Clutch Jersey
Hot
- Vent dry fabric is next to skin soft and provides excellent moisture management
- The ultimate in storage with convertible rear three pockets into five with a flip of a zipper
- Full-zip for maximum ventilation and easy on/off when wearing bibs
- Silicone gripper along the hemline prevents jersey from creeping up
Not
- Front and rear reflective elements are relatively small
- Only available in one color
Corridge Bibs
Hot
- Two side and one large rear pocket for extra storage
- Wide bib straps have plenty of stretch
- The center clip at the chest keeps straps in place (women’s version)
- Compression fabric reduces muscle fatigue
- 5.1 Pulse chamois provides comfort on long rides
- Wide leg bands stay in place with silicone grippers
- Wide range of sizing to fit every body type
- UPF/SPF 50 for sun protection
- 10.25″ inseam provides good leg coverage
Not
- The power band is very compressive and can cause sausage legs
Garneau
Price: $109.99 MSRP (jersey); $199.99 (bibs)
Color: Dust Blue (jersey); Black/Dust Blue/Olive Green (men’s & women’s bibs), Black (men’s bibs)
Sizes: XS-2XL (jersey & women’s bibs); XS-3XL (men’s bibs)
Jersey Fit: Standard
How Obtained: Company sample
Availability: Online and Retail
RBR Advertiser: No
When the Road Ends — Garneau’s New Groad Collection – For Men and Women
The cyclist’s love affair with gravel continues to grow every year. The sense of adventure, self-sufficiency, and vibe attract roadies and newbies to the sport. When the road ends is where Garneau’s Groad (combine road and gravel) collection begins.
Back in late August, the company sent me two pieces from the collection to test and review. They were the Clutch jersey and the Corridge bibs, both available in men’s and women’s versions.
Storage. Storage. Storage.
When you are out in the middle of nowhere, it’s essential to bring plenty of nutrition, tools, and whatnot. Garneau designed both the jersey and the bibs with a ton of storage. The Clutch jersey has three standard rear pockets plus a ‘flip and zip’ that magically transforms into pockets four and five. The left and right pockets unzip, revealing a flap that you flip to one side and zip up, creating another pocket. If you flip and zip both sides, you have a total of five pockets to stuff with all sorts of things. Transforming the pockets cannot be done on the bike; I found it easiest to do before getting dressed by laying the jersey flat on the table or bed and then flip and zip.
The Corridge bibs have two side thigh pockets ideal for gel packets or bars. Another large mesh pocket is along the small of the back.
Clutch Jersey
Both the men’s and women’s version of this jersey comes in one color option, dust blue. The Vent Dry fabric is lightweight, breathable, and provides excellent moisture management. The material is next to skin silky smooth for added comfort. A silicon gripper runs along the bottom hemline to prevent the jersey from riding up. A full-length zipper provides maximum ventilation on hot rides and is easy on/off during nature breaks when wearing bibs.
The company describes the jersey as ‘standard,’ but in my opinion, it is more a relaxed fit. It comes in extended sizes XS-2XL making the jersey more appealing to a broader range of cyclists.
Corridge Bibs
The bibs also come in men’s and women’s versions; however, the men have a second color option, black. The common color bib is a combo of black, dust blue (matches the jersey), and olive green (power leg band) that makes for a nicely designed kit when paired with the Clutch jersey.
The bibs are made of compression fabric to help keep muscles from fatiguing on the rough gravel terrain. I found the wide bib straps with the center chest clip (women’s version only) quite comfortable. The one feature I didn’t care for was the power leg band. The combination of very compressive fabric and the seam was very unflattering by not creating a smooth transition from the shorts to my leg. My quads are muscular and thick so that the fit might be more flattering on a thinner leg.
Like the jersey, the bibs are available in a wide range of sizes, from XS-2XL for women and up to 3XL for men.
5.1 Pulse Chamois, Comfort for the Long Haul
Much technology goes into the Garneau’s 5.1 Pulse chamois, which is available in men’s and women’s designs. The skiving technology combines very dense and lightweight foams to have an ergonomic shape and lightness. Skiving is a new term for me, even after six years of reviewing cycling gear. According to the Garneau website, it provides more thickness where needed and thinness at the edges, making the pad virtually unnoticeable when pedaling.
The chamois has a slit at the back of the pad, and vented mesh fabric bridges the gap. This allows for motion which translates to added comfort.
Bottom Line
Garneau’s new Groad line is there for when the pavement ends. The gravel specific features of the Clutch jersey and Corridge bibs will give you comfort and style on the road less traveled.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.
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