Great cycling gear is like a great pair of jeans. You can throw it on anytime, be comfortable, and enjoy whatever it is you’re doing. On the bike, whether in a race or just out for a quick ride, Louis Garneau cycling gear is, figuratively speaking, that perfect pair of jeans. Garneau gear is just so comfortable, you can wear it for a quick ride, all-day excursion, or pretty much anything else you need it for. But just as importantly, Louis Garneau engineers everything with performance at the forefront, meaning when race day comes, you’re good to go.
I own and use a variety of Garneau cycling gear, and I have been for some time now. In recommending what Garneau gear ranks among the best, it’s actually quite difficult, as I love every piece of Garneau I own. But if you forced me to pick the essentials – a single Garneau package for a day out on the bike – this is what I’d choose. There’s plenty more superb Louis Garneau options to choose from, but this will at least get you headed in the right direction.
Louis Garneau diamond bike helmet
Louis Garneau Diamond Helmet (Men’s and Women’s, $189.99)
I’m not usually one to boast about athlete endorsements of products, but this is the helmet worn by Chrissie Wellington in her record-setting 2009 Ironman World Championship title. As a triathlete myself, I know how incredibly difficult completing an Ironman is, let alone being at the top of the Ironman field. It goes without saying that a comfortable helmet is a must in an Ironman competition, and the Louis Garneau Diamond helmet is about as comfortable as you’re going to get. It’s incredibly cool thanks to its more than 40 vents; at 285 grams, it’s super light; and most importantly, it incredibly, incredibly comfortable. Wearing it, you forget you’re wearing it, and as far as helmet compliments go, that’s about the highest praise I can give it. Features of the Louis Garneau Diamond helmet include:
- CPSC-ASTM-CEN-AS 2063 certified (Order 1408847 for Australian certification)
- In-Mold Construction: An industrial process binding the microplastic and polystyrene together to add superior mechanical properties to these materials.
- Spiderlock Elite: Adjustable and detachable rack-and-pinion mechanism using only one hand to stabilize the helmet on the head. It is provided with ergonomic padding.
- Steplock Divider: Cam locking device to quickly adjust strap position.
- Sealed Airdry Padding: Washable sealed adjustment padding for enhanced durability, ergonomic design for optimum comfort.
- Evacuation channels: Moisture channels provide better airflow and moisture wicking.
- Super MSB Technology: Ring-shaped protection at the base of the helmet reinforces the perimeter to spread the shock of impact.
- Exo-Insert Technology: Lightweight inner plastic reinforcement spreads the shock of impact and helps maintain the helmet’s structure.
- Composite Reinforcement: Inner composite-made frame which spread the shock of impacts. It provides support and protection while being lightweight.
- S: 6 1/2-7; 20 1/2″ – 22″; 52-56 cm
- M: 7-7 3/8; 22″ – 23 1/4″; 56-59 cm
- L: 7 3/8-7 3/4; 23 1/4″ – 24 1/2″; 59-62 cm
Louis Garneau Équipe Bib and Factory Team Jersey
Louis Garneau Équipe Bib (Men’s, $149.99)
In selecting a bib, comfort, moisture management and muscle compression are all vital features, and the Louis Garneau Équipe Bib blends the three perfectly. A patented Airgel Chamois has perforated gel inserts to keep you comfortable for long stretches in the saddle; a combination of Power Lycra and Fit Sensor fabrics help keep you dry while still providing excellent muscle compression; and Powerband compressive grippers help keep the Équipe Bib in place while you ride, avoiding the slipping and riding up common in other bibs. Other features of the Louis Garneau Équipe Bib include:
- Lycra power, fit sensor and speed mesh fabric construction
- Ergonomic fit
- 8 panels
- 1 back pocket
- Powerband
- No seam inside leg
- Flatlock seams
- Back reflective logo
- Men Airgel Chamois
- Compressive Fit
- Inseam 11.25″/28.5 cm
Louis Garneau Factory Team Jersey (Men’s, $84.99)
Complimenting the styling of the Louis Garneau Équipe Bib, the Louis Garneau Factory Team Jersey features a matching color combination paired with the same comfort and performance attributes of its sibling. Thank to its diamond fabric construction, air flow remains consistent, keeping you cool and wicking moisture away from your skin. 3 back pockets provide storage while riding, and elastic at the hem ensures the jersey stays in place while you ride. Features of the Louis Garneau Factory Team Jersey include:
- Diamond Fabric
- Full-length zip
- 3 back pockets
- Elastic at hem
- Back reflective logo
- Pro Fit Men
Louis Garneau Équipe Women’s Shorts and Jersey
