Review of Louis Garneau Optimum Bib Cycling Short
High-quality but reasonably priced, if you're looking for a high performer that doesn't break the bank, this pair delivers
Price: $55 List | Check Price at Backcountry
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, highly breathable short, great price
Cons: Not the most flattering short, seven" inseam too short for taller riders
Manufacturer: Louis Garneau
Our Editors independently research, exam, and charge per unit the best products. We only make money if y'all purchase a product through our links, and we never accept costless products from manufacturers. Acquire more
Compare to Similar Products
| This Product | SUGOi RS Pro Bib | Louis Garneau Fit Sensor 7.5 | Pearl Izumi Escape Quest - Women's | Canari Pro Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | Bank check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $144.97 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $99.99 at Backcountry Compare at ii sellers | $29.98 at Backcountry Compare at two sellers | $50 List $39.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Lightweight, comfortable, highly breathable brusk, not bad price | High-operation chamois lasts for hours, bib straps stretch to allow easy pit stops, multi-panel pattern tailored to rider's body | Beautifully synthetic, reinforced seams, super-soft fabric, value | Great fit, fun pattern on the short, super cute | Unproblematic blueprint, form-plumbing fixtures, moderately breathable |
| Cons | Non the most flattering short, 7" inseam besides short for taller riders | No-thrills bib too wearisome for some, stitching shows wear later on testing catamenia | Thicker fabric, dull to dry | Beneath-average chamois, shorter waist, not comfortable on longer efforts | No-frills pattern, awkward chamois positioning, not built for long efforts |
| Bottom Line | Loftier-quality but reasonably priced, if you're looking for a high performer that doesn't break the banking concern, this pair delivers | These model is our favorite option for high performance in the saddle | If y'all want a short that feels tailored and y'all are allergic to silicone, this pair has you lot covered | A keen-looking brusk that left us wanting more than from its performance | If you're riding short distances, these form-fitting and reasonably-priced shorts won't break the banking concern |
| Rating Categories | Louis Garneau Optimum | SUGOi RS Pro Bib | Louis Garneau Fit Southward... | Pearl Izumi Escape... | Canari Pro Gel |
| Comfort And Fit (30%) | |||||
| Padding And Protection (25%) | |||||
| Breathability And Fabric (twenty%) | |||||
| Durability (fifteen%) | |||||
| Style (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Louis Garneau Optimum | SUGOi RS Pro Bib | Louis Garneau Fit S... | Pearl Izumi Escape... | Canari Pro Gel |
| Main Fabric | Signature Mat, Quantum, Mesh | 80% nylon, 20% spandex | 60% nylon, 24% polyester, 16% Lycra | 88% nylon, 12% elastane | 82% nylon, 18% spandex; |
| Inseam Measurement | 7.0 in | 8.5 in | vii.v in | 8.5 in | 7.0 in |
| Number of panels | 10 panels | viii panels | eight panels | vi panels | 8 panels |
| Chamois | AirSport Women's | Formula FX women's | AirZone | Standard | Green Gel Pad |
| Weight (in ounces), size Medium | 4.6 oz | 6.2 oz | 4.ix oz | 4.iv oz | 5.five oz |
| Fit Type | Course-fitting | Grade-fitting | Ergonomic | Grade-fitting | Grade-fitting |
| Other Features | Three dissimilar fabrics, stash pockets, apartment-lock seams | Bib design | Huggfit waist and powerband cuffs are women'due south specific for improve fit | Broad, rubberband free waistband, silicone leg grippers | Gel pad designed to spread daze throughout shorts, minimizing touch |
Optimum 2 vs. Optimum
Louis Garneau released the Optimum 2 since our test cycle. The 2 models are largely the same when it comes to their features, but the new shorts have an increased amount of compression material, and the waistline is designed to ameliorate hug the wearer's body. Compare the two below; the Optimum 2 is shown first, followed by the model we tested.
Nosotros're now linking to the Optimum 2, merely exist aware that the post-obit review is our account of the original Optimum short.
