Where have all the 3/4 tights gone? And bib short recommendations pls

My preference for about 6 months of the year are 3/4 tights, the type without shoulder straps.  I can’t see much around except for the Endura Xtract II’s and a few womens options.  Any suggestions welcome.

I have a worn out pair of Endura’s 3/4’s already but never found them as good as my old Pearl Izumi stuff, and am looking to upgrade to something with better padding.

I did buy some Pearl Izumi bibtights last year, a full length leg one and mesh style short leg one to be worn under baggies.  They are both ‘ok’, the confort is not amazing though, and I don’t like the faff on long/multi-day rides of having to half strip for a toilet break!

So its looking  like shorts with knee warmers from now on.  What brands are great for padding?  I’ve read good comments about Castelli’s Progetto X2 Air pad.

Gore

Castelli bibs that have Progetto X2 Air pads are great for me, relunctantly bought a pair in Merlin sale in ’20 because even then they were more than I’d spent on bibs before, but bought more since. Catelli Kiss pad bibs aren’t bad for me, but comfort doesn’t last quite so long so far.

Got a pair of https://www.planetx.co.uk/products/planet-x-pro-line-365x-3-4-length-bib-shorts , wore them the other day for a short ride, they’re ok as long as you don’t plan to gun it. Back material is awful for getting rid of heat, fine on an easy ride in cool temps, but not much else unless you plan to torture yourself.

Ground effect or galibier?

“Ground effect”. that’s a blast from the past, didnt even know they were still going, and still delivering to the UK?
They had a good period when one of the magazines said their shorts were great, and reasonably priced, I had some as did many others, what, around 2003? Postage was very reasonable from NZ then, without looking, I cant imagine them to be a bargain now.

Why not bibs? Bin 3/4s are my go to for a lot of riding. Need to be thicker though to have a point. I’ve got a pair of dhb (rip) ones but they are very thin like the thinnest of summer bub shorts. Rapha do good ones and occasionally they come up very cheap on Sports Pursuit. But I’d imagine they are all bibs.

I took had some Ground Effect 3/4s back when. They were excellent and lasted ages but didn’t replace them because they are now £110+ vat + delivery etc. A great pity, I still have GE stuff which is well made and long lasting and , in those days, relatively cheap.

Corinne Dennis are supposed to be good although not worn them myself. Made in the UK and not too pricey either.

https://www.corinnedennis.co.uk/mens-extra-padded-3-4

Castelli Tutto Nano

Leg warmers which you can use with the existing 10 pairs of shorts which you have.

it is always Giordana for me. Unfortunately, like many, they’ve stopped doing shorts and 3/4s that aren’t bibs, but I’ve adjusted and their bib shorts in both flavours are very very good. Quite often available with a discount as long as you’re happy with last year’s “technology”. FR-C is the flavour I always go with as the chamois is top bombing. Spendy though.

First ride of the year with knee warmers and normal bib shorts last night. I’ll be back on my trusty Rapha Roubaix bib 3/4’s! Not cheap but superb quality and fine when it is a little too warm. I have one pair of thin 3/4’s too, but the pad is poor compared to Rapha. Proper 3/4 bibs from major manufacturers are what I’d like, but knee warmers are fine. Leg warmers are too much Pfaff.

Hopefully in the bin where they belong.

Another vote for Giordana kit more generally though. Very well made

I love 3/4 bibs. Assos still do them, and they aren’t crazy expensive (for Assos) and last for years.

Loved my Endura MT500 3/4 bibs , such a shame they no longer do them but after countless years i will follow this for a new set myself

I really like 3/4’s as well.

These are different to mine, but should be cracking.
https://www.galibier.cc/product/pave-3-4-bibknicker/

+1 Giordana.

I find 3/4s these days are all too long. I prefer them to stop just below my knee but the latest lot from Gore/Giordana et al are like halfway down my calf, so you may as well go full longs.

Thanks all, will trawl through the suggestions!

Ground Effect – about £20 for postage.

I bought a jacket from them in January. Cost with postage was equivalent to an inferior EU jacket.

Were incredibly helpful when my delivery got stuck in Stirling, NZ – immediately dispatching a replacement with gift.

Would not hesitate to shop with them again.