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Galibier cycling apparel worth a try

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  1. bill
    Member

    Not sure if you are familiar with Galibier cycling apparel from Norn Irn. It was recommended by a Glasgow Audaxer and about a month ago I purchased myself a foul weather softshell jacket. I have used it every day since then on my commuting. I did a 200k wet Audax in it. It is really good for the weather we are having right now (5-12oC and it may rain any time). The prices are very competitive compared to other quality cycling wear.

    They also do a waterproof jacket but I haven't tried it, so can't vouch for it.

    I am only saying it all of this because they haven't been mentioned here before but this jacket made such a difference in my cycling comfort and it didn't cost an arm and leg.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  2. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @bill

    I need a new winter jacket and your word is law. Also the Col du Galibier was the first place I ever saw the Tour de France.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  3. bill
    Member

    @IWARTS Haha! My high opinion about this jacket might be coming from the lack of nice jacket before.

    My Goretex rain jacket is too warm most of the time when paired with long sleeve jerseys underneath but too thin with a short sleeve shirt. The jerseys not windproof or waterproof. The softshell makes a good solution for cold, windy and wettish weather.

    The cut is fairly short on the front of the jacket so perhaps no very casual.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  4. chrisfl
    Member

    I'm a big fan of them as well - just checking my order history, I bought the Ultimate foul weather Gilet in March 2016 and the Mistral foul II weather Jacket in September '16 and I've properly worn one or the other most days since.

    They also seem to throw in random free socks into the orders, or is that just me?

    Posted 3 years ago #
  5. bill
    Member

    @chrisfl sorry, not just you: socks or neck warmers was for me.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  6. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    It's very good stuff and good value too. I got free socks once.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  7. gembo
    Member

    Saying they charge less for XS as support youth cycling

    Soft shell jacket in sale excellent value

    Only small and xs left

    Will need new bib shorts next spring so will try to remember

    The schmerber numbers on there waterproof Cape not too good. But these are all boil in the bag even goretex

    Posted 3 years ago #
  8. bill
    Member

    Only small and xs left

    @gembo measure yourself up. In the reviews people were saying they had to upsize but I had to downsize. I measured myself up and was on high Medium, so I ordered Large. That was far too big, so got a Medium replacement. I started wearing the Medium and it was great except it still felt too large, so I ordered also a Small one which I now use. I am keeping the Medium one when I inevitably get larger again -- haha!;)

    They are quick to replace/refund, so if you think you might fit in S, then worth a try.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  9. gembo
    Member

    Looks like the reviews of the bib shorts I am tracking are size up as made in Italy.

    One person out of fifty complaining about the pad and then complAining they did not kowtow. One person complaining the gripper flapped but then confessed they had skinny legs. Everyone else 5 star bib shorts - both of my biblongs are bearing up but next spring I do need new bib shorts. They may start offering old bib shorts after Xmas is my thinking. Not just galibier.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  10. Greenroofer
    Member

    As a result of this thread, and as @bill commented today, I have bought a Galibier Mistral. It's excellent value: keeps me warm and dry (so far) even during last weekend's showers, and wearing just a Decathlon windproof baselayer (earlier version of this) underneath. The pockets are much better than on my previous Decathlon equivalent. At the same time I got some of their neoprene Artic overshoes, which are good: nice and long and with a good gripper at the top. They seem to keep the water out.

    I got some free socks.

    Best of all though, they sell cotton caps in XL sizes. I have a very large head, so most caps don't fit. I was so pleased to find one that does, to replace my worn out Vulpine one...

    Posted 3 years ago #
  11. gembo
    Member

    Vulpine have a 50 per cent off everything sale on just now. They let you decide how much of the 50 per cent you keep for yourself and how much you give to charity.

    Galibier does look good. How breathable is it?

    Posted 3 years ago #
  12. Greenroofer
    Member

    @gembo - I was working quite hard today and never had that 'boil in the bag' feeling. Last week it just shed the showers, but I'm thinking the DWR coating is still brand new.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  13. gembo
    Member

    Finding an ideal jacket is not easy.

    The soft shell means seams not taped so rain will get in. But @Greenroofer they are confident you won’t get cold. Soft shell also nicer than polyester.

    The 4th gen Mistral now Over 10000 schemerbers of breathability. Improvement on the third.

    I don’t need a jacket just now but it looks good. And will remember. The grey colour way is sold out but I think the black looks nicer. Unless you and bill have the grey then I will say the grey looks nicer. Their Equipe bib shorts also look like a purchase for the spring

    My old commuting Endura which i reproof and use for hill walking has massive armpit vents which helps with breathability. It is 15 years old, very sturdy. Endura still sell,it.

