Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Unpadded winter bib tights - recommendations?

Hi,

I'm looking for some new winter bib tights now that the temperatures have started to plumment.  I'd like some that are nice and warm, comfortable and flexible - but don't need a pad (I wear my normal bibs underneath) and I don't want lots of thick, inflexible/non-stretchy wind or rain proof panels. 

I'm struggling to find many options as most tights seem to be padded.... looked at Rapha but they seem to get mixed reviews and are relatively expensive - any other suggestions?

Thanks!

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

Add new comment

22 comments

Avatar
ChrisS9 | 8 years ago
0 likes

Tempting,  1 but have just ordered a pair of the new Lusso NiteLife Repel Thermal bibs.... 

https://www.lusso.bike/product/nitelife-repel-thermal-bib-tights/

Look just the ticket.  Will report back when they turn up.

 

Avatar
Dnnnnnn | 8 years ago
0 likes

With apologies but it seemed too good an opportunity... www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152316921397

Avatar
Anthony.C | 8 years ago
0 likes

Winter shorts and leg warmers is the answer.

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to Anthony.C | 8 years ago
0 likes

Anthony.C wrote:

Winter shorts and leg warmers is the answer.

Not necesarily. I use unpadded winter tights for commuting, since the journey is quite short, and they aren't in contact with sensitive areas, I can wear the same tighs for 4 commutes, especially, if it warms up during the day and I don't need them on the way home.

quick research suggests they aren't widely available anymore, but if you take castelli small you could be in luck http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/castelli-velocissimo-bib-tights-no-pa...

or any size except large here https://www.merlincycles.com/castelli-velocissimo-2-no-pad-cycling-bib-t...

I guess most people want a proper pad in their bibtights

 

 

Avatar
Yorkshire wallet | 8 years ago
0 likes

Out of interest,i looked at some Sondico training pants in Sports Direct. I thought there were a bit baggy if you wanted to crack on a bit but saw some thermal compression leggings and gave them a go.

I must say they seem to do the job if you want to just pull them over a pair of bib shorts. They were warm enough at 1°c and flexy around the knees. £13. Worth a shot , even as spare pair of leggings. I may spray mine with that muc off waterproofing.

Avatar
gazza_d | 8 years ago
0 likes

Nip down to local Aldi. They may still have some running bottoms in which are lycra, but unpadded. Quite light and stretchy with a drawcord waist. Ankle zips too. They're not bibs, but stayed up well. I don't like bibs, and have always worn braces with short or tights but didn't need them with these.

Only a tenner, and I was comfortable in them yesterday for a couple of hours in fairly horrific weather (wind, rain even snow)

 

 

Avatar
ChrisS9 | 8 years ago
0 likes

Did also find some SOLO ones on offer at SportPursuit which look promising.....

Avatar
ChrisS9 | 8 years ago
0 likes

Thanks for all of the recommendations - most helpful.  

I'd forgotten the Howies ones, not sure how warm they are compared to the other roubaix options? 

Lusso looks promising, but a cursory google suggested most places were out of stock of L/XL.  Will keep looking. Ta.

Avatar
dottigirl replied to ChrisS9 | 8 years ago
0 likes

ChrisS9 wrote:

I'd forgotten the Howies ones, not sure how warm they are compared to the other roubaix options?

I wore mine today.

They were very, very comfortable. The fit is lovely. I wore waist shorts underneath, and was warm enough while riding at a comfortable pace.

However, the fabric isn't fleecey - I can't say that my legs were overly warm, and when the knees got damp on my way home, they felt cold. Anything colder than today and I would have struggled.

Avatar
Awavey replied to dottigirl | 8 years ago
0 likes
dottigirl wrote:

However, the fabric isn't fleecey - I can't say that my legs were overly warm, and when the knees got damp on my way home, they felt cold. Anything colder than today and I would have struggled.

this weekend may just have been more exceptionally colder than the mercury was telling us,as that wind was almost arctic cold it felt like, certainly my stock goto winter tights which in previous winters have been totally adequate even at freezing temps, just werent hacking it all, I had too many cold bits not enough warm bits, and then chuck in the rain and I still havent properly warmed up yet.

Avatar
dottigirl replied to Awavey | 8 years ago
0 likes

Awavey wrote:
dottigirl wrote:

However, the fabric isn't fleecey - I can't say that my legs were overly warm, and when the knees got damp on my way home, they felt cold. Anything colder than today and I would have struggled.

this weekend may just have been more exceptionally colder than the mercury was telling us,as that wind was almost arctic cold it felt like, certainly my stock goto winter tights which in previous winters have been totally adequate even at freezing temps, just werent hacking it all, I had too many cold bits not enough warm bits, and then chuck in the rain and I still havent properly warmed up yet.

You could be right. I've been out in colder temps, but that wind was biting. I was leading the ride so was on the front or near it for the whole time, and it was relatively flat so no shelter. 

I seem to feel the cold more as I get older too - I'm planning on wearing 3/4 under the Howies on my next potentially cold outing. I'm missing my winter boots, and I think that makes a difference too.

My first cycling winter, I was told if your legs aren't sufficiently protected/warm, your feet are more likely to get cold. I think this goes the other way too - if your feet aren't warm enough, you'll feel it in your legs too. I recommend winter boots to everyone who's doing decent-length rides in the cold.

Avatar
bigfatron | 8 years ago
0 likes

Lusso Max Repel, excellent

Avatar
bigfatron | 8 years ago
0 likes

Lusso Max Repel, excellent

Avatar
dottigirl | 8 years ago
0 likes

I'll fourth the Howies. Useful bit of kit.

Avatar
Jack Osbourne snr | 8 years ago
0 likes

Any brand of running tights. I have Nike ones that are at least 10 years old.

I tried unpadded bibs over padded bibs. Too many bibs.

Avatar
gunswick | 8 years ago
1 like

Lusso max repel unpadded bib tights

Avatar
ConcordeCX | 8 years ago
0 likes
Avatar
Stu Kerton replied to ConcordeCX | 8 years ago
0 likes

ConcordeCX wrote:

These are good:

 

http://www.howies.co.uk/mens-cycling-bib-tights-163.html

 

They certainly are, my thoughts for what they're worth  3http://road.cc/content/review/106177-howies-bib-tights

Avatar
The _Kaner | 8 years ago
0 likes

I am still using a pair of Gore unpadded Power/Thermo from about 5 winters ago...double layered at knees/shins.

Also for a lighter pair, but still warm enough for dry days the Howies bibs are excellent

Avatar
Simon E | 8 years ago
0 likes

I have tried Lusso, and they seem nice enough.

Having said that, I prefer waist tights so intend to sell mine.

Avatar
Jackson | 8 years ago
0 likes

Sondico from Sports Direct, 2 for £12. On my 2nd winter with them. 

Avatar
antonio | 8 years ago
0 likes

Lusso, options on tights, bib tights are padded or unpadded, good products.

Latest Comments