has a simple structure where you just drain the remaining water and let it dry, making it an easy-to-handle item for daily heat countermeasures.

Open the valve on the back, fill with 500ml of water, and achieve 3-4 hours of evaporative cooling effect. *Usage time varies depending on the environment. After filling, close the valve and gently pat the vest to distribute the water evenly before use.

Feature 3: Water-injection type evaporative cooling structure that does not directly wet the body or clothes

Some heat countermeasure items that utilize evaporative heat are poncho-type or towel-type products where the entire fabric is wet, wrung out, and then draped. While these are effective during breaks or outdoor activities, they may be difficult to introduce in situations where people are reluctant to get their work clothes or innerwear wet, workplaces where they want to avoid wetting uniforms, or environments where it is difficult to continue wearing wet clothes during work.

The IMPACT LOCK® "Evaporative Cooling Vest" has a water-injection type structure where water is injected into the inside of the vest. Instead of wetting the body or clothes directly, water is added to the inside of the vest, making it easy to wear over work clothes and suppressing the sticking and discomfort of wet clothes.

The TPU laminate processing on the back surface allows the water injected into the vest to be retained.

*This product is not completely waterproof.

Feature 4: Lightweight design of approximately 290g. Adjustable buckles accommodate a wide range of body types

The main unit weighs approximately 290g. It is a free-size specification and supports chest circumferences of approximately 88-128cm. Its ultra-thin design prevents bulkiness, and the size can be adjusted with the left and right adjuster buckles, making it easy to fit various body types and wearing styles.

The color is black. It blends well with work clothes and uniforms and can be used in a wide range of scenes such as outdoor work, agricultural work, warehouse work, inspection/maintenance, traffic guidance, and outdoor activities.

Stretchable side adjuster buckles. Ultra-thin design that prevents bulkiness.

Feature 5: Also suitable for work environments where suction and blowing by fans should be avoided

Fan-equipped wear is an effective option for reducing heat by blowing air into the clothing. However, in work environments where dust, paint mist, or fine foreign matter is generated, there are situations where suction and blowing by fans should be avoided.

The IMPACT LOCK® "Evaporative Cooling Vest" does not have a fan, so it does not forcibly take in air or blow air to the surroundings. It is a specification that can be easily considered as a heat countermeasure for sites where fan-equipped wear is difficult to use, such as painting work, work where dust is a concern, or environments where blowing by wind should be avoided.

Feature 6: Easy to adopt in workplaces where the use of electric equipment is restricted

In some workplaces, the carrying and use of electrical products and battery-powered devices may be restricted due to workplace safety management. Additionally, there are sites where people want to avoid forgetting to charge, battery management, or the risk of malfunction.

This product does not use power or batteries, making it a heat countermeasure garment that can be considered in workplaces where electric cooling wear is difficult to introduce, in accordance with site rules and work environments.

*Please check the safety standards and management rules of each workplace/work environment to confirm usability.

Intended Use Scenes

- Painting work, work where dust is a concern - Work environments where suction/blowing by fans should be avoided - Workplaces where the carrying/use of electrical products and battery-powered devices is restricted - Outdoor work such as construction, building, and civil engineering - Agricultural work, gardening, landscaping, grass cutting work - Semi-outdoor work such as warehousing, logistics, inspection, and maintenance - Traffic guidance, security, event setup, outdoor sales - Outdoor scenes such as fishing, camping, and watching sports

- Touring/sports scenes for road bikes, motorcycles, etc.

- Scenes where you want to enhance cooling effect by combining with other fan vests, etc.

Product Overview

- Product Name: IMPACT LOCK® KA-160 Evaporative Cooling Vest - Release Date: July 3, 2026 (Fri) - Price: 8,800 yen (tax included) - Color: Black - Size: Free size - Material: Outer fabric 100% Nylon

Lining 100% Nylon (TPU laminate)

Batting 65% Rayon / 35% Polyester

- Sales Locations

Amazon.JP: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0GXRX1NSW

Rakuten Ichiba: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/uki-uki/ka-160/

Hachi Pro: https://hachi-pro.com/?pid=192278161

Front Back Front (zipper open) Back (zipper open)

*This product is intended to assist with heat and cold countermeasures. It does not completely prevent heatstroke.

Endorsement of the Heatstroke Prevention Voice Call Project

DIC Corporation endorses the "Heatstroke Prevention Voice Call Project," a long-standing public-private partnership project that has been active since 2011, involving private companies and local governments. We are committed not only to selling heat countermeasure products but also to awareness activities for heatstroke prevention.

The IMPL Cooling Series will be developed as products that support heat countermeasures during work, breaks, and travel, in conjunction with heatstroke prevention awareness initiatives, for people working in the heat.

*This product supports heat countermeasures and does not completely prevent heatstroke. Please use it in conjunction with regular hydration and salt intake, appropriate breaks, and health management.

About IMPACT LOCK®

IMPACT LOCK® is a brand that develops functional wear and gear for work scenes. We focus on the practicality, functionality, and ease of use required in harsh work environments, and create products that support daily work.

DIC Corporation

[Contact Information for this Matter] DIC Corporation Public Relations: Tsuchida MAIL: [email protected] TEL: 0257-21-7388 (Main)