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Pedal ED Kaido Arm Warmers

4
£32.00

VERDICT:

4
10
Well made with quirky looks, but performance isn't on a par with rivals
Weight: 
42g
Contact: 

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Pedal Ed's Kaido arm warmers didn't really keep my arms that warm. Which was a shame.

Made in Italy from 'peachface' material, which is sort of a minimal Roubaix-style lycra with a brushed inner surface, the Kaido arm warmers are nicely constructed with plenty of length, thumb loops to keep them in place at the wrist, and geography-teacher-chic contrast panels on the elbows which may or may not be your thing. When you first put them on they're comfortable and the top grippers and thumb loop keep them secure.

I've used these mostly in conditions where I'd normally wear a base layer, jersey, gilet and armwarmers, when the mercury was showing 8-10°C. And I have to say that they struggle to keep my arms warm. My rides nearly always start with a long downhill from cold, since my house is right at the top of a big hill. It's a pretty good test of how well an armwarmer will cope, and the Pedal Eds generally left me a bit parky. I think their main problem is that the fabric isn't either windproof enough, or quite thick enough. Either one or the other will normally do the trick.

The other thing that doesn't really work is the thumb loop. It's not a bad idea in theory but there's just too much material bunched up between your thumb and forefinger here – and a number of seams too – that they were genuinely uncomfortable on a 3hr ride underneath a pair of mitts, and I had to take my thumbs out of the loops half way round. Underneath a looser fitting full finger glove it's less of an issue, but I think the design needs addressing.

The elbow patches aren't a functional thing, they're more about style and you can choose from four colours (blue, brown, grey, black). They might offer a bit of extra cushioning or save you from holing them if you did go over on your elbow though.

Overall I was a bit underwhelmed by the Kaidos. They're not that warm and the thumb loop needs a rethink. For £7 less you could have the Castelli Thermoflex arm warmers (/content/review/117865-castelli-thermoflex-arm-warmers) which are still the ones to beat at this kind of price.

Verdict

Well made with quirky looks, but performance isn't on a par with rivals

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Pedal ED Kaido Arm Warmers

Size tested: Medium, Blue Pepper

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The Kaido Arm Warmers are the perfect stylish complement to the Kaido Jersey. Completed with peachface material to give a soft hand and feel, while providing warmth and aiding in transpiration, these armwarmers provide a distinctive look to an otherwise utilitarian accessory.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

* Comfort Fit & Breathable

* Thumb hole

* Stretch Fabric

* Made in Italy

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Nicely made, fabric feels like good quality.

Rate the product for performance:
 
4/10

Just not warm enough, really, and the thumb loops are not that comfortable.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Wearing well.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
6/10

Need to be a bit heavier weight, or at least more windproof.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
5/10

The arms themselves are okay, the thumbloops need a rethink.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Pretty average value considering some better armwarmers are cheaper.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Not very well, really.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Well made.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Thumb loop is uncomfortable, fabric isn't that warm

Did you enjoy using the product? Not really.

Would you consider buying the product? No.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? No.

Overall rating: 4/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 190cm  Weight: 100kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...  My best bike is: Kinesis Tripster ATR

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

 

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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4 comments

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fenix | 9 years ago
0 likes

The elbow patches make it look home made.

They'd have to go a long way to beat the Prendas Meraklon Armwarmers I favour.

Avatar
fenix | 9 years ago
0 likes

The elbow patches make it look home made.

They'd have to go a long way to beat the Prendas Meraklon Armwarmers I favour.

Avatar
bike_food | 9 years ago
0 likes

Throw some shapes.

Avatar
aslongasicycle | 9 years ago
0 likes

Unrelated, but you're not 100kg anymore are you Dave?!

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