Cooling Vest

[dogdoc]

Anybody used one of these Fieldsheer or other brand of cooling vest you soak in water for hot weather riding?? Sound like a good idea, but in theory do they work. Do they just soak your t-shirt? Good idea for going to work or just when off and out/about? they run about $50 including s&h. Any experiences??

thx, Dennis :)

[dolanz]

Doc,

I just got one of these as a b-day gift from my lovely wife, along with a mesh jacket. I have not had a day hot enough to ride with it, but might break it out today if it gets over 90.

I will keep you posted.

[dogdoc]

Thx dolanz, its already mid-90's here. Im getting tired of HOT weather but wouldnt want TC land either. Did you get FS brand vest or other?

[cactusjack]

You see them a lot around here. My buddy has one and swears by it, but his was closer to $100. Can't remember the brand/website.

I found the website for these vests and they are no longer in production. Sorry.

[dolanz]

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

Did you get FS brand vest or other?

The brand I have is a TechNiche. Website: www.techniche-intl.com.

[dogdoc]

try ridecool.com they have different colors and one is hi-vis lime green that I like. prices are $40-50 for these.

[MarkG]

I have one of the cooling jackets with detachable sleeves and it does seem to help in the high heat. Mine soaks up a gallon of water so it weighs 8 pounds. Sure beats baking in the 110+ temperatures. That said, there are some negatives.

It takes a couple of heavy hangers to put it on a clothes rack when it is wet. Initially there will be water all over the floor even after you wring it out a bit. Yes, you will get damp and so will your gear if you are wearing a mesh jacket.

If I was going for a long ride, not a problem. Say you just going the road to meet the gang for lunch, where are you going to put this damp thing when you get there? Can't leave it on the bike, somebody will take it. Most likely won't be able to hang it on a chair either. If you run into bad weather, you and your gear are already wet. This could chill you down a little too much. While everybody says put it in a plastic bag when not in use, that doesn't always work either.

In conclusion, yes it helps as long as you take into account the negatives before it happens. As I remember mine is a techniche mentioned above.

[dogdoc]

Good points to ponder Mark. i found that brand at Four Seasons Survival for $10 cheaper than ridecool.com or even Amazon.

[Top Cat]

Now Doc, say what you will about TC land, we very seldom have to worry about keeping cool while riding

[dogdoc]

TC did you finally crawl out from under the goose down. Good deal bro. Time to ride!!! :-)

[rlfaubion]

Saved my ass in Mesquite last year @ 118 degrees

[ezmoney]

check a forestry supply place, they sell them for working in forest in the su mmer and fighting fires

[Sin City Stan]

I knew this forum was good for something!!! This is a great idea. In the dry Southwest where evaporative cooling is king this should be a great product.

I didn't know such a product was available. Gotta have one.

thanks.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

TC did you finally crawl out from under the goose down. Good deal bro. Time to ride!!! :-)

Yeah Doc, we are out riding
I have been wearing my leather jacket with liner and a hooded sweatshirt under it but I'm out there ;)

[blowndodge]

I have a cooling vest and used it last year in Mesquite. I worked ok but you have to have a mesh jacket or just the vest on without it covered so the wind can hit it or it won't work well. I have a mesh long sleeve sweat jacket and I soak it as well. Having both on I can ran for a good hour in 100 degree weather before it dries out. Then at the next gas stop I soak both again.