Why bib tights

Read on for a rundown of our pick the best bib tights for winter cycling, and if you're after a bit of advice on how to choose the right pair for you, head to the bottom for our guide on how to choose the best winter bib tights. Then once you've found what you need, why not check out the best winter cycling jackets and best winter cycling gloves to go with them?

Velocio's Zero Bib tights are made from a combination of weatherproof materials at the front and more breathable materials at the rear to create a product designed to battle freezing temperatures. The front-facing panels are made using a material that is both windproof and water-resistant, while the rear uses a DWR coated ThermoRoubaix Power, which is fleece backed for added warmth.

While the back panel could offer a little extra warmth, the overall performance is exceptional, keeping us warm and comfortable on multi-hour rides in all conditions. Reflective panels extend halfway up the calves for increased low-light visibility, backed up by a couple of small reflective Velocio logos. The legs also feature a stirrup strap to keep them in place.

Available in men's and women's cuts, they get a gender-specific chamois that is proprietary to Velocio but designed in conjunction with chamois experts, Cytech.

The women's version sees Velocio's FlyFree back, which allows for nature breaks without also having to take off all your layers, while the low-cut front offers a similar solution for men. Made from the Italian outfit's Nano Flex 3G fabric, the brand says the exterior DWR treatment introduces a 'nanotechnology mechanical repellency' to enhance droplet-shedding ability.

They aren't waterproof but will handle a decent amount of rain, all without sacrificing breathability. The interior is brushed to trap heat, and Castelli has reduced the number of seams and improved the tailoring to lessen pinching and chafing. The brand has also included its Kiss Air2 seat pad to keep you sitting pretty for many hours when the weather is less than enticing.

The vast majority of bib tights command a heavy price tag, but you don't have to spend a bundle to stay warm this winter. Like all the rest, they are made from fleece-lined fabric, which comes up well above your waist to keep your core warm. For these tights in particular, dhb has partnered with the MITI Spa textile mill, using its Lombardia gsm Roubaix fabric, which is bluesign approved.

Inside, you'll find an Elastic Interface Giro Air custom chamois, which dhb says is ideal for rides over three hours. The latest version of these tights features a lengthened front zipper to make install and removal a bit less awkward, while the ankle zippers and grippers have been replaced with a more straightforward compression stitching that holds the hem firmly in place. Made from a fleece-backed Roubaix style fabric, Rapha's Cargo Bib Tights are a winter-ready version of its popular cargo riding shorts.

Both pockets on the left-hand side are both zippered and lined with water-resistant fabric. The bib tights are DWR-treated to shed light rain and road spray, and there are two large reflective panels on the back of either calf to draw attention.

The Elite AmFib bib tights are the warmest that Pearl Izumi makes, and the brand has thrown the kitchen sink of fabric tech at them to keep you toasty. The bulk of the tights are made with AmFib softshell fabric with a laminated membrane to keep the wind and some airborne moisture at bay. The interior is lined with soft fleece and Pearl's Elite Escape chamois that uses variable density padding, an articulated shape, and a floating top sheet to reduce friction and enhance blood flow — they are also available without a pad.

To top off, the tights feature BioViz reflective elements to help with visibility when you're racing the sun home, although these only cover a small portion of the calf, unlike the full-panel reflectivity from Rapha and Velocio. The base fabric is made from the same NanoFlex 3G weather-resistant fabric as the Tutto bibs up above, but Castelli has also integrated NanoFlex Xtra Dry fabric across the front panel, over the thighs, and at the rear to increase water resistance.

They benefit from the Progetto X2 Air pad, which almost everyone seems to get on with, and the layflat bib straps stay comfortable as you pile on the layers. They do size up smaller than average, so we recommend sizing up, and our only gripe is that the Castelli logos are printed on and very quickly peel off. This doesn't affect their otherwise exceptional performance in any way, though.

The winters in Scottland are the opposite of mild, so it's no surprise to see Endura making some of the best bib tights out there. The bulk of the Pro SL II bib tights is made from ThermoRoubaix fabric with a plush brushed interior, while the outside gets a DWR treatment to stave of the elements, and on the front, Endura has added windproof panels in critical areas to ensure the cold doesn't make its way inside. However, it sets itself apart by using a DWR-M treatment, free from PFC per-fluorinated chemicals , which are man-made and harmful to the environment.

Endura offers the Pro SL II bib tights with three widths of its series chamois to tailor the fit to your sit bones and saddle. On the back, you'll find reflective stripes on the calves for added lowlight visibility. There are no ankle zippers, but there is one front zipper to make nature breaks a bit less awkward. Search Advanced search…. New posts.

Log in. JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Thread starter Marin Maniac Start date 10 Feb Marin Maniac New Member.

I'm wondering if someone can point out who owns some bib tights what the point is? Why by bibs and not just waist tights? Looking at buying some tights, and the answers to these questions would really help me out!

John the Monkey Frivolous Cyclist. Location Crewe. Bib tights are very much more comfortable, in my experience, and reduce the risk of showing more than you'd like of your newly toned rear to the following traffic.

