Chapeau Knee Warmers

Chapeau Clothing knee warmers fit very nicely, the fabric is thin and stretchy, and their simple looks will win fans.

Knee warmers are an indispensable accessory for at least two seasons of the year, adding versatility to your cycling outfit. Even in the summer, they're ideal for early morning rides and those more unpredictable days when it might not be as warm as one would hope.

Like the arm warmers, they have opted for a very simple construction, nothing fancy, just a single piece of 90% polyester/10% Lycra fabric. The main fabric used is very stretchy vertically, but not so much horizontally. To give a little extra expansion room around the back of the legs, they've used a small triangular section of very stretchy mesh fabric. It works well, and provides a comfortable fit.

Two sizes are available, the s/m I tested definitely came up smaller than other knee warmers, but once they're on there's no excessive pressure, and they proved very comfortable on rides. The gripper tape at the top further aids their ability to stay planted on your legs. These knee warmers aren't going to slide down your legs, unless you've skinny poles like Chris Froome.

And like the arm warmers, the care label is stitched externally so there's no irritation on the skin. But it doesn't mean the washing instructions are easily visible when you're wearing them. It's a trivial thing, but could be a dealbreaker for some. The excellent price and all-round good fit and comfort overcomes that for me though.

The lightweight fabric Chapeau have used provides just the right level of insulation for the knees, making these knee warmers better suited to milder weather. If it gets colder, I'd be reaching for some Roubaix fleece-lined knee warmers, but up until that point these are adequate.

Verdict

Good comfort and price makes these a top choice.