Imbibitional chilling injury in cotton occurs as dry seeds rapidly imbibe cold water. The susceptibility to this type of injury could be potentially alleviated with the application of a polymer film coating, which slows water uptake. This study focused on determination of imbibition, electrical conductivity (EC), germination, and field establishment of cotton seed treated with polymer film coatings. The coating treatments included an uncoated control, a Landec polymer, and a Daran polymer. Among the coating treatments, the Landec coated seed exhibited a significantly slower imbibition rate through 24 hours when compared to the control. Data indicated that this reduction in imbibition rate protected the sensitive seed, as was evidence by reduced EC values and improved germination performance (increased normals and reduced abnormals). In addition, field data indicated that the Landec treatment resulted in a higher number of established seedlings (4WAP), when planted under cold soil conditions.