Etho, nobody's trying to scold you or put you down, they're just trying to look out for you. A lot of these guys and gals have logged thousands of hours in a tree and are the best in the business. You asked for their honest advice and opinion and they're giving it. I had a dead limb out of a laurel oak whack me on the noggin last week. It really rang my bell but if I hadn't had my headgear on it undoubtedly would have been a lot worse. I haven't tried the Coolvest, but I've tried some of the neck coolers and they work fairly well. Scott (BOTS) turned me on to the mesh glasses TreeStuff handles and I really like them, no more fogging. I've got a pair of mesh goggles too, but the glasses are more comfortable IMO.