My 2 ancient pairs of Endura winter tights have all but died a death - there was that horrible crackling sound as all the elastic in the waist and cuffs surrendered their stretchiness when I put them on yesterday.
So I'm after recommendations to fit the following spec please:-
-Unpadded
-roubaix(?) lycra - the stuff with the fluffy inner face
-Windproof knees or double material on the knees (my knees properly ache in the cold. Its not unknown for me to wear kneewarmers under tights with doubled material on the knees if its proper baltic)
-Preference for ankle zips
-Not fussed either way about bib/non bib
-Sensible price
Thanks
I'd stick with Endura personally.... or as you want unpadded have a look at running tights which tend to be cheaper
I recently bought some Craft Ideal tights I'm quite happy with. Unpadded, roubaix, wind- and waterproof knees and groin(!), ankle zips, and relatively reasonably priced. Only thing to watch is that they are quite long in the leg.
That said, they're replacing a pair of Endura ones that lasted fooooreveeeeer without issue.
So much choice these days I'm struggling to pick out a pair as well.
I do like the fit, feel and cost of my Altura night vision pair but not overly Keen on the foot loops.
I had a pair of FWE (Evans own brand) that were excellent but the pad foam split inside.
A pair of Decathlon tights were fine but quite thin and the ankle zips quite tight.
Bontrager windproof tights didn't fit nice around the crouch.
Tend to just stick with my old Howies 3/4 ones these days, shame that Howies don't make the tights anymore.
Gave up on tights and now just use my usual shorts and leg warmers. Found them to be pretty good - can get a couple or few pairs at different thicknesses to suit the conditions. Also justifies getting better shorts when I come to get new ones. And if the sun comes out mid ride you can whip them off and get some sun on the old pins.
Endura bib-longs for really cold days (down to 0 degrees) although the graphics wear off as they get older & Gore Bike wear are also good. For thinner bib-longs / tights the DHB ones are reasonable from Wiggle / CRC. Gore Bike Wear jackets are also my go-to jackets for v cold days - super warm with just a base layer!
The requirement for unpadded tights instantly reduces your selection. Lusso offer some of theirs unpadded, and Planet X are cheap and cheerful (and feel it).
If you are open to having a pad inside, I can highly recommend Sportful Fiandre - double layered knees and seat.
I have some FWE unpadded tights, they're pretty damn good if not overly thick. I also have some Lusso unpadded tights msde from roubaix material, they've a water-resistant coating too and are much warmer, though do have ankle loops
The Specialized Therminal's are fantastic and much betterer than the price might suggest. My shorts and tights tend to fail at the pad, either the stitching or that pad disintegrates. Not so with these. I've just retired a pair that I've worn throughout 6 winters as they were my only pair of longs. The Spandex/Lycra now looks like it has the pox as the little bits of elastic are starting to go 'ping'. The stitching and pad look new. They have a pad but I prefer that over multiple layers of shorts/tights that can move around over each other.
Lusso do some with double skinned knees, you'll have to browse (or bell them) to see if there's one without a pad (which there bloody well should be).
https://www.lusso.bike/collections/mens-bibtights
I have the older Max Repel model, they are very good and definitely the go-to cold weather option for me.
Why unpadded?
I can't answer for the OP, but for me unpadded tights means I usually get multiple wears from them using different undershorts.
Plus an extra layer of warmth around my gentleman's vegetables.
Lots of good suggestions, all with pads! I'm in the same boat OP, there just isn't much out there without a pad.
The Lusso look spot on but have ankle straps, which I don't want either.
assos mille gt winter bib tights no insert
€160 but they are good. I just got a pair and have been impressed.
These Energie Thermo Galibiers have a choice of pad/no pad: https://galibier.cc/product/bib-tights/
Pearl Izumi Select are unpadded, quite thick and come with zips at ankles.
Why unpadded?
For me, its so I can wear bibshorts over the tights and not have to sit on two pads.
