can i get a recommemdation for a cooling vest

[Teal]

looking at cooling vest but they are priced all over the place
any help
thanks

 

[jkchipster]

Teal I bought one of these for my wife and I. Used it last week on a trip to Florida. Was pleased with the vest. The strange thing is you soak it in water but it does not get your tee shirt wet??? Felt much cooler with it on.

Techniche Evaporative Cooling Vests and Accessories

 

[Teal]

thanks JK

i had this one bookmarked as well.. Question,, does it need to be more tight to the chest vs a bit loose?

Teal

 

[paws]

We've been looking at them also.
Found one that sounds similar to the Techniche you describe but more money from an outfit called Silver Eagle Outfitters:

Ihttp://www.silvereagleoutfitters.com/cooling-vests/ts

The items that contain those little beads which swell up when you soak them in water don't seem to have but one soaking to them. We've been looking for something else - and NOT something you have to freeze. The vests talked about at Silvereagle and Techniche seem to be what we're looking for - now just trying to make the decision - which one and best size.
Carla and Jim

 

[Ozarkryder]

We have the Hyperkewl vests by Techniche and like them lots. We got our first set at the Davis Rally in Iowa, they were the silver/gray variety. Wore them out, and I got one through Bike Bandit, and Gloria got one at a shop in Springfield, MO. Mine is black, I put a few patches on it to look more like a regular riding vest, Gloria's is dark khaki. We paid between $30 and $40 for ours, and feel it is well worth the cost of admission. Last summer we had more than 60 days with temps over 95°, almost half of those at or above 100°. Let us ride without feeling we were traveling through an oven.

Soak the vest in water for about 2 minutes, I wring it out then towel off the inside. It might seem a bit clammy, but not wet. Get them a bit snug - the cooling comes from evaporation of the water in the vest, and the cool transfers though contact.

 

[seahawkfan1765]

I purchased a Glacier Tek RPCM cool vest (The Original Cool Vest - Body Cooling Vest Ice Vest - Glacier Tek) for my sister-in-law last year. They are expensive. However, she works construction and I wanted a quality, high vis vest that she could use everyday. She loves it.
We tried a few cheap ones here at work and they are not very good for everyday, heavy use.

 

[Rick Kay]

I wear this: The Original Cool Vest - Body Cooling Vest Ice Vest - Glacier Tek I wear it for medical reasons, it does a great job, although I have to carry spare ice paks in a cooler if I am gone for the day (they typically last me 4 hours).

 

[Ozarkryder]

The evaproative vests work best with low humidity and/or good air movement accross them (such as on a motorcycle). The vests with phase change packs are good for non-air movement situations. They work well as long as you have a handy way to recharge the packs if you are going to ride more than about 2 1/2 or 3 hours. Some folks say the evaporative vests can be a bit clammy, the packet vests aren't soaked in water so the are dry.

Both kinds do the job, just in a different way.

I have used both,(The phase change as a flagman on highway construction. A lifesaver in the sun, no wind and standing on that hot roadway.) and for motorcycle use I personally prefer the evaporative type - the cost is about a quarter of the Glacier Tek vests, there aren't any packets to worry about recharging or extra ones to buy and carry around (and a cooler with ice/water to keep the extras in) and it only takes 2 minutes to soak the eveaporative vest and be on your way.

 

[jkchipster]

For the money I would try the Techniche. The best 40 bucks I have spent on riding gear. They also make a neck wrap that worked really well for me. When on a long trip I always ride 100 miles and refuel. So now I top of the tank and soak the vest and I'm ready for another 100 miles. Last trip I took a large zip lock baggie before I fueled the trike I put the vest in the baggie and added a bottle of cold water. Worked great. Mine fits snug but not real tight.

 

[motorcyclemania]

Harley Davidson makes a cooling vest for a reasonable price

 

[curley03]

I have 2 vests one that I use when its over 100' in TEXAS. The heavy duty one is a STEELE which has pockets for frozen liquid. It last about 4 hours. It came with 8 packets I have an ice chest to carry the extra ones. Cost was about $120.00 on ebay last year. I also have a HD Hydration vest for days when its under 100' it last about the same time but of course it is not as cold.It cost $60.00 at the dealer or $45.00 on ebay. you can stop and wet it again along the way. It only works when it dry and when you are moving. Either one works to some degree IMOP. curley

 

[pigbike]

I have 2 vests one that I use when its over 100' in TEXAS. The heavy duty one is a STEELE which has pockets for frozen liquid. It last about 4 hours. It came with 8 packets I have an ice chest to carry the extra ones. Cost was about $120.00 on ebay last year. I also have a HD Hydration vest for days when its under 100' it last about the same time but of course it is not as cold.It cost $60.00 at the dealer or $45.00 on ebay. you can stop and wet it again along the way. It only works when it dry and when you are moving. Either one works to some degree IMOP. curley

Better hope no one takes you for a suicide bomber walking around with a vest stuffed full of ice packs.

 

[curley03]

Yea that would not be kool.