With Windstopper panels to block the cold air, Gore's Contest Bib tights will keep you warm in temperatures down to freezing point and beyond.
The Contests are the cheapest bib tights in the Gore Bike Wear range to feature Windstopper fabric (the version without a seatpad is £99.99) – although the non-bibbed Vistas are £80 with a seat pad and £70 without.
You know all about Windstopper, right? The Gore fabric does exactly what its name promises, the softshell version used for the front panels of these tights coming with a comfortable fleecy backing. It rustles a bit when you move but it’s stretchy enough for you to pedal freely and it feels pretty much the same next to your skin as the Roubaix fabric that makes up the rear sections of these tights.
The Windstopper is reasonably breathable in use. Okay, you occasionally notice that it doesn’t let as much sweaty vapour out as standard polyester, but wearing these in the cold conditions they’re designed for, we certainly didn’t suffer too much humidity. And the huge benefit is that by keeping the cold air off, you stay much warmer. It was -2°C on our last test ride in these, yet they kept us warm enough. We were working pretty hard in the saddle, admittedly, but we were out there for over two hours without getting uncomfortably cold or even thinking too much about the temperature. We felt fine.
And on damp days Windstopper keeps rain and road spray out well too. It soaks into the face of the fabric but it doesn’t actually come through. In wet conditions water got in via the rear panels but up front, where most of the rain lands, we stayed dry. That makes a big difference in UK winter conditions.
As for the other features… flat-stitching throughout adds to the comfort although the Contest’s seat pad is only okay rather than spectacular. It’s stretchy and breathable but it’s all foam – no gel – and although there are channels to help with shape and ventilation, we just found it a bit spongy. That was fine on short rides but we wanted better cushioning on anything over about an hour. If you have shorts you’re already happy with, we’d be inclined to go for the version without a seatpad and wear those underneath.
Rather than the usual Lycra or mesh shoulder straps, the Contests are held in place by elastic braces, the only tights in Gore’s range that have these. Why have they bothered? Well, the braces are adjustable. You just move the little Velcro tabs up or down to get them as you want them.
We worried that the Velcro would snag our favourite base layers – but they didn’t, so no complaints on that front. The braces are a little narrower than most other shoulder straps though, so there’s a touch more pressure than usual, and we’ve never really yearned for any adjustment anyway. If you have, fair enough: these might be an advantage for you. For us… meh!
Long ankle zips make the Contests easy to get on and off and the zip pullers lock in place so they don’t creep open as you move. The ankle grippers are a bit old school – strands of rubber rather than a silicone bands – and we found the fit a little baggy down there… Not that it makes much difference because if it’s cold enough to wear these, chances are that you’ll be wearing overshoes too, and they’ll cinch in any looseness. A little front zip makes mid-ride comfort breaks that bit easier and a small amount of reflective print/trim helps you get seen at night.
Don’t let our criticisms give you the idea that these aren’t good tights, though – they are. We’d certainly prefer a better seat pad but the main point is that the Contests will give you good protection from the winter chills, and the price isn't bad for windproof tights.
Verdict
The seatpad isn't the best but the Windstopper fabric will keep you warm right through the winter
road.cc test report
Make and model: Gore Bike Wear Contest Bibtights+
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Gore Bike Wear say, "Wind protection for the legs: a cycling bib that keeps wind and weather at bay. Stays in place even during rapid sprints. Reliable protection for recreational cyclists."
Fair enough - we can't argue with that.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
7/10
Rate the product for value:
8/10
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? No, we'd go for the pad-less option and shorts
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly
Age: 39 Height: 190cm Weight: 74kg
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding,
Shurely "Can't pass that mate - you've got your forks on back to front" ?
You just need to bite it back (preferably with photos or video) and you'll be the star guest on Jacob Rees-Moggie's show (until he finds out you're...
There is a place in London where cyclists *can* do fast laps: The road cycle circuit near the Velodrome at the QE Olympic Park. But it costs money...
£2,299 seems like a bargain for a carbon bike, with 105 and disc brakes in the current market. and the purple colour is lovely
I've read this review 3 times now. If my partner puts her foot down about my n+1 bike problem, this could be a real contender as one bike to rule...
Except it is quite clear from the video that she didn't "flinch" out with her arm at the last moment (which would be my understanding of 'flinched...
I've thought about this since yesterday, and I'm going to keep going with Zwift. I won't see the increase until January as I'm on the annual...
what no entry road? dead end roads or cul de sacs are never no entry, they can't be.
Further to this, out for a bike ride this morning, in one of a number of crap passes I was overtaken on a bend into on coming traffic, solid white...
Hmm, pretty sure mine has? I'll put my glasses on and go check once it comes back out of the stable.