Craft Performance Storm Bib Tights
The Craft Performance Storm Bib Tights are a well-engineered and nicely thought out garment for your bottom half when the weather is murky.
These don't feel like a winter tight when you pull them on for the first time: the construction isn't heavy and the rear roubaix panels are pretty thin. You even get mesh bibs. However, they feature a full-length windproof insert down the front to keep the chill off when you're riding, so the overall effect is of a more heavyweight set of bibs.
Set off on a chilly day and you'll feel the nip against the back of your thighs and calves where you're not heavily protected, so starting with a long downhill run on a cold day can leave you a bit chilly to begin with. Once you start working, however, the thin rear sections give all that heat you generate an escape route while the windproof panels stop the icy blasts robbing you of too much warmth. They do a decent job of shrugging off the rain too. On a wet day the thinner rear panels get wet quickly if you're not sporting mudguards though.
Getting into these tights is pretty easy thanks to long calf zips, and they're a comfy fit although the windproof panels aren't as elastic as Lycra which can leave them a bit bunched up at times. They're generous on the sizing, with a L big enough for me (1.90m, 99kg) when I'd normally expect to be wearing an XL. The Craft pad is decent without being a showstopper; I was comfy enough on some fairly long rides but it's not as good as some of the other pads out there. The reflective detailing is well placed and has remained intact through repeated washings.
Overall the performance is good, the tights comfy and the windproof fabric is well placed and functional. These tights would see you through most winter rides, although if you've got a penchant for heading out when it's really bitter and dismal, you might find that you need more protection to the rear than these offer.
Verdict
Good off-season legwear that keeps the wind and, to some extent, the rain off your pins
road.cc test report
Make and model: Craft Performance Storm Bib Tights
Size tested: Black - L
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
- Performance Bike StormBib Tights
- Windproof front by thin, elastic windpanel
- Highly elastic, slightly brushed fleece fabric for warmth
- Reflective prints in front and back
- Craft Performance Pad
- Zipper to knee
Well constructed, nice details
Good all-round performance, pad could be better and they're not for really bitter days
Wearing well, reflective has stayed put
About right, really
Pad could be better, the windproof panels aren't as elastic as standard lycra
Not cheap, but well made and do the job they're designed to do
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Well
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Windproof panels work well, build quality is good
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Pad could be better
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
About the tester
Age: 38 Height: 190cm Weight: 98kg
I usually ride: whatever I'm testing... My best bike is: Genesis Equilibrium with SRAM Apex
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track
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Dave is a founding father of road.cc and responsible for kicking the server when it breaks. In a previous life he was a graphic designer but he's also a three-time Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling world champion, and remains unbeaten through the bog. Dave rides all sorts of bikes but tends to prefer metal ones. He's getting old is why.