Lusso Max Repel ladies' bib tights

The Lusso Max Repel ladies tights are a simple design that have some lovely 'hidden gem' features.

Made in the UK, Lusso's tights are a very reliable winter staple for any cyclist's wardrobe. They have wide straps that sit very comfortably on your shoulders and a wide foot strap. The foot strap is wider than some tights on the market, but it never bunched up during use and felt very secure.

The main fabric is a Roubaix style that feels very soft and is warm. The outer has a water resistance that offers some extra warmth too, as the rain doesn't penetrate the fabric that easily. The material is a typical thickness compared to other winter tights on the market. There is no pad in these tights (which is reflected in the price) so I wore them with padded shorts underneath them. The gusset, however, is double fabric which gives a slight padding.

I tried the size medium and as a 12 in real life, I found the fit was good. Like any tights when you're a curvy woman, they had to pulled on in spurts from the ankle up. But once you are in, you are pleasantly surprised by the comfort. They don't offer too much compression, but enough to make you feel that everything is secure. There was no sagging at the knee after time in the saddle either.

When it comes to performance they work well. The fleece lining kept my legs as warm as I would expect when cycling in eight degrees. Since we are still waiting on colder temperatures, I can't comment on their warmth below this.

I found the outer fabric really good. It's smooth and feels different to my other tights. The water resistance that Lusso claim works very well. Caught in short showers, water seemed to roll off the tights, with only a small amount soaking in. This feature also helped with wet roads as water splashed up didn't get a chance to settle.

The tights have very little reflective detailing, only a small accent on the rear calf section. It's probably just enough to get you noticed, but there could be more. The flat lock stitching adds to the comfort and amount of time you can spend in the saddle. It helps the tights feel smooth and you can spend longer riding. I never felt sweaty in these tights, meaning the breathability claim is spot on (or I didn't ride hard enough).

Verdict

Comfortable water-repelling tights for any winter wardrobe