Today we look at DeSotos new arm coolers. Thanks to reader Will HAC for the heads up and question.
Will, it can be both, it depends on the prevailing weather!
The Etape Will is talking about is Etape Alpes. The weather in July in the Alps can be a crapshoot. You might have snow; in 2009 as we were near Martigny heading south, a car load of snowboarders was heading for Chamonix where it had dumped overnight. We had parked overnight in Sees and I’d frozen overnight and woken to the sight of snow! As you can see – mid summer and endless rain in the Alps. It had been raining since Colmar the day before, and rained all the way past Geneva. I’ve never seen so much rain.
After we got back to the Alps from Ventoux, and hit Alpe D’Huez, the weather was cracking.
I’ve also experienced decent humidity in the Alps.
For those riding Etape Issoire, you should plan for the same wild range of weather. It could be cool and wet, hot and dry, hot and humid or anything in between.
The Atlantic Pyrenees can be humid and hot, or dry and hot too, depending where you are.
More on what weather to pack for in a future post.
Will further tells us:
They keep the hot sun off the arms as well as creating an amazing cooling effect on most occasions (much more effective than the base layer).
In Adelaide recently at the Tour Down Under Community ride I actually felt a bit cold with them on at times. Adelaide is dry at this time of the year and the ambient temperature didn’t get much north of 30 by memory and for most of the race less.
I was also surprised to see a number of cyclists using something similar.
They say that even if they are not cooler they are not hotter and protect us from all that radiation that wears you down.
Was David Millar wearing them last year or the year before in the Tour. I thought that it was just protecting his fair skin but it may have been more.
Net: Go out and get yourself some of these babies if you haven’t trialled them before. I swear by them and they could be a much appreciated tip for the Etape folk.
Will is talking about the DeSoto Arm Coolers, available from Amazon (affiliate link), and DeSoto.
I’ll be getting my hands on some of these, but honestly, I hate having extra stuff on in the heat. I love to get sunscreen on, and get hot, brown and sweaty. So, if that’s you, best to steer clear.
If however, you are fair skinned (hello to all our British and EU readers), grab some to help keep you cool.
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