garyahouse
newbs need the forum
For the forum:
Seems like everybody (including me) is dying from the heat this summer. I’ve been researching cooling vest systems for several days, and working on making a decision. Thought you might like to look at some of my research. I began with our own forum.
FJR forum results: My research on the forum revealed that almost all the posts focus on evaporative vests. These are proven to work better in low humidity or high airflow applications. They cost the least, but many leave clothing wet and are not as effective in high humidity applications. I wondered if there might be something else, something better. Seems to me that we spend a fortune on every possible farkle, and then when it comes to staying comfortable in the sweltering heat, we either don't ride, or we buy something cheap. My question was, what else is out there, how effective is it, and how much does it cost? Below are a couple examples.
One example of a circulatory vest, this one utilizes a back pack water reservoir and pump. See post number 34 later in this thread for pictures and information about this vest from Veskimo. This vest can also be ordered with a large cooler instead: I have them both. Curios? PM me.
One example of a phase change vest, this one recommended by one of the vest comparison websites I've listed below.
Another example of a circulating vest, this one using a remote reservoir that can be easily refilled with ice when ya get gas. Perhaps this could be slipped into a saddlebag???
To me, there are basically four types of cooling vests. In order from the most effective to the least (my opinion), they are: circulatory, phase change, freeze pack, and evaporative.
• Circulatory involves a vest laced with tubing and a remote reservoir filled with ice and water. Recharged by dumping warm water out and adding ice (see first picture above).
• Phase change consists of inserts that maintain 53-59 degree temps until they “thaw” out. Remove inserts, recharge in fridge or container of ice water (see second picture above).
• Freeze pack utilizes inserts that are recharged by removing and placing in freezer.
• Evaporative vests are recharged by soaking. They absorb water and cool by evaporation as air flows over them
1. WebBIkeWorld's description of different types of vests with links CLICKY 1
2. Good article comparing different vests, written for MS patients with links to manufacturers. CLICKY 2
3. Texas Cool Vest CLICKY 3
4. Hog cooler” Black leather circulating vest and soft side cooler bag $350 / also has heater option??? Details about heater were vague. CLICKY 4
5. Cool shirt company: has some very interesting technologies... one utilizing C02... CLICKY 5 or CLICKY 5.5
6. Veskimo: THIS MAY BE THE BEST OF THEM ALL: active cooling (water circulating vest) costing $300 and up. A great deal of information here about the differences between various types of cooling vests when you get to the site, click on the link (found at upper left corner) entitled, [why choose Veskimo] : CLICKY 6.5
7. Glacier tek’s RCPM Cool vest: utilizes phase change technology (original version available on sale for $169) Spare cooling packs: $129 CLICKY 7 ****DISCOUNT TO FORUM MEMBERS: SEE POST #14 below on this thread.****
8. Polar products… Several types of cooling vests offered, circulating vest is high quality and expensive, others are reasonable. Phase change gel packs are also offered in small medium or large sizes for the vest. CLICKY 8
9. Edited March 2013: dead link
10. Techniche techkewl Phase Change Cooling vest $160 and extra set of cooling packs cost $120 Similar to Glacier tek (#7 above) but cheaper. CLICKY 10
11. Nextag listings for many companies making various types of cooling vests: several pages of links CLICKY 11
12. Phase change vest review on Bullard IsoTherm; this is a review w/ lots of links: CLICKY 12
13. Air conditioner on a bike? Entrosys: looks like start up company? Seems to be still in development stage as of Aug 2011, (and still as of this edit in March 2013), but it appears to be an actual air conditioner CLICKY13
14. Several cooling vest comments/testimonials and links/Av Rider CLICKY 14
Gary
darksider #44
Seems like everybody (including me) is dying from the heat this summer. I’ve been researching cooling vest systems for several days, and working on making a decision. Thought you might like to look at some of my research. I began with our own forum.
FJR forum results: My research on the forum revealed that almost all the posts focus on evaporative vests. These are proven to work better in low humidity or high airflow applications. They cost the least, but many leave clothing wet and are not as effective in high humidity applications. I wondered if there might be something else, something better. Seems to me that we spend a fortune on every possible farkle, and then when it comes to staying comfortable in the sweltering heat, we either don't ride, or we buy something cheap. My question was, what else is out there, how effective is it, and how much does it cost? Below are a couple examples.
One example of a circulatory vest, this one utilizes a back pack water reservoir and pump. See post number 34 later in this thread for pictures and information about this vest from Veskimo. This vest can also be ordered with a large cooler instead: I have them both. Curios? PM me.
One example of a phase change vest, this one recommended by one of the vest comparison websites I've listed below.
Another example of a circulating vest, this one using a remote reservoir that can be easily refilled with ice when ya get gas. Perhaps this could be slipped into a saddlebag???
To me, there are basically four types of cooling vests. In order from the most effective to the least (my opinion), they are: circulatory, phase change, freeze pack, and evaporative.
• Circulatory involves a vest laced with tubing and a remote reservoir filled with ice and water. Recharged by dumping warm water out and adding ice (see first picture above).
• Phase change consists of inserts that maintain 53-59 degree temps until they “thaw” out. Remove inserts, recharge in fridge or container of ice water (see second picture above).
• Freeze pack utilizes inserts that are recharged by removing and placing in freezer.
• Evaporative vests are recharged by soaking. They absorb water and cool by evaporation as air flows over them
1. WebBIkeWorld's description of different types of vests with links CLICKY 1
2. Good article comparing different vests, written for MS patients with links to manufacturers. CLICKY 2
3. Texas Cool Vest CLICKY 3
4. Hog cooler” Black leather circulating vest and soft side cooler bag $350 / also has heater option??? Details about heater were vague. CLICKY 4
5. Cool shirt company: has some very interesting technologies... one utilizing C02... CLICKY 5 or CLICKY 5.5
6. Veskimo: THIS MAY BE THE BEST OF THEM ALL: active cooling (water circulating vest) costing $300 and up. A great deal of information here about the differences between various types of cooling vests when you get to the site, click on the link (found at upper left corner) entitled, [why choose Veskimo] : CLICKY 6.5
7. Glacier tek’s RCPM Cool vest: utilizes phase change technology (original version available on sale for $169) Spare cooling packs: $129 CLICKY 7 ****DISCOUNT TO FORUM MEMBERS: SEE POST #14 below on this thread.****
8. Polar products… Several types of cooling vests offered, circulating vest is high quality and expensive, others are reasonable. Phase change gel packs are also offered in small medium or large sizes for the vest. CLICKY 8
9. Edited March 2013: dead link
10. Techniche techkewl Phase Change Cooling vest $160 and extra set of cooling packs cost $120 Similar to Glacier tek (#7 above) but cheaper. CLICKY 10
11. Nextag listings for many companies making various types of cooling vests: several pages of links CLICKY 11
12. Phase change vest review on Bullard IsoTherm; this is a review w/ lots of links: CLICKY 12
13. Air conditioner on a bike? Entrosys: looks like start up company? Seems to be still in development stage as of Aug 2011, (and still as of this edit in March 2013), but it appears to be an actual air conditioner CLICKY13
14. Several cooling vest comments/testimonials and links/Av Rider CLICKY 14
Gary
darksider #44
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