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review
Arm & leg warmers
Sugoi Arm CoolersSugoi Arm Coolers

Sugoi Arm Coolers

6
by David Arthur @davearthur
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Sep 21, 2013

2
£24.99

VERDICT:

6
10
We're not convinced that they do everything they're supposed to, but they're useful as interim autumn arm warmers.
Weight: 
38g
Contact: 
www.cyclingsportsgroup.co.uk
How we test

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Sugoi's Arm Coolers are designed to keep your skin protected from UV rays with specially treated fabric. The IceFil fabric is also claimed to have a treatment that cools the skin when it's wet from sweat.

We've had some exceedingly hot weather to test such a garment, and I have to admit to finding them less than useful. When it is hot, pulling them on over your arms, as thin as the fabric is, seems a bit counterintuitive. In use, it was difficult to detect the fabric actively cooling the skin.

Where they come in useful is protecting your arms from burning in the sun on epic long rides. Sun lotion can tend to get washed away with the sweat, leaving you at risk of burning. These Arm Coolers came into their own on such rides, with a built-in UPF 50+ protection. If you burn easy in the sun, these worth a look.

They fit well and are comfortable next to the skin, in fact you barely notice they're there at all, such is the lightness of the fabric. They pack up extremely small and will disappear into the depths of a jersey pocket when not needed.

My scepticism with the concept never really subsided that much. Where I have found the Arm Coolers handy is in the current cooling autumnal conditions. It can be a touch too warm for full-on arm warmers, but the Sugoi's are a nice lightweight option that avoids overheating.

Verdict

An interesting product but one that has a limited window of use in this country, and I'm just not convinced that they do everything they're supoosed to. Useful as interim autumn arm warmers though.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Sugoi Arm Coolers

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Sugoi's cooler collection is made exclusively from IceFil, a high performance cooling material that both cools your skin and protects you at the maximum level from harmful UV rays

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

91% POLYESTER; 9% SPANDEX

Fabric generates a cooling effect when it comes in contact with moisture

UPF rating 50+

Comfort elastic

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Top notch construction, nice lightweight fabric

Rate the product for performance:
 
6/10

A tricky product to assess in this country, dubious performance benefits in hot weather. The sun protection is worth considering for some though

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Very good

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

You hardly notice you're wearing them

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

A bottle of suntan lotion is cheaper

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The UV protection is appealing, but don't feel their cooling effects lived up to claims

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Fit and comfort

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Not so cool

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Probably not

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180  Weight: 67

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

 

Sugoi Arm Coolers
David Arthur @davearthur

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes. 

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2 comments

Avatar
wycombewheeler | 8 years ago
0 likes

"Sugoi's Arm Coolers are designed to keep your skin protected from UV rays with specially treated fabric."

How am I supposed to develop razor sharp tan lines with them?

Avatar
bazzargh | 11 years ago
0 likes

I took a pair of the Specialized version of these to France for a long summer tour. I was travelling light - short sleeve shirts only - and this gave me a long sleeve option without having to put on my jacket.

I would *highly* recommend them. If you have sun cream on but you're already starting to burn, you will feel every bit of direct sunlight, stick these on and you can keep going; without them I'd have had to stop rides early to find shelter. Even though they're thin enough to not be too warm in the sun, they also do help a bit setting off in the cool summer mornings, or if its breezy.

One downside is that being white they do pick up dirt & oil, and after a couple of months on the road, even with regular washes they look utterly bogging. Still do the job tho!

As the reviewer says, they pack small and light, so for a tourer it's a no-brainer - you should bring these.

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