    My current jacket for weekend is goretex shakedry. In sale. Still sweat but has a two way zip which helps with breathability and with getting access to back pockets. I would say overpriced. Does shakedry but despite claims not very breathable.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  14. bill
    Member

    @Greenroofer "So that's what I look like from behind" was what i thought when I recognised the jacket -- that took me a while because, again, I didn't know what it looked like from behind once on a cycling person. Glad that you enjoy it (so far).

    Posted 3 years ago #
  15. Greenroofer
    Member

    @gembo - I did consider the grey, but my thinking was that it would be very invisible. I think there's a lot to be said for a black (or a fluo yellow) jacket that gives good contrast with the surroundings. I pictured a grey one blending into the Scotch Mist...

    While riding into the low sun on wet roads on the A70 today, I was deliberately riding in primary position so that I was a dark contrasting shape on the road away from the verge. It felt quite exposed and uncomfortable.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  16. gembo
    Member

    Yes I came back on a Saturday afternoon ride bit like yours just before clocks went back and was running out of daylight with just a little back light and also felt exposed.

    Of course one of the cars coming past was Mrs Garto back from the malls of Livingston

    She said I wasn’t very visible.

    The road was really quiet this morning and it was same on the twilight ride but I know what you mean and prefer broad daylight though the gloaming was very atmospheric.

    I do like a Saturday night tea time in autumn, coming in from some gardening, fire on cracking open a cheeky wee Minervois.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  17. bill
    Member

    @Greenroofer it's interesting what you say about the grey/orange colour. I would definitely go for that if the lady's version had that option. I thought it would be more visible than the black one.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  18. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    I do like a Saturday night tea time in autumn, coming in from some gardening, fire on cracking open a cheeky wee Minervois.

    I burned our woody garden waste in the 'rubbish bin with holes and chimney in the lid' thing. There was a good eight inches of glowing embers by 17h30 when my pal appeared with a rucksack full of beer and a hipflask of Highland Park Dragon Legend.

    Installed the brazier in the seating area, big coats on and got a wee bit tanned. Pesent, past and future settled under the full moon. Fox did a shadow-puppet show on the back wall.

    His son is coming round in an hour to get his frame assessed for replacement. Wants to swap the components onto a better one. I will show him how.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  19. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Interesting bike. Tesco own-brand with Shimano Claris 2x8 drive train.

    He wished to drop some weight off it. I suggested the frame was actually fine but we could go for a lighter bottom bracket, cranks and fork and a single alloy chain ring for a 1 x 8 set-up.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  20. gembo
    Member

    After being socially influenced by Bill I asked Galibier which bibshorts were suited for longer miles. They said their cheapest bibshorts. They arrived the next day (I think I could have waited for a summer piece of kit but you have to dismantle their automatic postage charge of 4 pounds, they did spend 3.85 posting it). The chamois looks good. THe straps are good. But little low at front (I have slightly longer back) but this is good for the comfort stop if not so good for the girdle effect some of my biblongs provide.

    Galibier are basically operating on a tight profit margin. Good quality and modest prices. Lot of chat in the reviews about free gifts (socks mostly) but I spent under 50 quid so was not expecting a free pair of socks.

    Quite fancy their biblongs now

    Posted 3 years ago #
  21. bill
    Member

    @gembo glad my socially-distant influence was a positive one!

    Both my orders from them were a bit over £50 so as you say £50 may be the threshold.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  22. gembo
    Member

    The biblongs are over fifty quid if you add chamois

    Can you remember how to dismantle the postage?

    Posted 3 years ago #
  23. amir
    Member

    I received a windproof and very nice leg warmers for Christmas pressies (after pointing to Galibier). I am going to have to return to summer weight to fit the former more comfortably, but both garments seem very high quality and I'm looking forward to using them. Returns work well also.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  24. gembo
    Member

    @amir, any free socks?

    Posted 3 years ago #
  25. amir
    Member

    Nope. They were pressies from different sources. Well trained family.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  26. gembo
    Member

    Ah, multiple points.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  27. mercury1and2
    Member

    I splashed out to buy the Galibier Colombiere- lovely - Im very happy and will buy again after checking for tax so thanks to all

    Posted 3 years ago #
  28. gembo
    Member

    @mercury 1 and 2 I blame @Bill. Any free socks?

    Posted 3 years ago #
  29. mercury1and2
    Member

    hand written thanks and welcome plus headband- not leaving the house with it mind you.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  30. gembo
    Member

    When I bought from the other Norn Irn brand Victory Chimp, they then sent me a discount code for my next order. Anyone know if Galibier do this?

    Also @Mercurey 1 and 2 the luminous yellow Vu Arctic Headband

    Posted 3 years ago #

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