Roadcrafter in Hot Temps!

Louie Louie

I'm considering purchasing a Roadcrafter suit. I live in the California desert where summer temps can be extremely high. How do these Roadcrafter's fare in the hot temps? Advice or feedback welcomed as it is kinda pricey but believe it may be worth it. I want the RC one piece suit. Plan on using it in travels around the country and at home.


Thanks
 
Soak your sleeves in water, open your cuffs, close everything else, and once you're up to speed you'll feel like you've got air conditioning set on high. Of course this won't cool your feet or legs, but it sure feels good on the torso (where it really counts). I used the LDComfort sleeves and my arms never actually felt wet, just cool. The Lawrence of Arabia helmet liner works the same way.
 
Mine's a bit dated, so they may have changed a bit over the years, but the Roadcrafter suits are relatively thin on lining so they're not bad in the triple digit heat. I would soak my T-shirt and helmet, then crack the vents open just a little bit and that worked well for me. I have the two-piece, but I think they're all pretty similar in construction.
 
Its all about controlling airflow through the suit. With some sort of shirt that is wet and ready to evaporate you will find it quit comfortable. But Airflow is key!
 
I use an cool vest and manage the air flow as mentioned. Going through Vegas a few years ago with temps at 110 I was good. Didn't really feel the high heat till I stopped to check the trailer.
 
I'll be the guy out, no a roadcrafter fares poorly in Palm Springs CA type heat. I can't stand mine above 90 (or below 55). For the cost I find it a rather poor performer temperature control wise. Not enough vents in the full suit. There are NO vents below the chest area that flow any air.

My humble opinion.

Raymond
 
I use a two piece RoadCrafter. In high temps it's all vents open to include the pants pocket zippers and the leg zippers up a bit. Then I soak the tee shirt and pour water down the pants legs. I've never felt the need but a friend of mine with a one piece RoadCrafter would also load his pockets with ice. In winter I zip the jacket and pants together to eliminate a draft up my back. Based on that I think the two piece gives a tad more ventilation.

Len
 
I have traveled all day in my Roadcrafter 2 piece in temps as high as 114 degrees.... It is a challenge, the key is to stay damp and let the air flow through the suit keep you cool. I would suggest that you talk to the Aerostitch people about how loose you should leave the fit for the type of riding that you do. I have my suit fit loose enough to put a couple of layers under for riding in really cold temps. The same fit works well in the heat as the air flow through the Roadcrafter is controllable and consistent. In fact, at 110 degrees I can get too cold for a short period if the balance of water and air flow is right. You can also fill your pockets with ice cubes if you get the chance, that seems to work for a decent period while the ice melts then provides some moisture. A kool vest also works well under the suit, if the fit is right. I have tried my mesh suit in 100 plus temps and I think the Roadcrafter gives me better comfort and protection from the heat. At speed on a bike, air temperature above your body temp will work opposite of wind chill, it will burn you worse the faster you go.
 
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Another factor is your normal personal heat tolerance. If you have a low heat tolerance, I suspect the Roadcrafter would not be for you in the desert. But you living in the desert Palm Springs area, you most likely have a rather high heat tolerance. But as we get older, I think the tolerances begin to change. So your comfort in high desert temps might depend on your current level of heat tolerance. I think by some of the varied answers, you can see who is more heat tolerant.

If you cannot stand the heat and have to have your a/c on all the time while driving your car in the summer, you might not be a candidate for the RC in your situation. Just saying.
 
I wear the 'Stich RC in wet, humid GA, and up to about 85* it is VERY comfy at speed, but has to come off quick when stopped. Strangely, mesh gear can be uncomfortable in desert hot conditions..too much moisture is sucked from the skin while riding. A full suit creates a "micro-environment" where your moisture loss can equalize-think of bedouins in their long robes..the long, light colored robes not only reflect the heat, but contain the body's moisture, just evaporating off enough to stay cool.

