Of the Le Col garments I’ve tested, these tights are the standout item. A thermal Roubaix fleece-lined fabric makes them ideal for long cold winter rides, keeping legs toasty warm.
Fit is excellent. The design of the tights is simple, but the stretchy nature of the material ensures they don’t restrict movement or pull or tug when in the position you adopt when on the bike. Where many tights fall down is in the knees, often proving to be tight and restrictive leading to discomfort when cycling. The Le Col Tights don’t suffer from this complaint and as such have been some of the most comfortable tights I’ve tested.
Talking of comfort, the chamois is right up there with the best too. It’s a low-profile item that sits in place and doesn’t shift around. On some of my longer rides these tights have worked they way to the top of my kitbag, knowing they’ll offer me the comfort I look for on a five hour ride.
After some extensive testing they’re still in the great condition, the reinforced seams holding up well. The addition of some reflective strips (won’t be enough for everybody) give a small degree of added visibility on the roads while remaining subtle. There’s an embroidered Le Col logo on the rear which, unlike printed logos, will last the test of time.
Le Col’s Tights carry a heavy price tag but they are stylish, warm and very comfortable.