You'd think that arm warmers would be fairly easy garments to get right. A couple of tubes of fabric with elastic at either end shouldn't be that difficult to master. Yet I seem to have a drawerful that don't make the grade: too short, too long, too tight and, most annoying of all to a matchstick upper-armed cyclist like me, continually slipping down.
Fortunately, the designers at Louis Garneau seem to have given this simple product a bit more thought than most, and have produced a pair of arm warmers that just quietly get on with the job.
Made of Heatmaxx fabric with a fleece inner surface, the warmers feel very soft, providing sufficient warmth for cool spring or autumn weather.
They're a bit less stretchy than some that I've tried, but this doesn't affect the fit. They feel comfortable in all positions on the bike and, crucially, the silicone-lined upper grippers stay in place without digging in. There's no silicone on the lower cuff which means you can remove the warmers easily, even over a pair of gloves.
The fabric also offers protection against the sun, with an SPF 50 factor, but that hasn't been a problem of late...
road.cc test report
Make and model: Louis Garneau Arm Warmers 2
Size tested: Medium, Black
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?
Louis Garneau says: "Arm Warmers 2 feature HeatMaxx fabric that has a soft brushed inside to wick moisture while retaining heat. Bicep grippers hold these warmers in place yet they're easily removed and stashed in a pocket or pack when things warm up. Reflective logos offer safety"
There's nothing more to add to that really - simple arm warmers, nothing fancy.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Fabric: Heatmaxx
Fabric Properties: Wicking yet warm
Reflectivity: Reflective logo
Protection: UPF/SPF 50
Extra Features: Flatlock seams, Bicep gripper
All these features seem to work as described, although I didn't get the chance to test the sunblocking properties!
Rate the product for quality of construction:
7/10
Flatlock seams keep things comfortable.
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
They kept my arms warm and didn't slip down.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Washing hasn't diminished their performance.
Rate the product for value:
7/10
Not the cheapest, although often on offer at Evans. (At time of writing they're just over £13.)
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
They do exactly what what they're meant to.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The fact that they stayed up throughout my rides.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Age: 46 Height: 182cm Weight: 75kg
I usually ride: Genesis Day One Singlespeed My best bike is: Cannondale CAADX
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: A few times a week I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo-cross, commuting, club rides, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking
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