Merlin Sport Cycling Bib Tights

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?

Merlin says, "Well-featured padded bib tights that will see you well throughout the colder half of the year. A warm and super comfy brushed fleece inner material is used for the main body with a lighter aerated mesh fabric used for the bib.

"A multi-level, dual density Milano pad with Silver Dry antibacterial technology and optimal moisture transfer. Designed for medium to long distances. Suitable for both road and mountain bike use. Ergonomically shaped and two-way stretch elasticity ensures comfort. The pad is also designed to improve blood flow and pressure relief."

In use these hit the nail on the head. I thought these were pretty much ideal winter tights, though I found medium rides better than long from a comfort point of view.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Ankle rear zips for ease of dress.

Carvico Vuelta 250g fabric main with lighter weight mesh bib upper.

Multi-level Milano Silver Dry pad.

Silicon grippers on the leg cuffs.

Subtle Merlin branding on the calves and lower back.

Reflective detailing on the calves and thigh.

Anatomically form-fitting design.

These look like much more expensive tights than they are.

In most respects excellent; the warmth, fit and cut were all really good. I only found the pad a little lacking on longer rides. This may be down to my own lack of natural padding in that region!

Everything is really neatly stitched. The materials are high quality as are the zips.

You may find a size bigger will fit better, though beware the long leg length if you are stockier. I would have liked slightly longer and wider shoulder straps.

As above, these are pretty sporty in sizing, snug around the waist and thighs so again you might choose a larger size than normal if you are bigger-built.

For the light weight (300g, as Merlin claims) they provide excellent warmth, with most of the weight being in the generous pad.

Really comfortable in all respects, the only exception being that the pad didn't really suit me on longer rides.

A great pair of do-it-all tights. Buy two pairs and you'll still have change compared to some others.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

These came up as good as new after every wash.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

These soon became the tights I reached for on my early spring rides. They are warm, comfortable, look good, go well with anything and are "invisible" in use. On longer rides I might revert to my favourite Lycra shorts-and-unpadded-bib tight combination for extra comfort.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The high quality and low price, warmth and fit.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Slightly short and narrow shoulder straps.

Use this box to explain your score

A fundamental garment like a pair of bib tights needs to be right and Merlin's are almost spot on. At such a good price it's hard to see why you wouldn't want a pair of these in your drawer.