Anybody use one? Has anyone had any luck with one?
Thanks.
Cooling vest?
Anybody use one? Has anyone had any luck with one?
Thanks.
Last edited by BURKY; 06.22.13 at 7:32 PM.
Something like this...
Last edited by BURKY; 03.27.14 at 2:32 PM.
Mike:
I have a vest purchase several years ago from this company:
http://www.coolvest.com/
It was my intent to wear it while racing, but the cool packs were on the thick side, and I was concerned about compromising the effectiveness of my shoulder harness. Will it burst during a hard impact? I don't know.
I DO wear it before and after sessions at Daytona in August, and it really comes in handy while doing yard work in South Florida.
Maybe the new versions lend themselves to racing.
The one that you are talking about does look thinner, and if Rahal is wearing it, it must be safe.
Take care,
Bob
cool vest
http://store.coolvest.com/original-r...st-blue-adult/
I used this model with good results.
K1 Race Gearhas a nice phase-change cool vest. TechNiche
"An analog man living in a digital world"
What happens to the phase change material and the nylon in the vest if you are in a fire?
What about the water in a Cool Shirt?
Yes indeed - you really want a "phase change" vest. If you used water-ice packs you'd be very uncomfortably cold for 30 minutes or less, then the ice packs would be body temperature - 98 degrees - and your ability to cool by sweating would disappear. I don't remember who I bought mine from, there are lots out there.Originally Posted by racerdad2
One interesting thing I found is that you can buy vests with different temperatures. For example, my vest is set at 58 degrees - the standard, I think. Cooler and they won't last as long. 58 is perfect for me on even the hottest days of Atlanta. I put the four quad-chambered (so they can fold vertically and horizontally) phase change packs in the freezer the night before an event, then throw them in a large ice chest in the morning. The packs are removable. They have to lay flat, or they solidify to a shape that is uncomfortable. I buy a bag of ice on the way to the event, and dump it on top of the packs, along with a gallon of water from a milk jug, so the packs remain completely fresh until I want them.
My packs last me about two hours, which is really great. What's even better is that if I plunk them back in the ice water they go back to nearly full charge in 20 minutes. Faster and better if you add a modest amount of salt to the ice water mixture. Or you could buy an extra set of packs. For those [2 hours] my torso is comfortably cool. Not quite the same level of comfort as sitting on your couch with a cold beer, but far, far more comfortable outside in the sun on a hot day.
The packs make the vest a bit bulky, so if your cockpit is already tight for you this will be a problem. Also, near the point when they stop cooling the material changes from solid to liquid. Which means that your seat belts will loosen up a bit. As an autocrosser this is no big deal, I can just doff the vest between runs. As a road racer you'd likely be safest by putting on a newly recharged set of packs in just before you start.
The packs are plastic covered and the vest gets washed. Many sites claim that their phase change material is non-flammable, nearly all vests are. If in doubt of fit or flammability, just take the vest off before you strap yourself in. You could even drape the vest over your strapped-in torso until you reached Start.
Chris Eckles
Huntington, WV
Last edited by ChrisInAtlanta; 06.23.13 at 12:01 PM.
I always take the packs out of the vest and insert them in the suit after i am in the car. I only use the vest to store the packs in the trailer between events.
These things are a must have in the Deep South.
Guys, thanks for the reply's. I'm going to Savanna next weekend,and I think I will need one since I almost melted last time.
Last edited by BURKY; 06.23.13 at 7:20 PM.
Good idea. I think I will look at just buying "replacement" packets and sewing pockets inside the suit.I always take the packs out of the vest and insert them in the suit after i am in the car. I only use the vest to store the packs in the trailer between events.
These things are a must have in the Deep South.
http://safespec.dupont.com/safespec/...t1?prodId=154#
Suit pockets !
"An analog man living in a digital world"
cool vest with hydration system!
Check this out, mikey
http://www.amazon.com/Change-Cooling...words=techkewl
Sherman
2006 Stohr WF-1
Sherman, that's perfect! Nomex and a drinking system. Thanks for the link.
Last edited by BURKY; 08.19.13 at 10:02 PM.
The one Rahal is wearing is the Coolture vest. I'm the brand rep so you may PM me or visit http://coolture.net to order. Just reference me to receive discount price of $279. You can also try before you buy just PM or call me at 315-246-2787.
Coolture is made in the USA and the fit & finish is by far the best out there. Also, you don't look like a goof in it. Each vest comes with 2 sets of coolants, and each vest holds 6 total coolants - also the most effective vest confirmed by third party tests - I have the results.
The phase change material doesn't burn. The vest itself isn't nomex and therefore isn't officially sanctioned, but if you sandwich it between your suit and your underwear, and you're in a situation where you burn through your suit and then again through your underwear you've got bigger problems to deal with.
Most people don't wear it in car, just around the paddock to pre-cool and post-cool. If you're worried about the seatbelts rupturing the phase change packs in a crash, remove the front coolants when you get in car. You'll still get huge cooling power.
I hope nobody has or will experience heat exhaustion or dehydration, but if you have you know that this is a very real safety item and not just a luxury item. Whatever brand you choose, if you can afford it I highly recommend it.
