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review
Arm & leg warmers
Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers2023 Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers.jpg

Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers

8
by Ed Morgan
Thu, Apr 04, 2024 15:45
1
£49.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Warm, comfortable and weather-resistant Gore-Tex fabric – and some of the best leg warmers around
Gore-Tex Infinium technology
Tight fit around the leg
Super warm
Very long cut won't suit everyone
Slightly baggy ankle
Weight: 
133g
Contact: 
www.gorewear.com
How we test

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.

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Want to banish cold legs? The Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers cover your legs from the tops of your thighs to your ankle bones – their Gore-Tex Infinium fabric keeping them toasty even as temperatures plummet.

Infinium boasts exceptional water repellency, which proved invaluable during wet winter rides. The water beading technology embedded in it kept my legs dry and comfortable, which made winter riding a much more enjoyable experience.

I found that the Shields also offered a snug, comfortable fit, thanks to the stretch of the fabric and their well-designed construction.

2023 Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers - seam.jpg

They conformed closely to the contours of my legs without feeling restrictive, providing both warmth and freedom of movement.

2023 Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers - cuff gripper.jpg

They stayed in place without any slippage, but when I wore them with overshoes, the bottom of the warmers would bunch up a little.

2023 Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers - Gore-Tex logo.jpg

To prevent this I pulled the warmers down before pulling my Spatz over my cycling shoes. Sorted.

2023 Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers - back.jpg

Gore-Tex's Infinium not only scores when it comes to water resistance, its breathability is also excellent, maintaining an adequate airflow that prevents you overheating during intense rides.

2023 Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers - side.jpg

This balance of weather protection and breathability is crucial for staying comfortable in variable weather – and Gorewear's Shields excel in achieving this equilibrium.

2023 Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers - cuff back.jpg

They've proven durable too, showing a high-quality construction and excellent attention to detail.

2023 Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers - seam 2.jpg

Value

These might seem expensive but the Infinium goes a long way to justifying that price, and their quality puts them up there with those in our best arm and leg warmers buyer's guide.

Jamie reviewed the Spatz Burnr 4 Season Leg Warmers, but though warm in the dry, he found their weather protection wasn't so impressive.

And while Stu described the the 7mesh Colorado Leg Warmers as some of the best out there – they're now £80.

Conclusion

I think these would make a stellar addition to any cyclist's winter wardrobe. Their comfort, exceptional water resistance and breathability make them a standout choice if you refuse to let unpredictable weather dampen your enthusiasm. Highly recommended.

Verdict

Warm, comfortable and weather-resistant Gore-Tex fabric – and some of the best leg warmers around

road.cc test report

Make and model: Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers

Size tested: M-Large

Tell us what the product is for

Leg warmers for colder weather use that provide a good barrier against the wind, rain, and the cold.

"Adapt your outfit for poor weather conditions with these warm and highly breathable leg warmers."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Gore-Tex Infinium™ fabrics with GoreE® Windstopper® product technology: totally windproof, extremely breathable and durably water resistant, lightweight protection

Highly functional material mix for optimum comfort, high breathability and quick redrying time

4-way stretch fabric

Pre-shaped knees

Elastic cuffs at top edge with silicone grip provide optimal fit and comfort

Flatlock seams

Reflective logo

Reflective transfer print to mark right and left

Weight:

134 grams

MAIN: 92% Polyester, 8% Elastane PANELS: 84% Polyester, 16% Elastane

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
10/10

Water beads on the surface of the from the Gore-Tex Infinium fabric, which looks amazing. And the resulting performance really is exceptional.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
7/10

Good fit around my legs but the ankle was a little bit too baggy for my liking.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10

They are very long – this does provide good coverage beneath your shorts, but being so high up your thighs does make them feel a little weird.

Rate the product for weight:
 
6/10

Their weather resistance does make them slightly thicker and heavier than other leg warmers.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Expensive? Yes. But their quality, construction and durability justify that price.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

They're easy to wash with your other sports kit at low temperatures. But considering they have a DWR finish it's probably best to wash them as little as possible.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

These kept my legs very warm even when temperatures got close to 0°C, which allowed me to wear my most comfortable shorts in winter, rather than resorting to tights or longs.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The Gore-Tex Infinium – this material really helps to fight off biting winter winds.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

They were slightly loose around my ankles.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

They're not cheap, but their performance matches those of more expensive leg warmers.

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

I enjoyed using these leg warmers a lot – they're really warm and offer good protection. The only down side is that the ankles were a little baggy for me and they were extremely long, which got a bit uncomfortable on the longer rides.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 23  Height: 185cm  Weight: 68kg

I usually ride: Dolan Rebus  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Semi pro

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, commuting, club rides, Always love some off-road with some mates.

Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers 2024
Gorewear Shield Leg Warmers
Gorewear 2024
Gorewear

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1 comments

Avatar
ErnieC | 8 months ago
0 likes

I do like the label saying L BACK. I have had warmers in the past that made it difficult to figure out the correct way to wear them. 

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