dhb Classic Thermal 3/4 Bib Tights

Like much of dhb's Classic range, these Thermal 3/4 bib tights focus on delivering decent performance and comfort at an affordable price point. The material choice makes them quite versatile, covering a wide temperature range, and the pad is okay comfort-wise for rides of around a few hours.

For years I've lived by the advice of an ex-pro who said that you should cover your knees to protect them from temperatures below 15°C and that's where 3/4s come into play. At milder temperatures they can fill that gap between bib shorts and having to go to full tights.

The Classics are a little thicker than some, like the Pearl Izumi Attacks I tested recently which were much thinner, almost like bib shorts for summer use. This means that the dhbs have, for me anyway, a comfortable working range of about 5°C to just above 10°C.

The Miti Spa Roubaix Lycra used has a fleece backing and I found that it holds onto warmth well and does a decent job of keeping out the cold air as you ride. Breathability seems fine too, although it's not as big an issue with your legs compared to your upper body. The bib section has a mesh panel over your back which helps in that regard.

The fit is good. Using dhb's performance cut, they sit snug and feel relatively supportive for your muscles. The multi-panel design means that the Classics move with you well when you are on the bike, and I didn't suffer with any bunching of the material, even if the legs did ride up a touch sometimes.

Elastic Interface provides the Giro Air Custom pad and it offers decent levels of comfort. dhb says it is suitable for up to three hours in the saddle and I'd say that isn't a bad guideline, depending on how you ride. I have various loops that range from an hour's blast to longer four-to-five-hour treks and I'd say the Classics are better suited to the shorter end of the scale.

The padding is a bit thicker than I've been seeing in various shorts and tights lately, which I found a little too much for harder riding as there is a fair amount of material there; two to two-and-a-half hours would be about my limit. Riding slower and a bit more upright meant that I could extend that out to around three hours or so in decent comfort.

I've never had any real issues with quality on any dhb products I've tested or bought, and I don't expect to see any here as the miles creep up. The Classics aren't showing any signs of wear from the saddle, and all of the seams remain taut and neat.

All in all, it's not a bad package for the £65 asking price.

That puts them in the same sort of area as the Galibier Equipes at £73. Jez had a few quibbles with them, though, and their lighter weight material means they won't bridge as big a weather gap as the dhbs.

> Winter cycling clothing – 49 of the warmest garments 

I really rate the Primal Dawn bib knickers that I reviewed back in 2018 and are still going strong. They use a similar weight fabric as the Classics but have a slightly better pad for long distance riding. They're still available for £75, so a bit pricier than the dhb offering.

> Buyer’s Guide: 19 of the best warm winter cycling tights

Overall, the dhb Classics are competent 3/4s that will cope with most winter riding temperatures, and will come into play for early spring and late autumn too. The pad was a bit of a miss for me, but it might well suit you. Basically, they're a good pair of 3/4s for the money.

Verdict

Well made and comfortable 3/4s that are thick enough to deal with winter temperatures