Sleeves

[Angie94]

Wanted to check out my new "sleeves" on an early morning hike to see if they keep the chill off. They did great! and when I started to warm up I just pulled them off while I kept walking (and if it gets chilly or windy I can just slip them back on.) It was a beautiful day for a 14 mile hike, and not a bad way to spend my 55th b-day!! So happy I was off work. Four weeks to go...

 

[trecile]

Do you plan on using them for sun protection too?

 

[Magwood]

I've been using this system for all three of my previous Caminos and it works great, temperature control without having to remove the backpack. This year I have purchased some purpose made arm warmers and they are just perfect - extremely lightweight and pack away very small.

 

[Angie94]

I've been using this system for all three of my previous Caminos and it works great,

you are the very reason I even got these! I had read your blog and thought it was a fantastic idea!

Do you plan on using them for sun protection too?

Yes, I thought they might work well for that too!

 

[ksam]

Ditto here!! I've done it twice...and will again..and will always recommend arm "warmers" to any and all! Even when they got lost towards the end of the Frances, the Camino provided! The next day was Astoria, with three cycling shops! Bought a new pair that became my "souvenir" from the Camino

 

[alipilgrim]

Wanted to check out my new "sleeves" on an early morning hike to see if they keep the chill off. They did great! and when I started to warm up I just pulled them off while I kept walking (and if it gets chilly or windy I can just slip them back on.) It was a beautiful day for a 14 mile hike, and not a bad way to spend my 55th b-day!! So happy I was off work. Four weeks to go...

I see they are marked 'COOL'. Are they not meant for sun protection and to cool your skin, instead of to warm your skin?

 

[Angie94]

I see they are marked 'COOL'. Are they not meant for sun protection and to cool your skin, instead of to warm your skin?

You are correct...I was just seeing if these might work for keeping the chill off as well as sun protection. I need to look at a different sleeve if looking for real warmth.

 

[MaidinBham]

You are correct...I was just seeing if these might work for keeping the chill off as well as sun protection. I need to look at a different sleeve if looking for real warmth.

Unless you are hiking in really cold weather, you likely will not need both arm warmers and arm coolers. Just use the arm coolers to keep the chill off in early morning. Unless you are sweating while outdoors in cool weather (ie - cross-country skiing where you will work up a sweat) these will keep you warm in the cooler hours, later when it warms up evaporative and wicking action will help to keep you cool. Dip the sleeves in cool water and replace on your arms to increase the cooling effect.
Janice

 

[Angie94]

Good info! thanks Janice

 

[Robo]

Maybe just wear long sleeve shirts............and roll the sleeves up when warm

I never took any short sleeves.....

 

[koilife]

I'm intrigued by the cooling effect. I always assumed it was more marketing than fact after trying a bandana that was supposed to be "cooling". It was thick, heavy, and not nearly as effective as the marketing led me to believe. Thus, like Robo, I've always just used a long-sleeve backpacking shirt and rolled up the sleeves when warm, or wetted them down for evaporative cooling.

However, if the technology has advanced in the past six or so years, then I'm game to try again. Does the cooling effect genuinely work better than, say, just wetting down the sleeves on a backpacking shirt?

Also, how light or heavy is the fabric?

 

[Angie94]

However, if the technology has advanced in the past six or so years, then I'm game to try again. Does the cooling effect genuinely work better than, say, just wetting down the sleeves on a backpacking shirt?

Also, how light or heavy is the fabric?

Someone with experience will have to reply to that as I have not tried them for the cooling effect, but I will do so this weekend as it is suppose to be quite warm and I am hiking.
I was experimenting with them for the 'layering' effect under a long sleeve shirt. It the morning I had my sleeves rolled down, and these sleeves underneath and it worked out quite well. Then I warmed up and took them off and rolled up my sleeves.
The fabric of the ones I got is very lightweight...I ordered them (new) off ebay for about $3.00. They stayed up very well (stretchy synthetic material) but not too snug. These are not the high dollar kind from outdoor shops, but they worked for what I wanted them for.

There certainly is a lot of back and forth of what to take, what not to take, what works for one but not someone else. It is adventure in itself trying out new things and ideas to see what works. I have had fun reading all the tips and techniques from experienced hikers and implementing some of those for myself - and even throwing a few of my own in the mix!
Buen Camino!

 

[alipilgrim]

https://www.rei.com/product/894799/outdoor-research-activeice-sun-sleeves

These are similar to the first pair I had (mine were shorter, without the thumb hole). Very light material, soft, kinda a cross between a cotton-tshirt & tech tshirt. They come in different sizes, based on your bicep size. And the cooling works! Once, hiking in Sedona, I dunked my arms in a warm creek and my arms became chilled! I don't know how many washes the cooling effect lasts thru but it's many. I mostly wear them for sun protection as I find long sleeved shirts just too warm.

 

[MaidinBham]

I'm intrigued by the cooling effect. I always assumed it was more marketing than fact after trying a bandana that was supposed to be "cooling". It was thick, heavy, and not nearly as effective as the marketing led me to believe. Thus, like Robo, I've always just used a long-sleeve backpacking shirt and rolled up the sleeves when warm, or wetted them down for evaporative cooling.

However, if the technology has advanced in the past six or so years, then I'm game to try again. Does the cooling effect genuinely work better than, say, just wetting down the sleeves on a backpacking shirt?

Also, how light or heavy is the fabric?

Depending on the long sleeve t-shirt you wear you will be cooler wearing it, and cooler when wet. Arm sleeves however use fabric technology that increase the surface area many times greater, and this improves the evaporative and wicking features which increase cooling effects. Some manufactures such as Columbia, and that Activeice in the REI link below, use a chemical that actually lowers the temperature of water (sweat). And they offer sun protection. I am actually scrambling to find something like the Activeice before Tuesday when I leave for El Camino. I have some arm sleeves, but they are black and do not have the chemical cooling technology, nor are they the color for reflecting sun.
Janice

 

[trecile]

Depending on the long sleeve t-shirt you wear you will be cooler wearing it, and cooler when wet. Arm sleeves however use fabric technology that increase the surface area many times greater, and this improves the evaporative and wicking features which increase cooling effects. Some manufactures such as Columbia, and that Activeice in the REI link below, use a chemical that actually lowers the temperature of water (sweat). And they offer sun protection. I am actually scrambling to find something like the Activeice before Tuesday when I leave for El Camino. I have some arm sleeves, but they are black and do not have the chemical cooling technology, nor are they the color for reflecting sun.
Janice

Link??

 

[MaidinBham]

Link??

I was looking for these, but can not find locally
http://www.columbia.com/freezer-zero-arm-sleeves-SU9090.html
The above REI link for Activeice appears to have same technology
https://www.rei.com/product/894799/outdoor-research-activeice-sun-sleeves

Janice