Garneau Equipe Shorts, Bibs and Equipe 2 Jersey Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum and Brandon Bilyeu

 

 

 

Men’s/Women’s Jersey:

Hot!

• Moisture management fabric – breathability and quick drying
• Mesh side panels for added cooling
• Sweatproof back pocket with headphone cable exit
• Powerband 4-way stretch sleeves
• Bottom hem lays flat and doesn’t ride up
• Full length zipper
• UV protection fabric

Not!

• Nothing

Women’s Shorts:

Hot!

• New motion Airgel chamois
• Wide waist band, higher in the back
• Compression fabric reduces muscle fatigue
• Moisture management fabric
• Inseam perfect length
• Comfortable and flattering laser cut leg bands

Not!

• Color blocking placement in unflattering location
• Low-rise front waistline

Men’s Bibs:

Hot!

• All day comfort chamois
• Good leg compression
• Second skin fit that is super comfortable
• Good moisture evacuation

Not!

• Lots of seams and hems on bib straps

Women’s Equipe 2 Jersey
Women’s Equipe Shorts
Men’s Equipe 2 Jersey
Men’s Equipe Bibs

Cost: Jersey: $89.99; Shorts: $109.99; Bibs: $139.99
How obtained: review sample from company
Available: online, retail, Garneau website
Colors (Women’s Jersey & shorts): Navy w/red & white accents, Black w/pink graphics, Black w/multi-color graphics
Colors (Men’s Jersey & Bibs): Navy w/red accents, Black w/yellow & grey accents, Black w/blue & grey accents
RBR Sponsor: no
Tested: Jerseys 30+ hours; Shorts 15 hours; Bibs 30+ hours
Sizing: Jersey: XS-2XL standard fit Women; S-3XL standard fit Men, Shorts/Bibs: S-2XL

Revamped and Ready for Summer

For their Spring/Summer line Garneau completely revamped both their women’s and men’s Equipe 2 jersey and Equipe shorts/bibs in multiple great color/graphic combinations for a superb cycling kit. All the kits have the same technical features but very different graphical designs. Therefore, you can own them all and no one would know they are all the same model.

Sheri tested the women’s jersey and shorts, while Brandon tested the men’s jersey and bibs.

A Jersey with Fashion and Function

Right out of the packaging, you’ll notice the silky soft fabric of the Equipe 2 Jersey. Then when you put it on, it not only feels good, but fits great. I tested the women’s kit both indoors on the trainer and outside. The mesh side panels helped to keep me cool, while the moisture management fabric was breathable and quick drying. A full-length zipper also helps to control ventilation.

The fit and comfort of the jersey is spot on. The sleeves have a 4-way stretch Powerband that keep them in place and feel like a second skin without being restricting. The bottom hem incorporates Silicone grippers on the sides and back to keep the jersey in place and doesn’t ride up as you ride. Five rear pockets provide plenty of storage room. The two end pockets have an angled opening to make it easier to access with a gloved hand. The center pocket has a second internal sweatproof pocket that is a great place to store your phone, eliminating using a plastic ziplock baggie. The center pocket also has a headphone cable exit. I personally will not ride outside with earbuds, but it was nice to have on the trainer. The fifth pocket is smaller and located on the right side of the jersey. It was designed as a place to store empty energy bar wrappers so you don’t have an excuse for littering.

The women’s Equipe 2 jersey comes in 3 very unique graphical designs with matching shorts. The men have 4 jerseys and 3 bib designs to choose from, all matching except for one standalone jersey. I tested the navy with white stripes and red/coral accents. It had a fresh clean look and I received numerous compliments each time I wore it.

One final plus for this jersey is it provides UV protection. You might think just because you’re covered there’s sun protection. Not true, many fabrics let harmful rays pass through. With the Equipe 2 you’re covered.

Women’s Shorts Provide Comfort and Support

The Equipe shorts use Garneau’s Motion Airgel chamois. It’s treated with an anti-bacterial solution to reduce the growth of bacteria. I do like this chamois over their previous versions I’ve tested. But don’t make the same mistake I did. I didn’t wash the shorts prior to wearing and was rewarded with some minor chafing. But after one wash the chamois was softer and no problems. In fact, last weekend’s ride was 50 miles and I had zero issues.

The waistband on these shorts uses a “hug-fit” waist that stays in place, won’t dig into your waist, and avoids unsightly muffin top. I liked that the waist line was higher in the back to provide added coverage when in the drops. However, the front waistline dips well below the belly button. I don’t have a stomach, but I kept feeling like I needed to pull it up in front.

The inseam of the shorts is a perfect length, measuring 9.5” (24cm), and the laser cut leg opening extremely comfortable and flattering. The Power + Lycra® fiber provides muscle compression to reduce fatigue which I found to be a medium on the compression scale.

Garneau has designed three Equipe shorts to match a corresponding Equipe 2 jersey. Each one is so unique and you are bound to get compliments. The only part I’d change is the placement of the color blocking. It was right at my crotch and the jersey covered most of the colored panel in front except for a coral color “V”.

Men’s Bibs – The Rumors are True

Over the years I have heard on many occasions from different people that Louis Garneau shorts/bibs offer awesome fit and comfort, but never got around to personally verifying the rumors. So when the LG Equipe kit arrived for testing I had high expectations, which is a dangerous thing as it usually leads to disappointment. But after many hours in the saddle I can say without doubt that the rumors are true.

The LG Equipe bibs fit like a second skin, but that is not to say that it is simply a super tight fit. The building blocks of bibshort design are stretchy fabric and multi-panel construction, but LG seems to have just about perfected the recipe. There is excellent compression in the legs with an overall snug fit that hugs the body with no voids, baggy spots, or bunching fabric. Once I put them on everything was just locked in place and felt super solid and supportive, including the long laser cut leg openings.

The chamois placement and comfort is excellent. For me, most bibs tend to place the chamois a little high in the rear, but the men’s version of the Motion Airgel chamois sat perfectly under my sitbones. LG claims this chamois is ideal for long rides and I agree. It offers a good balance of support and cushioning that felt great in my longest Spring ride of 4+ hours. The split rear end allows independent movement of each side which helps the chamois move with your body for better comfort and extra ventilation.

My only (minor) criticism of the bibs are the straps. The straps are a stretchy and breathable mesh that fit well, but the edge hems and cross seams are a little bulky. The result is some pressure along the hem lines that for me is not a problem, but I know several people who can’t stand hemmed bibstraps and who only use shorts with single piece straps. Additionally, the back cutout adds a bit more breathability, but provides more hems directly underneath jersey pockets.

Bottom Line

Garneau’s new Spring/Summer line includes the newly revamped Equipe 2 Jersey and Equipe shorts/bibs for women and men. They are not only smartly designed so you’ll look great on the bike, but they perform great, too. Superb moisture management, comfortable chamois and flattering fit make this one kit we’ll be wearing a lot this summer.

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