Cooling vests - do they work? And are your clothes stay dry?

[OmegaA]

I read about cooling vests before, but then I gave up because of comments they made you wet. However, I recently read that there are some that don’t leak. I wonder if they keep you cool in warm weather, particularly in heavy traffic, and if you clothes stays dry after use
I don’t understand a few things about this product- I suspect it works with a lot of hot air getting to the surface that will promote evaporation. UK temperatures rarely go above 35 degrees, traffic jams reduce front wind, so I suspect it may not be that effective in places like London
Thanks
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All-year-round rider since 2005

[Londoner2015]

I have the same suspicion. AFAIK they are mostly used by people riding in hot places like Arizona Greece etc. I'm not sure they'd do much for urban commuting. You should have a look at reviews on Revzilla or at discussions on advrider.com

[barrkel]

It's hot enough in London for an evap vest maybe 1 day every two or three years. They are for places where the wind is like a continuous hot air blast; south of Spain in the peak of summer, that kind of thing. IMO you only really need one when the air is above blood temperature, that's when things get dangerous.
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[Moo.]

I have one I used for a triumph round the Pyrenees. You basically soaked up water in the vest, and it evaporates away like sweat, keeping you cool.

It's not dripping with water and does hold the water well, and it kept you damp, as your in contact with the vest.

I wouldn't bother in the UK, for for hot trips in other countries, where the air feels like a hair dryer, it's a worth a go.
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[chris-red]

I have Commuted in and out of london for ~10 years.
I have 3 different jackets for the seasons.

My summer jacket is a mesh one, it lets loads of air through, I reckon I wear it maybe 10-15% of the year. In those 10 years I only remember one day being too hot in it. The jacket was under £100 and I've had it maybe 7 years and it is like new. There is not point owning anything, 'cooler' in the UK IMO.
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[Freddyfruitba...]

Never heard of these.
<googles>
So are these things intended to be work under a standard jacket? Mesh jacket? No jacket?
Quite interested as have a Eurotour planned during August...
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[spnorm]

I was chatting to a biking couple in Arches NP, Utah who had gel type cooling vests which you put in the freezer overnight and they were still cool eight hours later in 40+C temperatures

[OmegaA]

[MCN]

Sounds like a lot of Hot Water to me.

Evaporative cooling relies on surface area as part of it's function.

Wearing a wet vest will only present the same surface area as your naked torso will.

It sounds like it would be a hit or miss gadget.

A vest with a 'Cooling System' evaporator connected to a condenser with a fan pumping air through would be more practical. Even temperature control is possible then.


Or you could MTFU and sweat like a rapist as we all do.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.