OP, those Endura ones were ace - I've also got two pairs that have survived with zips replaced and a hole in one knee. Endura changed the fabric they were made from a few years ago, so the last pair I bought weren't as good, bit too stretchy and a bit thinner.
I'm on the same lookout as you!
For me, its so I can wear bibshorts over the tights and not have to sit on two pads.
Bibshorts OVER tights? So the tights are between you and the seat pad?
I can’t answer for the OP, but for me unpadded tights means I usually get multiple wears from them using different undershorts.
Plus an extra layer of warmth around my gentleman’s vegetables.
I agree with both points plus it means I can still use my favourite bibs (generally Castelli) with the best pads. I'm currently using Castelli Nanoflex unpadded tights. I do have Galibier and Endura padded tights and 3/4 but the fit and the pads aren't a patch on Castelli.
Bibshorts OVER tights?
Yeah, that way the tights don't move.
Can recommend Pearl Izumi, nearly all of the models come in unpadded versions, some of the most comfortable bib longs I've had, prefer these to Castelli, Gore, Endura.
I always go for unpadded tights, surprised so many on market are padded only. If you ride a lot then you've probably already got a drawer full of good summer shorts to wear underneath and swap out after every ride - If you ride even four times a week, are you going to wash your padded tights after every ride or repeatedly wear them...the first will make your expensive tights not last very long through the winter and is unpractical, or maybe you have to buy 3 pairs of £150 tights...and the second option is gross and unhygienic...
Yeah, that way the tights don’t move.
I guess you don't use chammy cream?
Ha ha, no! That'd be a bit of a mess.
Bibshorts OVER tights??? This reminds of OldSchool Euro roadies who used to wear their branded sponsored shorts over commonly plain longs, because they were told they had to...Can't think of any other rational reason to do this, pad should be in contact with skin - It's also quite possible I've been doing it wrong all this time...
Now you've got me worried I've been wrong all these years!
I favour unpadded non-bib tights - don't want two pads and don't want two bibs either - so to me it makes sense. Tights underneath, warmer against skin when it's cold, stand up to more frequent washing, and shorts keep the tights in place. Feels less unpleasant when it's been raining for a while too.
I also zip the bottom of my tights over the top of my overshoes, rather than having the overshoe on the outside. I've had to defend this practice in the past too. Stops water running straight down the tight into the overshoe. Looks better too.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME???
For non-bib tights, with bib shorts over the top I understand the logic, as otherwise the waisted tight could move about or snag the saddle - though a decent set of leg warmers may be even more comfortable. For me, having two bibs is a non-issue (bib shorts under non-padded bib tights), as long as both are a comfortable fit then It's barely noticeable.
The tights over overshoes thing though - you are on your own...whatever's comfortable I guess.
Those Spatz things solve that problem but also look decidedly 'niche interest'.
I agree with bib-tights over bib-shorts, don't like anything without braces these days - well I'll make an exception for baggies.
Actually though the tights outside overshoes makes perfect sense to me even though I know it's frowned upon. For the same reason that when walking, gaiters outside overtrousers is daft.
Another vote for Pearl Izumi - Elite Escape AMfib. They are padded and not cheap, maybe unpadded available dont know, but they are absolutely the badgers nadgers for winter riding on or off road. Soft shell front and back side with very breathable back of legs. I have had a pair for number of years and dont have to wear anything below or on tope. Not a sign of tear, wear or rip aywhere despite abuse. Only issue I have is the thread holding pad on is coming undone. I have had for long time and looking to get another pair for xmas
OP here.
Thanks for the ideas.
I want unpadded as I have a good selection of high end bibshorts to wear UNDER the tights. It would cost a small fortune to have an equal number of padded tights. <<shudder>> at the thought of wearing the tights under the bibs though.
I've never had a problem with n0n-bibs slipping down, and as they're for road/gravel riding anyway, there's not too much stood up descending so catching on the saddle isn't really an issue anyway.
Leg or knee warmers are fine for mild days (there's very few days of the year I don't wear kneewarmers, fullstop) but I don't have the insulation for doing that in anything actually chilly.