Winter bibs can also be quite toasty dhb's Merston tights have a bib lined with the same fleecy material as the rest of the garment, almost like wearing a vest type base layer in effect. Base layers go under the bib, jerseys etc go over them. Location the post-brexit wasteland. Location South of The Peaks.

Bib tights are ok - I have a couple of fleecy pairs for winter commuting - but they soon get too hot for wearing once the temp rises to around the 10 degrees C mark IME.

The best cycling shorts and best leg warmers and knee warmers will get many riders through September, October and perhaps November for the warm-blooded, or late season races, but they aren't suited for year-round riding. Most manufacturers now integrate a chamios into their tights: not so long ago it was common to wear unpadded tights over padded bib shorts. Using padded tights means fewer seams and fewer straps, but if you regularly venture out into frigid temps it will mean buying more than just one or two of pairs of tights in order to keep up with the wash-wear-dry cycle.

If you're curious as to what else to wear in the colder seasons then our guide to winter cycling clothing: what to wear for comfortable riding breaks down what to look for when wanting to keep warm on the bike.

The best bib tights come with a variety of features, each having their own merits for choosing. The simplest tights are made from a fleecy-backed Roubaix-style material and are neither windproof nor waterproof. These are great for milder temperatures, and are often at the lower end of the price scale.

As with many cycling pieces of equipment, the more you pay, the more you get, with some of the best bib tight manufacturers selecting more technical fabrics with varying degrees of moisture protection, that are still breathable and ensure unrestricted movement. The most sophisticated bib tights locate different types of fabric and different numbers of layers in the specific areas where they will be most effective against cold, wind and rain.

Of course, if you are selecting a pair of the best bib tights for doing battle with the elements, you'll also want to invest with the best cycling overshoes to ensure that the extremities of your lower body are also sufficiently protected. Read on down the page for information about what to look for when buying your ideal bib tights.

But first, here are our favourites. Endura has got it all right with the Pro SLs. The Scottish brand has packed in an impressive number of features — including three pad width options making these one of best bib tights on the market.

Made from a windproof, breathable fabric, a DWR coating is used down the fronts of the legs and above the bum. Behind the calves are large panels of reflective dots plus white flashes at the ankles for added visibility. The ankles are zipless but the front of the bib does have a short zip above the waist to reduce strap-yank during toilet breaks. All these features do, however, add up to a rather warm pair of bib tights, so making these an option when the mercury is at the low end of the thermometer.

They aren't by any means an entry level price point, but a fair amount cheaper than high-end models, such as the Assos Mille GT Ultraz Winter Bibtights, and certainly compete with them performance wise. These bib tights combine excellent protection from the elements with a flawless fit. With the front cut lower than other brands, these really lend themselves to riding in an aggressive, aerodynamic position.

The high degree of stretch from the fabric not only allows for a figure-hugging fit, but it also meant that my pedal stroke felt fluid, without any of the tightness that other winterised bib tights can sometimes induce. The RX Heavy fabric is so warm and, combined with that NEOS membrane, our testers legs felt as if they were in their own microclimate as they cycled in frosty conditions. But as with all things Assos, once you've seen and tried, it's hard to make the compromise, and knowing the quality of the brand, it's often easier to part with your money knowing that they will serve you well for many winters to come.

We've long been a fan of Castelli's bib tights, finding it's long standing Nanoflex Pro bib tights a firm favourite despite their ageing years. The Castelli LW 2 bib tights are designed for milder winter conditions, and according to the brand, designed in conjunction with pro riders from Team Ineos Grenadiers.

While many of us mere mortal riders might still be in bib shorts and leg warmer combos at their specified temperature range, these tights have been specifically designed for riders who want the benefits and comfort of just one piece of apparel, without the associated extra warm.

To that end, these bib tights have been zoned, with the upper leg featuring a stretchy fleece and the lower leg just water proofing, to protect from road spray - in other words acting like a wearable fender. The end result is a fantastically breathable pair of tights, that are perfect for high intensity training, dealing with winter downpours. As could be expected with professional level bib tights, the padding has been designed to withstand several hours in the saddle day after day, and the more armature rider might find it a bit overkill - but it's a personal fit feel.

It's also worth noting that there isn't any reflective detailing. One can only assume it's because as a professional rider, you probably aren't using an after dark workplace commute as part of your training regime. Price wise, these are middle range, and do make the Santini Adapt Polartec Thermal C3 bib tights seem eyebrow raising high.

Polartec Power Wool gives the Santini Adapt bib tights a softer, stretcher feel than the type made with per cent synthetic fabrics. It's worth noting that these aren't water resistant, although their construction means that the shed water rapidly and are quick to dry on the move. A really comfortable bib, that felt barely there when riding, is teamed with a superb C3 Endurance pad that balanced the needs of comfort Vs being unobtrusive very well.

The large rainbow reflective detailing on the lower legs are great at drawing attention to yourself out on the road in low light levels.