De SotoCoolwings - CWSC

I purchased these for my first 70.3. I purchased a small, and probably should have purchased a medium -- if for no other reason, it would have been easier to get on in transition after the swim! I'm a 5'8 woman (athletic/slim build) and the sleeves are plenty long for me.I hate, hate being hot (I know, the irony of choosing triathlon as a sport), but also worry about my skin. I know it is hard to believe, and I was super skeptical too, but these things actually do keep you cool. I put them on for the bike and decided - against my original plan - to leave them on for the run. They are amazing. You dump water on them and they actually do stay cool for at least 10 minutes. I could get from aid station to aid station and still be cool.While I wouldn't waste time in an Olympic distance putting them on, for a half or a full I absolutely would. There were at least 2 other girls in my bike rack alone that had them, and while we all squirmed to get them on after the swim, we all agreed it was well worth the time and frustration. Yes, it's $58 for a little piece of material, but sunscreen doesn't last for 56 miles + 13 miles, and the extra cooling power is well, well worth it.

I purchased these to keep me cool in a 70.3 triathlon where temperate was forecasted to be100 degrees. It turns out that a storm came through unexpectedly, bringing wind, rain, and hail, and then the sun came out. These sleeves were a lifesaver. They kept me warm on my bike in the wind and rain, and then they helped me stay cool on the run when the sun came out. I will always have them with me when I race and train. They were easy to put on, even when I was wet. They stayed in place, and they were super comfortable.

I typically wear 18W/1X/2X/XXL in US women's sizes. I ordered a size M, which I think was the recommended unisex size. The arms are too tight for me. Maybe they are supposed to be more like compression sleeves, but I don't care for that. What makes it worse is that the sleeves are way too long. If the length fit me, I could probably deal with the compression.Another issue is all of the logos everywhere: on the sleeves and on the back. I don't like being a walking billboard for companies.This shrug feels well made. The material is thin and slightly sheer, but you don't want anything too thick for summer.

The DeSoto fabric is fantastic! This is my second skin cooler bolero from them. I hate the feeling of sunscreen and of being sticky and sweaty, but I love to ride my bike. Skin coolers work as described by the company. I also have a pair of Pearl Izumi sun sleeves and they keep the sun off but don’t provide anywhere near the level of cooling. Plus the bolero style works with sleeveless jerseys. I find it more comfortable to wear it under the jersey but it works either way. I also have the leg coolers which are beneficial only when it is sunny and hot. It wasn’t sunny on the day of the picture so i rolled them down to my knees because I didn’t want to deal with taking off my shoes. I wear the bolero anytime it’s hot regardless of the clouds.

At the recommendtion of my Triathlon Coach, I purchased these Cooling Wings in preparation for my first Ironman 70.3 race. The weather was predicted to be quite hot.....and it was! 89 degrees and full son on the 13.1 mile run course.These Wings didn't disapoint! They kept the sun off my shoulders and arms, and at every aid station, I shoved ice down the tops of both sleeves and the back. And during my run I squirted cool water from my hand-held onto my sleeves every 5 or 10 minutes. The cooling effect was amazing.I am convinced that these Cooling Wings contributed significantly to my ability to complete the run course during such hot conditions by helping me regulate my core body temperature.The only negative I would say is that these run a little small as compared to the Sizing Chart provided by the seller.I followed measuring instructions and ordered accordingly, and found the Wings to be just a little too snug under my armpits. I immedialtely ordered 1 size larger, and was so thrilled when they arrived in 1 day!!....just in time for my departure to the race venue.Thank you DeSoto for this great product and fast service on the reorder! I highly recommend this product!

After having a bad run in my recent triathlon due to heat and humidity many people recommend I try DeSoto cooling sleeves... I did follow the advice and sized up.... it is a little roomy but it makes it easy to put on when I’m all sweaty from biking!! What a game changer!!! It works!! I don’t know how it works but it does!! Been able to tolerate the heat and humidity now!! I thought I wouldn’t like having sleeves because I don’t like things that are constricting but it’s not and I don’t mind them at all!!

This is a great product for summer cycling and running to help keep the sun damage to a minimum. It is a little difficult to get on, especially during transition from the swim to bike, but once it's on, it stays put. I did get some chafing the first time I used it, but since then, I have not. It washes nicely, too. It does run small -- I normally would wear a small and got a medium based on the sizing chart, and it's certainly snug.

Great idea, but there are 3 overlapping seams on the inside of the coolwing that causes severe rubbing and irritation issues on the inside of my arm/armpit.