Motorcycle Cooling Vest, Is it wort it?

Motorcycle Cooling Vest, Is it worth it?
John Test the FLY brand evaporation cooling vest in the hot Virginia air and gives his opinion.
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Music: Music Vine
Gear used:
*Can Am Spyder RT SE6, 2014
*Can Am Freedom Trailer, 2019
*Trailer Hitch: Can Am Spyder Accessories.com
*Cup Holders on Spyder: Drink2go.com
*Dash and Tank Bag:
Video Gear:
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*Go-Pro Hero 7 Black
*Go-Pro Hero 3+, with Movo VXR10 Universal Video Mic with Deadcat windscreen, Artman Protective Houseing Case with Mic mount and GoPro Pro 3.5 Mic Adapter for Hero 7 Black.
*Sena Prism Tube: HD Video Camera, Helmet mounted. (BUY IT NOW on Amazon) amzn.to/2sUAGAI
*Cyclops Gear CGX3, video camera courtesy of All Out Cycles, Chesapeake VA
*Editing software: Movie Studio 14.0 Platinum

[@stoney3398]

I purchased cooling vests for my wife & myself a few years ago. Mine is made by RevIt, and connects directly to my RevIt jacket; hers is by Bilt, but they are very similar. We took a trip from our home in So Cal to Colorado in June 2018, and the first day was about 500 miles to Flagstaff, AZ. At our lunch stop in Kingman it was 111 degrees, so we put the vests on, and stayed relatively comfortable the next 2 hours or so to Flagstaff. My vest was even still slightly damp at the end! While on a ride, we keep them stored completely soaked in large heavy duty ziplock bags, so they're ready for us when we need them. I would guess that, like most evaporative cooling systems, they are more effective in dryer climates, but also won't stay wet as long, as the evaporation process would happen much quicker. No matter what, they work!!!

[@amelifehacks]

Watched 7 video's. This was the only one that shows the process and HOW it works rather than a 24 min ramble about sports bikes lol. THANK YOU

[@theSMYRNAcowboy]

I've had a vest just like those for years. It sure has come in very handy. I also use it when I cut my yard.

[@harryparmley1193]

Caught this video on a road trip three weeks ago so couldn't respond at the time. GAME CHANGER! Here in the desert (Las Vegas), no one with any sense goes anywhere in the summer without their vests soaking in a watery ziplock. They do tend to dry out faster in the dry climate, but you can refresh them on the fly just pouring water down the (inside) front of your jacket. Another handy tip is the neck gaiter. Wet it down and squeeze it out and it is a nice little refresher for the "warm" day. Great stuff you're putting out; keep up the good work..!

[@JimsTrikeAdventures]

I have had a hyper Kewl vest for years for summer riding. Life-saving. We had hit temps of 109 and not even the vet does much then. I store my vest in a smalll garbage bag. I carry bottles of water in the tour pack. When my vest dries out. I out the vest in the bag and pour a bottle of water in the bag. One bottle seem perfect re wet the vest. My vest will last about 30 miles is the HOT Texas heat.

[@traveling_baja_cat8354]

Ride in temps over 110 & cooling vest makes it comfortable. Have to stop every 30 minutes to drink water and rewet vest. Love it!!

[@DennysPlantBasedJourney]

i bought mine at a safety supply store out here in the oilfield. I will even use cold water or put it in the refrigerator or cooler. It works fine as long as I can keep it wet. In high heat, like 110-115, it will dry out pretty quickly. But you can keep putting water on it. I carry water bottles with me anyway so it is easy to use.

[@Ray-ks1xp]

I picked one up at a rally in Oregon several years ago and it worked great crossing the desert. I would re hydrate it every time I stopped for gas and at rest stops. Mine is a Silver Eagle Outfitters product. Thanks for the video.

[@williamtrenary263]

That is a very good idea. Yep those roads can get very hot. You're not afraid to try different things and that's good, as we get on in age that's an idea that should be used cause the heat as you have found causes other problems too, such as high BP. Thanks y'all for the info. Later then.

