garyahouse
newbs need the forum
I will admit that up to maybe 100, the air helped. It felt better having air blowing on me. At those temps, the mesh is your best bet. Maybe even add a set of Bakers like the ones pictured below. When I headed out to the desert southwest last summer, I figured my Baker air wings would suffice. They work great along with my mesh jacket for temps under 100 or so.
However, above that temperature, things change. Above maybe 115 or so, I'm thinking that you don't want ANY air hitting you. Full coverage from head to toe will keep you cooler, believe it or not. At those higher desert temps, I turned the wings out so they blocked the air from hitting me directly. Nice thing about them is that they're adjustable. Zilla was right above, 120 degree desert air feels like a hair dryer pointed at cha. Mesh is a bad idea in REALLY high temps.
One thing I have learned that makes a really huge difference when it's really hot is my Veskimo.
Being that it's mesh, it works well under my mesh jacket. It isn't heavy or insulating like soaker vests, so I can wear it all day, even when I'm not actually using it at lower temps. But when it gets good and hot, all I gotta do is hit the switch and OH YEAH
There's nothing like that ice water.. Oddly enough, it works even better when I put it under my unvented jacket. The jacket's insulation keeps the cold in. I've found that with a great deal of air blowing directly on the veskimo, it doesn't work as well as it does with a layer of insulation over top of it. Too bad I didn't take it with me when I headed out west to travel through the desert. BIG MISTAKE. But that's another story.
Hope that helps?
Gary
darksider #44
However, above that temperature, things change. Above maybe 115 or so, I'm thinking that you don't want ANY air hitting you. Full coverage from head to toe will keep you cooler, believe it or not. At those higher desert temps, I turned the wings out so they blocked the air from hitting me directly. Nice thing about them is that they're adjustable. Zilla was right above, 120 degree desert air feels like a hair dryer pointed at cha. Mesh is a bad idea in REALLY high temps.
One thing I have learned that makes a really huge difference when it's really hot is my Veskimo.
Being that it's mesh, it works well under my mesh jacket. It isn't heavy or insulating like soaker vests, so I can wear it all day, even when I'm not actually using it at lower temps. But when it gets good and hot, all I gotta do is hit the switch and OH YEAH
Hope that helps?
Gary
darksider #44
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