At the 2024 Paris Olympics, attention was not only on the athletes breaking world records and winning medals, but also on some of the innovative gear the athletes were wearing including a headband.
One of the advancements on display was a futuristic-looking headband worn by World Record holder Eliud Kipchoge and 2X Olympic Silver medalist Hellen Obiri during the marathons.
This is no ordinary piece of athletic wear. It is the Omius cooling headband, a cutting-edge technology designed to keep athletes cool under the intense heat of competition.
Furthermore, the company details that the gear is worth Ksh25,750 ($200).
Also Read: Kipchoge Announces Retirement from Olympics
How the Gear Works
According to the company, the technology works when sweat is absorbed into the little squares on the front of the headband which has 5x more surface area for evaporation
The transformation of water from a liquid to a gas on the surface of the graphite pulls heat from the inside of the cooling pieces which are in contact with the skin and thus cooling the skin.
“Because the cooling effect is driven solely by water evaporation the effect will continue indefinitely as long as the cooling pieces are wet and have airflow across them,” Omius indicates.
Each cooling piece fits in an elastic grid that is sewn into the headgear. Furthermore, it can be used for both sports and personal use like workout.
“Think of your headgear as a premium pair of sunglasses that you don’t want to scratch. Do not hit the cooling pieces on hard surfaces and always store in a safe place when not in use,” advises the company on handling the gear.
Also Read: Paris Olympics: Millions Beatrice Chebet Will Pocket After Winning Two Gold Medals
How to Use the Headband Worn by Kipchoge and Obiri
To use it, one should ensure that the cooling pieces are wet. This ensures amplified cooling.
One should sit it in direct contact with the skin and make sure that the cooling pieces “are uncovered so air can flow across them to enhance the evaporation.”
“After about 5 minutes, the thermal receptors in the skin stop noticing the temperature gradient between the warm skin and the cooler graphite and instead perceive it as the “new normal”.
“But the cooling effect persists and can be detected by moving the headband slightly, so the graphite comes in contact with skin that has not yet adapted to the “new normal,” explains the company.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
