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Cooling Vest Report

smithr

Member
Member
I got one of these http://www.soundrider.com/archive/products/techniche_evaporative_cooling_vest.htm and here is what I thought. I went out on a 95 degree day and drove around a storm for an hour. The humidity ranged from 40-60% I would guess. I loaded the vest and a cool tie for my neck with water and put them in a bag and went to get something to eat. I came out and put the hot wet gear on and my hot helmet much like I would do if I used it on a long trip and had stopped for lunch. I had a basic tee shirt under it and my mesh jacket over it. I was quite shocked at how well it worked. Even in the highest humidity it made the ride much more tolerable. I never felt to cool but can see if you got caught in a sudden cooling below 90 degrees you might even have to take the thing off. I felt better going and any speed and better sitting at lights. I hung it up after I got home and I feel the vest would have kept working for at least 4 hours in any weather. That is long enough for a tank full in any riding mode. It may last over 7 hours in best case. The neck cool tie is something I have used before and is also a great idea if you don't do it. The same cooling vest also has a version with it running up around the neck and might be a good to buy but I like having options so I got the basic vest and can have and combo I want. It does leave your tee shirt a bit wet when you take the vest off but I found that it just helped me feel better after the ride as it continued to cool me as I put things away and hung things up to dry. It is the first time ever that I have ridden on those temps, at slower speeds at the end and not needed a shower as soon as I got off. COOL! ---------------------------------- I will answer any question. It is up to you to figure out if I should have.
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<p align="left"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20211686@N05/">My Photos<br
 
Bob, Thanks for the review. I bought one last year but haven't tried it yet. Tell me more about the T-shirt underneath idea. I was thinking of just doing the cooling vest plus my mesh gear. What does the T-shirt add to the mix - feel better on the skin? Looking forward to trying mine out this summer. Greg COG # 7010/7010a (Tracey) CDA 0120 Connie Droppers Anonymous Awards Dude (CDAAD) 99 Connie "Herrin Christabelle". 05 Ninja 250
 
I don't have an answer for that yet. That is the way I tried it first since that is how it might be easy to use it. In my mind it would sit in the bag till I need it later in the day. I would already have a tee shirt on so just putting it on over that and under mesh seemed easy and less funny looking. I would have to try under the tee and over a coolmax type shirt on another test. It might do fine under a tee. ---------------------------------- I will answer any question. It is up to you to figure out if I should have.
2277636501_61718d569a.jpg
<p align="left"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20211686@N05/">My Photos<br
 
I went out on a 95 degree day and drove around a storm for an hour. The humidity ranged from 40-60% I would guess. I loaded the vest and a cool tie for my neck with water and put them in a bag and went to get something to eat. I came out and put the hot wet gear on and my hot helmet much like I would do if I used it on a long trip and had stopped for lunch. I had a basic tee shirt under it and my mesh jacket over it. I was quite shocked at how well it worked. Even in the highest humidity it made the ride much more tolerable. I never felt to cool but can see if you got caught in a sudden cooling below 90 degrees you might even have to take the thing off. I felt better going and any speed and better sitting at lights. I hung it up after I got home and I feel the vest would have kept working for at least 4 hours in any weather. That is long enough for a tank full in any riding mode. It may last over 7 hours in best case. The neck cool tie is something I have used before and is also a great idea if you don't do it. The same cooling vest also has a version with it running up around the neck and might be a good to buy but I like having options so I got the basic vest and can have and combo I want. It does leave your tee shirt a bit wet when you take the vest off but I found that it just helped me feel better after the ride as it continued to cool me as I put things away and hung things up to dry. It is the first time ever that I have ridden on those temps, at slower speeds at the end and not needed a shower as soon as I got off. COOL!
Bob, How about writing a review up for The Concourier, along with some pictures, costs, availability, etc. Gosh, this is the kind of stuff I'm dying for for the magazine. Bob Burns Bob "Flylooper" Burns COG #5887 E Clampus Vitus, YB#1 '04 FJR 1300
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CONTENT!! I say give the man CONTENT!! Besides I'm tired of people telling me my cooling vest doesn't work, I'd like to be able to point to an article in print and say "See, I'm not the only one!" Mike B / Gig Harbor, WA
 
Now if it would only cool down the beer as well! AKA "2linby" That's 2-lin-by folks! Northwest Area Director COG #5539 AMA #927779 IBA #15034 Team Oregon MC Instructor http://community.webshots.com/user/2linby http://tinyurl.com/njas8 (IBA BunBurner Gold Trip) http://tinyurl.com/lwelx (Alaska trip)
 
SmithR and others that've used this product - I've got a couple (probably stupid) questions about the various vests and ties, made by this company. Since I haven't seen them... I'm trying to picture the technology here... what they feel and look like... I read the "Soundrider" article describing them and your review. So I get, that you soak these items in water for a while, then you put them on. The Soundrider piece says that you can wear them under a mesh jacket or a regular textile jacket. And I get that you are kept cool because of the water evaporating as you ride, cause the wind through the vents in a reg. jacket... or a mesh one lets the wind through. (Please correct me or clarify any of this better.) But my other qustion is- when you take it out of the water, and put it on... Is it soaking wet? Is water running down your body like you just wrapped a soaking wet towel around you? I read that your t-shirt gets wet... And that the inside of a regular textile m/c jacket will get wet... and to be sure and air dry your jacket very good when you're done (or it's gonna get smelly). That's all fine with me... I'm just curious. Next question - I read that it stays wet and cool for approx 4 hours. What if you're only going to ride for an hour... When you're done, you hang it up to dry out till next time you use it. And when you hang it up, is water going to be dripping on the floor, for a couple days, until it's totally dried out? Thanks :) Any info, and your perspective is appreciated.
 
