Built-in Fan Shirts Surge in Popularity as Hong Kong Grapples with Record Heat
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong marked its highest temperature in 140 years on August 9 when the Observatory Headquarters recorded 36.9 degrees Celsius, shattering the previous record set in 1884, with Sheung Shui area reaching 39.8 degrees—the highest since automatic weather stations were introduced in 1980. The sweltering conditions have catalyzed remarkable growth for portable cooling garments, particularly battery-powered shirts with built-in fans colloquially known as "fan shirts."
Key Points
- A shop owner identified as Mr. Leung, who operates a hardware and electrical store on Ap Liu Street in Sham Shui Po, began selling fan shirts a decade ago, initially targeting construction and renovation workers .
- While this summer's sales have remained comparable to previous years despite the extreme temperatures—attributed to intermittent cloudy and rainy days—customer demographics have shifted significantly, with photographers, hikers, driving instructors, and housewives now comprising substantial market segments .
- Design evolution has been notable: while early models featured long sleeves for sun protection, the current bestseller is the sleeveless version, allowing greater mobility during physically demanding work .
- Technical advancements include increasing fan blades from one to three, enabling airflow to disperse in multiple directions rather than concentrated streams, substantially improving cooling efficiency and user comfort .
- Advanced models incorporating thermoelectric cooling plates have emerged, though battery续航力 (endurance) limitations have made these less suitable for outdoor laborers with extended work shifts, restricting their appeal to workers with shorter hours or specific cooling needs .
Why It Matters
The proliferation of fan shirts reflects a broader adaptation strategy as extreme heat becomes Hong Kong's new normal, with implications for outdoor labor practices and worker safety . However, Mr. Leung cautions that the current market exhibits uneven quality standards, particularly concerning battery stability, flame-retardant materials, and heat dissipation capabilities, underscoring the urgent need for regulatory oversight to protect consumers .
The proliferation of fan shirts reflects a broader adaptation strategy as extreme heat becomes Hong Kong's new normal, with implications for outdoor labor practices and worker safety . However, Mr. Leung cautions that the current market exhibits uneven quality standards, particularly concerning battery stability, flame-retardant materials, and heat dissipation capabilities, underscoring the urgent need for regulatory oversight to protect consumers .