Easily-On Review of the Optimum
Our reviewers were kind of shocked to learn that Louis Garneau considers this a "dandy entry level brusque." Compared to a lot of what's out there, the Optimum has a lot to offer along the lines of fit, comfort and breathability. For many of our testers, this was their become-to option for impromptu luncheon hour rides, century rides with friends, and longer training sessions.
What we loved and so much nigh this short is true about the Louis Garneau make: high-quality and highly breathable fabrics made with quality construction and obvious care. At that place's lilliputian danger of a seam coming loose and LG doesn't cut corners (no slider silicone leg holders on their shorts). For ii years in a row, their shorts take been highly ranked past our reviewers, and receive gold stars across our functioning metrics.
In that location's so much to love about the Optimum: it'south soft, it'south highly breathable and...information technology offers really great value.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Comfort and Fit
Our testers super-loved that this short that fit similar a glove with no awkward places where the cloth bunched or pooched, even after a serious ride. This is due, in part, to the dynamic ten-console design that allows the design to adjust to a variety of body shapes. Our testers loved the shorter length (especially on these hot summer days) although taller riders might want to take not; these only accept a 7" inseam.
All the seams are reinforced, and this short features absolutely NO raw edges. In fact, in true Louis Garneau fashion, the leg ends and waist characteristic a double layer of fabric. This does two things: one) keeps everything in place and 2) avoids that bad-mannered "pinch" that comes when too-tight is paired with too-thin (think: those atrocious thin silicone leg bands meant to proceed shorts in place). Yous won't detect those within 25k of these shorts.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
In addition to avoiding "sausage-leg," these shorts sit higher on the waist, which gives a rider two singled-out advantages.1) Y'all tin avoid unexpected sunday exposure on your lower dorsum from your jersey riding up, and (more importantly) 2) this brusque keeps your stomach in check, so at that place's no "abdomen-flop" roll-over (a.m.a.: the muffin pinnacle upshot) that tin happen on lower-waisted shorts.
Oftentimes called "the most comfortable shorts I've ever owned" past reviewers from online retailers, trust us: this is a short y'all've GOT to try, especially if condolement is fundamental to your saddle sessions (we bet information technology is!).
These shorts took our testers on all sorts of adventures. No matter the conditions, they performed extremely well.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Padding and Protection
The worth of any bike short is found in its chamois — that technical, padded cloth that separates your tender regions from the bike seat. Chamois aren't all made equal, and chamois--similar a lot of things in life--come up down partially to private preference. That being said, there are a few things to look out for, and you'll be glad to know that the Louis Garneau Airsport chamois has all the elements of a quality product.
The Airsport chamois is heat-stitched, which means it will bend and conform to your body and body position in the saddle. The chamois is likewise made of a high-density cream that performed well in our tests. While it doesn't offer every bit much protection as a few other options nosotros tested, but compared to most shorts, this little chamois performed remarkably well.
These shorts are then comfy you likely won't mind taking a nice relaxing break in them before hopping back on the bicycle for the next leg of your take chances.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Wicking, comfortable, and chafe-free, our testers agreed this short perform well for two hours in the saddle. Moreover, information technology has reinforced stitching around the chamois, so there's little run a risk of chafing due to a raw edge downwardly yonder.
The size and shape of the chamois fit nearly of our testers to a T. Not too long, and simply broad plenty: the Optimum follows the rule of moderation gracefully. No diaper-butt is going on with these shorts.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Breathability and Fabric
Who would accept thought that a blend of 80% nylon and 20% spandex would feel then soft and comfortable? Nosotros weren't immediately sold based on the literature, either, only once nosotros tried on the shorts, we came arouind speedily. Light as a plume and highly breathable, these babies kept united states of america high and dry even on rides in 100+ degree Fahrenheit temperatures.
The Louis Garneau fabric guide for their product line places these shorts in the "less than an 60 minutes category"--something our testers challenged. We wore them across two hours and found the breathability and fabric to absolutely suffice. Granted, we spend a lot of time in the wheel saddle, then you might desire to try them out on a training ride before yous commit to riding a century in them.