The 'Stich RC , with it's underarm vents and back vent open "inflates" at speed, to give you a kind of insulating barrier, and a constant rush of cooling air. I haven't tried the wet shirt trick, but my bro (who has less heat tolerance) does put ice in his front pockets to melt. Says it works amazingly well.

One of the local ST riders (Coleridge) got the cooling vest which is frozen, and then worn under gear....seems like a great idea in your area!

Another thumbs up for a 'Stich....my sis wears one, and took a pretty severe high side-flew about 15'..slid a few more. Walked away with a sprained wrist, and a bruise. The Aerostich was pretty much unhurt. (She took the MSF course the same day, to re-qualify for travel on her base. She was the only one who was dry in the course, since it rained the whole day)
 
I live in central Texas. Two years ago we had 67 days above 100. I see very few roadcrafters here (5 in seven years); It's mostly mesh. Even with mesh, I wet my T-shirt. It dries within 10 minutes. I prefer the Olympia mesh Jackets and Pants. However I need liners for the mountains, even in 60 degree weather.
 
ST090 said:
Another factor is your normal personal heat tolerance.
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This is a very important point, because we're all different. I have no qualms about going out in my one-piece RC into the low triple digits, which around here includes gobs of humidity. And I shrug when people complain about the heat the ST throws off, because I hardly notice it.

The flip side is that I've taken to putting on my heated liner to take the edge off when the temperatures drop below 55 or 60 because I don't do cold well anymore and the RC doesn't keep me warm. My Olympia Phantom, on the other hand, is lined and quite toasty.

--Mark
 
I use my Roadcrafter Light year round now. Heated gear keeps me warm when it gets below 50 deg, and when it is warm to hot I just open the forearm zips, armpit zips and rear back zip. When it rains here in Texas, it really rains and the 'stitch keeps me totally dry.
 
UNTMatt said:
Might want to consider the Motoport suits. They make a kevlar mesh that would work.
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I disagree. I have both a Motoport and a Roadcrafter. I actually prefer the Roadcrafter in hot weather as you have more controlover the airflow. The air flow thru a Motoport (or any mesh gear) will just dry ya out faster.

BTW, I don't use any external wet gear, just dring a lot of water.
 
Something to remember is the insulation that you may think is working against you in the heat is actually your friend. It keeps the heat out as well as the cold. And when it is over 100,,my 98 feels better than a 110 degree blast. You will not loose all your bodies moisture like with a mesh either.
I will be the first to say tho that the 'crafter will feel very hot when you have to stop in the heat.
 
Like George said with the Motoport mesh anything over 100 degrees I put my rain liner back in the coat and you stay cooler than the 100+ air blast which only dehydrates you faster. It sounds wrong but it sure works great.
 
ZIAMON said:
I'll be the guy out, no a roadcrafter fares poorly in Palm Springs CA type heat. I can't stand mine above 90 (or below 55). For the cost I find it a rather poor performer temperature control wise. Not enough vents in the full suit. There are NO vents below the chest area that flow any air.

My humble opinion.

Raymond
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+1 I road around TX during the summer with my Stich on for a while... it came off, my Motoport Kevlar Air Mesh went on. :bow1:
 
I wear a Roadcrafter one piece suit. This past Sept/Oct I travelled from BC to Texas then across to the California coast so I spent lots of time in the desert. I think I have pretty good heat tolerance for a Canuck living on Vancouver Island but definitely not accustomed to the kind of heat and sun the American desert has to offer. As long as the bike was moving I didn?t find the heat too bad but when I stopped my body would heat up pretty fast. I liked the fact that it shielded me from the sun and hot wind and helped my body retain moisture. I also really like the feeling of security the suit gives me knowing that it will help save my hide if I go down. Although depending on the crash it may be just a bag of busted bones. I?m planning on more long trips into the US again this summer and I?ll be wearing my Roadcrafter all the way.
 
Coincidence: just got my RoadCrafter back from Duluth. It'll get the duty for the next couple weeks. Full clean and waterproof plus some new zippers 'n velcro. Looks pretty good considering. :D
 
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