Thoughts on arm coolers? I don’t see a lot of people using them. They are inexpensive and seem like a good way to stay cool and protect from the sun.
Also, does anyone know if they have aero benefit? I have not read anything stating the aero effect. Seems reasonable that they might. Skin is not aerodynamic, so covering skin with tight fitting arm coolers might help.
However, if a race is not wetsuit legal, then I don’t believe they are legal to wear in the swim. And putting them on in T1 would not be worth it.
I used the Pearl Izumi zip-front arm cooling bolero last year at IM Coeur d’Alene, where the temps were around 108 for most of the day and it saved my race and allowed me to podium where many others had dropped out from the heat. I kept it wet throughout the ride. Every time I’d ride into an aid station, I’d throw any water on myself that was left from the last aid station bottle, and pick up a new one. In the run, I carried a bike bottle with me, getting ice and water refills, again keeping my arms, back and neck cool.
I also used cooling sleeves two weeks ago at IM Canada. When the sleeves are wet, they are cool, but when they dry out, they can get a bit warmer. I also like the sun protection.
I’ve been trying out some Zoot ones on my long rides for about a month. I live in Dallas, so I’ve had 100 degree & humid rides to test them. I think “cooler” is a bit of a misnomer. They are definitely uncomfortably warm feeling at the start of a ride if they aren’t damp from sweat, and also if its too humid to get a lot of evaporation then it doesn’t offer much of a cooling sensation. When the humidity is lower, they do feel slightly cooler if they are wet and you get airflow going.
The bigger benefit is the reduction in radiated heat and sun exposure. I don’t have to worry about sunscreen sweating off and getting a sunburn before I can reapply at a gas station stop. It also seems that despite not really feeling “cooler” that keeping the sensation of sun baking my arms does help me bear the heat a little better.
I’ve been trying out some Zoot ones on my long rides for about a month. I live in Dallas, so I’ve had 100 degree & humid rides to test them. ** I think “cooler” is a bit of a misnomer. They are definitely uncomfortably warm feeling at the start of a ride if they aren’t damp from sweat, and also if its too humid to get a lot of evaporation then it doesn’t offer much of a cooling sensation**. When the humidity is lower, they do feel slightly cooler if they are wet and you get airflow going.
The bigger benefit is the reduction in radiated heat and sun exposure. I don’t have to worry about sunscreen sweating off and getting a sunburn before I can reapply at a gas station stop. It also seems that despite not really feeling “cooler” that keeping the sensation of sun baking my arms does help me bear the heat a little better.
Ditto. I live in Tampa and feel cooler without them. However, I wear them regularly on long rides throughout the spring and summer to prevent getting too much sun (and weathered skin) especially when in the aerobars.
I tested the DeSoto skin coolers in the Specialized tunnel. They were neutral from an aero standpoint - no difference either way.
I will say, having tested quite a few of these outside, the DeSoto skin coolers - the original arm coolers - are by far the best. They don’t make much different if it’s very humid out other than sun protection. But in dry weather, they really do a marvelous job at helping to cool you, especially if you occasionally spray some water on them.
No, you cannot wear them in a non-wetsuit swim (nor would you want to). But roll them up and then unroll them onto your arms for a relatively quick transition.
One other note on the Desoto arm coolers. The make a version that can cover the hands and palms (similar to long sleeve running shirts with thumb holes). On the palm side there is a pocket to allow for placing ice or sponges to help cool core temperature. They show sold out on the website so not sure if this is temporary or if they have been discontinued?
The greatest advantage in palm cooling is running in heat. The purpose of this product is to keep your core body temperature from rising when “crossing that bridge†between aid stations that can provide ice, cold water, or cold sponges. Insert ice cubes directly into the palm area of the pocket one hand at a time.
I use the Desoto ones for IM Moo 3x and love them but you need to keep them wet for best effect. I liked them in the run to shove ice down for another cooling option besides the shorts and jersey.
Even if a placebo, every little bit helps
I used them for a hot 80-miler a few weeks ago. The thing to keep in mind is, they are shielding and cooling you, but since you dont feel much wind through them, you do not get the “cooling” sensation, but they are working to keep you cool. Its just an adjustment that you have to make.
If you get them wet, they will really work and you will probably feel that.
I’m in northern California, and high 90s is the max temp for races.
I use them all the time for training and races, and I feel cool in them, and love the sun protection benefits.
I pour water on them at aid stations, and it feels great, and keep pouring water on it at each aid station. I even wear them outdoors when wearing t-shirts.
I wear ones from Zoot, REI, and some cheapos bought on Ebay.
As for aero benefits, have no idea. Skin cancer sucks…
I’ve been trying out some Zoot ones on my long rides for about a month. I live in Dallas, so I’ve had 100 degree & humid rides to test them. I think “cooler” is a bit of a misnomer. They are definitely uncomfortably warm feeling at the start of a ride if they aren’t damp from sweat, and also if its too humid to get a lot of evaporation then it doesn’t offer much of a cooling sensation. When the humidity is lower, they do feel slightly cooler if they are wet and you get airflow going.
