cooling vests...advice sought

[Morgan Buchanan]

So I've looked at various thread.. just wondering if there's any concensus on what cooling vests are best? I'm torn between a close fitting one and one that's larger that I could get in a dayglo color and wear OVER my leather jackets if I'm riding in an area where I want to increase my visibility... this is thinking out loud at this point, I'm not sure I'd actually DO that...

But I have a number of jackets with vents and perfs and a mesh jacket, and I want a cooling vest I can wear under any of them. So, advice?

[Calgary-Yogi]

I use a Tuff Rhino Poncho.
It works great, soak it in water for 20 minutes and it will last for a couple of days. Pretty much do not ride without it these days.

[dukey33]

You want a consensus from this group?:rofl:

In any case...
Any cooling vest will work best when it is in close proximity to your skin. Air is a poor conductor so leaving air space between you and something intended to cool you would have reduced effect. Based on that, a loose fitting one would be a poor choice.

All evaporative cooling vests (i.e. polyacrylamide crystals soaked with water) recommend maximum airflow from a mesh jacket for best effect. Not sure a perf'ed leather would be enough but I think a vented solid jacket would not. Depending on the amount of PAC, the size of the crystals, the humidity levels and airflow, these can stay wet for several hours or even days.

Phase change vests (i.e. frozen/cooled gel) do not require airflow and might even last longer if insulated from the outside heat. A phase change vest is less likely to leave you wet except from condensation. These have been reported to last a couple of hours. These are also generally more expensive.

I've used an evap cooling vest down here in the coastal humidity and it worked pretty well. Even the sun beating down on it causes the evaporative effect to work (hey, it's just thermodynamics man!).

hope that helps!

[Morgan Buchanan]

Ok, I was really kidding about a consensus. I'm looking for specific make and model recommendations, I have a solid enough understanding of how thermodynamics work. LOL I have a buddy with a non perf jacket that has vents as well as textile patches in the arm undersides and arm pits, he thinks the vest he has does pretty well. Better than nothing at the very least. LOL

Keep it coming! :)

[The Big Spank Daddy]

I have the Joe Rocket Sahara. Same soak in the water deal as the rest. Works fine for about 30 minutes. After that it dries out and is then just an extra layer to hold the heat in. Also, it tends to not dry out around the waist line. After about 45 minutes the moisture in that area gets warm and begins to be uncomfortable.

I used it off and on for only one summer. I then switched to Under Armor heat gear and was much more impressed with it than the cooling vest.

[bigboy292000]

I use a Tuff Rhino Poncho.
It works great, soak it in water for 20 minutes and it will last for a couple of days. Pretty much do not ride without it these days.

That looks REALLY interesting to me!

How wet is this thing when you put it on? Is it like dripping all over the place so you get really went when you put it on or ?

[bushwhacker]

I have the Joe Rocket Sahara. Same soak in the water deal as the rest. Works fine for about 30 minutes.

I also have not been happy with the Sahara.

I ordered a MiraCool but have not had a chance to test it yet.

http://industrialsavings.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=900&Category_Code=vests

[The Big Spank Daddy]

Yes, it is often dripping H20. As soon as you put it on it will soak everything it comes in contact with. Although I've never tried it with leather, I would not recommend it for two reason. 1) Leather and H2O are not happy together 2) Any dye in the leather will "bleed".

[gsxrmike]

I hate feeling wet, Even if its hot,, Get a couple of 2 QT or was it 1 QT zip lock baggies, Don't skimp, get some good ones,GO to 7-11 or town and country
get a water, or something, fill up the baggie, Now stick it in your coat, Real close to your heart,,,,, Good until your next gas stop,,,, Not only will you be cool, You will freeze your butt off for the 1st 50 miles,,,,,, I have done this
here in west Texas in 110degree temps, Its a life saver,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I am not cheap, but I do have a couple of KLR's in the fleet
But if you don't mind feeling wet. Get you a cheap fishing vest and fill
10 of the pockets with ice...............................
Mike

[Maintainer]

I recently bought a Techniche cooling vest upon some others high recommendations. It works good at cruisin speed but in heavy slow traffic or when stopped it's worse than using nothing at all. I'll wear one on longer trips but not just around town. I had the best cooling results from wearing only a thin cotton sleeveless undershirt (slang ie. wifebeater) underneath the vest and a mesh jacket over it. This vest is good for over 2 hours.

[gsxrmike]

You fill the zip lock bagies up with ICE when you get a water or a cool drink
I have never been charged for the ice yet, but I do tell the clerk to keep the change, if my water was 1.25 and I hand her 2.00 $ i just say hit the spare change jar,,,,
Mike

[MLRickards]

If anybody wants a nearly brand new Miracool vest, I'll sell you mine for $10. PM me if interested.

[gsxrmike]

PM sent

[stevebtx12]

I recently got a Colorado Cool Vest http://www.coloradocoolwear.com/, and really like it, the cloth material dries quickly (after which it doesn't really get you wet) and the crystals stay quite damp for a full day or two, it will keep you cool for one full day out in the heat. And, the price was good, only $40.

[Morgan Buchanan]

Now THAT is cool. Thanks Steve! I'll have to get me one of those.