AusTai

... soaking them with water before wearing them?

I'm getting killed by the heat and humidity in central Texas and I think any arm covering would make that worse. However, presoaking some light arm covering might have a cooling effect and I'd be less dehydrated since less sweat would not go to my arms (as much). I had thought about presoaking my jersey but then it'd be to difficult to put on.

Thoughts on that? Thanks.

BillyD

That little bit of water will dry up so fast you'll forget it was even wet. The cooling effect will last maybe 90 seconds. Maybe!

rouleour

Lots of water, lots of sunscreen, problem solved!

SkinnyLegs

Why stop with the armwarmers? Get in your bike clothes and hop in the shower before going on your ride!

baribari

Ride in the morning or late afternoon.

vontan

I recently got a pair of the sun sleeves and really like them. I don't find them hot at all, they are made to be worn in the heat and work well. I'm in SW Fla and often ride when the sun is out and hot. Before I got them I'd stop and reapply sun screen after a while and I'd still get a bit of color. Never thought about wetting them down, they'd probably dry fairly quickly.

grwoolf

Yeah, the humidity has been pretty bad in Austin the last couple weeks, but at least it hasn't been too hot. Ride early/late and drink lots and lots of water. I had to stop 2 times on my 55 mile Sat. AM ride last week, so total of 6 bottles while riding (and drank a bunch before and after also). I was still 5 lbs lighter when I got home.

The humidity kills because you get very little cooling effect even though your body is sweating like crazy. It helps to pour some ice water on your head/cloths, but this is a very temporary solution.

I just got back from a ride tonight and it seemed much less humid then it has been (it was only around 90F and not too humid, as good as you can hope for in July).

johnny99

I have some Craft-brand arm coolers. I assume that other brands are similar. They are designed to keep your arms cooler by keeping them from baking in the sun and also wicking away your sweat to encourage evaporative cooling. The cooling effect varies a lot with your speed, however. Cruising at 20mph, they work pretty well. If you slow down during a long uphill climb, then you'll probably be cooler by pulling them down to let more air hit your skin.

AusTai

Interesting. I'll give them a try then. Guess if they do not help me now, I can still use them when it's cooler.

guadzilla

You say that in jest, but that is sort of what I do on my rides here in Oman, when the temperature is 110+ with high humidity. Every 45 min or so, I stop at a gas station, buy a bottle of water and douse myself - especially my head and jersey - with it. Makes a huge difference in how I feel for the next 20-30 min.

AusTai - good idea. I'll give it a shot on my next ride and see how it goes.

V.

Dr. Banzai

Move to Canada.

pelikan

Just like your sweat the water will wick away quickly, but it has a nice psychological effect. Kinda like dumping a water bottle on your head.

shiz702

I wear arm coolers and I constantly spray water on my arms and inside my helmet from my water bottle. The wicking ability of the arm coolers gives an instant cooling effect when they get wet.

SkinnyLegs

I've often been tempted to dump a bottle on myself but never have. I may give it a shot today since it's about 100F here.

10 Wheels

Ice water showers.
On your head, neck and back, lasts bout 25 minutes for me.

I start with a frozen bottle in the trunk bag wrapped in a towel.
Still Ice Cold 6 hours into my ride.

guadzilla

Give it a shot - it feels oh-so-awesome and will really, really freshen you up. Depending on how hot it is, soak your socks as well.