What is Reddit's opinion of FROGG TOGGS Chilly Pad Cooling Towel, Size 33" x 13"?

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In Arizona, we would use these after cross country runs in the desert: https://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Toggs-Chilly-Cooling-Towel/dp/B06XQBRD29

PS - I've got your package all ready to mail (with a few more tips on how to survive the heat) but.... I didn't make it to the post office today. So Tuesday!

I know these seem like a gimmick, but the cold water towels really do work well. Especially if you bring a small cooler of ice water to soak them in:

Chilly Pad Just find a generic at any store. They're way cheaper and work just as good. I own multiple and they've saved my ass from heat exhaustion multiple times.

Floridian here. I've posted this before, but here are my methods for being more comfortable without power in hot weather, tested over the course of many hurricane-induced-power-outages:

• Thick air mattresses suck the heat out of you like a giant heat sink. I haven't seen this published anywhere, but I've absolutely experienced it. You need power to blow them up, but there are inexpensive battery powered pumps available if you don't have a generator, battery powered inverter, or powertool battery operated pump. If you normally share a bed with someone, extra blow up mattresses mean you don't have to share body heat when it's already hot. They are also useful if you need to spend the night in an interior room during the storm.
• Fans are your friend. Medium sized fans take very little power to run if you are on a generator. $15 18650-battery powered fans run for a decently long time if you're totally out of power and can be run longer off a USB power bank. Some power tool companies make fans that accept the same batteries as cordless drills (and may even have USB ports too), so if you have a few power tools you can have a good fan option.

• Hydrate properly. Buy tasty beverages. Even if things like Gatorade have more sugar than you'd like, I find that I drink significantly more fluids if they taste good.

  • Not a doctor, but also worth noting is that if you're drinking a ton of water in the heat, having a source of sodium and potassium is important. Drinking one Gatorade/Powerade/similar drinks and having something with some potassium like a banana or mango juice for every couple bottles of water you drink is a good idea.
  • Both dehydration and overhydration are possible, especially in people who are normally AC dwellers. Paying attention to your body is critical in an extended heat event, as going inside to cool off isn't an option. It sounds unsophisticated, but urine color is the best measurement. Almost clear yellow is the goal. Darker means you are under-hydrated, perfectly clear means you're over-hydrated.

• Cooling towels provide some comfort, although they are damp and need to be dipped in cool water or a cooler ever 20-30 minutes. They work even better if you have access to ice. I like the Frogg Toggs cooling towels, but don't get black in case you need to use it outside.

• Wear light clothing. I prefer synthetic, but other people swear by cotton. You don't have to go buy fancy workout gear, but having something that is wicking makes you more physically comfortable.

• Get in shape. If you exercise regularly, especially cardio and outdoor cardio, warm weather physically feels significantly much cooler.

• Take a shower or bath if you have potable water. Start slowly to avoid thermal shock if you don't have any hot water, but it will definitely cool you down.

• Portable or window AC units have been mentioned by others, but they aren't currently part of my kit. If you have a generator you can certainly buy a portable AC unit that will cool the air inside room and blow the hot air out through your window. Another option is to buy a $150 window AC unit. If you are in a location where theft isn't a concern, you can put the unit outside and rig a $15 flexible duct to your window to blow cool air inside.

Floridian here. Here are my methods for being more comfortable without power in hot weather, tested over the course of many hurricane-induced-power-outages:

• Thick air mattresses suck the heat out of you like a giant heat sink. You need power to blow them up, but there are inexpensive battery powered pumps available if you don't have a generator, battery powered inverter, or powertool battery operated pump. If you normally share a bed with someone, extra blow up mattresses mean you don't have to share body heat when it's already hot. They are also useful if you need to spend the night in an interior room during the storm.
• Fans are your friend. Medium sized fans take very little power to run if you are on a generator. $15 18650-battery powered fans run for a decently long time if you're totally out of power and can be run longer off a USB power bank. Some power tool companies make fans that accept the same batteries as cordless drills (and may even have USB ports too), so if you have a few power tools you can have a good fan option.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Buy tasty beverages. Even if things like Gatorade have more sugar than you'd like, I find that I drink significantly more fluids if they taste good.
  
