I just got back from a two week trip from Southern California to Yellowstone. Bought the HD Hydration Vest for $40 and figured I would give it a try since we would be riding thru the Nevada and Arizona desert. The temps were 110 degrees and let me tell you that vest WORKS!!! I was cool while the others in the group were dying from the heat. If you ride in the extreme heat I highly suggest spending the money on this vest. It will be the best $40 you have ever spent!!!!

 

Good info, thanks for sharing........

 

It sounds good, except this from the HD product description:

Polyacrylite crystals last up to approximately 1 year or 50 uses.

I guess this means you gotta buy a new vest every year.

 

Polyacrylite is better known as sodium polyacrylate. It is an absorbent polymer that can absorb up to 300 times its weight in water. The best known use for it is in disposable diapers where it absorbs urine better than anything yet invented. Essentially you're wearing a disposable diaper vest around your torso, but at least HD makes it in a black vest so it looks cool!!!

Here is an interesting video if you want to see how it works:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWaivm9XpNg

 

I guess it all depends on how much riding in the hot weather you do. Would be worth it.

 

Do you look like you are wearing a big fat diaper after a long ride in the humidity like we have down south?

 

LOL, but I still think I want to buy one. Great information guys, I am now well informed.
Harley diaper, who would have thought?

 

These folks have gear that doesn't depend on the polyacrylite crystals so it should last a few years. It can also be sewn so you can put your patches on it, I asked them.

http://www.silvereagleoutfitters.com/

 

I agree it works really well but it takes one hell of a long time to dry out if not used and it weighs a ton. Soaked it one morning in anticipation. Did not need it. took 4 days to dry out

 

They do work great in dry climates. The problem with evaporative cooling is they need dry air to be effective. Here on the gulf coast in 90 percent humidity it's like wearing a hot soggy diaper.Sweat doesn't evaporate here that's why 90 degrees feels like 120. I have tried evaporative cooling crossing 800 miles of desert in 118 degree heat and almost froze to death. So it works well under low humidity conditions.