Louis Garneau Solano 2 Chamois Tight Men's

The new Men's Solano 2 Chamois Tight fills on of the trickiest gaps in Louis Garneau's cold weather cycling line. For the Solano 2, Louis Garneau begins with a base of HeatMaxx thermal material, which it then reinforces with panels of Light WindDry 2 on the front panels and the lower back. This construction situates the Solano 2 between LG's Providence and Oslo tights. The former has more comprehensive wind blocking throughout its construction and the latter consists solely of HeatMaxx, which is fine in chilly weather but wilts under the duress of wind and rain. WindDry 2 is the headliner here, as its membrane construction is waterproof and windproof, which means that your legs lead into the winter elements with all the protection they need to stay comfortable and keep spinning. Unlike the Providence model, the Solano 2's weatherproof construction only protects the front and lower back the rest of the tights are made from LG's thermal HeatMaxx material. HeatMaxx doesn't protect against the elements, but its soft, brushed inner face insulates and breathes well, letting your microclimate self regulate where the more protective Providence can get stifling unless the temperature and conditions are extreme. That blend of materials recommends the Solano 2 for base miles in the damp chill of late winter and early spring. That's the time of year when braving the elements is the most daunting but the payoff in form come April and May can be the difference between podium and pack fodder. The inclusion of an Airzone chamois and articulated knees, a feature absent from the Oslo, also add to comfort, and ankle zippers help ensure an uncompromising fit. All the base miles in the world are useless if you get laid up for a couple of weeks because of a carcyclist collision, though, so LG finishes the Solano 2 with reflective details to help maintain visibility during the short, often overcast days the tights are built for.