Keeping Cool in heat? New mesh jacket w/hydration packs

[Bakon]

Planning ride from Pgh to LA, up coast to SF, back home. Leaving  next weekend. Trip through St Louis, OK, TX, NM, AZ, to Las Vegas on way out. Little more northern on way back, dropping wife in Reno, right through middle of country (which I have ridden in the hot summer before).

Anyways updated to a Harley mens classic cruiser mesh jacket. Top and shoulders are nylon and chest down mesh. Has a liner for windproof and waterproof. Also hydration packs (separately sold).  Did the old wet t shirt with a nylon vented jacket (not mesh like this, just some zipper pulls to open arms and back in areas) before with good results.

So question is anyone using something similar?
Waterproof liner good enough to leave rainsuit jacket home and just pack pants?
Recommend sweatshirt underneath for CA coast? Or separate jacket if below what temperature?

Long winded post, but packing for two weeks for me and 8 days for her. Trying to make one jacket work.

[IndyHarley]

I always use a 'cooling scarf' when traveling in heat. It keeps you cool and a good reason I like it is that is just that - a scarf (small and light weight) but you do have to have access to cold water every couple of hours to rehydrate/cool it. The military in Irag/Afghan like the heck out of them and that is why we send the scarf overseas to them. Supposedly lowers your body temp by a couple degrees and that is a huge change. I just know they work - just immerse in cold water for a while then put around your neck or head. Most military supply places have them and you can get them on the internet from many places or make your own.

[Bakon]

My son is in Afghanistan right now. Have to ask him about it.

[Dennis The Menace]

I use the HD hydration vest they sold a few years back.  Soak it and it lasts several hours in high heat (100 plus).  Re-soak it at each gas stop.  Wear it under a silver HD mesh jacket.  Works great in high heat conditions.

[inspector]

I bought a OSI nilon mesh jacket in 05 before HD sold them.I love it.With the gor-tex liner in, it is as warm as a leather jacket,and when it gets hot,I take the liner out and it is cooler than riding in a T-shirt.If it gets real hot then I soak the cooling vest down,and it lasts all day.But it is not as good as a rain jacket,bacause it leaks around the zipper and down the neck.It will keep you mostly dry but not completely dry.HD jackets may be better.I don't know cause I've never owned one.You can look at OSI's at www.osi-sports.com.

[Snuff™]

I use the HD hydration vest they sold a few years back.  Soak it and it lasts several hours in high heat (100 plus).  Re-soak it at each gas stop.  Wear it under a silver HD mesh jacket.  Works great in high heat conditions.

  Used the HD Hydration Vest last year riding across Kansas (100*)  Had it over a t-shirt and a white long sleeve t-shirt over the vest.  Inexpensive way to go.

[Bakon]

The jacket I bought has pockets to put the packs in. It also says its good in moderate to heavy rain but not sure I trust that. Not alot of info on packs package other than don't use running water and don't soak over 5 minutes.

[Dennis The Menace]

IMO, there are probably better mesh jackets than what HD carries, and cheaper too.

From what I have seen, they come in different weights of mesh.  Mine is very open and wouldnt do much for you in a crash, but breathes very well.  Others are pretty tight weave and/or weight and work very well in winter to block wind and cool air.  And, everything in between.  Most have armor pads for protection, some dont.

I would consider the use.  I have leather for winter and cool rides, and a very open mesh HD jacket for hot summer riding.  Being able to have multiple jackets is good, but if you can only go with one jacket, I would look for a medium density mesh with a zip in warm and waterproof liner.  Best of both worlds.

[Kansas]

I just rode from Chicago to Kansas wearing a H-D mesh jacket in 100+ degree weather.  As long as you are moving it is a God send. Not getting my arms cooked in the sun was a big deal for me too.  I wear a Shoei Multitec flip front helmet and by regularly changing the the windscreen, using the helmet vent system, etc.  it helped a lot too.  I stopped for water and to cool off frequently and regularly and it took 13 hours.  A long day in the heat but what the heck, I was motorcycling so it has to be fun.

[Bakon]

http://www.harley-davidson.com/mcm/mcm_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524448773034&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309178689&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309178689&locale=en_US&bmUID=1311439685334&bmLocale=en_US

link to my jacket. Looks to be middle weight material/mesh but no warm/insulated liner. just water proof. Have a HD jacket which has liner but is a zip in type and would not stay closed in middle if I used it in this jacket.
Figure a sweatshirt underneath could be fine.

I actually like the Harley riding gear over other makes. Long lasting, tough and holds up well. Usually serves purpose well.

[Bakon]

http://www.harley-davidson.com/mcm/mcm_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524448773034&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309178689&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309178689&locale=en_US&bmUID=1311444199081&bmLocale=en_US

[PoorUB]

http://www.harley-davidson.com/mcm/mcm_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524448773034&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309178689&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309178689&locale=en_US&bmUID=1311444199081&bmLocale=en_US

I have a real problem with buying a black jacket when the main idea is to keep cool!
I just bought a mesh jacket a month ago, it has become my favorite jacket. I ended up getting a Olympia jacket in a light gray color, and it came with a rain liner. Too bad I got it at a Honda shop. I looked at a couple HD dealers for a silver or gray mesh jacket and came to the conclusion HD does not have a men's light colored jacket any more, style over function I guess. 

