Louis GarneauNova 2 Cycling Vest - Men's
Item # LGN00HN
Nova 2 Cycling Vest
In the depths of winter and the height of summer, dressing for a day in the saddle is easy. Tights and a jacket or a lightweight jersey and bibs. Late fall and early spring present a difficult dilemma, though: underdress and you'll freeze; overdress and you'll overheat, sweat, and then freeze anyway when the sweat turns cold and clammy. Louis Garneau's Nova 2 men's Cycling Vest address this dilemma by providing dedicated core protection that fends off the elements, breathes, and lets you layer on your arms as appropriate for the give day's conditions—even if those conditions change mid-ride.
The vest's main panels are LG's Diamond Air 2.0, a lightweight barrier against wind and water that shields your core. It's supplemented with underarm panels of breathable AirFit Mesh. The previous Nova only had patches of AirFit Mesh, but the latest model's panels now extend to the waist, and every additional square inch further increases the vest's breathability. That can be a godsend when a chilly March morning gives way to a sunny afternoon when you're mid-way up the day's final climb, too invested in a difficult climb to pull the vest off.
- A cycling vest for the in-between days of fall and spring
- Weather-resistant panels protect your core
- Breathable side panels reduce the risk of overheating
- Spacious rear pocket zips closed to protect ride essentials
- Armholes finished with reflective strips for low-light visibility
- Sleeveless construction lets you adjust arm coverage as needed
What do you think about this product?
View
October 5, 2021
Good for what it is
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- xl
- Height
- 5` 10"
- Weight
- 195 lbs
For someone of my size, this vest fits well. It's not skin tight, nor is it so loss it flops in the wind. It a good shoulder season vest that does a good job of blocking the wind. And I appreciate the easy to access pocket in the back.
gla102882439
January 7, 2021
Great Light Weight Gillet!
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- XL
- Height
- 6` 3"
- Weight
- 225 lbs
Love gillets or as we yanks call them, vests! Such a versatile piece. My most used fall to spring kit is gillets and bib knickers, functional over a huge range from high 30's to low 60'sF. Impressions after 10 or so uses. Very Light weight and easy to roll up in a jersey pocket if it might get cool. Even with the very light weight, it keeps wind off your core and has good water resistance so it is also good to start your ride in cold or damp conditions. It is form fitting, but true to size. I'm 6'3 with 44" chest and XL fits good, you have to stretch it a bit to get zipper started but that form fit means it doesn't flap (much). I do get a minor flapping from the left shoulder going downhill at speed when in the drops. Nothing if I'm a bit more upright on the hoods. The fit around the collar in riding position is improved from my last LG gillet. I like that it is not a double zipper, those always seem to go bad. I do wish it had 3 rear pockets instead of single zipper pocket. It breaths well through the side mesh, but it is not a loose mesh that would let water in. My prior LG vest used actual mesh for the entire back section, so in damp weather I got wet with that one and the front panels would get saturated. On a recent night ride in the low/mid 40's it went from damp to constant light rain and this version kept me warm and mostly dry and the front panels never got saturated, water kept beading and rolling off. You still will overheat on climbs, but it is easy to unzip/zip back up with a large zipper tab easy to grab with mid weight winter gloves. So versatile, I'm using this down to upper 30's on night rides with long sleeve base and thermal jersey. It's also great in the 60's as bad weather back up or to keep chill off for a mid ride break or mechanical. The reason for 4 stars? Would much prefer 3 pockets on back. Since I do night rides I want more reflective accents, the same reflective trim as the arm holes around the rear pocket or down the vertical seam where the side mesh meets would be great and still look good. Still the best of the 4 vests I own (Nike/Pearl/LG) - my older style LG is next fav.
