GamJams Reviews: [Arm & Knee] Warmers - Voler, Gore & Cannondale

Lycra won't keep you that warm, but it can sure make a ride a bit more pleasureable. Especially this time of year, arm and knee warmers are quintessential bits of a cyclist's wardrobe. One suggestion I'll make is that you should only buy arm or knee warmers that are fleecy on the inside, commonly called "roubaix" fabric.

Arm Warmers

Because I rode for GW cycling, I bought a pair of custom sublimated Voler arm warmers which are straight-dope awesome in every way. They fit my arms well and stay up as well as any arm warmers I've ever tried.


(Back in my collegiate racing days.)

Earlier this spring, because I'm a shill about wearing matching spandex, I picked up some Gore WindStopper arm warmers in black to match the NCVC kit better -


(Chowing on some Clif Bloks after previewing the Poolesville course.)

Though the quality is excellent, the wind-blocking membrane in the material of the "top" panel of the Gore warmers is not stretchy, nor soft. It's abrasive - the same material used in soft-shell jackets. The biggest annoyance is that the grippy elastic at the top of the Gore pair isn't grippy, and it isn't elastic. Oh well.

Don't get me wrong: the Gore stuff works (the Gore membrane, that is). But there's seldom a time that I will be riding in weather cold enough that I'll need the wind to be completely stopped from penetrating the fabric. On those cold days, I'm a wimp. I'll be wearing a jersey with sleeves. When it comes to arm warmers, I want something soft, fuzzy, and flexible. And something that stays put.

Needless to say I can't wait until my custom Voler NCVC arm warmers come in.

Knee Warmers

Having driven my teammate Chris Cee to a few races earlier this spring, the guy offered to pay me back for gas or hook me up with swag. Well, I like driving teammates because it makes raceday a bit less stressful, so I didn't want him chipping in green directly. I can pay for gas, anyone can.

At one point or another Chris must have noticed that I had been using navy blue knee warmers from Excel Sports made by Nalini - the knee warmers that matched my GW Cycling kits. They're pretty simple and work well.


Quite obviously, you shouldn't mix and match navy and black. My vegan teammate took issue with my fashion faux paux.

Well, when I drove my straight-edge pal to another race, he hooked me up with a nice pair of Cannondale knee warmers as compensation. The gift was a great surprise and they are top shelf: ergonomically cut to fit, fleecy, stretchy, snug, and most importantly they stay put. And they're a big step up in quality than the Nalini pair.

I'm a forgetful guy, though. I lose tons of my stuff, and inevitably, I'm sure I'll lose one of the knee warmers. When that day comes, I I'll pick up the overpriced and appropriately named Castelli Narcisista knee warmers.


Those would look hot with the NCVC kit.