Bib tights

Madison's Shield Protech Roubaix full-length tights have everything you need for riding in cold and wet conditions, and nothing you don't need.

The Roubaix fabric is fleecy on the inside to keep in the warmth, and sheer on the outside to repel wind and rain. This material is not water-proof, so you'll get wet legs in a storm, but it is a half-decent barrier against road-spray thanks in part to an additional water-resistant coating - presumably the eponymous 'shield' - although it's not clear how long this coating will remain effective.

dhb's cycling leg-wear range gives you an impressive list of options - long tights, tights or shorts, with or without bibs, with or without pads, in two fabric weights, male or female cuts - I've been testing the ladies version of the dhb Pace Roubaix Bib Tight with pad (there's a men's version too), and overall I must say I'm impressed. I've used several different brands of cycling tights over the years, and these are among the best I've ever worn.

These Powerlogic Olympic bib tights are the top tights in the range from Italian company Zero RH, and they're most notable for the unusual bib section that holds them in place.

The lower sections – both the black and the white panels – are made from what Zero RH call Icedry Gold 200 fabric, which is essentially a brush-backed nylon/elastane roubaix. It’s warm, breathable and quick drying, like most, although the high price doesn’t get you any windproof panels or double layers to provide extra protection from the cold.

These well-made Deep Winter bib tights from Rapha come with windproof panels down the front to keep you pedalling comfortably when the weather turns arctic, as it has recently.

The stretchy windproof panels extend from the tops of the legs right down to the ankles, although they don’t cover the crotch. That area is protected by two layers of a fleecy fabric though and, coming without a seatpad, these tights are designed to be worn over a pair of shorts, so that makes three layers in all.

Rapha winter bib tights

Rapha winter bib tights - leg detail

Rapha winter bib tights - zip detail

Rapha winter bib tights - label detail

Rapha winter bib tights - hip detail

Rapha winter bib tights - detail