[dale3dale8]

Anyone make them in an Tall to Extra tall? I'am 6'5" and can not find one to fit....Help

[loc]

http://www.techniche-intl.com/en/catalog/cooling-apparel/hyperkewl-evaporative-cooling/vests/index.html

[Bakon]

Anyone make them in an Tall to Extra tall? I'am 6'5" and can not find one to fit....Help

The link to the jacket I bought has sizing chart on website. At top of the chart it says tall is longer in sleeve and length.

Rode with it today at 5pm in 90 degree with high humidity. Worked great with pack when moving. Sitting was still cooler than no jacket due to the continual wetting and sun not hitting arms. Wets t shirt for entire 3 hour time I was out. I have to agree the black is not a good color for a cooling jacket. But it worked well and the packs were still wet when I got back.

I have tried the wet t shirt trick before and think that would do well here too. The shirt dried out before I was ready to stop, but still better than nothing. Wet t shirt and packs will probably go a long way.  Overall I would give the jacket an A for today. But an all day ride is the next test, with bright sun and lower humidity might dry out sooner.

[NorCal Dog]

Anyone make them in an Tall to Extra tall? I'am 6'5" and can not find one to fit....Help

i'm 6'4" & wear a Tourmaster Air Intake II, it's a much better mesh jacket than the HD, & it comes in tall sizes. never tried the hydration packs, & prolly never will, i just do a quick soak of a white med weight sleeveless sweatshirt under the mesh & roll, much cheaper & prolly works better

[Bakon]

Taken from Tour master site;Intake Air Series 2 Jacket
• Armor-Link mesh material and 600 denier Carbolex® combine with 1680 denier ballistic polyester in the impact areas creating a well-ventilated garment that provides exceptional protection
• Comfortable Mandarin-style collar
• 360º Phoslite® reflective piping and Tour Master's signature reflective rear triangle help increase nighttime visibility
• The microfiber lined collar and cuffs are soft yet durable
• Adjustable elastic and snap sleeve take-up straps at the forearm and bicep help secure elbow armor and material
• Removable CE approved armor at the elbow and shoulder with an articulated Triple Density back protector
• Aqua-Therm® two-stage waterproof and insulated liner can be configured or removed to best match comfort needs
• Zippered chest map pocket, hand warmer pockets, internal pouch pocket and mobile media pocket
• Adjustable waist belts with TPR pulls help fine tune the fit
• Includes a jacket / pant zipper attachment with the pant side included

The Harley jacket has all the above EXCEPT a triangle on the back (has a big HD emblem in reflective piping) and the pants zipper attachment. Liner is not insulated but is waterproof (yet to be proven by me.) I actually considered one of these jackets but wanted to try it on to be sure of size.
Tourmaster is known in the long distance riding circle as a good brand, but so is Harley riding gear. I dont know if the TM has the "action back" but the Harley jacket is vented through there too. I would think the sleeves being "precurved" is a given on the tourmaster, the Harley has it. The hydration packs are not listed as option on Tourmaster, but a wet t shirt will last at least some time. So basically same jacket from what I found.
There are some cheaper HD jackets without all this one has, but there is one which might be better too, with an insulated liner.

[NorCal Dog]

stop on by when you cross the Golden Gate Bridge, as i'm about 20 min north, & we can compare 

[Bakon]

Be in SF for two days. Sun and Mon 2 weeks from now.

[Bakon]

Found product called Kool Tie. Soaked and tried it out. For 10 bucks I think this is money spent well. Bought one for son in Afghanistan and one for buddy going with me on trip.

Also put in waterproof liner and had wife hose me down. Worked fine except some run down neck. Hopefully the kool gie will stop that. Jacket got heavy soaked down but dried in an hour sitting on chair in shade.

[HroadhogD1]

Last year I bought one of there.  Kind of pricey but does a good job.  I got a cooler with extra packs.  The cooler keeps them Frozen for later use.

http://store.polarsoftice.com/polarshop/pc/home.asp

[Dennis The Menace]

Something I learned about the hydration products.  They have a material similar to diapers that absorb many times their weight in water.  The materials are like very small gelatin crystals when they absorb the moisture.  I have found out the hard way, that if you leave them in water for a long period of time, they will lose their ability to absorb water.  Not sure why.

I had some of the Kool Tie products a few years back.  I left them in a ziplock bag with water after my trip to Sturgis, and forgot about them for about a month.  I took them out and let them dry out, which took about 2 weeks to finally get rid of the moisture.  Some of the moisture came out as a gel, not just water.

When I went to use them a few weeks later, they wouldnt absorb water like they did when new.  They barely absorbed any water, actually.  And, they didnt work once the outer fabric was dried, which was quick.

So, my suggestion is to let the hydration clothing/packs dry out completely, and do not store in a bag with any water in it.  My HD vest I bought in 2005, and have used at least one each summer since.  It works as good now as the day I bought it, although HD stated it was good for 50 uses.  So, I havent hit 50 uses, but its good to know these things do wear out and dont last forever.  At least I know I will have to replace it some time.  (That Polar vest looks like the next buy for me...cheaper than what the HD vest cost, which was 49.95).

JME

[tacojunkie]

 I have the same jacket. BUy the pads and neck scarf for the southwest and just bring the liner instead of a sweatshirt. ( I really don't think you'll need it in Ca.)

[HroadhogD1]

    I was told the vests that hold water do not work very well in high humidity.  Is that true?   

[NETacomaFatboy]

When I rode to Sturgis, I wore this over a tee.  When I stopped, I still had to take it off but it was great protection and let the air through.

http://www.dragginjeans.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=DACCESSORY_2