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Lusso Nitelife Thermal Arm Warmers

7
£22.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Comfortable and competent arm warmers, even if they're not devoid of flaws
Weight: 
70g
Contact: 

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With a slim, racy cut and comfortable fleece lining, these Lusso Nitelife Thermal Arm Warmers are a decent quality option for a bit of extra warmth in winter.

Ed Mason reviewed a similar pair of Cooltech arm warmers from Lusso back in the summer, and these are very much on the same theme, but with a couple of differences...

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy these online here

They certainly seem to sport the same fit and sizing, which I agree is particularly comfortable and suits riders with a longer arm span.

Where they differ is in the cuff, where reflective dots have been integrated to provide extra visibility when out in gloomy light, and in the gripper at the top of the arm. Here there's no silicone band to hold them up, instead you get a textured cuff at the top of the arm, made of a silicone-like material. I found that although silicone grippers in arm and leg warmers have never been an issue for me, these ensure a sleeker, more comfortable fit around the arm. The downside, though, is a greater chance that the warmers slide down.

Lusso Nitelife Thermal Arm Warmer - hem.jpg

As much as they're more comfortable, they're simply not as secure, even with relatively chunky arms. It meant that, when out cycling, I occasionally found a gap appearing between the end of my jersey's short sleeve and the top of the arm warmer. I tested a medium set and I do have particularly long arms, so this could partly explain why – but I remain slightly disappointed that the gripper material isn't as secure as it could be.

Back to the other change – the reflective cuffs. These, I think, are a resounding success, providing reassurance that my indications were easily seen by other road users (a particular bonus when wearing predominantly black clothing). The dots don't affect comfort, because the fleece Roubaix lining underneath runs from the hem to the upper gripper.

Lusso Nitelife Thermal Arm Warmer - cuffs.jpg

The lining keeps you warm and, when teamed with the outer membrane, makes for a soft and flexible fabric that moulds comfortably to the shape of your arm. It's not water resistant at all, but the breathability is excellent, so the fabric does dry relatively quickly in the event of a shower.

> Check out our guide to the best cycling clothing to keep you warm in winter

Manufacturing quality is good if unspectacular – the seams aren't going to come apart any time soon, and fit and comfort is retained after repeated washes – but I noticed a small amount of threading appearing from the top of the arm warmers, probably because of the slim nature of the gripper material not requiring a sealed seam at the end. This threading doesn't easily pull away, so I'd be happy to trim these with some scissors to minimise the effect.

So all in all, we're looking at some comfortable and competent arm warmers here, even if they're not devoid of flaws. With an rrp of £22.99 they strike me as a touch expensive, but if you can pick them up for sub-£20 they start looking like good value.

Verdict

Comfortable and competent arm warmers, even if they're not devoid of flaws

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Lusso Nitelife Thermal Arm Warmers

Size tested: Medium

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?

Slim arm warmers with a Roubaix fabrics and added visibility cuffs for use in the winter.

Lusso says: "Our Thermal Roubaix Arm Warmers are great for riding in cooler conditions"

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

Features:

* 360° Reflective for safety

* Roubaix Fabric

* Cooltech

* 4 way stretch fabric

* SC9 gripper

* Made in the UK

* Machine washable

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Good for tempo riding as well as steadier commuting. A good all-rounder.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

Nice cut in medium, just a bit short for my (admittedly) longer arms.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10

Fairly standard – see above for my personal issue with them.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10

70g isn't bad at all for winter arm warmers.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10

Lovely fabric – very soft and doesn't rub or chafe at all. The cuffs are also a nice touch for comfort, even if you compromise the grip around the arm slightly.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Slightly expensive, but not bank-breakingly so. Look for offers and these will present far better value.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Very easily – stands up to 40 degree washes well.

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

Good – the only complaint for me is how they don't retain their position as well as some others.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Comfort in the fabric, and I do like flat seams and grippers.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Lack of grip retention, slightly short for me.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? I would – but only at a slightly cheaper price.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, unless they have long arms like mine.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 25  Height: 188cm  Weight: 83kg

I usually ride: Specialized Allez Sport  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding

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1 comments

Avatar
ped | 8 years ago
0 likes

I bought the nitelife bib tights based on the road.cc. review. Liking the look of these too.

Lusso really ought to do a full skin-suit covered in these reflective dots. It'd look like a suit of armour! I'd look amazing!

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