HVN-400U - Class 2 Cooling Vest
The default for general construction. Ships complete with fans, battery, and cable.
Cooling gear for road and highway crews
Lane closures, night paving, no shade in a work zone — and a shift that runs longer than any ice pack lasts.
The heat problem on road job
Road work puts the crew in the hottest possible place on a job site: standing or working directly on asphalt or concrete that's been absorbing sun since morning and radiating it back all afternoon. Pavement temperature routinely runs well above the air temperature the forecast reports.
There's no shade in a lane closure, and the crew can't leave the work zone to find any — the job is fixed to that stretch of road for the length of the shift. Night paving avoids direct sun but not the radiant heat still coming off freshly laid asphalt, which can stay well above ambient for hours after it's placed.
What's specified for roadway work
High-visibility: Traffic-proximate work typically requires ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 — the highest hi-vis classification, specified for workers exposed to vehicle traffic at highway speeds. Check your DOT or state contract; Class 3 is often a written requirement, not a suggestion.
Fall protection: Not typical for most roadway work, but where elevated equipment or structures require a harness, ZIPPKOOL garments are compatible — the rear opening passes the dorsal D-ring through without affecting fit.
Shift length: Road crews frequently run extended shifts, night work, and lane-closure windows that don't allow a mid-shift break to swap gear. Runtime has to cover the whole window.
THE CASE FOR IT
Why fan-cooled works in a work zone
01
No cooler in the lane closure.
A battery charges overnight at the yard — nothing to restock mid-shift on the road.
02
It covers a full night shift.
Phase-change packs go warm in a few hours; a charged battery runs the whole window.
03
Class 3 is built in.
No second garment layered over a cooling vest — one piece does both jobs.
04
Stays dry through a long shift.
No soak-vest re-wetting required mid-closure.
05
Radiant heat doesn't stop it working.
Airflow keeps evaporating sweat even when the pavement itself is the heat source.
Where it doesn't belong
ZIPPKOOL isn't right for every job
Near hot asphalt operations or open flame.
ZIPPKOOL garments are not flame-resistant. Not for use near torches, tar kettles, or other high-heat paving equipment where FR-rated clothing is required.
Near rotating machinery.
Running fans inflate the garment. Around pavers, rollers, or other equipment with exposed rotating parts, switch fans off and keep the garment zipped.
In heavy rain.
The battery and cable are not waterproof. Remove electrical components before washing, and don't run the system in a downpour.
It doesn't replace the basics.
Supplements — doesn't replace — hydration, rest, shade, and acclimatization, even on a night shift when the sun isn't the obvious threat.
FAQ
Questions we get from safety managers
The specification and compatibility questions that come up most.
Do we need Class 3, or is Class 2 enough?
Traffic-proximate roadway and highway work typically requires Class 3. Check your DOT or state contract — Class 3 is often specified explicitly for this type of work.
Will the battery last a full night shift?
LI-PRO1U runs 6–20 hours depending on output level — the longer-runtime option for extended or overnight shifts. Charge overnight at the yard between shifts.
Is this safe near hot asphalt or paving equipment?
ZIPPKOOL garments are not flame-resistant and shouldn't be worn near tar kettles, torches, or other high-heat paving operations. Turn fans off near any rotating equipment such as pavers or rollers.
Talk to us about your crew
Volume pricing, PO and net terms, and complete compliance documentation for your approval process.