Canada is a gravel wonderland and Louis Garneau isn’t about to get left in the dust when it comes to gravel-focused apparel and gear. While some “gravel” kits are lumberjack-inspired, my bet still remains on those based on efficient road designs, but with gravel-specific niceties, like extra pockets and subdued colors. With that, the Garneau Garnott LS Jersey is just that.
Louis Garneau Garnott LS Jersey Features
- Airdry 100 honeycomb fabric
- Three rear jersey pockets with two side pockets
- Reflective accents on pockets
- Standard-height collar
- Fixed “ring” cuffs
- Regular fit
- MSRP: $129.99
Garnott LS for gravel and more
Arm warmers paired with a standard jersey is a nice combo, but sometimes you want a dedicated long-sleeve jersey for cool temps or as a layering piece for colder days. The new Garneau Garnott LS Jersey isn’t a thermal jersey, so it may not become part of your cold-weather kit, but as temperatures warm, it’s just right under a shell, vest or alone as weather permits.
Garneau jerseys are most commonly made with a race-style cut. Recently, some of their kits have come in more relaxed fits. Garneau calls the Garnott a “regular fit,” so I went with the size medium. For my tastes, it’s just right on my 5’11” 175 lb. body. It fits snug throughout, but isn’t “painted on” by any means. There’s enough room underneath for a sleeveless base layer and I don’t feel like a human sausage. It’s a great fit overall with proper sleeve and hem length to boot. The collar is a little more traditional in cut, but could be a little smaller diameter.
Something I’ve come to love about Garneau’s jerseys are the “eco pockets” on either side. Yes, you can use them to haul more items, but the intent is to use them for your empty wrappers. I love having a separate, dedicated pocket for empty gel wrappers. Let’s face it, no matter how well you empty the packet, there’s always a little extra that oozes out over time. If you stash it in one of the eco pockets, other items in your regular pockets don’t get cluttered with any remaining sticky goo.
An interesting feature of the Garnott LS are the bracelet cuffs. I don’t know what else to call them, but they are stiff and open without a ton of stretch. So, they are about the diameter and makeup of a typical bracelet. With this type of cuff, you’ll notice that it plays a little nicer with a watch (like the Wahoo ELEMNT Rival) and it actually sits atop glove cuffs quite nicely without becoming bulky or double-snug. At the end of a ride, it’s quite easy to remove as well. I’m not quite sure why a traditional elastic cuff wasn’t deployed here, but it works — it’s just somewhat out of the ordinary.
The lightweight Airdry 100 fabric has proven to be excellent with moisture wicking and breathability. In concert with a base layer or alone, it works great at expelling moisture. And, it can comfortably be worn repeatedly before washing.
With three standard pockets, you can haul sufficient items for most rides. Keep in mind that they aren’t pleated, and lack additional structure, so you can’t carry the kitchen sink. There’s also only a modest amount of reflectivity at the top of each side pocket, so make sure you have other reflective items for low light conditions. I’ll add that the hem lacks grippy silicone material. Still, it does stay put pretty well, but would do better with a little added grip.
Fit: I’m 5’11” and 175 lbs and the size medium is a great fit for me.
The Good
- Soft and comfortable fabric
- Breathes extremely well
- Love the “eco pockets” for stashing empty gels
- Fit is snug and efficient
- Great for cool weather rides
- Can wear repeatedly between washes
The Bad
- I always prefer a little more “fun” color options
- Mixed thoughts on the sleeve cuff design
The Bottom Line: Garneau Garnott LS Jersey
For cool rides, it’s great to have a dependable long-sleeve jersey. The Garneau Garott LS Jersey has a ton to offer at an attractive price. Aimed at gravel riding, I’ve been keen to ride it for road, gravel and even MTB. As always, the eco pockets are awesome to have. And, the fabric is soft and breathable with the perfect amount of stretch.
Buy Now: Available from Moosejaw.com
