Condor Merino Arm Warmers

Condor's Merino Arm Warmers are a no-frills design, made from a soft and cosy mix of merino wool and Lycra. They're ideal for cool mornings and chilly descents, but not so good if it rains.

To be honest, I was expecting them to be a bit prickly and itchy, but this was absolutely not the case. They pull on easily, stay in place without any silicone bands, and are easy to remove on the go. They offer light compression thanks to the Lycra content, though I guess this depends on the size of your arm...

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They have a tube construction, with no seams along their length, and absolutely no shaping or contours. This lack of shaping doesn't affect the comfort; they fit well and do not bunch up at all. They're generous in length, too. The upper and lower hems are really well sewn over so fraying is highly unlikely.

The warmers fitted well under a long sleeved jersey – no seams or panels making them ideal for this; they mimic the sleeve construction of many baselayers.

Aesthetically they are pretty understated: no reflective features or splashes of colour. A simple Condor logo is sewn into the fabric around the wrist. It's pretty sizeable, though grey probably isn't the best choice in terms of visibility.

Performance-wise, on cold, dry days I cannot knock the warmers. At the first hint of a chill in the air I normally have a long-sleeved jersey on. These warmers meant that, on such days, I could actually stay in a short-sleeve jersey with a thicker undervest and my arms didn't feel the chill. They were easy to pull down while riding and rolled up small enough to tuck comfortably into a rear pocket.

> Read our buyer's guide to the best arm and leg warmers

Unfortunately, they do not like damp weather. No surprises really, given that they are made primarily from wool. Once wet they were reluctant to dry out and felt clingy, cold and heavy against the skin.

Overall, although these perform outstandingly on dry days, insulating you from chilly air, they are a little pricey given the no-frills design and the limiting qualities of the material.

Verdict

Perfect fit and superb performance on cool, dry days but a bit pricey given their lack of versatility