I was reading the Warm weather gear post from J.P. and saw a post which link to an evaporative cooler vest by Joe Rocket. I was not sure I wanted to $70 - $80 for the Joe Rocket vest. However, my local accessory shop had one of the same type vest from another brand for $40. I went over, picked it up, and used it on my ride home last night.
I soaked it in water for 3 minutes then gentle squeezed out the extra water so it was not dripping. The vest picked up somewhere around 3-4 lbs of water. The weight was not an issue at all. I headed outside to make my 45-minute home. It was about 90 degrees on my drive home. I felt noticeable more comfortable on the ride home. It felt like I was riding in 60 to 65 degree weather, which is what I come to work in the morning in.
This time of year I wear a Joe Rocket mesh jacket to help keep cool. However, I have been suffering with my TourMaster Caliber pants. They are not mesh and my legs tend to stick to the inside of the pants legs while I am in shorts, which most of the time. By the time I get home on an average day I am beginning to get irritable from the heat and cannot wait to get out of the sweaty pants.
Yesterday when I got home my legs had stuck to the pants a bit, but I was not irritable in anyway. I felt very comfortable. The shirt was however damp. It was not wet to the point I could squeeze any water out of it, just damp. Michelle, being the loving wife she is, decided to hug me when I was at home and trying to get water out of the shirt. She jumped back and told me my sides and back felt like I was out side during the winter with out a shirt. I do admit to the touch my torso was chilly to the touch, but I was not cold.
Overall, it is a great product. I would not wear it if the temperature were below 60 degree, or for small 30-minute rides. I am looking at the same product in a long sleeve version. I will let everyone know how it goes.
I will post a link to the product as soon as I get it. I left the package at the store and need to go by today and get the manufacture info.
I soaked it in water for 3 minutes then gentle squeezed out the extra water so it was not dripping. The vest picked up somewhere around 3-4 lbs of water. The weight was not an issue at all. I headed outside to make my 45-minute home. It was about 90 degrees on my drive home. I felt noticeable more comfortable on the ride home. It felt like I was riding in 60 to 65 degree weather, which is what I come to work in the morning in.
This time of year I wear a Joe Rocket mesh jacket to help keep cool. However, I have been suffering with my TourMaster Caliber pants. They are not mesh and my legs tend to stick to the inside of the pants legs while I am in shorts, which most of the time. By the time I get home on an average day I am beginning to get irritable from the heat and cannot wait to get out of the sweaty pants.
Yesterday when I got home my legs had stuck to the pants a bit, but I was not irritable in anyway. I felt very comfortable. The shirt was however damp. It was not wet to the point I could squeeze any water out of it, just damp. Michelle, being the loving wife she is, decided to hug me when I was at home and trying to get water out of the shirt. She jumped back and told me my sides and back felt like I was out side during the winter with out a shirt. I do admit to the touch my torso was chilly to the touch, but I was not cold.
Overall, it is a great product. I would not wear it if the temperature were below 60 degree, or for small 30-minute rides. I am looking at the same product in a long sleeve version. I will let everyone know how it goes.
I will post a link to the product as soon as I get it. I left the package at the store and need to go by today and get the manufacture info.
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