I’m on the look out for a pair of tights for Scottish road rides, ie temps well below 10 degrees. I always run very cold on the bike, so my go to current set is a 4 year old pair from decathlon, which are the warmest things I’ve ever worn and also still fairly water resistant as the material feels like a wet suit! Far better than the castelli nano flex I also own, which feel better suited to riding in spring than deep winter. Unfortunately however the decathlon’s are beginning to wear out, so need a replacement

anyone had any exp with rapha tights? The pro versions are silly expensive, but the core is just about in my price range. But are they warm and mildly water resistant?

But are they warm and mildly water resistant?

Yes and mostly.
I’ve got the Core Cargo bibtights and it’s well worth the extra £15 to have the leg pockets – doubly so in winter conditions where you can keep snacks etc in the leg pocket and not have to undo a jacket and let all the cold wet air into your jersey while you rummage around for snacks from the rear pockets!

There’s a 25% black Friday deal i think?

When its really cold, I have Planet X padless bibs that go over regular shorts or 3/4s

Do you have other Rapha shorts? I think the pad in my Rapha bibshorts is much less comfortable than my other shorts (and I’ve probably worn them only a dozen times).

Yes and mostly

but more investigation leads me to believe they aren’t water repellent. I’m not expecting to survive a downpour, but are they as waterproof as a gabba for example?

Have four pairs of core shorts and two bib 3/4. I’ll be buying the Core cargo bib longs with 25% off. The core shorts are the very best I’ve ever worn. The 3/4 have the same pad and I am assuming the core bib longs will too. The cargo pocket has been very well received for phone duties according to the reviews.

they aren’t water repellent, they are fleece lined for warmth. You want Castelli nano flex for water duties.

They’re ok for me, but not if it’s very cold, they’re aren’t warm enough. I’ve got some pearl izumi amfib tights for those lower temps. Aided by the fact the amfibs are padless so the additional warmth of shorts too. Shorts and tights are still my preferred option tbh

Shorts and tights are still my preferred option tbh

Mine too but it’s difficult to get pad-less tights now. 🙁

Lusso, Men’s Paragon Deep Winter Bib Tights, warm and waterproof. Made here in the UK!

Madison dwr cargo tights are pretty toasty, for a bit less money than rapha core

I don’t like the rapha core pad, but the posh cargo one is good for long days in the saddle 

Bioracer might be worth a look – down from €125 to 75.

Spitfire Tempest Full Protect Pixel Bibtights

I recently bought the 3/4 bibs and they’re substantially warmer than the (older) Lusso ones that I have. Arrived quickly with no Brexit bonus, Bioracer supply Stolen Goat’s winter range as well – not sure if it’s just the Tempest fabric or if they make the garments too.

Edit – forgot Galibier Mistral – I run warm and these don’t come out until it’s below about 6 or 7 degrees. Multiple leg lengths too.

https://www.galibier.cc/product/mistral-winter-bib-tights/

Thanks folks 

some good options to look at. I like the fact those bio racer are water repellent. The fact that the rapha ones aren’t puts me off a little 

the lusso are a bit too pricy for my liking!

I like castelli perfetto tights.

Not cheap, but ok for me down to 0 with some drizzle on a particular horrible day.

Previously I had shorts, 3/4 tights on top and longs over the top.

I had them for a massive discount on RRP. They are still on sale.

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Castelli/Sorpasso-ROS-Bib-Tight/R1RC?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&co=GBR&cu=GBP&glCountry=GB&id=1735312&ds_eid=3823279037&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=&ds_cid=20153321739&ds_ag=&ds_agid=&ds_k=&ds_kid=&ds_kids=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiApOyqBhDlARIsAGfnyMpQiOOKSkB3GjM7D2d_I-jfg3bTpYrWLim_aQh8gO-A-0IXmwp6_GEaAuWQEALw_wcB