Louis Garneau Équipe Shorts (Women’s, $129.99)
Men have the Louis Garneau Équipe Bib, women have Louis Garneau Équipe Shorts, but both feature a similar construction and similarly exceptional performance properties. As in the men’s bib, the women’s shorts feature a Power Lycra and Fit Sensor fabric construction, offering excellent muscle compression with superb moisture management properties. Also present is the patented Airgel Chamois with perforated gel inserts, keeping you comfortable on long rides, while a HuggFit waist specifically designed to fit the natural contour of a woman’s body helps differentiate the Équipe Shorts from the bib. Features of the Louis Garneau Équipe Shorts include:
- Fit sensor and lycra power fabric construction
- Ergonomic fit
- 6 panels
- HuggFit waist, designed to fit the natural contour of a woman’s body without adding pressure points
- Powerband
- Flatlock seams
- Back reflective logo
- Women Airgel Chamois
- Inseam 10.5″/26.5 cm
Louis Garneau Équipe Jersey (Women’s, $84.99)
Again similar to the men’s Factory jersey, the women’s Louis Garneau Équipe Jersey features styling designed to match the women’s Équipe shorts. In addition, a diamond fabric construction keeps you cool and dry as the heat rises, 3 back pockets offer another means of storage, and elastic at the hem helps keep the jersey in place, both in and out of the saddle. Features of the women’s Louis Garneau Équipe Jersey include:
- Diamond fabric
- Full-length zip
- 3 back pockets
- Elastic at hem
- Back reflective logo
- Pro Fit Women
Louis Garneau CFS 150 Road Bike Shoes
Louis Garneau CFS-150 Shoes (Men’s and Women’s, $299.99)
In seeking out to provide a shoe that offers the perfect fit and ultimate in power transfer, Louis Garneau has created the CFS-150, a heat moldable shoe that’s incredibly stiff and comfortable. If you’re unfamiliar with heat moldable shoes, the premise is simple: you heat your oven to 150 degrees, remove the main strap, place the shoes in the oven for 15 minutes, remove them and put them on your feet for 15-20 minutes, until they cool. The result is a shoe that perfectly contoured to your foot, supremely comfortable, and one that’s a far less expensive option than full customs.
In addition to its heat molding properties, Louis Garneau CFS-150 shoes offer a variety of other superb features as well, including a microfiber leather upper, numerous vents for excellent foot ventilation, a visual display of cleat position compatible with SPD, TIME, LOOK and SPEED PLAY cleats, and Ergo Air interchangeable inserts (one for warm weather and one for cold). Features of the Louis Garneau CFS-150 Shoes include:
- Carbon HM outsole with patented mulitvent system
- 100% heat moldable shoe at 150 F (65 C)
- Ergonomic thermoplastic molded toes with 3 side vents
- Micro-ratchet upper strap with fully adjustable EVA padding
- Microfiber leather upper
- Nylon mesh upper
- 2-position micro-adjustment ratchet reinforcement
- Toe covers and shoe bag included
- Weight (size 41/1 shoe): 305 g/10.9 oz
- Ergo Air Interchangeable
- 100% Thermomoldable
- Patented Ergo Air
Louis Garneau Revo XR2 Road Bike Shoes
Louis Garneau Revo XR2 Shoes (Women’s, $129.99)
And lastly, for a more economical choice in cycling shoes, the Revo XR2’s are an excellent choice for women. Featuring a dual-material carbon and nylon outsole with patented multivent system as well as breathable nylon-mesh/synthetic leather uppers, Revo XR2’s are exceptionally breathable and offer an incredible amount of performance for the money. As with the CFS-150’s, the Revo XR2’s come with Ergo Air interchangeable inserts (one for warm weather and one for cold) as well as a visual display of cleat position compatible with DURA-ACE, SPD, SPD-SL, TIME, LOOK and SPEED PLAY cleats. Some of the other highlights of the Revo XR2 include:
- Women specific
- Dual-material carbon and nylon outsole with patented multivent system
- HRS-80 system
- Synthetic leather
- Ergonomic thermoplastic molded heel
- Ratchet closure and velcro straps
- Main strap adjustable with velcro
- Nylon mesh upper
- COOLMAX Ergo Air Cool Stuff blue and Hot Stuff red interchangeable insoles
- Approximate weight (size 38/1 shoe): 225 g/8 oz
Again, picking Louis Garneau gear really is difficult, because everything I’ve worn by Garneau I’ve loved. But if you’re new to the company, or just can’t decide what piece (or pieces) of Garneau you’re going to get next, I can tell you that any of the aforementioned items offer an incredible blend of performance, price and comfort. To learn more about any of the Louis Garneau gear above or to view the full range of Louis Garneau’s offerings, you can find more info at the Louis Garneau website.
