Initially, we dismissed the Marsee Cooling Vest as yet another gimmicky layer for motorcyclists, but that was before a heat wave intruded on our usually temperate summer motorcycle rides.
To activate the vest, you simply dunk it in cool water, wring out the excess liquid and put the garment on next to your skin. Patented Hydroweave fabric containing super-absorbent polymer strands and a microporous membrane then conspire to work their high-tech evaporative magic.
The inner membrane is laminated to a lightweight fabric which pulls heat away from your body. We'll admit this kept us cool every time we tried on the vest, but with varying degrees of efficiency. In the heavy humidity of the South, the garment's fibrous batting only kept us damp longer, but in the dry desert heat around Las Vegas, the Hydroweave worked like a charm. Airflow is the key. The vest works much better if you use it with a vented jacket.
All in all, we found ourselves pleasantly surprised with the Hydroweave's effectiveness. At $125, however, the Marsee Cooling Vest is a pricey alternative to letting off some steam on hot summer rides.
RESOURCE
Marsee Products
26820 Hobie Circle, Suite B
Murietta, CA 92562
(909) 732-8532, (800) 293-2400
www.marseeproducts.com
For additional evaluations of, comparisons of, and shopping advice for cool motorcycle gear and accessories, see the Accessories and Gear section of MotorcycleCruiser.com.