[@scooterman4363]

Nice vest I'll investigate that. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

[@Shrilbart]

Just finished a 10 day r/t ride from AZ to WA. One of the people in the group has a history with heat related injuries. And so she had a couple different concepts to work with depending on circumstances. She had the little ice cube packs and the wet vest. She had one noticeable problem with the ice cube pack concept. We had stopped overnight at a hotel and the freezer was not cold enough to refreeze the packs. So in the morning they were a slushy gel and were not effective for long. The absorbent vest is what she ended up using the most of. It also ensured that we made frequent enough stops for everyone to rehydrate and give the chance for the spyders to cool down. Our spyder thermometers were reading 100-120° as we drove though Las Vegas and Phoenix.

[@miriambryant1896]

Good points...thank you

[@opichocal]

I use those cooling neck towels from Walmart. $5 and it is worth Every penny. I am in Dallas and rode 300 miles today with it. It’s also great for doing yardwork

[@andypollock9239]

I have had mine for about a year. Love it

[@iainthompson502]

Great idea - will be really useful here in Australia.

[@rondarrelladventures8843]

Tx here I ride year round and 105 has been done pretty often m ,think I may have to try this. Good video as always Ron

[@yuma5745]

I have the hyper kewl works very well. They also make a skull cap that fits under the helmet.

[@barbaraparkinson703]

Thank you for telling us about this vest! A couple of weeks ago my husband and I took a ride in 100 + degree weather and the heat affected me terribly that day. I think I probably got heat exhaustion. I felt so tired and sick. We even had to have my daughter come and get me because I just couldn't make it home on the Spyder. The heat had never affected me that way before.

[@miriambryant1896]

Glad you are ok. Scary!

[@thegrumpyolgringo]

Good product review. Well explained, and informative. I can see why you think it's a "Game Changer". You're right about the price, hard to believe that they still make inexpensive products that actually works. Nicely Done. Thanks for sharing. Keep on Spydering. 🙂.

[@szickef]

Thank you for this...my son and I like to ride but it’s been so hot he’s had to stop and go ride in the car and I’ve wished I could join him, ha. Definitely going to try this for both of us!

[@ejeff626]

Nice, I need to try that here in TX

[@mikeaversa8007]

Thank you John. The vest sounds like a great idea. And you saved me some time and money by experimenting for me. Thanks for sharing.

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

And that, Sir, is part of my mission!!

[@nelsong4719]

Been riding for 40 + years and my current ride is an 04 Goldwing that I've put on about 120,000 Kms. all over the continent. Great touring machine but you are so well protected from the elements that when you get into 80 + weather it becomes a little uncomfortable even with a mesh jacket. Your solution might be a viable one but don't forget about you helmet and pants. I'm surprised with all the technology today nobody has come up with some kind of AC unit that you could just plug into. I mean they have jackets now that inflate on impact and Honda has been making air bags on Goldwings for the last 6 years. Wouldn't a cool comfortable ride also be a safety feature.

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

Very good points.

[@johnnelson8271]

I have used cooling neck gators for years, simple tie up neck wrap, mine lasts for hours, keep your neck cool, paid $10

[@angelgould4284]

Thank you for your review. I'm going to look into it.

[@spyderingwithdandenise7064]

Hi John, we went for a ride today and it was above 90 most of the day. By the time we got home we were pretty much spent from the heat. I just might look into a couple of these vests. We rode in every month over the past year (plus) and I find the cold is easier to overcome than the heat. I hope you have the best with you for the Lap Around America!

[@armadilllo]

I have one, it's 98° here and just went out for a 20 minute ride, they do work. I had a t shirt on with the vest exposed, the shoulders did dry out riding but the back and abdomen area stayed wet, I only soaked it for about 30 seconds and it still kept me very comfortable, heat was not a factor. Mine is a Sedici I payed $29 for at Cycle Fear. I believe it is the same one that's on amazon for $14, silver with blue inside. I think they're all the same. I also use it in the winter, dry though, makes a good windbreaker for an extra warmth, very small, light and folds small. I keep it in a large ziplock so I can recharge it anywhere.

