Review: Arm Coolers, Boure Knickers Sun Jersey

After a week of riding in the Arizona sun (OK, a short week--we had hail and rain at the beginning), I can finally attest to the collection of sun protection gear I've been carrying around. Here at home, I can survive the sun with my 50 SPF physical sun block and an occasional use of a long-sleeved sun jersey on cooler days.

However, winter travel has always been problematic. Both DH and I are of the "don't-look-at-the-sun-cross-eyed-or-it'll-burn-you" types. Southern sun, particularly in the winter time, almost always causes one of us to burn despite liberal use of sun screen. This was the first winter trip that I've been prepared by the wise sages at TE and only a case of bronchitis cut the riding short, not sunburn.

So, the products....
Arm Coolers (http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=20747) DH got a burn on the first day (to me, it looked at lot like the reaction I get to chemical sunscreens). We switched him over to a physical sun block plus the arm coolers for the second and third day. By the 4th day, the rash was gone, but he refused to remove the arm coolers (nor give them back to me--as they were *mine* :rolleyes: ). He said his arms were cooler under the arm coolers than under the sleeves of his jersey. The only negative is that they kinda look like orthopedic stockings--but, when you're already Fred, does it matter? :rolleyes:

Boure Sun Jersey. I bought this before TE started carrying the Canari jersey. This was the first time I wore it in heat (mid 80'sF with no shade). After a 6 hour ride with short sleeves, I developed a slight burn on my arms and thighs and I wanted to cover up the next day. As long as there was at least a small breeze, the jersey was comfortable. If the wind died down, I was uncomfortable, but I bet I would have been also with a short sleeved jersey. Still, just for variety of clothing (I love my bright cycling jerseys), I'd probably go with arm coolers next time even if I still have to wear sunscreen under them. Con: Not sold by TE.

Boure Knickers. Yes, not at all sun clothing, but what do you do when you have to cover up the thighs and you still want to ride? As someone with more leg than necessary, I have a hard time finding knickers long enough--on me, most end up just below their knee and then cut into the back of the leg. The Boure knicker is longer, and while their knee sits about 2" above my knee(they're slightly articulated), the tight still fits and rides well. The fabric is lighter weight and the breezes kept me from over-temping. Not at all perfect for 80+F, but better than not riding and not as hot as I feared they would be.

As an aside, I'm really starting to love the Boure Elite Chamois--not too thick, wide enough so that I actually sit on the chamois and not chafe on the edges, and, I discovered, hand washes really well. Con #1: Only sold by Boure. Con #2. Because the knicker is articulated for riding, when standing around you get a case of what I call "Boure Butt"--little wrinkles in the fabric across the back of your butt--the wrinkles go away when you bend over, but, again, when you're already Fred, what's a few wrinkles, when standing? :rolleyes: