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Review: Louis Garneau WINDTEX Eco-Flex II cold weather gloves

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Louis Garneau Windtex Eco-Flex 2 gloves

Back when I was a BMXing teen in Ontario, I decided a good pair of cold weather gloves would be worth buying. A car was still a few years off, and the weather wasn’t going to keep me from hanging out with my friends in June, October or January. I bought a pair of Louis Garneau winter gloves and instantly loved them for being thin but surprisingly warm.

Unfortunately, I lost one of those gloves and missed them dearly for several years. After finding a new home in Pemberton, B.C. and diving into the MTB scene, I finally decided to get another pair for last fall’s final trail rides. I found the updated gloves, now known as the WINDTEX Eco Flex 2 and reunited myself with an old friend. As suggested by the above photo, I’m quite happy with them.

Find out why the Eco-Flex 2 deserves two thumbs up after the jump…

Louis Garneau Windtex Eco-Flex 2 glove- back view
Cold winds seem to just disappear wearing these gloves.

Our trails in Pemberton usually get snowed out soon after temperatures hit the freezing point, but for those few chilly weeks of fall and spring I’m glad to have these on hand. I’ve ridden them in temperatures around 39-54º, and would say they’re ideal for the lower end of that range, or even a bit colder.

The Eco Flex 2’s keep your hands impressively warm as you ride, despite being barely thicker than a standard MTB glove. After a few rides I realized it’s not the light insulation that’s doing the trick, but rather the glove’s ability to completely block out the wind. Louis Garneau uses a fabric called laminated WindDry 12K on the backside of the hands and fingers which I can only describe as an impenetrable force-field. This is the one thing that impresses me most about these gloves.

Louis Garneau Windtex Eco-Flex 2 glove- inside
The small amount of ulnar nerve padding goes largely unnoticed on the grips.

LG describes the gloves as ‘high moisture transfer’ and the palm features a breathable Ergo-air center panel. My hands got noticeably sweaty on the warmer days I rode, but they breathed well enough that I remained comfortable and never went clammy. For temperatures above roughly 46º, I’d either stick to normal gloves or swap them out after you’re warmed up. As for moisture from the outside, I haven’t ridden them in rain yet but I wouldn’t expect much more than water resistance.

The Eco Flex 2’s feature LG’s thin Biogel padding in the palm to combat numbness and encourage good grip contact, and it’s never felt bulky or bunchy on my grips. The palm material is no thicker than a standard glove, so grip feel and brake modulation aren’t compromised at all. The long cuffs keep the wind out of your sleeves, but the gloves still slip on and off easily.

Louis Garneau Windtex Eco-Flex 2 glove- palm
I ride more because I own these gloves, and that’s the highest accolade I can give a bike-related product.

I found my size medium gloves fit my hands snugly but comfortably, with a bit of stretch for excellent dexterity. There are no sloppy seams or annoying overlaps between the thumb and palm, and with their slim outer profile it’s not at all cumbersome reaching into pockets or fiddling with tools. If they only had touch-screen sensitive finger tips, you’d never have to take them off.

Here’s the bottom line. I don’t feel any sacrifice in comfort or control wearing the Eco Flex 2’s versus my normal MTB gloves, so I don’t think twice about taking advantage of their surprising warmth on colder days. I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone riding any kind of bike in near-freezing temperatures, whether you’re lapping your local trails, clocking miles on the asphalt or just escaping the boredom of being home to go hang with your friends.

The WINDTEX Eco Flex 2 glove sells for $39.99 USD and can be purchased directly from Louis Garneau’s website.

LouisGarneau.com

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John
John
9 years ago

Doesn’t look like they work with touchscreens.

alexvpaq
alexvpaq
9 years ago

I have the previous version of those and at 40f. They were crap, I had to wear two pairs of gloves to survive more than an hour outside. And over here in quebec. 40f is on the warmer side of the scale when it comes to riding in cold weather. However, great grip and comfort, that’s why I still have them. They’re just not awesome, they’re okay. I’m sure there’s better out there.

Cory Benson
Admin
9 years ago

I don’t know about the ones that @alexvpaq had issues with, but I have a previous generation (or three) that are about seven years old. I wear them ALL-THE-TIME. I’ve been so happy with them over the years that they are the only glove I kept after it wore out. Mine now have ~10 repaired spots on them from years of cyclocross and winter crashes and just wear and tear. I literally cannot part with them, as I’ve never found such a light glove that works so well (down to ~2°C/35°F for me) and vents just by pulling the palm off the handlebar. I’m actually a bit jealous that Steve was testing them, as I could obviously use a new pair. I’ve ridden with them in the wet a decent amount, and they don’t really keep your hand dry but do keep you warm-ish for the ride home.

Hugo
Hugo
9 years ago

NO FLEX ZONE THEY KNOW BETTA

DJ
DJ
9 years ago

I’ve been using their GEL EX CYCLING GLOVES for the past few winters, for me, there toasty down 20 F

http://www.louisgarneau.com/us-en/product/827741/1482170/Cold_Weather_Cycling_Gloves/GEL_EX_CYCLING_GLOVES

Mark
Mark
9 years ago

I own a pair id these. I roll with them until about 35 out, and then switch to LG Shield. They work tons better than my specailized. And I have been riding from -10 to 0 this year.

yuhhuh
yuhhuh
9 years ago

i have a ten dollar pair of mechanics gloves that do the same thing

James B
James B
9 years ago

I bought the gloves several years ago. The have been my best pair of mtb gloves ever. I just returned home from a pinewood derby race tonight and I cant beleive the article about these gloves are on the site tonight because i was just braging about them to another fellow bike rider.

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