Joe Rocket Sahara Vest

by Rick K. for webBikeWorld.com

More:  wBW Reviews Home  |  wBW Cooling Vests Page  |  Owner Comments (Below)

Pretty pompous, those old farts... Little did they know how many cool motorcycle products and accessories would be "discovered" in the early parts of the 21st century...

Maybe its because I'm becoming (or already am, depending upon who you ask) an old fogey myself, but I still get pretty excited when something new and useful comes along.  

Back in the old days (you can be sure you're entering Fogeydom when you say things like "back in the old days"...), new motorcycle gear came along about once a decade.  Maybe today's jaded youngsters are used to seeing new developments on a near-weekly basis, but not me.  Recent "discoveries" in hot-weather motorcycle clothing have been really exciting.

We now have super-light helmets that actually flow air; mesh jackets and pants that are as comfortable as pajamas; fabrics that wick away moisture; and now under-garments that use a recently rediscovered ancient technology - evaporative cooling - to help keep us cool!

The Joe Rocket Sahara "Evaporative Cooling System" vest uses a special polymer material in the liner that absorbs moisture, then slowly releases it in the form of a gas.  This process, (called "evaporation" for those of us who were out riding during Physics class) creates a cooling effect that is put to good use in helping to keep us comfortable during hot weather riding, or even for hanging-out in hot weather comfort. 

The Sahara vest is made by motorcyclists for motorcyclists, so it's appropriately tailored for wear under motorcycle jackets, with a shorter back that will fit under most jacket styles.  The sides of the Sahara vest are made from a wide elastic, which helps the vest fit comfortably and close to the body.  This is important for the optimal evaporative effect.

The vest will zip into the newer Joe Rocket Phoenix 2.0 and Reactor jackets, which is a nice feature, because when dry, the Sahara vest also provides some wind protection and a bit of warmth.  This means that the Sahara vest could be worn out in the morning under a Phoenix jacket, and then as the day heats up, it can be hydrated and used for cooling.

The Sahara vest is very light when dry at 265 grams (9-3/8 oz.).  Joe Rocket recommends soaking the vest in cool water for one to three minutes, but I found that soaking it a bit longer seems to cause it to hold more water.  After gently wringing it out a couple of times to eliminate the excess H²O, the vest weighs in at 1846 grams, or about 4 lbs., 1 oz.  That's a difference of about 1573 grams, or 3.47 pounds of water!

One of the nice features of the Sahara vest is that the liner seems to be made of some type of fabric that allows you to get most of the evaporative cooling effect while still keeping most of the water from soaking your T-shirt worn underneath. 

Other clothing that I've tried that uses the evaporative cooling effect can sometimes also give a "wet T-shirt" feeling underneath, which isn't all that bad when you're riding in the heat, but feels pretty icky otherwise.  The Sahara vest does feels a bit damp underneath, but the liner prevents that soaking wet feeling.  It's nice to be cool without also feeling like you've just crawled out of the Atlantic with your clothes on... 

Our house has a nice, deep well that provides cool tap water, which works nicely to hydrate, or "activate", the vest.  I use a deep plastic Tupperware container and fill it about half-way with tap water, then I fold up the vest, sink it to the bottom with something heavy and let it soak. 

The vest can also be placed in a plastic grocery bag after it's activated and stored in the refrigerator for a while to get an extra cooling effect, but I'm usually not thinking that far ahead.  If you know you're going out for a ride in a few hours or the next day, and it's going to be a hot one, the refrigerator trick comes in handy.  Alternatively, some ice cubes can be added to the "hydration activation device" (the water bucket!) to cool things down even more.

The Sahara vest's cooling effect works best when underway, although it can also be felt as soon as you put it on.  I don't really notice feeling the wetness, but I do notice the cooling factor.  It seems to last about one hour when riding a "naked" bike; a bit longer behind a fairing.  It's not a pronounced chill like walking into an air-conditioned room, but the subtle cooling makes riding more bearable during those miserably hot and humid days. 

In the past, I've sometimes avoided riding in the middle of the day in the summer because it's just too uncomfortable.  But the Sahara vest provides just enough relief, and in the right places (on the back, chest and stomach) to make a difference.

I have a first-generation Phoenix jacket, which doesn't have the extra liner zipper, but it really doesn't matter.  The Sahara vest fits nicely underneath either the Phoenix mesh jacket or my new Firstgear Hypertex mesh jacket, and it will fit under just about any mesh or other perforated jacket. 

When activated with water, the Sahara vest is not designed to be used under any type of non-perforated jacket that doesn't provide large amounts of air flow.  The air flow is necessary to provide the evaporative cooling effect, and if you wear the activated vest under a leather or textile jacket, you'll only feel awfully wet and sticky.  Yuck!

The Sahara vest also folds up into a nice little square, so it's easy to tuck it into the back pocket of a jacket or into a small tank bag.  Joe Rocket warranties the Sahara vest for one year, and the vest is available in sizes from small to XXXL.  Whether you have a new generation Phoenix jacket or not, the Sahara vest is a worthy addition to your hot-weather riding ensemble.

A word about New Enough:  Paul and Holly Thompson are among the most honest vendors you're going to find on the Internet.  You may be able to cut a slightly better deal somewhere, but you won't get the personalized service that you'll need if have a problem or want an exchange. 

This is especially important when you're purchasing products through a website, sight unseen.  New Enough carries Firstgear, Vanson, Joe Rocket and other brands of apparel, both new and used (by the way, webBikeWorld has no affiliation with New Enough other than as a satisfied customer).  New Enough graciously provided the Sahara vest for evaluation in this review.

Product Review:  Joe Rocket Sahara Vest
Available From:  New Enough	Suggested Retail Price:  $79.95; available for $69.00 at New Enough
Colors:  Grey/khaki	Made in:  Canada (Joe Rocket)
Product Comments:  Uses evaporative cooling effect when soaked in cool water.  When dry, can also be used both to ward off the chill in cool weather.  Zips into Joe Rocket Phoenix 2.0 and Reactor jackets, but can be worn under any mesh-type motorcycle jacket that flows air.  Fits comfortably and is very light when dry.  Has elastic side panels, no pockets.  Can be used when not riding also.
More:   See below for comments from owners

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►Your Comments and Feedback

From "G.":  "Hi: I totally agree with your review on the Sahara Jacket.. wore mine this weekend - temps in the 90 - 100 range. Wore the Jacket indoors as well, then got back on the bike, and it still felt good... It gets hot in So. California, so I'll be wearing this jacket (with my cool tie) a lot.. :-)."