  • Not a doctor, but also worth noting is that if you're drinking a ton of water in the heat, having a source of sodium and potassium is important. Drinking one Gatorade/Powerade/similar drinks and having something with some potassium like a banana or mango juice for every couple bottles of water you drink is a good idea.
  • Both dehydration and overhydration are possible, especially in people who are normally AC dwellers. Paying attention to your body is critical in an extended heat event, as going inside to cool off isn't an option. It sounds unsophisticated, but urine color is the best measurement. Almost clear yellow is the goal. Darker means you are under-hydrated, perfectly clear means you're over-hydrated.
• Cooling towels provide some comfort, although they are damp and need to be dipped in cool water or a cooler ever 20-30 minutes. They work even better if you have access to ice. I like the Frogg Toggs cooling towels, but don't get black in case you need to use it outside.
• Wear light clothing. You don't have to go buy fancy workout gear, but having something that is wicking makes you more physically comfortable.
• Get in shape. If you exercise regularly, especially cardio and outdoor cardio, warm weather physically feels significantly much cooler.
• If you have water, take a shower or bath. Start slowly to avoid thermal shock if you don't have any hot water, but it will definitely cool you down.
• Others have mentioned portable or window AC units. They aren't part of my kit, but if you have a generator you can certainly buy a portable AC unit that blows the hot air out through your window. Another option is to buy a $150 window AC unit. If you are in a location where theft isn't a concern, you can put the unit outside and rig a $15 flexible duct to your window to blow cool air inside.

First of all, this is a sub that is, for the most part, highly welcoming and loving in nature, and would never try and discourage younger or first-time festival goers out of attending. Go for it!

Now as for your other questions.....

1&2) As for tent-only camping, I'm not too sure on the plot sizes. I wouldn't think it's as much space as a car camping spot (15 x 30, iirc), but just to play it safe, I would try and make friends / get to know your neighbors before setting up the canopy. Especially with a bigger tent. I highly doubt you're going to be the only one flying solo as a tent-only camper.

Side question: So you're bringing a canopy with you as tent-only? That's going to be a big piece of cargo to haul with you. My guess is that not many people doing tent-only will be bringing a canopy, so whoever your neighbor is will probably welcome one, provided you share some space.

3) I haven't taken a shuttle since 2016, but I will say that when we did come in on the shuttle, our bags were checked. Thoroughly. They're looking for liquor and glass. I lucked out and hid my bottle of Fireball underneath the middle of all my clothes, and they didn't find it. So if you are planning on any booze smuggling that isn't exactly allowed, then do so at your own risk.

4) In my experience, meeting all of your surrounding neighbors is the best security for the shit in your tent. At the end of the day, a tent lock is going to be a dead giveaway if someone with ill intentions happens to pass by your tent and sees it, they'll probably just slash the tent. Meet as many people staying in your area as possible. Buddy system security is always a better bet than a tent lock, imo.

I wouldn't say that theft runs rampant, but there are a few cases each year. Just keep any valuables you do bring (wallet, cash, smoking piece, etc.) in your back pack / camelback / on you at all times, and you should be okay.

5) Ice trucks roam the campgrounds, and usually have nice long banners/flags coming up out of them. I can't remember the exact price for ice, but I believe they have 10 and 20 lb bags available for purchase.

6) Don't be scared to introduce yourself and propose possibly tagging along with a group. It's not the most comfortable thing in the world, but is as easy as going for a high-five, or saying "happy Forest!" or complimenting kandi, a totem, tattoo, hair style, clothing, etc.

That being said, I have always wondered what it would be like to attend alone. So I'll be expecting a documented experience from you after the festival, lol.

Our group is also attending weekend 2, and we have about 50 people so far. I'm sure we'll have a number of flags and such around, so come find us and hang out!

8) For many, yes. Kandi is definitely still a thing. Even the state police inside the venue have been known to trade kandi with attendees.

9) I'll touch this one lightly, as condoning the use of certain herbs, substances is reserved for other subs. Having said that, I wouldn't think hot boxing your tent would be an issue. Most people just do it out in the open. Just know that there are mounted police that make their rounds about the campgrounds during the day.

10) It's tough to stay cool in your tent once the sun starts coming up in the morning, but if you're just talking about keeping your body cool on those mild to hot summer days we'll inevitably get at least a couple of, try one of these towels. Get one of these wet and wear it around your neck to stay cool throughout the day.

CHILLY PAD