DeSoto arm coolers - jury is still out

TH3 FRB

I picked up a set of DeSoto arm coolers out of curiosity - looking for any edge I can at IMNY next month.  I took them out for a test ride yesterday - mid-day heat and humidity (upper 90s).  I heard they work best when wet so I soaked them down before heading out and sure enough I felt an immediate chilling effect as I rolled out.  That only lasted a few min though.  Even re-wetting them didn't seem to produce any significant cooling riding in the 20-25mph range.  On the positive side, they didn't seem to make me feel any warmer, which was my biggest concern with adding any fabric on my skin.   Something interesting is that I rolled one down to my elbow and my upper arm actually felt warmer with bare skin.  So while I didn't feel an active cooling effect that suggests I would have actually felt warmer without the sleeves.  I'm not sold one way or the other at this point - need a couple more trials to decide if I want to race with them or not.  Anyone try other brands of arm coolers and/or compare to DeSoto?

Beth_S

I wrote a blog post about arm coolers this week that answers your question. I think arm coolers are a fine piece of biking gear, but an even better piece of running gear:

https://www.google.com/search?q=hidatsa+white+bush+beans&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=36e&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=6ewKUJ3uLqbC0AH43oWEBA&ved=0CFgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1418&bih=714

GMAN 19030

Joel, I find some arm coolers to work great on the bike because of the wind. I think they all suck on the run and make me hotter. The Zoot arm coolers work better than the Desoto, IMO.

I sometimes wear them for sun protection but that's about the only reason.

Paul Hough

I wear arm coolers ... several brands ... on almost all my long outdoor rides in the summer. Mostly for sun protection since they are better than sunscreen and my forearms get too cooked in the aero bars. I also agree with Bob that they aren't the best on the run. I've done two of my IMs with them. One was hot and all they did was give me a rub burn on my side where the top of them would rub. They worked better as arm coolers in a colder IM I did.

Daniela

 @Beth - I think your link should be...

http://btothes.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/gear-review-arm-coolers/

 

Great review!

 

My first pair, Zoots, was purchased two years ago for training for Racine 70.3.  Last year while training for my first IM, I decided to try out the DeSoto Wings because of their SPF and that they cover the upper back.  I thought it would be a good substitution for getting lathered in sun screen.  I REALLY wanted to like them, but just didn't think they worked as well as the Zoots.  I agree with Beth that they work well for running, also.  My SO did have issues with his rubbing, but I did fine.  I believe the top of the arm warmers hits where my bra is, so it's not actually rubbing against my skin.

 

TH3 FRB

Maybe I'll order up a pair of Zoots if I can get them fast and have a satisfaction return policy. I'm not at all concerned.with the sun protection ability - it's all about mamaging heat and if they don't actually produce a cooling effect without any additional heat at any point then I'm not going to chace it for an important race.

Paul Hough

At Daniela ... So if I wear a bra to hold up my moobs, then I won't have to worry about the arm collars giving me a rub burn...yeah, that's the ticket!

Daniela

@Paul - I'd love to see that

@Joel- Realized last night that I actually purchased them last year, not two years ago. I was able to find them at a local bike/tri shop. If you purchase on-line through Zoot, check with Matt Ancona for the team discount code for 25% off.
http://members.endurancenation.us/Resources/TeamDiscounts/tabid/240/Default.aspx

Coach Rich

In my experience, products like this (head and arm coolers) work best in low humidity conditions. If high...they just get wet with not much cooling effect. But they work great on the run as you can use them to put ice right on your brachial artery.

Beth_S

Yes. Thanks for the link correction! I suppose research on the mystery plants in my garden aren't quite as helpful.

Posted By Daniela Williams on 21 Jul 2012 08:53 PM

 @Beth - I think your link should be...

http://btothes.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/gear-review-arm-coolers/

 

Great review!

 

My first pair, Zoots, was purchased two years ago for training for Racine 70.3.  Last year while training for my first IM, I decided to try out the DeSoto Wings because of their SPF and that they cover the upper back.  I thought it would be a good substitution for getting lathered in sun screen.  I REALLY wanted to like them, but just didn't think they worked as well as the Zoots.  I agree with Beth that they work well for running, also.  My SO did have issues with his rubbing, but I did fine.  I believe the top of the arm warmers hits where my bra is, so it's not actually rubbing against my skin.

 

 

[Deleted User]

I've used the DeSoto Cool Wings for the last 4 years (or so). I love them and have used them in every kind of condition. I started using them because I wanted to protect the arms and shoulders from the sun and having to reapply sunscreen. The one benefit I have found is that in humid conditions I don't slide on the arm pads of my aero bars. I don't notice that they get soaked from sweat or even rain ( having used them in the downpour of IMLP 08). I cannot say definitely if they do cool your body down but I am not willing to say they don't. The only downside is they are extremely hard to put on after the swim but well worth the minute or two for me.

Daniela

I completely forgot about that added benefit! I used to get bad rubbing on my forearms on really hot, humid days, especially on hilly rides. With the arm coolers I didn’t have that issue at all, and had less sliding around.

The only races I have worn them in have been wetsuit legal, so I just wore them under the wetsuit. Next time I do some open water swimming I plan on wearing them to see if I have any issues wearing them on their own.