When you choose to cycle through cold and wet months you need to get your kit right, and some good winter bib tights are a vital part of that.
Here, we're going to briefly talk about what winter bib tights are, what makes the best ones so good and share our top picks, as tested by our expert reviewers.
Of course, you'll also need plenty more to keep warm and comfortable while cycling through winter, so we'd recommend also taking a look at our lists of the best winter cycling jackets, best cycling gloves and best cycling overshoes.
Best winter bib tights
Endura Windchill Bibtights
- £139.99 / $189.99
If you’re after protection for winter, you may have just found it.
The Windchill Bibtights come equipped with windproof panels in the front to stop chilly breezes in their tracks, while a brushed back thermal fabric is used on the rear to balance warmth with breathability and moisture wicking.
It worked well during testing, with a DWR coating also helping shed light rain or short showers, though it won’t fend off major, lengthy downpours.
The zipped waist comes up high above the belly button and is complemented by a warm panel stretching up the back.
The shoulder straps are also soft but aren’t quite as comfortable as seamless options.
I'd also caution that the fit was quite close for me in my usual size, so pay attention to the sizing charts.
Additional features include much-needed ankle zips to help get these tights on, plus decent reflective detailing, while the chamois proved comfortable during our test rides.
Verdict: For serious winter efforts, these are a decent option.
Score: 86%
Santini Prime Bib Tights
- €150 / $183
We always find we have to size up in Santini kit, as is the case here, with an XL on test as opposed to the L tested in the other bib tights featured.
The result is an ideal fit that puts the fabric close to the skin and allows for a great range of movement.
Comfort is incredibly high here, with the seamless shoulder straps and thermofleece fabric in the legs combining to great effect.
They’re incredibly warm, too. Santini suggests they’re ideal down to freezing, but on dry, windless days we’d say you may even find them adequate a little below that.
They’re not particularly wind or waterproof, though they do wick moisture well.
Plus, you can opt for the Prime’s stablemate, the Aldo (€189), if you want better weather protection.
There are no zips on the ankle cuffs, but getting them on/off wasn’t an issue, while two reflective strips on the back of the calves boost visibility. The chamois pad also performs very well.
Verdict: A perfect choice for dry but nippy days.
Score: 85%
Castelli Tutto Nano Bibtight
- £170 / $179.99
Let’s first talk about fit. As usual, I went up a size for these Castelli tights, which works well.
While the shoulder straps aren’t seamless, they remained comfortable, and the tights’ length was long enough to offer adequate coverage around the ankles.
Although there is some wind protection, they’re not windproof. The soft brushed internal material feels lovely and warm against the skin, offering adequate protection down to around 4°C, which is what Castelli recommends.
The tights also wicked moisture away well and proved breathable on milder days, making them good for changeable conditions.
There’s some rain protection in light showers or against road spray, but they’re not adept against anything sustained or heavy.
I'd have appreciated a wider cup for particularly cold conditions but found the chamois great, while the addition of a zip and reflective detailing on the cuffs is also a nice touch.
Verdict: Breathable and comfy, but not for proper nasty weather.
Score: 83%
Gore C5 Thermo Bib Tights
- £159.99 / $180
Considering the price point, I wasn't as impressed by the C5 Thermo tights as I'd have hoped. They’re not exactly bad, they just haven’t completely hit the mark.
For a start, the fit could do with some refining as, despite getting my ideal size, I found the fabric didn’t fit as closely as I'd like and I noticed some bunching of fabric. They also seemed to ride up slightly at the ankle.
While fit isn’t perfect, the tights are at least comfy, with the seamless shoulder straps a particular highlight.
The fabric used here isn’t the thickest, so we’d be cautious about using them in properly cold weather.
In this regard, note also that the waistband doesn’t come up that high and there’s only a very thin, narrow back panel.
That all said, the windproof cup works well, while light rain does bead up on the fabric’s surface.
There are multiple designs available, including those with high-vis detailing for improved visibility.
Verdict: Comfy, but fit and warmth not class-leading.