[@allenbazar2707]

My wife and I wear full face modular helmets. In south Louisiana we feel the heat from wearing the helmets or hair is soaking wet on a mid day 3 hour ride.

[@erniecolussy1705]

John, nice article. I hope that I can tempt you into doing a review of one of the other types of cooling vests. A couple years ago I did some research on the type of cooling vest that you referred to as jel type cooling vest. The other name that I heard for them was phase change cooling vest. The name comes from the cooling being caused by the solution changing from solid to liquid phase. I found that there were vests with three different freezing temperatures. John, I hope that once you read about all three freeze temperatures phase change cool vest you are tempted to try and review one or both of the higher temperature phase change cooling vest. I would love to watch or read a motorcyclists review that is not on the manufacturers or sellers website. The phase change vests that you talked about has the coldest freezing temperature. It has a solution freezing point at or below 32 degree F. There are two disadvantages to this. First as you stated is that you need a freezer to refreeze it. Second, all these phase change vest are basically try to stay at the temperature of the freezing point of the solution. 32 degrees F is a lot colder than is needed for riding motorcycle. There is even a possibility of frostbite from the vest. Clothing between the rider and vest must protect the rider from frostbite and over cooling. The middle temperature group of vests have a solution that freezes in the low 50. (Sorry it did the research a few years ago. I only remember approximate temperatures. I could be off by +/-10 degree.) At this temperature the phase change cannot cause frostbite. If you freeze it in a freezer there is still a slight possibility of frostbite. And a rider can wear it with fewer layers between the skin and vest. Another advantage is a rider can freeze this vest in a refrigerator. There are also vests that have solutions that freeze at about 75 degrees F. (same apology and disclaimer) So these can literally be re-frozen hanging in the open, in an air-conditioned restaurant as you eat your meal. (Don't know how long it would take.) Most people are comfortable with air temperature between 68 and 78 degree F with a medium to low level of activity. Swimming pools we like in the mid 90's. So even with the higher freeze temperature these vests should be able to keep us comfortable. These vest are not as easy to find. There isn't much marketing of these to motorcyclists. They are mostly marketed to people working in hot environments. I have no information on how well these work. I have no information on freezing times or in use melting times. And sorry I don't remember the prices. I think that they were slightly higher than evaporative cooling vests. One comment on naming. The evaporative cooling vest also works by changing phases. But they use the change from liquid to gas. I hope I talked you into doing a review.

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

Oh I now have so much work to do. Take care

[@unfluster]

Thanks John! I was on the fence about it. After watching your video, I just ordered it from Amazon. THNXS AGAIN!!!

[@capted437]

Thanks. I didn’t know such a thing existed. I’m headed to Sturgis so I ordered one. Interested to feel how it works.

[@babybugspaw7085]

You did the review perfectly of what I was looking for, and thank you!

[@czemet]

Thanks John, I have always been wondering about those and was looking for an honest review. Is the undershirt you wear like an under armor shirt?

[@roywalls5595]

Thanks sharing this video! Mr. John

[@roywalls5595]

Its been very hot in East Texas temp always in the 100 and humidity 104 and under burn ban having any rain for months!!

[@billwilliams9527]

Good video, gotta try it. In FL heat can get oppressive. thanks for sharing. Which one did you get, there are a couple that fit your description?

[@miriambryant1896]

Hi, Bill. The brand is Fly...found it on the Revzilla website. Stay cool and stay safe!

[@dray439]

It will mildew., if stored wet for a long period. I know from experience.

[@olliechristopher467]

Thank you John!! Great review!!

[@kangurosalvadoreno5527]

Great info, thank you for sharing it.

[@paulthorade6977]

John, I have a question. My wife is fair skinned and she has a problem with her head overheating. She states her core feels alright but her head can't take it. Has Miriam had to deal with this problem?

[@miriambryant1896]

Hi there. Not really a problem for me although I do really need to have a break (helmet off) every couple of hours.

