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Author Topic: Cooling Vest  (Read 30315 times)

Sir Brian

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Cooling Vest
« on: 2008-09-02, 15:03:16 »
During a conversation with a patron @ the MDRF Saturday he suggested that I should get
a cooling vest. Something that military, firemen, police (SWAT) use to help keep cool. Doing some "googling" (is that even a word? -  :-[) I came up with a few sites. The prices seem to run around $160.00 or so, but I was considering on making a "Wal-mart" version to see how it holds up.
(Yes essentially sew some flat gel ice pack pockets onto my T-Shirt)  :D

Anyone else up for this mad experiment to remain a cool knight on a peasant's budget?  8)

Here are the links:
http://www.polarsoftice.com/koolmax.html
http://www.usatechguide.org/techguide.php?vmode=1&catid=187
« Last Edit: 2009-03-21, 10:51:09 by Sir Brian »
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Sir Edward

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #1 on: 2008-09-02, 15:37:28 »

That's a great idea. I'm definitely curious about it. Heck, $160 isn't really all that bad. Some of those look to be under $100.
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Sir Brian

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #2 on: 2008-09-02, 15:59:20 »
They should probably have a safety warning about using these vests with pierced nipples! :P
"Chivalry our Strength, Brotherhood our sword"
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Sir Edward

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #3 on: 2008-09-02, 17:23:33 »


Haha, well, I guess you could always put those to use to lace the vest into place and link the mail to... *ouch* :)

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Dragonlover

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #4 on: 2008-09-05, 23:33:05 »
Sir Brian,
 Wow! Just took a sec to check out the cool vests... ::) That could definitely be something
to look into! Especially with Gunthardt going into full production!!! ;D ;D ;D
They don't seem to have very much weight, or more importantly, displacement! Yay! :D

Sir Brian

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #5 on: 2008-09-06, 12:47:15 »
Well like the knightly wet t-shirt concept, (something about that last statement STILL just
sounds wrong ;) ) I want to verify the idea before investing in any of the retail versions
...and if my homemade (i.e. Wal-mart) version works well enough I'll stick with it and save
the $90 to $160 dollars to spend on more important things...like beer!  ;D
"Chivalry our Strength, Brotherhood our sword"
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a Gryphon Segreant Or

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Dragonlover

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #6 on: 2008-09-07, 19:33:38 »
Couldn't have said it better myself! ;)

Sir Brian

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #7 on: 2009-03-04, 08:57:22 »
Please pardon the resurrection of this old thread, but since we are quickly
approaching another fair season I thought it was appropriate to update some
of the possible choices available out there for this concept...unless of course
someone has it from a competent authority that we will have a mini-iceage
this fair season, the heat will still be a major concern for us wearing armor.  ;)

http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?ID=3471

http://www.digitalprovisions.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RM-784&Category_Code=COOLINGVESTS&Store_Code=FARKLEMASTER

Here is a couple of links to some cheaper style cooling vests. I intend to try out
the first, cheapest versizon and work up to the more expensive version if the
cheaper vests don't suffice. These cheaper types go on the same basic principle
as the wet t-shirt concept but in theory should provide a much longer cooling potential.

I've rejected the types of cooling vests that use a type of insert that require you
to freeze since it didn't seem practical for those out of town fairs but I may
consider them for the first few weekends of the MDRF.  :-\

I'll post another update after I've had a chance in the next couple of weeks to test
it out when I get my new additions to my harness.  :)
« Last Edit: 2009-03-04, 09:01:31 by Sir Brian »
"Chivalry our Strength, Brotherhood our sword"
Vert, on a Chief wavy Argent a Rose Sable,
a Gryphon Segreant Or

[img width=100 height=100]
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Dragonlover

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #8 on: 2009-03-04, 14:28:29 »
So what new goodies are ya' adding to your harness, boyo?

Sir Brian

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #9 on: 2009-03-04, 23:03:00 »
Well I'm adding this new gambeson in a kelly green.
http://revival.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=83

I'm also getting new rowell spurs from Quiet Press.
http://www.quietpress.com/spurs.html

And I'm getting some splinted cuisses which is a combined accomplishment of two excellent
armories. I’ve commissioned Nute Scott to make the cuisses using the 14th century Knee cops
that I had purchased from Allan Senefelder @ Mercenary’s Tailor, these were directly shipped
to Nute so he could attach them to the cuisses. I wanted Allan’s exquisite knee cops which
matches my elbow cops that are also from him.
http://www.merctailor.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=118
(You know, I’m just trying to do my best to help support our resident forum armories! )   ;)


I’m also shopping around for another sword to use at the out of town fairs we’ll visit this season
and keep my MDRF “special” sword from getting too much potentially damaging exposure and jostling.

