Primal Onyx Thermal Bib Knickers

Primal's Onyx Thermal Bib Knickers are a warm option for middling temperatures, and they come with a decent seatpad that's comfortable without being too bulky. You'll get plenty of use from them on spring and autumn rides.

> Buy these online here

Let's start with the seatpad, seeing as I've already mentioned it. The APX chamois is made up of three layers of foam. It doesn't offer the greatest level of cushioning ever – I'd prefer a little more in the perineum area – but it moves with your body as you pedal, deals with sweat effectively, and there are no savage seams to make you sore. It's not the most high tech chamois on the planet but it compares well with pads you'll find on similarly priced bibs.

The Onyx Knickers – I prefer to call them three-quarters, personally... you know, to avoid any confusion – are made from a polyester/spandex fabric called Traverso. It's a mid-weight (245gsm), brush-backed, Roubaix-type material similar to that of many winter bib tights, and it offers plenty of warmth. The multi-panel construction makes for a good fit without any tightness, and you can easily arrange the legs so that no seams rub behind your knees as you pedal, which is something that drives everyone nuts. Elasticated grippers with a silicone band hold the ends of the legs in place comfortably. I never found them riding up in use.

I've been using these on days when it's too warm for tights and there's no chance of me wanting to get my knees out mid-ride. We're all different but for me that's a typical spring and autumn scenario.

The bib section is made from Promesh which, it won't surprise you to learn, is a lightweight mesh fabric. It shifts sweat well without retaining much moisture. The straps are plenty wide enough to avoid any noticeable pressure on your shoulders.

You get just a small amount of print to break up the black: the Primal name down the side of the right leg and a logo at the bottom of each leg. Oh, and there's a little reflective 'Primal' at the base of the back, although I found that it would sometimes get covered up, depending on the length of the jersey or jacket I was using.

> Buyer's Guide: The best arm and leg warmers

All-round, I found these to put in a solid performance. They're not feature-packed but they do a relatively straightforward job well and they're very good value.

Verdict

Warm mid-length bibs that put in a solid performance in spring and autumn conditions