Ice cooled riding jackets from BMW
While returning from a trip to the Garden Route back to CT on Route 62 Just before new year, we experienced some of the highest temperatures I've ever ridden in. Our vented airshell jackets can't really cool you down at 41 °C, so we resorted to wetting our T-shirts and buffs at every stop to make use of the evaporative cooling effect.
Stopped for fuel in Ladismith with the OBC still hovering around 40 - 41. My wife went into the shop to buy ice for the Camelbak. She returned with a huge bag of ice and we stuffed the Camelbak full of it, but had lots left over and didn't want to waste it.
So we stuffed ice cubes into our jacket pockets, folded our buffs in half and stuffed them with ice, I put some in the front of my jacket and let a few melt on the seat, to cool it down. I can tell you it works like a bomb! We were actually cold for the first few km and then when the ice turned to water we got the second wave of evaporative cooling again.
When we pulled into Ronnies, it was so hot that their ice machine was battling to cope and we could only get a limited quantity of ice for our drinks, so we reverted to water cooling again.
A gourmet milkshake at Diesel & Creme provided some cooling and nutrition in Barrydale and the Tradouw pass was much cooler by comparison, only around 30 °C. 
The fact that our jackets were still damp when we reached Swellendam didn't matter, it was just so hot. We just hung them up and they were dry by morning.
Anybody else ever tried this?
I have a cooling vest that works on the same principle.
The material is super absorbent and can hold a fair volume of water. The inside of the vest remains dry so you don't get wet, just cool 
.
Hi Trevor
This link may interest you
http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.za/za/en/RiderEquipment/Clothing_Wind_and_Wea...
Met a guy and his wife in Nieu Bethesda walking around in a BMW waist coats in 40,0 + degrees C. Being a biker He approached us and told us to feel inside between body and vest, must admit was nice and cool, could not stop raving. I was too afraid to ask the price, Tony's suggestion could be a good option.
Bought this vest for Namibia last year:
http://www.leatt.com/shop/coolit-evaporative-cooling-tee-1104.html
Worked really well! Did have to search for it a bit and eventually found one at Dirt Rider for R800.
Saw a BMW one at Donford CT the other day for R1300.
http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.za/za/en/RiderEquipment/Clothing_Wind_and_Wea...
They both use the same "hyperkewl" fabric.
What I do find is that its ice cold when you first put it on. You also need a jacket with a fair bit of airflow through it. I have a Boulder 2 and I need to open up the front zip a bit to get some airflow through.
Still works well to keep you cooler in higher temperatures!
Bought this vest for Namibia last year:
http://www.leatt.com/shop/coolit-evaporative-cooling-tee-1104.html
Worked really well! Did have to search for it a bit and eventually found one at Dirt Rider for R800.
Saw a BMW one at Donford CT the other day for R1300.
http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.za/za/en/RiderEquipment/Clothing_Wind_and_Wea...
They both use the same "hyperkewl" fabric.
What I do find is that its ice cold when you first put it on. You also need a jacket with a fair bit of airflow through it. I have a Boulder 2 and I need to open up the front zip a bit to get some airflow through.
Still works well to keep you cooler in higher temperatures!
Here you go
http://www.acesports.co.za/products/leatt-cool-it-tee-adult-youth
http://www.acesports.co.za/products/leatt-cool-it-vest
Two options for the Leatt in Paarden Eiland
I see the instructions for these cooling vests and Tees say to soak them in COOL water. We couldn't find any! Whether we turned on the hot or cold taps, only hot water came out LOL! Even the water filling up the toilet cistern was hot!
But even with that hot water and a normal merino wicking T-shirt, the cooling effect is quite good as soon as you get moving. Obviously you need a vented jacket for it to work, but the airshell without the liner is pretty well vented.
Thanks for the links guys, Maybe I'll get me one of these.
I also had occasion to use the Leatt Coolit T when I did a ride to Misvertsand Dam just before New year with air temperature measuring 41.5 deg C (on the instrument readout while riding). The Coolit T was a life saver. Soaked it before leaving home. On arrival at Misverstand it was so hot in the sun that it was quite unbearable. Spent some time sitting in the shade rehydrating before re-soaking the Coolit T in a basin in the ablutions and heading home.
We did a 6-day trip that included Baviaans over the Christmas break; seeing temperatures up to 44°C. The worst was riding the most technical route I'd ever done in my entire life (4x4 Baviaans side-entry into Baviaans) in 42°C. Going through the main Baviaans route, we would stop at every conceivable water crossing (it was the driest I'd ever seen Baviaans) and wet our tops and buffs. I did not care who saw me in my bra at that stage - top and buff had to come off and be soaked. My jacket has loads of air flow, so as long as I had a wet top, I was happy. Lance had a quick-drying top on the first day, but quickly changed it to a heavier cotton one later - it held more moisture for longer.
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