January 28/10 9:48 am - Louis Garneau Cold Weather Gear

Posted by Editoress on 01/28/10
 

Winter is here!  For some cyclists that means bolting the bike onto the trainer only to dream about the next ride outside.  However, if like many other riders, the trainer isn't for you, riding outside is entirely possible with the proper clothing.

Louis Garneau, one of Canada's premiere cycling clothing manufacturers, offers some of the best cold weather gear available to cyclists.  Drawing from their extensive cross-country ski background, they have figured out what is needed to stay warm and dry to keep you on your bike late into the season.

The key to staying warm is proper layering. With the right choice in fabrics it's easy to ride well below zero and be comfortable doing so.  The base layer - the garment that touches your skin - has the task of wicking, which is drawing sweat away from the skin and transferring it across to the next layer.  The second layer, often referred to as the insulating layer, must move the moisture further away from the skin but has the added requirement of retaining heat.

The outer shell has several functions: it needs to be breathable enough that the accumulated moisture in the second layer can evaporate, it has to shield from the wind and have some degree of precipitation repellency, and finally it should provide a second layer of warmth.

Over the past month I've been trying a few different pieces from Garneau.  I've made it a point to use them in all types of cold weather that we've been experiencing here in Southern Ontario, from wet, windy, and snowy road rides to sub-freezing (-20C) MTB rides.  My impressions of the clothing I've been using is outlined below:


Louis Garneau Merino Crewneck

For base layers I've found that there is nothing better than merino wool. I've been using the Garneau Merino Crewneck base layer exclusively this winter, as I've yet to find a comparable alternative made from synthetics.  The Garneau Crewneck is made entirely from 19-micron merino (some of the best money can buy), which is sourced from the finest New Zealand sheep.

Merino wool is superior to synthetic fabric because it is odour-resistant, antimicrobial, very soft next to the skin, and is not itchy.  It also does an unbelievable job of moving moisture away from the skin while retaining warmth.  I also really like that this piece is thin, and therefore fits underneath other layers without adding bulk.

Like all good cycling pieces, this shirt has an articulated shape to ensure a perfect fit while in the riding position.  Merino wool is also easy to care for - machine wash in cold water and hang to dry.  When the temperature dips below 5C I never leave home without a merino undershirt.  The Garneau Crewneck retails for $79.99.


Louis Garneau Training Top Drytex 6000

The Garneau Training Top, made from Drytex 6000, is Garneau's heaviest-weight base layer.  Although it feels like it's one layer, it's actually made up of two parts.  Next to the skin is a fleecy, brushed material that works to move sweat off the body, and still provides an effective insulation barrier.  The outer layer is a tightly woven synthetic that acts as a barrier from wind but also allows moisture to pass through it.

The fit is snug but still comfortable, since there is enough stretch in the fabric to give it an articulated feel.  It is held together with flatlock stitches, so rubbing and chaffing is nonexistent.  There is a 12" zipper with an inner flap of material behind it to prevent cold air from flowing through the zipper.  The collar is mock turtleneck length, which also keeps cold air from penetrating your chest.

The Training Top has quickly become my favourite winter riding piece mainly for its versatility. I've used it in conjunction with an outer shell all the way down to -10C and have never once been cold.  When coupled with the Merino Crewneck, I've gone down to -18C (plus wind chill) and still remained warm and dry.  It pulled moisture off my skin so well that the top was almost completely dry after riding for a few hours.

I was surprised to see just how much moisture can accumulate under a jacket, because my outer shell was literally frozen and frosty on the inside without me realizing it.  The Training Top can also be used on its own in cool weather, because the Drytex 6000 is thick enough to act as a light barrier against the wind.

Care for the training top is much like any other cycling piece, machine wash in cold water and hang to dry.  The top is available from any Louis Garneau dealer and retails for $104.99.


Louis Garneau Typhoon Gloves

The Typhoon gloves are the warmest gloves Garneau offers.  Part of the warmth comes from the lobster-claw shape and the other part comes from the materials used.  The gloves are actually made up of three layers: a Drytex 3M microfibre insert, a middle layer made of Thinsulate, and an outer shell that provides water and wind proofing.  Just like proper layering for your body, the Drytex layer pulls moisture off your skin, the Thinsulate layer transfers that moisture across it but still retains warmth, and the outer shell keeps the wind chill to a minimum.  The outer shell has a waterproof rating of 10 000 mm H2O.  (The waterproof rating is simply a measure of the amount of rainfall the garment can withstand in a 24 hour period before the wearer gets wet)

The gloves are naturally shaped to the curve of your hand, and are thus very comfortable .  Garneau included the necessities for a proper winter glove:  the right amount of padding in the palm and a thumb that is completely covered with a soft microfibre.  The palm is covered in something they call "Fish Grip" that provides decent grip on the handlebars.  There is also a small vent that helps keep palm sweat to a minimum.  The microfiber thumb is my favourite part, as we all know that rubbing a runny nose in the deep cold can get pretty uncomfortable with more abrasive materials.

On the road, the gloves proved to be as warm as my trusty Pearl Izumi Inferno gloves, with better breathability and less moisture accumulation.  I've used them on some very cold and windy rides and am quite impressed with their fit and warmth.