[@claudetteplante9381]

Great presentation,where to get this.😊

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

Amazon

[@erikstillman3553]

I've made my own cooling vests by taking 2 cheap fine mesh construction safety vests cutting the second one up and use it to make deep pockets on the first that line up with the vents on my riding jacket's chest. I fill the pockets with ice from a 5 or 8 lb bag of ice that I pickup when getting gas and put the rest in the thermally lined bag where I keep my bottled water in. I do wear cotton t-shirts because cotton will wick the excess moisture from the melting ice to the drier parts of the shirt pretty evenly and when cotton gets wet it looses its insulating properties (why you don't where jeans when playing in the snow for extended periods of time). In the hot low humidity Southwestern desert and riding at highway speeds I stay cool first from the ice and then from the evaporation. By the time it's time to stop for gas my shirt is dry, my bottled water is cold, and I rinse and repeat.

[@rodneybarcus2233]

No thank you John. When it's that hot I ether ride early or ride in the evening and night. Absolutely no jacket just a long sleeve t-shirt and the rest of the gear.

[@gr8bkset-524]

Does the vest work reversed (inside out with the blue side out)? I'm looking for one that has optic yellow/orange for biking and with natural color for birding on reverse side.

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

The evaporative cooling vest require air flow through the vest, like the air flow from the Spyder or two wheel ride. They make others that use different technology for cooling.

[@iamlife64]

Hey what is the brand of the outer jacket

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

I have a "Revit" brand and Miriam has a "Sedici" brand mesh jacket.

[@lay1back]

I use a tee shirt, and bottled water...cheap.

[@etcflyers3760]

I actually invented the first wet vest - I called it the wet T shirt and it didn't take off too well except in strip clubs. You can't win them all

[@slasher302]

Evaporative cooling is USELESS here on the Gulf Coast.

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

Yes, in compairing the dry west with humid east, it does cut way down on efectivness, but we found its better than nothing.

[@billwilliams9527]

You guys going to the Spyder Rally in Maggie Valley this year?

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

Bill, Sorry, no. We had a trip out to Montana planned with another couple for late Aug and Sep. The virus made us pull the plug on that. We are going to the Maggie Valley area for our Aug & Sep trip. We had to plug it into all of our calender's.

[@billwilliams9527]

So you are going to MV, but not the rally time frame?

[@Boobtube.]

with this vest on, I'm taking it no air hits you from your mesh jacket. So, after about 90 min. of wearing it and all the water in vest has evaperated, would you absolutely have to remove vest and re charge it and or remove it and keep it off completely.(until it could be soaked in water again).. What I am asking is, does the vest become a "winter jacket" after it can no longer do it's job?

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

I don't think so.

[@somewhatinformed1208]

yes it becomes a insulator that warms the body when not cooling that is why people take them off,

[@waynepeters3174]

What is the brand?

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

FLY brand, available on Revzilla

[@jovanberlo2385]

100 dollars from Harley Davidson in Australia

[@miriambryant1896]

Wow...that’s more than double

[@btnuckolls]

Do you find it lasts a little longer if you soak it for hours instead of 2 minutes? I've heard 4 hours is best.

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

That may be, but if we are all ready on the road and the temp rises, we take a rest stop and and soak them. I agree, 2 min is too short.

[@btnuckolls]

@@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog I got my first cooling vest this summer. Feels like it drops the temp by 20 degrees while riding 50mph. I got mine a little large, I can suck my stomach in, let the air swirl around inside, very cold when I relax. I also bought a large ziplock bag, I think it is a 10 gallon, but it kept the jacket nice and wet until I decided to put it on in the afternoon.

[@PapaDougsAdventures01]

Do you need to use distilled water?

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

NO, but that may be the best. we refill at gas station, they tend to be short on distilled water

[@timmiller8391]

Does the vest need to be snug or loose fit? I'm thinking about getting one soon.

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

Hay Tim, Good question. Snug works best so the vest is in contact with your clothing.

[@timmiller8391]

@@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog Thank you

[@kimberlywentworth9160]

This must be California.

[@JohnMiriamsTravelVlog]

No, we are east coasters, but we used them a lot in the western US on this last trip.