Unless you can escape to somewhere warmer for the winter, you’re likely to be facing several months of cold and wet riding, and now is the time to ensure you’ve got the right kit that is up for the job. We demand a lot from clothing at this time of year, none more so than tights, which are tasked with keeping our legs dry and warm without hindering our pedalling.
It’s no surprise there’s a zillions of options then, but where to start. Hopefully his buyer’s guide will help answer most of the important questions. First decision is, bib tights or no bib tights? This is down to personal preference, but the RCUK tip is for bibs, as although they may cost a little more, they offer a whole heap more comfort as you don’t get the waist band digging in.
Fit
The more panels, generally the better the fit and hence how comfortable they’ll be. The knee joint is a tricky area for tights, and there’s many approaches to providing a good degree of freedom of movement while ensure good coverage. Some designs involve various panels cut to shape around the knee, which will invariably push the price up.
Material
Lots of variation here from simple Lycra, which is okay in warmer climes, to fleece-lined and windproof materials that offer warm and protection from the wind on colder days. Often a manufacturer will use two layers of material over the front of the knee to further insulate the joint or a section of fleece-lined material to offer extra insulation. Some tights opt for a waterproof material, ideal for wet days to keep your legs dry, so choose the material that best suits the type of riding you’ll be doing.
Features
Look for wide comfortable bib straps that spread the load and a front zip to make getting in and out of them, as well as impromptu toilet stops, a lot easier. Also look for tights that have a high front and sides as this can provide an additional layer of material around the midriff and kidney area. Ankle zippers keep the draft out and make pulling them on easier, while some opt for loops that hoop over the foot to provide seamless coverage into the shoe. Also look for flat stitching, which is more comfortable on the skin, and reflective panels to boost visibility in low light.
Chamois
If you have a favourite brand of summer shorts with a chamois you find comfortable, it’s most likely that the same manufacturer will produce a bib tights version of the same shorts; this is a good starting point. However, buy a pair of tights sans-chamois and you can then wear them over your favourite shorts, and get a couple more days use out of them before they need washing. This is also likely to be a cheaper option as much of the money goes into the chamois.
Lastly, don’t skimp on your bib tights. You’re likely to spend a lot of time in them over the winter, as well as much of autumn and spring until its warm enough to wear just shorts. There’s nothing more unpleasant than wet and cold legs due to a poor clothing decision, which is a sure-fire way to ruining any ride, so do yourself a favour and invest in a top pair of bib tights. You’ll thank yourself when you’re out enjoying your next ride in the worst of the weather.
See all RCUK reviews of winter tights here, or scroll down to the bottom of this page where they’re all archived.
