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I can’t remember what brand or what they are called, but my wife and I use the cooling neck wrap things. They help in hot weather significantly, and are effective about 1.5 hours...or about the time to stop for a quick rest abd pbon a fresh one.
Absolutely helps in 100 degrees and makes ride lot more tolerable not as good as car AC but the body core temp helps preventing heat stroke. I also use neck bandanna, soak my skull cap and gloves in ice cold water to increase comfort level.
This is pretty much the same for me. Often I don't need it first thing in the morning so I put so I leave it in an over sized Ziploc bag completely soaked. I put it on when the temps get up there on my way home. If I need to re-wet it, the bag still has water in it or, if need be, I can refill it with the faucet at the rest stop.
I start mine out dry because it can be chilly in the mornings then hot as a **** once the humidity and temps rise. That way I can wear it as warming layer in the morning and then wet it later on.
Since we are on this topic I thought I will gather more info. I was also looking for good riding pants preferably thin material cargo pants. Jeans are just too thick at least one I got and I dont want to ride in shorts as I caught wasp once and it was no fun.
Just purchased a couple pair of Wrangler rip-stop cotton cargo style pants from Wallmart on-line. Not heavy (maybe half the weight of jeans), flat front, straight leg (but fits over boots) and they are nice fitting - not baggy but not too tight either. Quite comfortable for riding - no binding. Quite a bit cooler than jeans. Size as specified. Limited colors. And you can't beat the price at $20/pair.
Just purchased a couple pair of Wrangler rip-stop cotton cargo style pants from Wallmart on-line. Not heavy (maybe half the weight of jeans), flat front, straight leg (but fits over boots) and they are nice fitting - not baggy but not too tight either. Quite comfortable for riding - no binding. Quite a bit cooler than jeans. Size as specified. Limited colors. And you can't beat the price at $20/pair.
I generally get this same type of pant from LA Police Gear on the closeouts.
I just ordered Old Navy Cargo pants will see as soon as I get them whats up.
Seen some interesting models at Macy today that were super thin cotton but wasnt sure about style and 60$ price tag. Sure they looked interesting opinion (I just like plain and simple style just like mentioned Wranglers)
Evaporative Cooling Vests work. However . . . . they work by evaporating water . . . . . . So-o-o-o-o-o . . . . . . A.) They need air circulation to work Mesh Jacket or something that doesn't block the airflow, B.) When they dry out, the cooling is gone, zero, zip, nada and C.) The higher the humidity of the day, the less they work. Here in Southern California (very low humidity here in the desert southwest) they work great for about an hour or so when they need to be re-hydrated (soaked in a sink of water). In Illinois or anywhere the humidity gets over 60% or 70% I'd guess they just get you soaked, something your sweat has probably already accomplished.
I just ordered Old Navy Cargo pants will see as soon as I get them whats up.
You can find all kinds of cargo pants in camoflarge in many sportting good stores. Just not into that look. Also, most of the cargo style pants I fould in the sporting goods stores tend to be a baggy style and lack back pockets.
If you google "Rip-stop Nylon pants" you will find all kinds of tacktical/military/police/uniform style pants in all kinds of colors, many noted as light weight, that would seem to be great for riding. However, the price tag on them are a little to steep for my wallet. If I'm not paying the price to wear kevlar reinforced pants and normaly just wear jeans, the Wallmart products seem to be an inexpensive viable alternate.
FYI, I'm not a fan of Old Navy product...have found their clothing doesn't hold up well and don't like paying for the brand name. It's bad enough we have to pay the prices for the Harley products we buy, but that is at least the COMMUNITY we chose to belong to and are somewhat proud to acknowledge.
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