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review
£19.58
VERDICT:
An excellent fit from the anatomic design, and provide plenty of warmth in cooler climes
Multi-panel design gives a great fit
They stay put
Good price
Weight:
59g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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Cleverly designed and well made, the Galibier Ardennes II Arm Warmers are intended for milder temperatures than most, but that makes them ideal for spring/summer/autumn use, or as part of a layering system.
Rather than just go for a single piece of fabric sewn into a tube, Galibier has created its Ardennes II arm warmers a little differently. They are made from two differing materials cut into panels: a windproof ThermoRoubaix fabric for the sections that are facing the direction of travel, with a thinner Lycra section for around the elbow, which allows easy movement without any bunching of the material.
This lack of bunching is helped by the fact that the panels are shaped to suit the bend of your arm when you are on the bike. The arm warmers are marked L and R, to make things clearer, and come in four sizes.
They are very comfortable, not only because of the shape but also because the fabrics used are soft against the skin.
The silicone grippers along with the Lycra used at either end provide enough compression to hold the warmers in place without any unwanted pressure, which means they remain comfortable even on long rides.
In terms of their temperature range, I'd say you are looking at around 5°C to 15°C because of their lightweight design. The windproof fabric keeps the worst of the chilly breezes out, and the fact that they are so slender means they'll fit under a jacket for a bit of extra warmth. They also bundle up small to fit in your jersey pocket.
The quality looks and feels to be very good, with all of the seams being double stitched for durability.
Priced at £19.58, they are some of the cheapest warmers we've tested.
The lightweight Lusso Active Aero arm warmers are priced at £24.99 and offer similar levels of protection, although they don't have the anatomical fit of the Galibiers.
The Castelli UPF 50+ Light Arm Skins are designed primarily for sun protection in the summer but can also be used in the cooler temperatures like the Ardennes. They are priced at £24.99 too.
> Buyer’s Guide: 14 of the best arm and leg warmers
Overall, the Ardennes II may not be ideal for the harshest of winter conditions, but for the rest of the year they are perfectly capable. The design is really well thought out too, making them some of the most comfortable arm warmers I've worn.
Verdict
An excellent fit from the anatomic design, and provide plenty of warmth in cooler climes
road.cc test report
Make and model: Galibier Ardennes II Arm Warmers
Size tested: Medium
Tell us what the product is for
Galibier says, "HIGHEST PROTECTION ARM COVERING FOR CYCLING IN COOLER SPRING, SUMMER AND AUTUMN DAYS WITH A SHORT SLEEVED JERSEY.
"Second generation of a superb garment. The key to the great fit, is the panelled construction and anatomic shape, with a specific cut for your left and right arm. This prevents loose material around the elbow and the soft silicone grippers mean they stay in place, comfortably.
"4 materials are used in the construction, each panel ergonomically designed and cut for second skin feel. A windproof ThermoRoubaix provides warmth and Lycra at the elbow eliminates any tight spots at the bend. Double stitched for durability. An essential part of your kit bag, as the arm warmers are QuickDry for ease of use."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Galibier lists:
FEATURES
25mm of silicone at the bicep to keep it in place, on a 50mm lycra cuff
6 panel design to match the bend of the arm.
Roubaix fabric on 5 panels to provide a pressure free warmth and windproof garment.
Quickdry treatment
Double thickness 4 way stretch Lycra on the outside bicep to check elbow pressure.
Italian Thermoroubaix (polyamide 45%, polyester 42%, elastane 13%)
Galibier reflective detailing
1 pair, Right and left specific.
4 needle stitch construction.
Sizing:
UNSTRETCHED , laid flat, our arm warmers measure:
Small 42 cm Long by 11cm bicep
Med 45 cm Long by 12cm bicep
Large 46.5 cm Long by 13cm bicep
XL 48 cm Long by 14cm bicep
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
9/10
Rate the product for sizing:
9/10
The medium size I tested fitted absolutely fine and corresponded to Galibier's size guide on its website.
Rate the product for weight:
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
8/10
Rate the product for value:
7/10
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
No issues with washing many times.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
They work well in the cooler temperatures they are designed for.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Great fit.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing to really dislike.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
Thye are cheaper than most similar offerings, like the Lusso and Castelli mentioned in the review.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
Arm warmers can be very simple in their design, but Galibier has come up with some clever ideas which it has executed well, and at a very competitive price.
About the tester
Age: 42
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,
As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!
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2 comments
Galibier kit is normally very good, very reasonably-priced and very versatile. I'm not always a fan of the aesthetics of some of their jerseys but the actual functionality can rarely be faulted.
Have them, love them.