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review
£24.99
VERDICT:
Very reasonably priced arm warmers with good fit and comfort.
Weight:
60g
Contact:
www.chapeaucycling.co.uk, www.velobrands.co.uk
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.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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Chapeau Clothing's arm warmers are simply designed, function very well with a good fit at a decent price.
Chapeau Clothing is one of the newest clothing brands on the market, based in Devon and with the aim of producing quality cycle clothing with a touch of understated class, and reasonable prices.
It's obvious Chapeau Clothing is designed by cyclists as the first thing you notice about the arm warmers is the fit.They're a bit on the snug side, which makes it a bit tricky to remove them while you're riding, but this means they stay in place, with not a bit of slippage. Gripper tape also provides extra security that they're not going to slip out of place.
They're a single seam design and despite their simplicity, there's just enough stretch in the lightweight fabric that they comfortably conform to the arm even when fully bent when in the drops. They're made from 90 percent polyester and 10 percent Lycra, and provide adequate warmth for chilly mornings and typical spring and autumn weather.
A very understated design extends to a complete lack of logos or branding along the arms. There's just a subtle 'Chapeau! The people's bicycle club' printed around the hem, and a small care and sizing label on the lower arm.
From a comfort perspective, it is nice that they haven't put the care label on the inside, but who wants the washing instructions on such prominent display? This is something that could be left on a removable tag.
Verdict
Very reasonably priced arm warmers with good fit and comfort.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Chapeau Arm warmers
Size tested: Small/Medium
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
We set out to make the ultimate arm warmers to go in the Chapeau! range. You might think that for an accessory that is on the face of it, extremely simple, this would be easy! Not so I am afraid. These took a fair while with a lot of fettling to get them just right. We hope you agree we hit the mark!
Arm warmers are an essential item for any cyclist as wind chill, especially when you aren't expecting it, can really take the fun out of things. If in doubt, it's always worth carrying a pair in your back pocket.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Single seam design, extremely comfortable
Upper arm gripper
Lightweight stretch fabric
Textured inside for added warmth
Reflective Chapeau! logo details on rear of upper arm
Designed and tested in the UK by real cyclists
Manufactured in Portugal
Materials
90% Polyester / 10% Elastane
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
There really isn't very much to them, just a single diagonal seam and some gripper tape, but they're well made.
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
The fabric is just the right thickness to provide enough insulation, whether it's a cold early morning ride or a typical spring/autumn day in the UK. They fold up very small into a jersey pocket too.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Yes very durable.
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
They're very light.
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
8/10
They're available in two sizes, the s/m tested do come up snug but that does mean they stay firmly put on the arms.
Rate the product for value:
9/10
An excellent product for the money.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
They do everything you want from arm warmers, an essential garment in every cyclist's wardrobe.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The fit and price.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Getting them on and off is a bit of a tussle. And the care external care label I'm not a fan of.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?
Do everything you want from arm warmers.
About the tester
Age: 31 Height: 180 Weight: 67
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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