Davidm32861250344
December 30, 2020
True to Size & Vents Well
- Familiarity:
- I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- L
- Weight
- 185 lbs
1st & Foremost, I have a BMI of 29 and am somewhat barrel-chested, so I normally am between L & XL in Pearl Izumi and Voler, but wanted something that restricted venting and didn't flap so much in the wind (flapping creates ridiculous drag), so took a chance on a L. Tight, especially at the waist (I'm in my mid 60s, so have a little more waist than when 40), but that nearly eliminates wind getting under the shell, so venting is limited to water vapor and a small amount of wind at the armpits, BUT NO FLAPPING. My shoulders were also well protected when down in the aerobars because the wind didn't get under the shell at the shoulders. Just back from a ride on a sunny day in temps 50-55F and was very comfortable with this over a LS Thermal Jersey from Voler. I considered using this vest under another, as this works quite well when too warm for a jacket, but ended up riding it alone. Again, very comfortable and no shock cooling after 5 min breaks on restarts heading into the wind. As always, fit is critical, but for me this vest is just about perfect. No idea how well it will hold up over time, but I'm pretty careful with my gear, so maybe it will last 10+yrs like my Pearl Isumi.
ROY P.
December 27, 2020
Lightweight does the job
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- XL
- Height
- 5` 11"
- Weight
- 510 lbs
Light weight and breathes well for tweener weather with a long sleeve base layer. Not for colder weather, or rain.
Christopher A.
June 22, 2020
Poor construction
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- Medium
- Height
- 6` 0"
- Weight
- 165 lbs
After less than one season the zipper gave out. Overall on the rides prior to the breakage I was enjoying the fit and visibility.
James R.
April 8, 2020
Not even close to fitting
- Fit:
- Runs small
Ordered an XL and I normally wear a L tshirt. Didn’t even almost fit. Had to pull on it just to zip it. Plus this company makes me pay freight in both directions. Last purchase I’ll make from these guys ever.
Richard W.
Davidm32861250344
January 7, 2021
For me it is form fitting, you need to pull it a little bit to start zipper and it will be snug . I wear an XL tee and this in an XL is perfect. But I don't want a loose fit flapping in the wind. I think this fits very similar to Pearl Iszumi. Now Castilli or Sportful, those run small!
November 13, 2019
First vest! Perfect for cool-cold rides
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- Medium
- Height
- 5` 9"
- Weight
- 165 lbs
First vest purchase. Very happy with the purchase. The vest is lightweight and highly effective to shield wind from the chest. Pocket is deep and easy to access. The venting is great for I never have too much sweat accumulate under the vest. Color - red is perfect for good visibility.
Robert B.
October 23, 2019
This is my first vest and It is great
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- XL
- Height
- 5` 9"
- Weight
- 210 lbs
I have ridden with this on several times last year and this year as well. Its great for several different types of weather. I have used it on shoulder type days where I either start with it on or put it on while riding. It appears well made and fits me well. I have also used it as part of a base layer when I wanted my chest covered for wind. I see why everyone says a vest is one of the most versatile parts of one's riding wardrobe. It also breaths well with the side vents.
Fernando M.
April 17, 2019
Loose Fit But Works
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Fit:
- True to size
- Size Bought
- XXL
- Height
- 6` 7"
- Weight
- 225 lbs
Great value. It keeps most of the wind out, is light, and very easily packs in the back of my jersey. It also dries very quickly. It is a very relaxed fit and if I followed the size chart and gotten a large it probably would have been too short on me (most people won’t have this problem). For the money though I’ve gotten a versatile piece that has allowed me to ride comfortably in cooler, windy conditions that I never would have considered cycling in before purchasing this vest
Christopher B.
July 31, 2018
Great for Fall rides
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
I got the vest before I went to Pisgah to ride in October and in knew it'd be brisk. I wore the vest with knee warmers and arm warmers and I was the prefect temperature. It's very light weight but fends off wind well and keeps your core warm. It's very comfortable as well and has a zip pocket in the back to keep items secure if you're not wearing a pack. If you do have a pack you can store the vest very easily.
Caleb
ROY P.
December 30, 2020
There's another review here that feels it fits loosely, but IMHO it fits true to size. I have a BMI of 29 and am somewhat barrel-chested, and found my L fit tight, especially at the waist, but not so tight as to restrict my breathing, and tight enough the wind didn't get under the vest to freeze my shoulders in aerobars, nor obliques along the sides of my back.