Winter Bib Tights - Waterproof

paulcuthbert

Does anybody have any buying advice for winter bib tights that are waterproof or water-resistant?

I do a lot of riding in Ireland and I live in Scotland, so insulation and water repellency are key!

Are these any good? http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-deep-winter-bib-tight/

THANKS

bendertherobot

It's far harder making legs waterproof because they need to move more freely than the rest of the body. But, yes, anything that has a waterproof or windproof panel works. Seams will leak, stuff will get in, but they do work. Those ones are good but do try them first, they can be a bit constrictive because they don't stretch as well. Good though.

cougie

Mudguards are your first line of defence.
I have the dhb waterproof leg warmers and they've been good so far.

ben-----

Endura Stealth Lite bib-tights
https://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/endura-s ... eview.html
I've got no experience of them myself. I was considering getting them some time ago but never did.

trek_dan

I used Castelli Nanoflex most of last winter and while good for showers they aren't very warm.

supermurph09

The thing I am finding with the DHB roubaix stuff is they are very constrictive. It's like a resistance workout! They fit fine, the pad is in the right place, the legs are perfect length but they just feel too tight. On the flip side they are warm.

Note, mine are the classic thermal not the waterproof ones.

tangerineowl

Bontrager Velocis Stormshell bib tights

mrb123

Morvelo Stormshield bibs are nice. The price you pay however for bibs with some form of windproof/softshell material is that they never fit quite as nicely as plain lycra/roubaix ones.

JesseD

I think trying to find waterproof stuff is a bit like the search for the Holy Grail, I am not even sure it exists!

Personally I would be looking for clothing that whilst shower proof, will once it lets in the water act like a wetsuit and keep you warm. I have the Sportful No Rain bib tights which are pretty good, dont keep the rain out but plenty warm enough when I do get wet.

Monty Dog

I have a pair of Endura Stealth Lites - they're certainly waterproof but any reasonable amount of effort and they get pretty clammy plus the water runs down your legs and fills yer boots! I've never found the nano-coated fabrics to last that long either whereas laminated, windstopper fabrics are more durable but can we through eventually. First line of defence is mudguards and boots / overshoes. Regular fleecy tights and GoreTex shorts that come to the knees work well - when my quads get cold, that's when it's time to head for home / warmth. My formative cycling years were in Scotland but it was 40 years ago and maybe it didn't rain as much then?

AnthonyCo

To me, the absolute king of waterproof but not too sticky bibtights is the Sportful Norain range. Really good quality, no regrets.

comsense

Lusso Max Repel were good for 3.5 hours heavy Irish rain last winter on a freezing day. I remember nearing home and thinking this is as good as it gets in foul weather. As well as the tights and a good jacket a good winter hat with a peak works wonders - you start to believe you are "in out of the rain" Merlin and some other places have certain sizes reduced at the moment . I would buy a few pairs if they had my size. No restriction on movement and no drawbacks I can think off. Never heard a bad word about them....

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/ ... bib-tights

spam02

comsense wrote:

Lusso Max Repel were good for 3.5 hours heavy Irish rain last winter on a freezing day. I remember nearing home and thinking this is as good as it gets in foul weather. As well as the tights and a good jacket a good winter hat with a peak works wonders - you start to believe you are "in out of the rain" Merlin and some other places have certain sizes reduced at the moment . I would buy a few pairs if they had my size. No restriction on movement and no drawbacks I can think off. Never heard a bad word about them....

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/ ... bib-tights

As above Lusso Max Repel are excellent for longish spells in the cold & rain. Start Fitness currently have them for £30 (+£3 p&p) on their website but only in small.

micrographia

Good compromise between water resistance and fit if you are riding hard - Castelli Sorpasso Wind bib longs and a bottle of Nikwax TX.Direct spray-on. Spendy, but you can use them for dry winter rides as well. Windstopper panels means wet legs don't get chilled.

If you want to go the waterproof shell route I've had decent results using Craft Rain Pants with bibs underneath for steady riding. Have a bit of give, built-in braces. Warm though.

Mudguards with flaps and longs over the top of your overshoes ftw.

EEM