Louis Garneau Men’s Alveo 3K Cycling Bibs–Final Review

The bibs also feature Louis Garneau’s AirZone chamois.  The AirZone is made from high-density memory foam.  The foam is molded, which prevents any pinching points or chafing.  Louis Garneau designed the chamois for long distance comfort, including increasing the number and decreasing the size of vent holes.  The fabric is treated with an antibacterial solution to prevent bacteria buildup from sweat and chamois cream.  The AirZone chamois is thicker where you make contact with your seat, while thinning out a bit in the front, the sides, and the perineal area.  This design is supposed to help prevent discomfort.

The Alveo 3K Bibs also feature front, back, and bottom reflective logos for increased visibility.  The shorts are designed with flat seams inside the legs.  The leg openings don’t have a great deal of elastic or Lycra when compared to other shorts.  The bibs are made of 10 panels, allowing a very comfortable fit with minimal extra fabric.

Testing the Louis Garneau Men’s Alveo 3K Cycling Bib Shorts:

When we published the initial review, we had used these bibs for about 150 miles.  Since our first post, we’ve worn these bibs almost exclusively when training for our Ironman.  To that end, we’ve put over 900 miles on the Alveo 3K Bibs since we first picked them up.

Even after all these miles, the LG Men’s Alveo Bibs continue to maintain the same close and comfortable fit.  The ten panel design provides a very accurate fit and there is no extra fabric or poorly constructed part of the bibs.  The legs are the same length as our standard shorts, ending just above the knee.  The shoulder straps are the same material that is used on the rest of the bibs and breathes well and is very soft to the touch.

Most of our testing was conducted above 90 degrees with high humidity.  In our outdoor testing, we noticed excellent wicking and ventilation. On our longest rides, 6+ hours and more than 95 miles, the bibs did retain some moisture, but this didn’t impact the overall coolness of these bibs.

Compared to our standard shorts, we loved the lack of a waistband on these bibs.  Though this isn’t special to the Louis Garneau Alveo Bibs, the lack of a waistband meant there was absolutely no chafing or irritation after even the longest rides.  The AirZone Chamois is one of the largest we’ve ever tested.  We were initially concerned about the size and the long term comfort, but we never noticed an issue once on the bike and truly appreciated the thickness and size of the chamois.

Final Thoughts on the Louis Garneau Men’s Alveo 3K Cycling Bibs:

We are very pleased with the performance of these bibs.  Since first testing them, they have become an essential part of our cycling gear.  On the days that we can’t wear the bibs we notice a difference in comfort, especially after long rides.

We wash these bibs after every use and follow the care tag to make sure they hold up.  Even washing these bibs two or three times a week we have not seen any wear, fading or discoloration.

The shoulder straps hit our tester directly on the nipples and could have been a serious chafing issue.  On rides less than 4 hours, we didn’t need any lubrication, but on our longer rides we used a body lube to make sure we didn’t experience any irritation or chafing.

At $119.95, these bibs are towards the high end of comparable products.  You can find Pearl iZUMi bibs for about twenty dollars less and lesser brands for an even steeper discount.  However, these bibs perform at the high end of comparable products, so we don’t feel that the cost is prohibitive.

FitEgg highly recommends these bibs for cyclists and triathletes of any caliber.  You will find them comfortable, breathable and durable.

About two months ago, we received a sample of the Louis Garneau Men's Alveo 3K Bibs.  Since we received these bibs, they have become a staple of our cycling workouts in preparation for the Beach2Battleship Iron Distance Race. These bibs are widely available from your local retailer or you can order directly from Amazon. About the Louis Garneau Men’s Alveo 3K Cycling Bib Shorts: The Alveo 3K Bibs are mid-level bibs; priced at $119.95, they are accessible to most cyclists yet they offer a few features found on higher level bibs. …