I've used a Joe Rocket Sahara vest for severl years now and they really do work. Granted the hotter and drier it is and of course the speed and air flow that makes up all the conditions will realy determine the effective length or duration of the cooling effect. Given this I can anicdotally state that once the vest is totally soaked (I do not wring it out but let it drip) It'll give you relief for several hours. In 100 + temps at 60-85 mph I've had it last 2 + hours. This might not seem too long, but 2 hours of reasonably comfortable riding versus miserable conditions is a better alternative. When it is too dry to be effective I've just stopped at a local fast food place, removed the vest and soaked it in the mensroom sink for a couple minutes to recharge it, zip it back in adn off I went. The bottom line is this. They work and if you are planning any extended trip into 100+ temps in dry conditions Humidity below 30% these things work and they work well enough to keep you comfortablly safe and alert in the brutal heat. AKA "2linby" That's 2-lin-by folks! Northwest Area Director COG #5539 AMA #927779 IBA #15034 Team Oregon MC Instructor http://community.webshots.com/user/2linby http://tinyurl.com/njas8 (IBA BunBurner Gold Trip) http://tinyurl.com/lwelx (Alaska trip)
 
Given this I can anicdotally state that once the vest is totally soaked (I do not wring it out but let it drip) It'll give you relief for several hours. In 100 + temps at 60-85 mph I've had it last 2 + hours. This might not seem too long, but 2 hours of reasonably comfortable riding versus miserable conditions is a better alternative. When it is too dry to be effective I've just stopped at a local fast food place, removed the vest and soaked it in the mensroom sink for a couple minutes to recharge it, zip it back in adn off I went. The bottom line is this. They work and if you are planning any extended trip into 100+ temps in dry conditions Humidity below 30% these things work and they work well enough to keep you comfortablly safe and alert in the brutal heat.
Okay, so you're wearing the vest UNDER your riding jacket? Not much airflow with a riding coat on, right? You use that godawful 'Stich suit, how the heck do you get air flowing over a cooling vest with that on? What am I missing here. Bob "Flylooper" Burns COG #5887 E Clampus Vitus, YB#1 '04 FJR 1300
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Sure. The vest is used over a tee shirt and under a mesh jacket for maximum air flow. It will not work without enough air flow. Thus the principle of evaporative cooling. AKA "2linby" That's 2-lin-by folks! Northwest Area Director COG #5539 AMA #927779 IBA #15034 Team Oregon MC Instructor http://community.webshots.com/user/2linby http://tinyurl.com/njas8 (IBA BunBurner Gold Trip) http://tinyurl.com/lwelx (Alaska trip)
 
I gotta coolvest & wanna sell it. Used on 1 cruz...$20. IMO a wet long-sleeved tshirt wurks mo betta. Cuz the vest takes days to dry out & is a wet *heavy* lump, a PITA to repack. 01 Conc, Mijami Floriduh Over the Pond 06: http://tinyurl.com/2vk9o2 route map: http://tinyurl.com/4p7pmd
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It makes sense that these would work with mesh jackets... Any thoughts on how they'd work under a regular riding jacket? Because the Soundrider article says that the vests work under both types of jackets - "An ECV (evaporative cooling vest) works well with a full coverage jacket, or when used under a mesh vest. Joe Rocket tells customers to only use their Sahara with a mesh jacket. Perhaps they want to encourage another purchase, but it
 
I wouldn't use it unless you're getting airflow, period. So if you're using a jacket without good venting, don't even bother, you'll feel like you're wearing a hot, wet towel. Use a perforated mesh & you'll be happy! Greg, they hold a lot of water. I keep mine very wet inside it's ziplock home until I need it. When I first put it on, it runs a bit, but not bad, and if it's hot enough outdoors you might appreciate the "leakage" some. I'm unsure of the material used for the innards, must be similar to a diaper or something like that. I disagree with the "lumpy" assessment. It's very stiff when totally dry, but I really never do anything with it when it's dry, except get it wet again! It folds nicely within the borders of a gallon size ziplock, and doesn't take up that much room. I do agree however that it takes DAYS to dry out totally, and I recommend doing that a couple of times during the season to avoid mold growth. Good luck with Joe Rocket's recommendation to "air dry...each night"... Obviously you'd leave it dry during the rest of the year. Mike B / Gig Harbor, WA
 
Great info Mike! Thanks! Just one clarification -- It's not Joe Rocket saying to dry out the ECV each night. It's Soundrider saying to dry out the inside of your exterior riding jacket each night (from the moisture that would get on it/in it, from the ECV).
 
