By T.C. WORLEY
Can a $400+ cycling kit make you faster? Probably not for most of us. But you’ll surely feel faster in the “designed for pros” Louis Garneau Corsa kit, a $425 jersey and bibs combo that LG touts as “more aerodynamic” than any other bikewear on the market.
The company states the Corsa suit underwent “countless fit sessions, wind tunnel testing, and body acceleration analysis” before it went into production this year. Its dimpled fabrics are said to cut wind resistance and improve airflow direction as you ride.
Since I do not have access to a wind tunnel and have no real way of measuring whether I was faster in this kit or not, I can only say that the suit looks, feels and rides like the top-of-the-line kit that it is. The Corsa is thin, airy and sleek with no awkward seams or ergonomic no-no’s. Zippers glide smoothly with one hand and the overall fit is superb. I found the medium to be true-to-size.
Material choice is also great. Among all the kits I’ve worn, this is for sure the most comfortable (for a race-fit) that I have used. Laser-cut seams allow the extra-wide sleeve and leg bands to lie flat and comfortable against the body with no sliding or bunching. The chamois smartly features venting mesh panels to keep things less damp downstairs.
I’ve tested the attention-getting, Euro-look white and red color scheme over the last three months and have never looked faster. For those who don’t like flashy graphics, the bibs come in plain black as well as other colors. One warning: The white version is somewhat see-through, as many white kits tend to be.
The company’s aerodynamic claims may save you milliseconds on a race. It’s hard to tell the effectiveness of the dimpled fabric and the other tech. But the kit is very slick! Very few criticisms or items I’d like to change. In the end, you’ll pay a premium to wear this top-notch kit. But among the $400+ kits I’ve tested and worn, this one is the best so far.