Last edited by Ntdog315; 06.26.13 at 7:11 PM.
Thanks Nate!!! Thanks Coolture!!!!
Last edited by BURKY; 06.26.13 at 8:10 PM.
How thick are the phase-change packs? I've tried the "standard" type, and they don't fit between me and the seat, and are too bulky to fit under the belts, or under my elbows, so that doesn't leave many options....
I still have room for one of them over my chest between the belts. Makes a surprising difference in comfort..
Caldwell D9B - Sold
Crossle' 30/32/45 Mongrel - Sold
RF94 Monoshock - here goes nothin'
Thanks Tim. So what is the total thickness of the vest, around 1 Inch ?
I don't wear the vest (the one they sell at Pegasus) on the track, though I have used it working in the garage during the summer sometimes. I just take out one of the phase-change inserts (yes, about an inch thick) and zip it up against my chest when I get in the car on hot days. It fits lengthwise between my belts no problem. Lasts at least a half hour, maybe an hour.
Caldwell D9B - Sold
Crossle' 30/32/45 Mongrel - Sold
RF94 Monoshock - here goes nothin'
I will be testing both products in this thread.The Collture and the Techkewl. Coolture has offered to let me try there product. I will post a full review of both vests, once they are tested.
Thank's Coolture!!!
Last edited by BURKY; 06.27.13 at 8:16 PM.
Let me know when they arrive and if I can stop by to have a look.
Sherman
2006 Stohr WF-1
Will do.
cold packs
Academy Sports has flex-i-cold packs that are 6x8". 1.99. Put'em in the freezer and then to the cooler for the track. Sew pockets in your suit. Cost, 10.00 for alterations and 6 bucks for the packs. Hard to justify a 300.00 vest for a sprint race.
Coolture vest update
I wanted to post a report after my test run at Daytona Beach, FL with the Coolture vest. Outside temp was approximately 94 degrees and really humid day. My group of cars started the day with a black flag, on the grid for close to 20 minutes. One of the pyrometers was registering 120 degrees, but I was completely comfortable. The packs stayed cold way past the time that I needed the relief, and I found the vest, with inserts, to be very comfortable. In the beginning I admit was concerned as my suit is a close fit, and wasn't sure if the insert of the vest would be an issue. But the fit is great, Slim and sleek, doesn't ride up. Also very surprised that my body seem to remain comfortable in the heat, even after the vest was removed. To me, this vest addition made a difference and thanks to Nathan with Coolture.
Last edited by BURKY; 08.19.13 at 11:46 PM.
And you accuse me of cheating
Anything,that doesn't make my face as red as your car is not cheating.
Mike:
If you remember. The next time you have yours ice packs ready to run, can you please measure the overall thickness? I wonder if they are thinner than the type that came with my vest made by a different mfg. If so, I will just purchase the packs from the company that made yours and slip them in my vest.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, mine were thick and I did not want to wear them in the car as I had concerned that in a bad accident, the shoulder harness would make the packs burst and I would now be loose in the harness.
I will dig mine up this week and measure them as well.
Thanks
Bob
Bob, let me know if you are going to Homestead. I will have them with me for you to try. It was good to see you walking around Daytona last weekend. Glad you are feeling better.
I don't use the vest. I just slip the packs inside my suit on my chest.
They really are great.
The vest fit perfect under my suit. I wanted something I can wear. I tried the bag of ice, and other cool pack's. But this is perfect!!!YMMV
Last edited by BURKY; 08.19.13 at 11:39 PM.
Thanks APEX
When I first started this thread, I had no idea It would get this response. Thanks APEXSPEED!!!
Last edited by BURKY; 08.19.15 at 10:09 PM.
Sounds good Mike. I will try an make it to Homestead just to spectate. Doc says no more racing this year. I am still in the sling for another week or so. Starting PT tomorrow. I guess that is when the real pain begins!
It was good to see you on the grid. How did you do? We left as soon as the race was over but I lost track of who was where as the race looked a little "disjointed" with all of the yellows and the black flag.
Take care,
Bob
Still using the Coolture product?
http://www.coolture.net/www.coolture...-cooling-vest/
I was wondering as well if they work, any feedback would be appreciated as I was thinking of getting one for work, the gulf coast on a hot humid day might be okay.
Thom
Back to fenders=SRF
Try the cool shirt club bag system
Our team utilizes the COOL SHIRT CLUB BAG SYSTEM.
http://coolshirt.com/product/club-bag-system/
Suit up with the FR rated Cool Shirt Club Bag System about 30 minutes before race.
The Lithium Ion battery cycles the ice/water mix for up to 2 hours.
Calmly belt into car 15 minutes prior to session.
Drive to Grid with the system in cockpit.
Detach hoses at 1 minute signal on Grid. Tuck them into suit.
While waiting in impound in the heat for SCCA's required 20 minutes...Simply plug it back in!
Although I think this is probably the best solution, I do have limited crew assistance.
And I need to keep the crew happy and not overworked - if you know what I mean.
So the coolture shirt seemed to be the least maintenance...
Unfortunately the Coolture vest is not fire resistant. If you purchase one I highly recommend you get one that is.
Last edited by BURKY; 09.13.15 at 6:08 PM.
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