As the UK faces another spell of very hot weather, finding ways to stay cool feels increasingly tough. Record-high temperatures can make both working from home and trying to sleep completely unbearable. Writer Talya Honebeek, a self-described 'sun-starved Brit', is among many finding that extreme heat brings its own challenges. She explained: 'As a redhead with skin that lightly burns at best and comes out in a painful heat rash at worst (even with factor 50 on), I have the warm-weather survival skills of a newborn baby.'
Freezable Ice Pack Slippers Offer Instant Relief
Talya has discovered an unconventional solution: freezable ice pack slippers. Instead of relying on fans or cold showers, she found that targeting her feet was a highly effective way to lower core body temperature. Using the Newgo Foot Ice Pack Slippers, typically designed for foot injuries and swelling, she found ultimate relief. 'I work from home, so during the day I pop them on while at my desk and then put them back in the fridge so they have time to firm back up before I go to bed,' she explains. 'The relief is instant and I can feel my body cooling down in real time.'
Priced at £17.99 on Amazon, the slippers are filled with gel and covered in a soft knitted fabric, designed to stay cool for long periods. The retailer advises wearing them for no more than 20 minutes at a time, but Talya has a clever trick: 'When in bed, if I reach 20 minutes, or if the cold of the ice pack gets too much, I can just slide them off my feet and use them to cool down the bed itself.'
Shoppers Rave About Cooling Benefits
Other buyers have shared similar experiences. One said: 'I had read great reviews about these and as my feet were so hot in the heatwave thought I'd give them a try. Best thing ever on a hot day, leave them in the freezer for a good few hours and then slip your feet into them. Heaven after a day on your feet. Highly recommend if you spend a lot of time on your feet and/or suffer from hot feet in warmer weather.' Another called them 'lifesavers', adding: 'I am very heat sensitive and these have been amazing at helping me sleep and keeping me cool in the hot weather. The one size fits most means they're a bit big for me but the cold lasts a good while and they come with a bag for freezing and storage which is super helpful. Definitely worth it if you're struggling to stay cool!'
Mixed Reviews and Alternatives
However, one buyer was less impressed, with a three-star review noting: 'Product has design flaws. Was painful and doesn't stay cold long. Can't fit foot properly because of way it's made.' Another described them as 'bliss', explaining: 'I've been struggling with swollen feet since starting meds for high blood pressure and it's much worse in hot weather. These slipper-shaped ice packs are just wonderful. I keep them in their bag in the fridge for instant relief when I get home from a long day on my feet. Immediate blissful effect.'
Other cooling accessories are also available. Cooling towels, such as the Stay Cool towel set at £21.99 for a pack of four on Amazon, are sealed for on-the-go use. At Argos, the Silentnight Restore Cooling Blanket (£40) helps regulate temperature, with one shopper saying it 'works like magic.' For those preferring a traditional fan, B&Q stocks the Schallen 3-speed electric fan for £34.99.
