Reviews and Press
See what people and the press are saying about SweatVac products. You can also checkout testimonials from other athletes using the SweatVac Advantage.
Reviews
SweatVac
Winter Beanie &
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If you can keep your head, hands and feet warm, you can ride in nearly any winter condition. And of these three sensitive areas, your head is arguably the most important, thermostatically speaking. The scalp is laced with blood vessels, so heat loss is particularly rapid.
Of all the helmet liners I’ve tried over the years, SweatVac’s Winter Beanie and Winter Stubby come closest to perfection.
They're almost identical. The Beanie is a simple stocking-type hat with four pleats in the top for a good fit. The Stubby has a small tail hanging an inch down the back, primarily for style points but also handy for pulling the hat off after a ride. The Stubby also has a slightly different pleat configuration, but it didn’t seem to fit any differently than the Beanie.
One other Stubby feature is noteworthy -- a small section of stretch material by the tail. This helps the hat fit a wider range of heads. The Beanie doesn’t have this feature and while it fit my medium noggin fine, it might be tighter on folks with larger craniums.
I didn’t need to change helmet pads to accommodate either hat. The material is thin but warm. Both models are made of the machine-washable technical fabrics Transpor and DriSmart. They wick perspiration from skin to keep you drier and, hence, warmer. The material is a bit thicker over the ears to keep them toasty even in a wicked windchill.
The advantages of these hats aren't limited to cycling. I also wore them for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. My wife used the women's “Wickie Winter Hat” ($20) with similar success. When I go riding, hiking or backpacking in the mountains next summer, I’ll tote one so I'm ready for changeable high-altitude weather.
SweatVac also offers summer-weight, sweat-management caps and headbands in a variety of colors for men and women. All have a “100% Unconditional Guarantee.”
At Interbike 2003 I noticed a booth that had a nice product. But this one caught my eye with one of their demo items on the desk. The product, the SweatVac Stubby had a Chicago Police Badge on it. I struck up a conversation with the man in the booth and discovered that Chicago PD has been custom ordering the product for sale through their union for a couple of years now. The rep added that Chicago PD sells them like crazy. I tried on a demo unit and really liked it and wanted to try it out.
SweatVac’s products were made with helmet wears in mind. The performance headwear is functional and easy to use. You can put it on quickly with one hand just like a hat. There are several different designs to choose from. I tested the Stubby and was pleased with it ability to keep the sweat out of my eyes and glasses. The SweatVac System accomplished this. This system uses a Transpor liner on the inside to wick away sweat from the head helping you stay dry. This product is great for summer and cooler weather. When the temps begin to drop, do not fret SweatVac has several winter products. The Winter Stubby is the same as the regular Stubby except that is has an extra lining to cover the ears. And when the temps really drop the Winter Beanie really keeps you warm. The Winter Beanie has a DrySmart shell and a double layer of Transpor.
I had my Sergeant also try the SweatVacs out. He rides daily in Denver in any weather approximately 200 miles a week. His response to the product was simply, “IT ROCKS.”
If you wear a bandana or have been looking for something to wear under your helmet to keep you dry you need to get this product.
SweatVac’s can be purchased online at www.SweatVac.com or contact John Okon at 1 800-359-2514. We will soon have a direct purchase ID to use on the website for IPMBA member discounts. This was not available before printing but we will get it to you when we do. Until then John is more than happy to help, just tell him you are an IPMBA member. Cost is between $10 and $25.
Reviewed by John Medford, IPMBA police cyclist
Denver Police Department (CO)
IPMBA Industry Relations Committee
John rides Road and Mountain bikes recreationally and works part time at Collins Bicycles in Denver(Law enforcement sales & general repair work)
“…The SweatVac Stubby. If you’ve seen riders with the bandana-like wraps under their helmets, then you’ve seen these. One size fits all, and you don’t have to tie it to fit your head. (Elastic in the head band takes care of that!) I wore them all summer and it kept me cooler and drier than I’ve ever been. (much better than any head band). An added bonus is that it keeps harmful UV from your head, and on hot days I would soak it in cold water before I put it on. I have started to wear it on my winter rides as well, and it keeps much of the cold out. Prices range from $13-19, depending on the style you choose. Visit them at www.SweatVac.com ...” Fresno Cycling Club
My son is an ice hockey goalie and had a hard time seeing because of the sweat dripping in his eyes. Since he wasn't able to fit a sweat band under his helmet, we had to come up with another solution. That's when I discovered your SweatVac Stubby. He has several of them now and has had no trouble with sweating and actually has fairly dry hair when he comes off the ice. I highly recommend them for any sport that requires a helmet.
“The SweatVac Stubby works great on warm to hot days. It wicks the sweat off your head thus reducing splash back in your goggles. Also by removing the sweat from your hair the vents in your helmet are allowed to work much better resulting in a cooler head. It’s a down south gear bag must have.”
“The SweatVac Stubby is great. I was a little skeptical at first, but I used it for the event and it did exactly what it claims. I had no sweat in my goggles for the first time ever. I will be ordering more of these.” – Travis S.
“The SweatVac Stubby works very well to catch sweat. It keeps the sweat out of your eyes and, more importantly, out of your goggles. It is also very small and light weight so you don’t even realize it is under your helmet. I am so impressed with the product that I will keep on using it. Thanks.” – Chris
“I like the SweatVac Stubby. It fits good and is light weight, the stylish looks are a plus. I have been wearing it in the place of my caps.” – Scott K.
“The SweatVac Stubby provides great perspiration control. The sweat absorption allows me to maintain clear vision.” – Matt
“I didn’t seem to sweat as bad from my head and forehead. Seems like my head was just a little cooler. Fit nice, made helmet snug, which was good. I have used it at two races and it seems to help. I will continue to use it.” – Randy
“The fit was good. I used it for five weeks with all sports – mountain biking – road bicycle riding & motorcycle riding. Cold weather (20°-30°) & warmer (50’s) weather. It really worked great! I am a ‘ real sweater ’. I would carry an extra one in my pack to switch back and forth. Great product! Thanks!” – Tom E.
“I like it! It’s very comfortable under my helmet. Has a nice fit.” – Dylan
“Easier to pull on and remove helmet. Less hair loss! (important for us less fortunate!) Helps to prevent sweat dripping into goggles!!! Thanks for the Stubby, I wear it on every ride.” – David A.
“I’m sorry this is so late, but I wanted to wear the SweatVac Stubby during a race before I sent in the review. After two races I can honestly say I won’t race again without it. I’ve always had problems with sweat entering my goggles from my helmet, but with the SweatVac Stubby this did not occur. It stays in place and actually makes my helmet feel better. I will recommend this product to everyone I can. Thanks.” – Steve G.
“I’ve never used this type of product before. Even though I see many riders wearing them. I wore the SweatVac Stubby this past weekend and was very impressed. I felt odd at first but at the halfway point of a three-hour race I noticed there was no sweat in my face at all. And I felt like I had a built in air conditioner for my head. I plan on wearing this for the rest of the season and will encourage others to do so as well.” – James H.
“I used it this weekend in the cold weather in PA, it worked great. I like the one size fits all since you don’t have to tie it in the back & have the knot in the back of your head.”
“It helped the sweat from getting in my eyes. I could see a whole lot better. I plan on wearing it the rest of the year. It kept my head cool while I was racing. Thank you” – Nicholas H.
“I have practiced and raced with the SweatVac Stubby. It fit on my head well and stayed in place while I rode. It kept the sweat out of my eyes. I think it is a good product. Thanks for letting me try it.”
– Robby T.