The bigger benefit is the reduction in radiated heat and sun exposure. I don’t have to worry about sunscreen sweating off and getting a sunburn before I can reapply at a gas station stop. It also seems that despite not really feeling “cooler” that keeping the sensation of sun baking my arms does help me bear the heat a little better.
Similar experience. I’m in the DFW area as well and we’ve had some nasty humidity this year. And when it’s humid I’ve found they don’t feel any cooler than bare arms. Even when soaking wet.
But with reasonable humidity, they work great so long as you keep them wet.
As a general question, in humid races, for example IM Cozumel, is the humidity so great that the DeSoto arm coolers become a disadvantage, for either bike or run? I use them all the time in training, love them, but I live in a dry climate.
I live in Tampa and have done IMCOZ twice. I wear them for sun protection while training - not for the cooling effect which is pretty much zero in Tampa Bay humidity. So unless you burn easily I don’t see the advantage of trying to put them on after the swim in a humid climate. But Cozumel didn’t seem as humid to me as Tampa. And with the high winds on the east side of the island on a hot day, they might help you IF you can keep them wet. I would suggest taking them with you and trying them out on a one loop recon ride around the island a few days before the race.
Thanks, good advice. BTW, what kinds of daytime temps did you experience at COZ?
I don’t recall specifically, but upper 80s pushing 90 by the end of the bike in 2012. You will think a lot more about the wind than the heat. In 2013 some significant rain came in during the run.
Thanks, good advice. BTW, what kinds of daytime temps did you experience at COZ?
Also trying to figure out heat management for Coz. Live in LA and we just don’t see those temps often especially closer to race day
Weather underground has a pretty good historical tool, highs for 11/27 the last several years have run mid 70s to mid 80s, but it’s that (closer to) equatorial sun which feels hotter i think. I’ve been in Coz twice during the race on dive trips and it does get warm. I have not had humidity like say New Orleans, higher than home for sure but not a swamp IMO
(ETA, i.e. 2012 shows a high of 77… I am sure it didn’t feel 77 LOL).
Currently looking at maybe a sleeved trisuit with arm coolers for the bike and the de soto log sleeved SDS top for the run. Or maybe just the top for the bike too, but it’s not aero, which is gonna be important for the east side.
I live in Tampa and have done IMCOZ twice. I wear them for sun protection while training - not for the cooling effect which is pretty much zero in Tampa Bay humidity. So unless you burn easily I don’t see the advantage of trying to put them on after the swim in a humid climate. But Cozumel didn’t seem as humid to me as Tampa. And with the high winds on the east side of the island on a hot day, they might help you IF you can keep them wet. I would suggest taking them with you and trying them out on a one loop recon ride around the island a few days before the race.
Same as Paul. I live in humid-as-could-be Houston and wear them for sun protection as they’re next to useless in humid environments when it comes to cooling. In fact, they end up being warmer than bare skin.
But they felt awesome when I used them in a dry environment like Whistler.
the DeSoto skin coolers - the original arm coolers - are by far the best.
I have used these, the only ones I have so no comparison but a) they protect from the sun b) that makes you feel cooler anyway and c) when dampened they definitely feel cool. They don’t stay whitey white for long though.
Thanks, good advice. BTW, what kinds of daytime temps did you experience at COZ?
Also trying to figure out heat management for Coz. Live in LA and we just don’t see those temps often especially closer to race day
Weather underground has a pretty good historical tool, highs for 11/27 the last several years have run mid 70s to mid 80s, but it’s that (closer to) equatorial sun which feels hotter i think. I’ve been in Coz twice during the race on dive trips and it does get warm. I have not had humidity like say New Orleans, higher than home for sure but not a swamp IMO
(ETA, i.e. 2012 shows a high of 77… I am sure it didn’t feel 77 LOL).
Currently looking at maybe a sleeved trisuit with arm coolers for the bike and the de soto log sleeved SDS top for the run. Or maybe just the top for the bike too, but it’s not aero, which is gonna be important for the east side.
Don’t kid yourself. The Weather Underground reading is most likely taken from a single device … like a thermometer under a shade tree on the west side of the island for PR purposes. There is a reason why 99% of the island population is on the west side. Seriously, I couldn’t believe my perception was that far off so I pulled up my file from Garmin connect, and while that may not be the most accurate temperature gauge it AVERAGED 83.1F for the entire day (I didn’t turn it off until I picked it up after the race so the temperature recordings continued for many hours after the bike). The bike leg alone had sustained sections over 90 degrees and reached a peak of 95.0. You will be very lucky to see a high of 77.
I love the desotos wings which cover shoulders and back too. Like others have said, you need to keep it wet to keep cool (more so on the run). i think it provides decent/good sun protection. After a hot and sunny HIM, there was a noticeable tan line where there was a gap between the sleeve and my tri top. i have not had a sunburn yet, including use at IMWI last year. This is really important for me because applying sunblock regularly in long course race is hard and of my history of melanoma.