Just got my coolvest today. I ordered the Santa version and a spare set of
packs. I wanted the Santa version because with the front zipper it should be
easier to put on and take off.
I will have 3 reviews. This initial review, a short-term review in a couple of
weeks and a long-term review possibly next summer.
THE VEST
The vest is made quite well, nothing special. It has velcro over the shoulders
as well as side velcro for mid-section adjustment. The velcro area is large
and provides for a lot of adjustment. The material is poli-cotton twill and
appears to be tough enough to last years.
THE COOLING PACKS
There are 4 packs and they slide into the inside of the vest. One pack is on the
left side of the chest, one one the right and the other two slide into the left and
right sides in the back of the vest.
The packs are thick at 1 inch, 12 inches long and about 4 inches wide. That
doesn't seem thick however once you put the vest on and then your jacket it
seems like you've gained 20 lbs. That being said, it's a non-issue once you
realize the benefit.
I stuck the packs in the freezer and waited 20 mins. The packs, when not
cold are resemble packs of baby oil, clear liquid. Once the begin to chill they
start turning into a white solid.
PERFORMANCE
I loaded the vest up and then went into my
West-facing garage at 6pm, it was about 98 degrees. Normally, I can't stay
out there long as I'll start sweating like crazy.
However, I was able to stay out in the garage for 1 hour cleaning it up and
moving stuff around. The top of my head was sweating a little but normally
I'm sweating so much it's getting into my eyes and that's after only a few
minutes.
I have tried the evaporative cooking vests and they will only work if you have
a good flow of air to aid in the cooling effect. The Coolvest is different as it
feels like you have a bunch of cans of soda in your vest.
After 1 hr I came inside and took the packs out. They were no longer a hard
solid but were 'mushy' yet still white in color and cool to the touch.
Even 30 mins after taking the vest off I have a residual feeling of being cool.
I can touch my chest and it feels like the cooling effect is still affecting me.
If you have ever used electric vests/jackets you know that you can keep them
at a certain level of heat and you don't feel 'hot' while wearing them in cold
weather, you just feel comfortable and the cold isn't a factor. This is how I
think the Coolvest is going to work. It will not keep making you colder but,
will keep you at a cool level so the ambient heat is less of a factorf and you
are comfortable.
RECHARGING
I bought an extra pack because when it's hot but
I have some place to tour, I want to be able to make my comfort convenient.
I am going to do some searching but I think a cylindrical cooler that is 12
inches by 6 inches should allow you to place 4 packs inside with some ice
and/or water and allow the pack to recharge while you're riding.
The packs actually charge much faster than 20 mins but it does take 20 mins
to make them a hard solid whereas 10 mins and they are mushy. I'm sure
there's a way to recharge these in a more convenient way rather than waiting
20 mins at a gas stop. Most of my gas stops are rarely longer than 10 mins
and that's when I'm taking my time.
INITIAL OPINION
I like this approach to cooling much better than the evaporative vest approach.
Please understand that my comments above are after 1 hr in my garage and
I will do another short-term review in a week or so after I've had some time
to use the vest while commuting to/from work.
packs. I wanted the Santa version because with the front zipper it should be
easier to put on and take off.
I will have 3 reviews. This initial review, a short-term review in a couple of
weeks and a long-term review possibly next summer.
THE VEST
The vest is made quite well, nothing special. It has velcro over the shoulders
as well as side velcro for mid-section adjustment. The velcro area is large
and provides for a lot of adjustment. The material is poli-cotton twill and
appears to be tough enough to last years.
THE COOLING PACKS
There are 4 packs and they slide into the inside of the vest. One pack is on the
left side of the chest, one one the right and the other two slide into the left and
right sides in the back of the vest.
The packs are thick at 1 inch, 12 inches long and about 4 inches wide. That
doesn't seem thick however once you put the vest on and then your jacket it
seems like you've gained 20 lbs. That being said, it's a non-issue once you
realize the benefit.
I stuck the packs in the freezer and waited 20 mins. The packs, when not
cold are resemble packs of baby oil, clear liquid. Once the begin to chill they
start turning into a white solid.
PERFORMANCE
I loaded the vest up and then went into my
West-facing garage at 6pm, it was about 98 degrees. Normally, I can't stay
out there long as I'll start sweating like crazy.
However, I was able to stay out in the garage for 1 hour cleaning it up and
moving stuff around. The top of my head was sweating a little but normally
I'm sweating so much it's getting into my eyes and that's after only a few
minutes.
I have tried the evaporative cooking vests and they will only work if you have
a good flow of air to aid in the cooling effect. The Coolvest is different as it
feels like you have a bunch of cans of soda in your vest.
After 1 hr I came inside and took the packs out. They were no longer a hard
solid but were 'mushy' yet still white in color and cool to the touch.
Even 30 mins after taking the vest off I have a residual feeling of being cool.
I can touch my chest and it feels like the cooling effect is still affecting me.
If you have ever used electric vests/jackets you know that you can keep them
at a certain level of heat and you don't feel 'hot' while wearing them in cold
weather, you just feel comfortable and the cold isn't a factor. This is how I
think the Coolvest is going to work. It will not keep making you colder but,
will keep you at a cool level so the ambient heat is less of a factorf and you
are comfortable.
RECHARGING
I bought an extra pack because when it's hot but
I have some place to tour, I want to be able to make my comfort convenient.
I am going to do some searching but I think a cylindrical cooler that is 12
inches by 6 inches should allow you to place 4 packs inside with some ice
and/or water and allow the pack to recharge while you're riding.
The packs actually charge much faster than 20 mins but it does take 20 mins
to make them a hard solid whereas 10 mins and they are mushy. I'm sure
there's a way to recharge these in a more convenient way rather than waiting
20 mins at a gas stop. Most of my gas stops are rarely longer than 10 mins
and that's when I'm taking my time.
INITIAL OPINION
I like this approach to cooling much better than the evaporative vest approach.
Please understand that my comments above are after 1 hr in my garage and
I will do another short-term review in a week or so after I've had some time
to use the vest while commuting to/from work.
The vest is a one-size and fits my rotund body quite well. The material is sturdy, the velcro wide, and the elasticized side straps help the vest conform to your body well. It should last a long time. The only thing missing was directions for washing the vest, something that may be a requirement after long rides in high temps.