If you are riding in 100 degree + weather you will have no issues with the liner drying out. Trust me. AKA "2linby" That's 2-lin-by folks! Northwest Area Director COG #5539 AMA #927779 IBA #15034 Team Oregon MC Instructor http://community.webshots.com/user/2linby http://tinyurl.com/njas8 (IBA BunBurner Gold Trip) http://tinyurl.com/lwelx (Alaska trip)
 
Yeah --- Unless you were me, riding back from the steaming hot "Bun Cooler" ride. Avg. temps in 90's for 500 miles, from Kamiah back to Seattle... With my regular riding jacket (non-mesh) with it's liner removed and it's 3 vents open, AND I had it unzipped almost all the way... with only a t-shirt underneath... Anyway, the inside of that jacket was very wet from sweat, and it needed some serious airing and drying out that night. My next purchase will be a mesh jacket... maybe mesh pants too. But these ECV sound pretty cool :) Of course, like Paulie says... soaking my t-shirt in cold water every hour or two, would've helped a lot. That'll be the first thing I'll try, next time I'm in that situation.
 
Sorry I have been gone a few days. I have not read the entire thread yet. I should write something up for the Concouier. I keep forgetting about that. Keep the reminders coming. This one I got does not seem lumpy to me and does not feel like a wet towel when on. The water does not drip out if you give it a good squeeze before you put it on and waring it only makes you feel a bit damp not soaking wet. It should be dried out good but may not have to do it every day if you rinse it good and stick it in the frig over night. I will try it with my winter jacket with the vents open and see if I like that or not. I bet it will do better then nothing since the vents open and move some air. One trick I have used in the past when just to dang hot and nothing around is just find any way to wet down. With full gear on I have used radiator filling hose at station just to dump water all over me. Or stop at a yard of some kids playing with the hose and say HEY soak me please! ---------------------------------- I will answer any question. It is up to you to figure out if I should have.
2277636501_61718d569a.jpg
<p align="left"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20211686@N05/">My Photos<br
 
Bob, check the past issues of the Concourier. There was an article written about cooling vests. Regardless yours could be a good update. Greg COG # 7010/7010a (Tracey) CDA 0120 Connie Droppers Anonymous Awards Dude (CDAAD) 99 Connie "Herrin Christabelle". 05 Ninja 250
 
Why not just soak your clothes, T shirt, jacket etc. I ALWAYS wear a one piece stitch and I really feel the breeze blowing through the venting when moving above 20mph - hot when stuck in traffic. Does the vest just add longevity or increase cooling?
 
I would have to try it with a stich to see. Want to buy me one?? :) I have tried soaked shirts and stuff. I would have to say the vest adds some longevity for sure. I think it was a more comfortable feel then a wet shirt. Vest also adds a bit of an ability to hide the fact that you are doing anything to cool yourself. Better look in the station when you are coming out of the recharge area! ---------------------------------- I will answer any question. It is up to you to figure out if I should have.
2277636501_61718d569a.jpg
<p align="left"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20211686@N05/">My Photos<br
 
Confirmed - Concourier Winter 2006/07. The industry liason wrote a review of cooling vests. Maybe you could expand on it. Greg COG # 7010/7010a (Tracey) CDA 0120 Connie Droppers Anonymous Awards Dude (CDAAD) 99 Connie "Herrin Christabelle". 05 Ninja 250
 
Confirmed - Concourier Winter 2006/07. The industry liason wrote a review of cooling vests. Maybe you could expand on it.
Yup. I remember. But there's nothing that says it wouldn't be a timely article again. I don't think I would have a problem with another point of view, and about another brand of vest. Bob "Flylooper" Burns COG #5887 E Clampus Vitus, YB#1 '04 FJR 1300
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Has anyone tried any of the products from these folks? http://www.ldcomfort.com/store/product.php?productid=5&cat=0&bestseller=Y They sugest wetting there shirts and wearing under leathers for desert-hot temp. riding. Sounds real good, but then everything does when your selling it. Rider Mag. seems to like it. 1990 Aint she a pretty Tomato
 
Paulie you have a point of the cool vest not drying out because you live in floriduh! Seriously, it is much less effective in high humidity. > does not evaporate easily and like wearing warm,wet clothing. I have used the cool vest for about 6 years. Always with a t shirt and mesh jacket over it. Once I need to take it off either put it back in a plastic bag or under a bungee net to dry while riding. I understand the principle is the crystals sewn in absorb a 'thousand' times their volume in water. Yep, if used properly, like putting on a wet, sloppy vest... but ohhh soon to be vey effective in cooling ones core temp down making the hot rides enjoyable and surviveable. Since using the ribbed vinyl heat shields below the tank to channel the engine heat I don't need the vest as oftten. Dan P COG 2877
 
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