Cool Wings - product review

[witeowl]

i bought the arm coolers, they told me i needed a small, so i trusted their judgement and they fit fine.

So, just to confirm: You followed the directions that your upper arm would be 1-2 inches bigger than the listed dimension? I'm soooo wary. I mean, I'm an XL (or more) in everything, so I'm absolutely shocked to be told by their chart to get a medium. I mean... seriously?!?

[ny biker]

I often have issues with sleeves being tight on my upper arms when the shirt fits me otherwise, both with short-sleeved cycling jerseys and regular shirts. In fact I think all of my short sleeved cycling jerseys are size large.

I followed the instructions - measured 11 inches, based on the chart either a small or medium would fit, so I went with the medium figuring small might technically fit but would be more likely to be uncomfortable. And the medium fits me fine. It's snug but not skin tight. Not constricting in any way.

[Thorn]

So, just to confirm: You followed the directions that your upper arm would be 1-2 inches bigger than the listed dimension? I'm soooo wary. I mean, I'm an XL (or more) in everything, so I'm absolutely shocked to be told by their chart to get a medium. I mean... seriously?!?

Yep. I wear XL in jerseys and a small in arm warmer/cooler thingies. The first time I bought arm warmers I was sure I'd have to send them back. Nope. I followed the instructions and the fit was fine.

[Biciclista]

So, just to confirm: You followed the directions that your upper arm would be 1-2 inches bigger than the listed dimension? I'm soooo wary. I mean, I'm an XL (or more) in everything, so I'm absolutely shocked to be told by their chart to get a medium. I mean... seriously?!?

yes, absolutely. I measured my arm while talking to the rep on the phone.
I even argued. She said, no, I was a small.

[witeowl]

Got it, thanks.

Um... except for the costing me money thing. Wait, scratch that. It's an investment so I can keep biking more comfortably into the hot August days.

So... thanks.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Just wanted to chime in here as I have used these armwarmers for several years, just so people have some comparision.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodDF_SSKW.html

These are made from a medium weight knit in white, so they are not light. I ordered the small/medium and even though I have small wrists I find it a bit tight on the cuffs. The top is a roll top and is very comfortable.

I wouldn't say there's a cooling effect at all but your arms are OK warm and it does help keep the sun off (I haven't been burnt through them). As it is a knit you may have to put sunscreen underneath just to make sure. They roll up as per standard armwarmers.

They work but of course I wonder if the arm coolers would be better being a lighter fabric???

[tctrek]

I have Cool Wings and have used them twice on hot afternoon rides. I had the same issue as OP with a little gap in the front between the jacket and the sleeveless jersey, but it didn't make any difference when I was riding.

On Sunday, it was mega-hot here and I wore them for three hours. I poured water on them a few times . They dry super fast. I didn't get sunburned like I usually do and like the OP, my arms stayed dry. My legs on the other hand were covered in sweat and salt and despite sunblock I got a little too much sun.

I've worn them with a racer back top as well as a sleeveless jersey -worked equally well with both.

Overall, I am going to wear them all the time if it's hot. I think they are worth the investment.

[ny biker]

I have Cool Wings and have used them twice on hot afternoon rides. I had the same issue as OP with a little gap in the front between the jacket and the sleeveless jersey, but it didn't make any difference when I was riding.

Yeah, for me that little gap was a style thing, not a functional issue. Every time I stopped I checked to make sure it had not ridden up in back, and it was okay each time.

[KathiCville]

I bought the Cool Wings from TE about three weeks ago in anticipation of the local MS150 ride, where I knew I'd be out in the sun pretty much all day long.

I ordered a Small, but quickly returned it for a Medium. (Thank you, TE, for your usual super-fast shipping.) I wear XS or S in most cycling clothes, but decided I'd rather size up and wear something a little less constricting.

That being said, I LOVE them! I definitely stayed cooler wearing the Cool Wings, and because I was wearing a roomier size, I barely noticed the added layer. Great addition to my cycling duds!

[Tri Girl]

I have mixed feelings about my cool wings.
The first time I wore them, my jersey (not new by any means) somehow bled onto the cool wings and stained them in a couple places on my back (have NO idea how/why that happened). I didn't wash the cool wings first, so maybe the newness of the fabric had something to do with it??? Who knows. Now they're mostly white with pink spots.
I still have to wear sunscreen underneath them. The first few times I wore them I didn't and still burned (I burn fairly easily, tho). I think when it's very warm outside (80-90's) they are cool and quite nice to wear. When it's blazing hot (100's) they are too hot for me. Even with pouring water on the arms to keep them cool, they are too hot for me when the temp gets near 100. I prefer to be sleeveless then.
Overall, I really like them. Don't wear them as much as I'd like because I don't have lots of sleeveless jerseys and don't like them paired with my short sleeve jerseys.

[supercutie]

I just bought the De Soto Cool Wings - it was either Cool Wings or the Canari Cool Max Long sleeve jersey - but I decided the wings would give me more options, in the event I wanted to lose the extra layer I could just stuff it in a pocket. Plus the Bolero styling looked a lot more comfortable than the arm tube styling of Arm Coolers.
I'm in southern AZ where the temps are a 'chilly' 80 over night and 100-107 daytime, plus it's Monsoon Season so we have humidity ( 20-35%). When I got the Cool Wings I modeled them for my husband, we were standing outside at the time (106 in the shade), and as soon as I put them on they cooled my arm. (even my husband, who had to try them too, noticed a difference) I wore them this past Sunday on a 36 mile ride that took us 3 hours to complete, hole in tire = changing tube and repairing tire. They WORKED! The only time I thought they might not be 'all that' was while climbing a challenging hill in open desert. But once I was over the strenuous bit I was fine and figured I'd be feeling the heat no mater what I wore.
As for size... I decided on a medium. I have tiny wrists and the well developed upper arms of a 47 yr old woman who is also living with the reality of saggage.
I wore the Wings over a sleeveless jersey and had no issues with gaping at all. I did have a bit of skin showing at the glove line but that is only because I can't stand anything around that part of my wrists. All in all, a hit. Now I'm thinking about that Canari jersey again... any input on that?

[evangundy]

So, just to confirm: You followed the directions that your upper arm would be 1-2 inches bigger than the listed dimension? I'm soooo wary. I mean, I'm an XL (or more) in everything, so I'm absolutely shocked to be told by their chart to get a medium. I mean... seriously?!?

The cool wings and arm coolers and leg coolers are unisex sizes - that's why you take a medium instead of an XL :-)

Edna

[Biciclista]

not everyone in every climate needs sunscreen. A little sun is good for you. I might have actually absorbed a little vitamin D yesterday!
I wonder about how many problems (osteoporosis, for one) that we have because we don't get enough sun.

[Reesha]

If I invest in these, I'll probably just get the arm coolers instead of the wings. I rarely go out in tank tops and sleeveless jerseys!

[Biciclista]

yeah, i don't own a sleeveless anything (oh, except vests)

I was surprised at how comfortable they were. I forgot they were on, and they never slipped (and i have skinny arms)