The only part of the glove that I feel needs improvement is the cuff.  I've always been a fan of a larger cuff that you can actually tuck your jacket sleeve into.  This stops drafts from shooting up your sleeves.  With this glove the smallish cuff didn't allow my sleeve to stay in place, causing some minor skin exposure.  A wide cuff with a big Velcro closure would be an improvement.  Also, I would say this glove is better suited for road cyclists because of the lobster claws.  If you ride a MTB and are used to one-finger braking you'll have to change up your style and possibly readjust your controls to allow for two-finger braking.

The Typhoon gloves are cared for like the rest of your cycling clothes.  They are machine washable in cold water, and should be hung up to dry.  They are available in sizes from XS-XL and retail for $69.99.


Gemini 2 Jacket

The Gemini 2 Jacket has all the features I've come to expect from a winter cycling jacket.  It provides great warmth and wind protection when paired with the proper base layers. It's breathable, it has a comfortable fit without being bulky, and it has some key features that make it great value when compared to other high end winter riding jackets.

The jacket's warmth obviously comes from the materials it is made from.  The front panels, shoulders, arms, and upper back are made from a material Garneau calls WindDry 2D.  WindDry 2D is a softshell material that provides protection from the wind, it's waterproof to 5000 mmH20 (the waterproof rating is simply a measure of the amount of rainfall the garment can withstand in a 24 hour period before the wearer gets wet), completely breathable, and it's stretchy.  All sections of the jacket that are not exposed to the wind, specifically the side panels, lower back, and back of the arms, are made from Micro AirDry EX.  This material has a brushed lining, which aids in moisture wicking and offers even better breathability.

Both the WindDry 2D and the Micro AirDry EX fabrics offer 4-way stretch.  This makes the jacket really comfortable when sitting on the bike.  My arms are fairly long according to the ape index, and the sleeves of the Gemini 2 completely cover them when outstretched and hanging onto the handlebars.  The overall cut of the jacket is slim and form fitting without the feeling of being restricted.

Other features of the Gemini 2 include a two-way reverse front zipper with an inner flap that keeps the drafts to a minimum.  I've always found two-way zippers to be a bit tedious to engage and this zipper was no different.  That being said, it's a feature that makes 'pit stops' on the side of the road a lot easier to deal with in the dead of winter.  I was also a bit frustrated to have the zipper handle break off, leaving me with nothing to grab onto to actually zip myself up!

The front of the jacket also has two small pockets with reverse zippers.  They proved to be an ideal place for stashing my house keys and wallet without the worry of having them fall out of the two rear pockets when digging around for food or water (similar to standard cycling jerseys).  The rear pockets are the perfect size to hold a water bottle without the annoyance of it flopping around.  In cold temperatures I have to keep my bottles in a pocket so that my body heat keeps them from freezing.

The hem of the jacket is lined with a rubber strip that prevents the jacket from creeping up while in motion.  Garneau has also added reflective piping down the arms, along the front and across the back so cyclists who ride at night can be sure they are visible in traffic.

Garneau lists the Gemini 2 as being a 'moderate' weather jacket.  That must be relative to living in Quebec City, because to me this is a great jacket for frigid temperatures.  I've used it in temperatures as low as -20C with two other base layers underneath and never once was I cursing the cold.  With the exception of the finicky zipper I think this is a great riding jacket for the money.  At $154.99 you'll be hard pressed to find a similar jacket that is more comfortable or has as many key features that the Gemini 2 offers.

Caring for the Gemini 2 is straightforward - machine wash on the delicate cycle in cold water and hang to dry.


Massimo Bib Tights

Made with fabrics similar to those found in the Gemini 2 Jacket, the Garneau Massimo bib tight is a highly technical piece that keeps you warm and comfortable when the temperature dips well below freezing.

Held together with flatlock stitching, these six panel bibs use different technical fabrics in various places to provide the utmost in comfort, warmth, and performance.  The thighs and waist are made from WindDry 2D.  From the knees down a material called Light WindDry is used.  The properties of Light WindDry include moisture wicking from the inside, and wind and water protection on the outside layer.  In fact, when compared to WindDry 2D, it's even more waterproof at 8000 mmH20 (the waterproof rating is simply a measure of the amount of rainfall the garment can withstand in a 24 hour period before the wearer gets wet).  The bib straps and back of the legs use a fabric called HeatMaxx which is a thick brushed lycra that does a great job of retaining heat.

The fit of the Massimo Bibs are fairly tight.  Because of the six panels, the tights do have a perfect anatomic feel.  The legs have 6" zippers, which make them easier to get into, and rubberized hems that help keep the legs from riding up.

Some might describe the fit as restrictive, because they are very snug. With a 34" inseam and fairly skinny legs, I wear a size large.  I imagine cyclists with bulkier legs may find them restrictive.  When on the bike, they feel really supportive through the torso and thighs and are very comfortable.

The Massimo bibs also feature Garneau's top of the line chamois, the Matrix 3Gel.  I found it to be extremely comfortable without the bulky diaper-like feel.  That being said, I've never quite understood why manufacturers include a chamois in their tights.  Like a jacket, I consider tights to be a piece that gets washed 'occasionally'.  Having a chamois means they need to be washed after every ride.  I always wear a bib short under my tights to avoid having to launder them all the time.

Similar to other technical pieces from Garneau, the Massimo Bibs are to be washed on the delicate cycle, in cold water, and hung up to dry.  These bibs retail for 169.99 and can be found at most Louis Garneau dealers.

All items reviewed by Chad Grochowina