I had also hoped to find a better and more "true" gryphon crest for my helm but that is proving to be
extremely difficult. But after these additions I will call my harness 100%.  ;D
"Chivalry our Strength, Brotherhood our sword"
Vert, on a Chief wavy Argent a Rose Sable,
a Gryphon Segreant Or

[img width=100 height=100]
<a href="http://s221.photobucket.com/user/Tah908/media/LP_Medals_zpsq7zzdvve.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i221.photobucket.

Das Bill

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #10 on: 2009-03-05, 05:52:00 »
Well I'm adding this new gambeson in a kelly green.
http://revival.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=83

Sir Brian,
Have you already purchased this yet, or are you still just thinking about it? If you haven't purchased it, I'm going to advise against it. It has a very weird cut to it, where only certain body shapes seem to fit it right. The sloping from the neck to the shoulders is weird, and the area around the armpits is very poorly shaped. For many people its restricting.

Further, they claim its a grand assiette design, but it isn't really a very good one. A proper one will allow you to lift your arms straight up without having the rest of the garment lift, which is very important under armour. This one doesn't quite allow it perfectly, though it isn't terrible in that respect, either.

I bought one last year, and hated it. I let a couple of other people try it on, who also did not like it, so I sent it back. In my opinion, unless if you're one of the lucky few whom this fits perfectly, I don't feel that this is worth the asking price.

On the other hand, I've seen a few people post on forums who've said that they happen to fit the gambeson well enough, so if you've already purchased it, then I hope you're one of those lucky few.
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Sir Brian

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #11 on: 2009-03-05, 08:46:57 »
Alas Sir Bill I have already purchased it. I hope it won't be such a horrible fit for me but
then again I won't have to really be using it in a practical sense in any case. I would have loved to have been able to justify the additional expense of this gambeson...http://www.revivalclothing.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=38
...but not for only wearing under filthy aluminum mail.

The GDFB gambeson is simply too heavy for my intended use, although it would be perfect in a cooler environment!  ;)
http://www.gdfbglobal.com/popup.php?pcid=297&cid=14

My primary concerns with a new gambeson is that it has to be affordable with an ease of donning and removing, lightweight and not excessively thick, and most importantly breathability...which my current gambeson is sorely lacking in.  :(

I truly appreciate you sharing your experience with the gambeson and it is certainly good information to know for anyone else who is shopping for a
gambeson and comes across this forum looking for info! :)
I just hope I am more fortunate in the fitting of mine.  ;)
« Last Edit: 2009-03-21, 10:54:02 by Sir Brian »
"Chivalry our Strength, Brotherhood our sword"
Vert, on a Chief wavy Argent a Rose Sable,
a Gryphon Segreant Or

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Sir Edward

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #12 on: 2009-03-05, 15:00:18 »
Quote from: Sir Brian
I'm also getting new rowell spurs from Quiet Press.
http://www.quietpress.com/spurs.html

Hey, nice find! I saw some similar spurs at Pennsic and regretted not buying them. I own two sets of spurs already, and basically told myself that I don't need any more... but the sad truth is that I do, because I'm not 100% happy with the ones I have. The rowel spurs I have are big and ungainly, and are a danger to myself since they're a tripping hazard. The smaller prick spurs that I have will fit over period footwear (that is, close-fitting to the foot), but not my boots (modern soles, and wider at the heel). I'll have to look these over. I'd be tempted to get them gold plated so they hold their shine without tarnishing.

Alas Sir Bill I have already purchased it. I hope it won't be such a horrible fit for me but then
again I won't have to really be using it in a practical sense in any case. I would have loved to
have been able to justify the additional expense of this gambeson...
http://www.revivalclothing.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=38
...but not for only wearing under filthy aluminum mail.

As the owner of one of the Revival Clothing versions, I can say it truly is a nice gambeson. I use it in class. But like you, I have little desire to put filthy aluminum mail over it. I'd consider buying a second one for that purpose, but with how warm the faire seasons tend to be, I've been pretty happy with just a linen tunic, and I can get away with not having the padding since I'm not fighting in it.

The GDFB gambeson is simply too heavy for my intended use, although it would be perfect in
a cooler environment!  ;)
http://www.gdfbglobal.com/popup.php?pcid=297&cid=14

Heavy is an understatement. This gambeson is armor... not something you wear with armor! :) It's built like those 30-layer jacks that are meant to be armor by themselves. The nice thing is that they made the material thin inside the elbow so you can still bend your arm.

« Last Edit: 2009-03-05, 15:01:13 by Sir Edward »
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Dragonlover

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #13 on: 2009-03-05, 17:25:58 »
That's why it's nice to be married to a seamstress. Lady Constance is busy even now
constructing my padded arming doublet. Sir Brian, you could probably get by with just a lightly
padded jacket, or doublet....

Das Bill

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Re: Cooling Vest
« Reply #14 on: 2009-03-05, 18:36:39 »
I just hope I am more fortunate in the fitting of mine.  ;)

In that case, good luck Sir Brian!
"A despondent heart will always be defeated, regardless of skill." -Master Sigmund Ringeck