ThermApparel plans move to downtown Rochester

ThermApparel plans to move to the historic Rochester Savings Bank building in downtown Rochester. The company, founded by two industrial design graduate students at Rochester Institute of Technology, makes lightweight, comfortable, and invisible, cooling vests targeting multiple sclerosis patients and athletes. ThermApparel marks its fourth year this month.

“Our mission was, and remains, to provide our customers with a state-of-the-art cooling vest that looks and feels great, and is extremely fashionable,” says Kurtis Kracke, CEO, and founder. “Until we started ThermApparel, personal cooling equipment was bulky and made people self-conscious and frustrated. We wanted to develop a product that embodied and supported dignity and comfort, while also maximizing performance by aggressively mitigating heat stress.”

Regardless of the effort, some routine activities, and even low impact sports, can significantly increase body temperature. Additionally, there is an unfair heat and sunshine paradox that impacts people with multiple sclerosis disproportionately. Sunshine is necessary to produce vitamin D and boost bone health, but the heat that accompanies it can trigger flare-ups and worsen symptoms. It’s hard to beat high temperatures living with autoimmune diseases. But if you can manage heat stress, you can do more of what you love like attending events and weddings, gardening, golfing, walking, and other activities.

By using phase change material in its cooling packs, the UnderCool vest fits like a glove and delivers constant cooling that reduces fatigue and increases the time you can spend on various indoor or outdoor activities.

“The vest allows cooler blood to circulate more freely, keeping your core temperature in check – which keeps you cool and feeling good in any situation,” adds Kracke.