This is so true however counterintuitive. Caveat that it isn't the high humidity solution. I wore an Olympia X-Moto for a couple of years. While the ventilation can't be beat, you still have to unvent in very hot temps (105+). The protection the X-Moto is marginal at best and almost completely defeated with all the panels open.
This year I'm wearing Motoport - stretch Kevlar in cool black. I zip up the arm vents when its that hot. Important to note that I wear a water-soaked cooling vest when the temp is over 100, which is most days on my 30-minute commute home, June through August. Highest temp this year was 115 with many days over 110.
What I like about the stretch Kevlar vs. the mesh is that it breathes rather than flows. This allows the wet vest to last longer at a more consistent cooling rate. I open the vents (back, chest, & arm) when the weather is mild (80-100) and close the arms when it's hotter. The abrasion resistance of Kevlar is the best and the armor is second to none.
I like the idea of hi-viz but bought black. The 2-year old , faded, and stained not so high viz any more wasn't cutting it. The black will be black for a long time. Its a custom jacket - fit, color trim, pockets, extra reflective stripes, Gortex rain liner, all to my spec and well within the price range of the medium to high end Klim.
I have a bunch of motorcycle apparel so can switch it up. Nevertheless, I'm still searching for the holy grail of the one suit that does it all because on a long tour, that's what you need. My custom Motoport stretch Kevlar is the closest yet. Pants are Aerostich AD1 except in summertime when I wear Olympia Air Mesh over slacks... because its a work commute. For non-commutes, its the AD1's over Cycle Gear Heat Out base layer.
Be comfortable. Be protected.
Abercrombie Tenere said:
I wear Kilim Latitude Misano coat and pants on the Tenere and Klim Apex coat and Torrent pants while on the FJR.
Last month when going to ride the Tenere based out of Montrose Colorado, I noticed the forecast calling for temps in the upper 90s and low 100s. I decided to wear the Klim latitude suit down to Colorado and pack my Olympia Stealth one piece mesh suit to deal with the expected high heat.
The first day of riding was expected to top 100 so I wore the Olympia Stealth and baked in the full mesh suit. The relentless heat and flow of hot dry air over my skin drained me in a short 4 hour, 250 mile day. The second day I learned my lesson, took some advice and wore the Klim Latitude. Leaving the hotel in the cool morning I wore the latitude closed up. As the morning started to heat up I opened the excellent vents and was still very comfortable. When the heat cranked up over 90 I closed up the venting on the Latitude about 50% and sprinkled down my dry fit tee shirt with water I had in my saddle bag. The nice restricted flow of air through the Latitude vents provided unbelievable evaporative cooling. On my way home across Wyoming and South Dakota I was again hit with another hot day and 850 miles to cover. The combination of reduced venting flow, wetting my shirt at fuel stops, and evaporative cooling was my saving grace on that long hot ride.
I love my one piece Olympia Stealth suit but I will never wear it when the temps top 90 again. As a side note, I hit a deer with my old Tenere wearing my first Klim Latitude 840 coat and pants. I don't want to incriminate myself, but I hit the road in the 80 to 90 MPH range and the Latitude took all the punishment of the road rash. It was a funny sight watching the ER staff pull off my shredded Latitude suit to find no problems underneath other than bumps, bruises, a concussion, and subdural hematoma. :'(