We also loved the highly technical cloth that sheds h2o, virtually like a duck's feathers. So, if you lot're defenseless in a downpour, equally long equally it stops raining, and you lot keep riding, these shorts will dry out out rapidly.
Some other plus? The way the material is put together. Without any "raw" seams, in that location's no worry of the material fraying someday soon. The seams held strong through our testing menstruum, making our testers fairly confident in stating that the only thing ripping a hole in this short is either: a heck of a lot of miles or a nasty crash on the pavement.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Durability
In some ways, this is one of the hardest metrics for us to examination. While we do our best to habiliment out the shorts put in our care with months of constant launder and wear, nosotros know that you're looking for a product that will last you non months, but years. And then, let's be existent: nosotros are extra-hard on these shorts to encounter how well they take what nigh cyclists will give them.
The Optimum took everything we could dish out in stride, which is basically what yous would expect from a product made with attention to detail. No seam left unfinished means no seams should come undone — which they didn't during our testing period.
Some other reason why we test durability is that we sympathise that it can be expensive to replace a production that usually costs around $100. The awesome thing about the Optimum? If you're unsure, you can buy ii of them, which certainly increases the shelf life of the curt for the same price every bit one of many others included in this review.
This brusk went with us on every sort of ride, and no matter how difficult we tried, we couldn't leave a dent in them.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Manner
In a word, the Optimum offers a no-frills classic bike short wait-- that won't dry out much attention for the correct or the incorrect reasons. No color accents and no fancy seams-- these shorts are near as straightforward as you can go, offering riders with an understated, function-forward design.
Some testers weren't sure about the night bluish color we tested, but dissimilar other "not-black" shorts, these handled sweat pretty well. Nothing is worse than showing the world your sweaty crotch after a long ride. Some of our testers actually dug the colour because it matched their favorite jerseys!
Pssst...in that location'due south a tiny hidden pocket on the dorsum. We think this is supposed to exist for a cell phone.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
For added visibility, the Optimum offers reflective accents on the side and back of the legs, likewise every bit a cogitating "Garneau" down the right leg.
Finally, Louis Garneau paid extra attention to the seams around the chamois, and then there'due south no "puffing" effectually the front or back of the brusk where the chamois is attached, thus avoiding a way faux-pas, and in our opinion, definitely worth mentioning.
We appreciate the reflective details on the back of both legs offered by the Louis Garneau Optimum.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
All-time Applications
Co-ordinate to our testers, these are a bang-up all-around short, appropriate for short to medium-long rides. Some cyclists may prefer a beefier chamois for super long days (anything over 100 miles). Even so, for hot, common cold and everything in between, the Optimum impressed united states of america with its quality construction, unproblematic and straightforward blueprint, and technical chamois that wicks away wet while giving our backsides plenty of protection from the hard cycle saddle.
These shorts are skillful for curt, medium or long rides. Basically, they will accept any you dish out and come back for more, which is why we dear them so much.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Value
It honestly doesn't go much amend than this. We were shocked that the Optimum performed as well as it did, given the price tag. This is why we awarded this short with the Best Purchase Award. The Optimum is leaps and premises above other shorts in this cost-bespeak in terms of the short's blueprint, material, fit, and performance. Certain, there are "prettier" shorts and make names that carry an air of recognition. But if y'all're only in the market for a bike brusk to do its job and to keep yous happy in the saddle, we tin't say enough virtually the Optimum.
Trust us: yous just won't want to terminate riding in these shorts.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Determination
If you aren't convinced to at least give this short a shot, we're not certain what else we can say. High-quality construction, breathable with a technical chamois to handle the miles, and that is built to concluding. There isn't much more you lot can ask for in this gear category.
Where's the Best Cost?
Y'all aid back up OutdoorGearLab's production testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.
dalrympleyoungold.blogspot.com
Source: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/biking/bike-shorts-womens/louis-garneau-optimum-womens
0 Response to "Review of Louis Garneau Optimum Bib Cycling Short"
Post a Comment