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Permalink Reply by Spartacus on April 17, 2008 at 8:09am

I don’t have one yet but will before too long. Last year I made the decision to stop ridding in the oppressive heat and humidity we get in Florida late August and September. I just don't enjoying being on the bike when It feels like I'm riding in a Convection Oven. Enclosed is a link with the topic of "Vest's" that I thought you would enjoy.

Be safe and try to stay cool!

http://forums.delphiforums.com/MCTourer/messages/?msg=31098.24

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Forrest on April 17, 2008 at 9:04am

Thanks, Spartacus, I'll check it out. If you get one and try it out before June, please let me know how it works.

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Permalink Reply by RaWarrior on May 5, 2008 at 1:27pm

I've used a product like that a couple times when out on the quad in the summer. It "kinda" works, though not for nearly as long as they say. The one I had went around your neck and hung over your shoulders. It helped a little, but after an hour or two it didn't really seem to be "cooling" anymore and even from the start it doesn't make a huge difference.

For hot riding I use a mesh textile jacket, it's a Joe Rocket Phoenix if I remember right. It's several layers of coarse mesh with a zip-out waterproof liner and armor built into the shoulders and arms. You get cruising and it's like you don't even have it on, the air just goes right through it. I've been out a couple times in 80+ heat with it and was totally cool, where my buddy wearing leathers was about to die, even with all the vents open.

I know there's a lot of nay-sayers about textile jackets, but all the reports I've heard say they hold up just fine in a crash, they just won't be re-usable afterward.

I seem to remember the jacket cost like $150 or something, it wasn't that expensive. Might want to give one a try.

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Permalink Reply by Spartacus on May 5, 2008 at 1:54pm

I have and use a Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0. I like the versatility of the jacket and have actually taken out the molded inserts (Velcro pocket closures makes it easy) due to the jacket packs much easier without them. I agree it works nice in the summer for a period. Once the humidity cranks up nothing seems to work.

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Forrest on May 6, 2008 at 9:08am

Hey thanks for the mesh jacket tip. I actually bought one a couple weeks ago, have only used it twice. I can't tell yet how it will do in the heat, because living in Washington State we haven't had any heat yet. (!)

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Permalink Reply by Spartacus on May 6, 2008 at 9:38am

I know what you mean. I moved here (Florida) from Bremerton, WA, and miss the cool weather up there.

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Forrest on May 6, 2008 at 4:34pm

You must have moved a long time ago to miss this gray, depressing, cold, rainy, windy weather

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Permalink Reply by Spartacus on May 6, 2008 at 5:34pm

Hahaha. It's been four years. I sort of liked the grey misty days.

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Forrest on May 7, 2008 at 8:59am

Well then, you'd love the weather up here in Everett today. Dark, foggy, raining, I wanted to stay in bed for sure.

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Permalink Reply by Mannfred on May 15, 2008 at 4:31am

Not had the jacket, but a shirt made of wicking material is much more comfortable than anything made of cotton. It's the material athletes use to stay comfortable. A cheap, but effective, one can be had at Target for about $14. They don't really fit the biker image, but a long sleeve white shirt of wicking material, if you can find one, may change your mind about riding in the heat.

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