I had often struggled in hot weather races (cramping; general overheating; massive sweat loss) which negatively impacted my performances (over the 70.3 distance especially). Last year I qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Champs and while my northern hemisphere rivals were enjoying a summer of training and racing in the lead up I was slogging it out through an unseasonally cold and wet Australian winter - not exactly the ideal acclimation process. My lack of acclimation was highlighted when I toed the start line for a lead up race over the half ironman distance in a tropical part of Australia. By the time it got to the run I was cooked - literally! - and shuffled and walked (with constant stops to stretch cramps) for the entire 21k run in a time over an hour longer than my ‘usual’ time. Things needed to change. So to the world wide web I went, looking for clothing that may give me an advantage (or at minimise my disadvantage) to my northern hemisphere rivals. I had been using a reasonably high priced reputable brand of clothing but it did not espouse any ‘special features’ to protect me from overheating. Then I found it - the pot of gold at the end of my rainbow - the DeSoto Skin Cooler fabric … yes! Buy, buy, buy! Clearwater was going to be the test? The verdict … PHENOMENAL!!! Comfortable, great fit, quick drying, and most of all, kept my body temperature under control and allowed me to run at max capacity. Now I ONLY use DeSoto Skin Cooler fabric in training and racing. Am heading to Clearwater again in 8 weeks after another cold Aussie winter and DeSoto is coming with me!
Are you getting paid for this?
Regarldess our winter has been rubbish this year (am in Canberra which is unbearable), Yeppoon looked like a good day, was meant to race it but got Glandular. Look at investing in a Konami only heard good things about it (just got one myself havent tested it out yet).
Hey Cannastar, ‘paid for this’ - I wish! Yep, turned up to Yepoon this year looking for redemption after my 2:27 run last year and cracked it with the 14th fastest run this year! Encourage you/everyone to check out DeSoto.
I was skeptical about how it would work. I bought one of the long sleeve shirts that have the three ice pockets in the back. It does work great. I do all my long rides wearing it in the blazing Texas heat. I plan on wearing it for the bike and run at Ironman Texas next May.
Thanks for the recommendation. I have their liftfoil suit for the Kona swim and am thoroughly impressed. I think I’ll give the skin coolers a try.
Hey Gman - good news and not surprised. I am coaching several athletes for the upcoming Ironman Western Australia in December (www.swimcyclerunonline.com) - temperatures hit 38C/100F last year so DeSoto Skin Cooler is one of the key strategies we are employing - Coolwings, Arm Coolers, and the top you are using.
Hey NMGal - haven’t used the Litefoil yet though Slowtwitch gave it a plush review this week leading up to Kona. All the best - love to hear how you go (www.swimcyclerunonline.com)!
I was skeptical about how it would work. I bought one of the long sleeve shirts that have the three ice pockets in the back. It does work great. I do all my long rides wearing it in the blazing Texas heat. I plan on wearing it for the bike and run at Ironman Texas next May.
Maybe it’s a humidity thing, but I haven’t found that it does much for me here in Florida. It stays wet and doesn’t provide much cooling sensation. I do like the fact that it keeps more of my skin out of the sun. I will keep trying differeny ways to use it in prep for IMTX as well. Cheers.
Maybe it’s a humidity thing, but I haven’t found that it does much for me here in Florida. It stays wet and doesn’t provide much cooling sensation. I do like the fact that it keeps more of my skin out of the sun. I will keep trying differeny ways to use it in prep for IMTX as well. Cheers.
It was pretty hot and humid at IMLou this year where I wore my De Soto L/S skin cooler jersey with pockets… I put ice in the pockets at each aid station (the ice lasted beyond each aid station even at 96 degrees) and used the sponges to keep the shirt soaked. Stayed cool the entire run and had my best IM run and fastest overall IM. When I did my training run in this shirt I didn’t have access to ice and water every 10 minutes so the shirt dried out and wasn’t as effective. Race day it should work out much better than in training…
i also use the skin cooler fromd desoto and have written a review on them on this forum, i live in memphis and use them aton and are helpful unless the water is warm and you try to pour it on the fabric and not so much
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I’ve had great experiences with this stuff, too. Arm coolers and beanie. Helped on a REALLY long & hot day. Happy customer.
Racing in Augusta this weekend. Weather looks warm but not scary hot. I’m still using them. The way I see it, I’m trying to run my engine hard and keep its internal temp as low as possible. Thus, giving me more of a chance to keep that engine running hard.
Morph
They make great products
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I was skeptical about how it would work. I bought one of the long sleeve shirts that have the three ice pockets in the back. It does work great. I do all my long rides wearing it in the blazing Texas heat. I plan on wearing it for the bike and run at Ironman Texas next May.
Maybe it’s a humidity thing, but I haven’t found that it does much for me here in Florida. It stays wet and doesn’t provide much cooling sensation. I do like the fact that it keeps more of my skin out of the sun. I will keep trying differeny ways to use it in prep for IMTX as well. Cheers.
Maybe it’s a humidity thing
I guess you’ve never been to Houston. That H in Houston stands for humidity.
It cools better on the bike since you get the wind. It’s not as good on the run but the ice pockets are a godsend with ice in them.
I relocated to Singapore. Humidity is 75-95% everyday. Trying out a DeSoto cooling tank for this weekend. Might wear it at a tri this weekend in Malaysia.
Mark and other users, the long sleeve 3 pocket skin cooler comes in black or white.
Which color have you used?
green
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Is it me or do they really stain easily? and none of the stains come off.
But otherwise it does keep you a bit cooler.
Ron W.
Black. White would show stains more and most likely be rather transparent when wet…
Is it me or do they really stain easily? and none of the stains come off.
But otherwise it does keep you a bit cooler.
Ron W.
It is NOT just you. I’m actually glad that a seam is coming undone on mine after less than a full season of use, because I’m sure DS will honor their warranty…
but truth be told I’m not sure I would ever wear it again anyway it’s stained so badly.
I would really love it if it could be dipped in a concentrated bleach solution, and then rinsed throughly/immediately.
Black. White would show stains more and most likely be rather transparent when wet…
Why would you wear black? Wouldn’t black always be hotter than white? I always pick dark colors for outdoor winter sports and lighter (white) colors for summer.