How brrr° is Changing the Game in Cooling Performance Fabrics

As our planet continues to warm at a rapid pace—resulting in more extreme weather events and heat domes—consumers are increasingly interested in sustainable fabrics that reduce their carbon footprint or minimize waste while also keeping them comfortable amid rising temperatures.

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One leading innovator in sustainable performance fabrics is brrr°®. Founded in 2014 by a former Spanx executive, the Atlanta-based company created patented technology that combines natural cooling minerals, active wicking and rapid drying to create a “Triple Chill Effect” that draws heat and moisture away from the skin.

“Every brrr°® fabric is independently tested by globally respected third-party labs that use widely accepted testing standards adopted by FTTS or the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC),” said Mary-Cathryn Kolb, founder and CEO of brrr°®. “Each test demonstrates that brrr°® outperforms other comparable fabrics in lowering your skin temperature, wicking away moisture and drying quickly. And brrr°® continues to cool you off the longer you wear it.”

Unlike some products that use sprays or coatings to create a cooling sensation—effects that can fade or wash out over time—brrr°® cooling technology is embedded directly into the yarn during production.

Brrr°® cooling minerals are blended with poly or nylon pellets as they are extruded into filament yarn. The subsequent weaving or knitting process enhances the cooling, wicking and drying properties of the fabric. This means the cooling effect of brrr°® remains effective for the lifetime of the garment and does not diminish with regular wear and washing.

Brrr°® recycled

For an even more sustainable option that diverts waste from landfills and reduces environmental impact, brrr°® has developed a line of fabrics using post-consumer materials like plastic and nylon that would otherwise become waste.

Brrr°® Recycled combines brrr°® cooling mineral technology with recycled poly or nylon pellets, which are then extruded into new yarn. This approach helps save energy, reduce carbon emissions and minimize landfill reliance.

Brrr°® also holds Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification, demonstrating its commitment to internationally recognized sustainability practices.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, brrr°® offers biodegradable yarn developed in partnership with CiCLO®, a leader in addressing microfiber pollution through innovative technology. CiCLO®’s technology mimics natural processes by embedding biodegradable spots throughout the fabric matrix. These spots serve as nutrients for microbes naturally found in the environment.

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When CiCLO® fabric ends up in a landfill with ample moisture and microorganisms, these biodegradable spots are activated, allowing the fabric to mineralize at rates comparable to natural fibers like wool. In fact, tests have shown that brrr°® polyester CiCLO® fabric biodegrades 3.5 times faster than standard polyester fabric, reducing environmental impact and pollution.

“CiCLO® technology does not affect the fabric’s storage, durability or regular care, including washing and drying,” said Kolb. “The biodegradable spots remain inactive until exposed to significant moisture and microbes, and the integration of brrr°® and CiCLO® maintains brrr°®’s superior cooling, wicking and drying performance.”

CiCLO® has also been rigorously tested for safety and ecological responsibility and is OEKO-TEX® Eco Passport certified. Biodegradation studies are conducted using internationally recognized American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International test methods to measure the mineralization of plastics in various environments.

Lightweight cooling fabric

Another way to minimize the use of raw materials and save on energy and shipping costs is to develop more cooling performance fabric that is lighter weight.

Lightweight brrr°® fabric is becoming a more popular choice for technical and outdoor garments, as well as base layers meant to be worn as year-round wardrobe staples.

“Brrr°® has a new 30 denier brrr°® Pro polyester yarn that’s a great choice for lightweight, technical, outdoor, exercise and training garments such as hoodies, jackets and pants,” said Kolb. “Brrr°® Pro polyester 30 denier yarn has the same micro mineral technology for enhanced cooling, hyper-wicking and performance drying, with thinner and finer yarn.”

This article was written for brrr°® by Mary Jane Credeur, founder and principal at The Credeur Group.

To learn more about brrr°® cooling fabric technology, visit brrr.com.

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