Techniche cooling vest

[bearded_one60]

I just got in a techniche cooling vest and tried it out. It works well. It is the typical "soak it in water and wear it" thing but it has an inner liner that keeps you from getting soaked. I got mine from:

 http://store.mm411.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&id=848&theParentId=178

It was only $30 bucks and seems to do what it was designed to do, keep you cool. It does need to be recharged often, about every 100 miles, but I'm usually ready to stretch my legs then anyway.

Jack

[Poncho]

bearded-1der, I could have used it today. it was a scorcher! so I ordered a vest and a book and will give my report as soon as the beta test is complete. Thanks for the info as heat can be a killer.

[Poncho]

Beta Test complete. well that was a fast shipment, couldn't have been 2 whole days and this item shows up in the mail in a bubble envelope. I am thinking this can't be good.? if it folds down this small, it can't possibly carry 3/4 gallon water as stated on the website. Soooo... I tried it on. dang it seems smallish. I ordered one size larger than my shirt size as per instructions. I am thinking this is not gonna work, it is too short as it barely covers my belly not quite reaching my belt. Well this clears up when you sit on the bike and then everything makes sense and fits well. But.. I want to see if it will hold all the water they advertise. I take clean empty gallon water jug and knife the top off so as to be able to fit the vest in and then out when swelled out. I filled the jug w/approx 3/4 gal h2o and insert rolled up vest in custom modified container. I like to think I customize my accessories (it's cheaper than therapy). Well what do you know? this bugger is sucking up the whole lot of water. I cover the top as best I can and invert it so to soak the vest completely. Heck, I even put another quart in there to let the little bugger swim. Dang, that is one thirsty vestment!

OK, so now for the test ride. I pushed the big bike out, today we ride the "Red Bear'n" as she is do in rotation. I have tires needing to wear out and everybody has got to do thier share. Its about a hunerd and some degrees out at 5pm. The sun is blazing away like a blow torch. That should be good nuff test criteria. So, now to suit up. Just to complete the outfit, I soaked a skull cap thingy in the residual water and put that on under my helmet. No need cooking whats left of my brains. I had taken the vest out of its pool and hung it on the handlebars. Even though it is so full of water that it bleeds when touched, it doesn't drip... much. Oooohhh, Aaaahhh shes a bit chilly when pulled over my scabbie old riding tee.

Pulling out of the parking lot, I am thinking this is gonna be cold moving at speed. I rolled out on the Xpressway and took her up to 70 and the vest performed nicely. I rode high speed 20 miles till out of town and picked up an old favorite twisty road past the Salt Lick bbq near Drift Wood. Another 20 miles later I pulled over at Hayes county store to sit on the bench and toss a cold one back. The vest has dried approx 50% total but still has a lot of water weight mostly in the back. It is still quite cool.
I am thinking that if I carry a water dispenser, I could re-wet the front while tooling down the road, not needing to hafta stop.

Minor drawback. mind you this is minor compared to the benefit of being able to keep from burning to a crisp here in these Texas desert like conditions. Possibly because I had and will soak this vest to its fullest, it did manage to gravity-wick some water onto and into my pants... not that I am complaining. It actually feels quite good and I may be doing more of this.

Final Report. I will give this product 4.5 stars. It performs as advertised and is reasonable $35. I will withold that last .5 star for a real long distance test, perhaps this next weekend or so. I really could have used this item last Sunday as I had my brains baked out on measley 200 mile back road run, Austin - San Antone - Luckenbach - home.

[Daniel Meyer]

Nice write up! I may need one of those!

Slogging through west Texas...particularly that run between Amarillo and Childress...hey! It's a dry heat! I've been known to stop for gas, and while fueling and sucking down a couple drinks, tossing my helmet in the bagged ice freezer.

Gonna get frost-bit ears one of these days...

[Poncho]

tossing my helmet in the bagged ice freezer.
Gonna get frost-bit ears one of these days...

Frost Bit Ears... sounds like a new snack idea'r. in the frozen food section? Yes they'r chocolate covered, crispy layered, crunchy and oh so refreshing!

I have been known to (my crew would laugh at me b4 joining in the fray) pull over at most any river stream or lakeside, take of my boots, sox and empty my pockets b4 jumping fully clothed into said body of water. I would float their until my core temp allowed my eyes to refocus and then float some more soaking up the coolness. Afterward, I would ride off still soaking wet and dripping all over the bike and road. It was the most REFRESHING activity of a hot day run. It would be darn right cold for the first few miles and gradually as the water evaporated temps would climb again. I'd be bone dry inside of 15 minutes, oh but what a glorious 15 minutes that was. Only my pants would stay damp as they aren't in direct wind path.
I have done this cooling off coping mechanism at truck stops when pushing thru the desert. People would stare when they'd see me walk out and ride off w/a large water trail behind.

[Poncho]

Final Report. I will give this product 4.5 stars. It performs as advertised and is reasonable $35. I will withold that last .5 star for a real long distance test, perhaps this next weekend or so.

Long Distance Report. ADD .5 point. Total 5.0 stars for this product.
I rode 90 miles Austin to Santone at noon w/o the vest on. I FRIED what little is left of my cerebal noggin. Later this afternoon when it was good an HOTTER (said 103f at the bank). Showing off this new product to my brother I did re soak it and wore the bugger home. OH what a difference!!!! I was as happy as a cucumber, cool and refreshed. The front did dry out after 45 minutes and 45 miles. The back of the vest stayed wet and cool the entire 90 mile return run. I got stuck in some horrid Austin I-35 bumper traffic and crawled 30 minutes under that Texas sun. I had unzipped the vest to let some air in and it did ventilate and cool my torso further.

I would recommend this vest to any one who does hot weather riding, particularily desert type. It can be worn under a vented mesh jacket and still perform as designed. Cycle Gear also has them in stock for $40.