Hot weather protective gear

[Little-Brit]

For my sins and at the ripe old age of 53 I've gone back to school!

It would help my studies no end if any members could answer the following.

1. When riding in hot summer weather is there one piece of protective eqipment (gloves, jacket, boots, helmet, trousers/pants) that you find particularly uncomfortable?

2. What is it that makes it uncomfortable?

3. When you next purchase protective equipment would a product that offered effective cooling (whilst still being warm when needed, waterproof and crash worthy) be of any interest?

Thank you in anticipation!

Derek

R1200GS

R850r (for a little while longer)

[deputy5211]

For my sins and at the ripe old age of 53 I've gone back to school!

It would help my studies no end if any members could answer the following.

1. When riding in hot summer weather is there one piece of protective eqipment (gloves, jacket, boots, helmet, trousers/pants) that you find particularly uncomfortable?

2. What is it that makes it uncomfortable?

3. When you next purchase protective equipment would a product that offered effective cooling (whilst still being warm when needed, waterproof and crash worthy) be of any interest?

Thank you in anticipation!

Derek

R1200GS

R850r (for a little while longer)

1. Helmet
2. Full face helmet + 100 degree temps + 60-80% humidity
3. Duh! :)

I read your post as containing an inference that you may have a solution, or is that just wishful thinking on my part?

[Little-Brit]

My task is indeed to TRY and come up with some form of solution. Purely an academic exercise at the moment though Tony!

Derek

[jackd]

1. When riding in hot summer weather is there one piece of protective eqipment (gloves, jacket, boots, helmet, trousers/pants) that you find particularly uncomfortable?

After 35 years of riding the single piece of gear that I had trouble always wearing was a jacket.


2. What is it that makes it uncomfortable?

Heat just wears me out. Then I start not paying attention and that becomes dangerous.


3. When you next purchase protective equipment would a product that offered effective cooling (whilst still being warm when needed, waterproof and crash worthy) be of any interest?

I bought a FirstGear MeshTex II two seasons ago and I was amazed just how comfortable a light colored mesh jacket could be, even in the most oppressive heat. I am looking to upgrade this year and I am looking at two jackets. My first choice this season was a Dainese Air Flux jacket. It it almost a armoured 't-shirt'.. and it fit me pretty good. However it was so light that I thought it might not be enough to keep me from the chill of a cool summer evening. While it does get warm in the summer in my side of the US I eventually decided that this jacket was too cool.. :D

I am not almost ready to pull the trigger on my second choice. I think this is more in line with the FirstGear MeshTex II as far as weight but has full composite armor and a rain/wind proof barrier. More of what I really need. The jacket is a Revit 'AirForce'. I have some of their other products, gloves, Winter Jacket and touring pants. Frankly, I don't have anything to complain about and I felt I got good value. Wearing some of the winter Revit gear with full hard CE armor has made me reconsider replacing my summer 'padded' FG MeshTex II..

[deputy5211]

Derek,

Some 15-20 years ago I was looking at helmet "air conditioners" that primarily were a piezo electric cooling pad that was placed in the helmet, IIRC. Hope this gives you some more avenues to explore. :cool:

[hschisler]

1. When riding in hot summer weather is there one piece of protective eqipment (gloves, jacket, boots, helmet, trousers/pants) that you find particularly uncomfortable?

2. What is it that makes it uncomfortable?

3. When you next purchase protective equipment would a product that offered effective cooling (whilst still being warm when needed, waterproof and crash worthy) be of any interest?Choice 1:
1. Field Sheer wind pants.
2. They don't breathe... at all. It's like wrapping your crotch in saran wrap.
3. Let me think about it. YES. These are being replaced by Aerostich Darien pants, soon to arrive.

Choice 2:
1. Helmet.
2. It's a full-face helmet. Behind the LT's windshield the vents don't really do anything. Gets very hot inside.
3. Of course.

[tvguy]

Just some great info on riding in the heat and what it does to your body without water... Please Read.

http://emolasvegas.org/heat.html

tvguy

[jackd]

Eye opening article.

I am not routinely exposed to anything near that in the summer. On the one or two days we get a that will be above 100 degrees I do make a decision on that just as I would on low 30s.

However the temps usually get up into the high 90s and sitting on an Interstate the temps easily exceed 100 degrees but exposure time there is really minimal compared with your area..

[BecketMa]

I can't imagine riding with out My Joe Rocket Phoenix during the summer; same thing for my full face, flip helmet and gloves.

All keep the direct sun off me; all keep the 100F temps off my body. Nothin worse than riding with exposed skin when temps exceed your body temp.

I switch back to the tall stock windshield once the temps get hot. It seems to make a better still pocket of air.

Bob, 0h 0h LT

[pickerbiker]

During summer riding, I use one of those neck scarfs with the crystals that you soak in water for a few minutes. Wrap it around your neck and stay cool for quite a while...very comfortable. My riding buddy also has one that fits in his helmet. Makes a huge difference.

[bblalock]

In the summer I ride with:
1. First Gear mesh jacket
2. Silver Eagle evaporative vest(wet)
3. Cool Rider shirt(Cruiser Works) - works great with #2
4. Olympia mesh pants(silver)

On the return from NS, August last year, saw 103/humid two straight days. Nothing worked!!