Score: 76%
Scott RC Warm Tights
- £119.99
If you tend to run hot while riding, these bib tights from Scott could be an ideal option for you.
While not quite as warm as the Endura tights, they’ll still comfortably look after you in low, single-digit temperatures, while also offering impressive breathability.
The fabric is incredibly comfortable, too, and we instantly enjoyed wearing it. That comfort is further enhanced by the soft, seamless shoulder straps – you won’t find many as nice to wear as these.
The only minor issue I experienced was that one of the horizontal seams and labels at the rear on the lower back proved a little irritating, though this does become less noticeable as you cover more and
more miles.
The pad isn’t quite as thick as you get in the Endura bib tights, but it still felt adequate for my test rides of a couple of hours at a time.
There isn’t a great deal in the way of reflective detailing, but an alternative colourway does offer large reflective stripes.
The reason for the slightly lower score? Well aside from the minor issue with the seam, it’s purely down to the added warmth and weather protection on offer from the Endura (below) for the same price.
That said, it’s worth noting that Scott has a wind and waterproof option for just £15 more.
Verdict: A breathable option that largely delivers on comfort, too.
Score: 83%
Endura FS260-Pro Thermo Bibtight II
- £119.99 / $179.99
The first thing to highlight here is that unlike the Scotts above, these winter bib tights utilise a durable, water-repellent coating on the outer, which offers a protective layer against road spray and light rain. That said, anything heavier or more sustained will get through.
The Thermoroubaix fabric delivers a decent amount of warmth and as such, I was comfortable wearing these in anything down to and around freezing. The brushed inner also feels lovely against the skin.
However, while I liked the high waist and zip for extra coverage and easy access for toilet stops,
I did find the zip slightly irritating when fully done up, though this is less noticeable when wearing a base layer underneath.
The same can also be said for the shoulder straps, whose seams weren’t quite as comfortable as on the Scott tights above.
As for undercarriage comfort, the 600 Series pad kept me pretty cushioned throughout all of my testing, while the antibacterial finish is very welcome.
Additional handy features include ankle zips for easy removal and reflective detailing for boosted visibility, though a few more wouldn’t go amiss.
Verdict: A great cold-weather option that offers decent value.
Score: 85%
What are winter bib tights?
Winter bib tights are very similar to bib shorts, in that they have a chamois pad under the crotch (to aid comfort in the saddle) and shoulder straps to hold them in place and stop the waist from slipping down.
Unlike bib shorts, which stop above the knee, bib tights are much longer and offer coverage right down to your ankles (no surprises there, then), thus keeping you warmer.
Another key difference is the materials used, as shorts are understandably made using a much lighter fabric than many winter bib tights.
That's not the case for all bib tights, though, as there are some that use a relatively thin material and thus are appropriate for use in milder conditions.
However, true winter bib tights will typically come with a thicker material, which often feels fleecy, to trap more of your body heat and keep you warmer.
What should I look for in the best winter bib tights?
Like the best bib shorts for cycling, winter bib tights need to be comfortable, first and foremost.
That comes down to several things, including the placement and design of seams (flatlock or bonded seams are generally less likely to cause irritation), the feel of the material, the effectiveness of the chamois pad and the design of the shoulder seams.
Where the latter is concerned, we prefer seamless options for maximum comfort, though that's not to say seamed shoulder straps are always uncomfortable. Plus, seamed options are often more breathable as they can use a thinner mesh material.
Reflective detailing is also key to help you stand out among the greys while out on the road, while a zip at the ankle cuffs can help make getting in and out of your winter bib tights a lot easier.
The question of how thick you want your tights to be will come down to personal preference, so check out temperature ranges and consider whether or not you run hot.
If you're likely to be riding on wet roads or in inclement weather, consider an option with some sort of waterproofing, such as a durable water repellent (DWR) coating, as this can be effective at shedding light rain and keeping you somewhat dry.
Wind repellent fabrics are also great assets, as they'll help fend off windchill, though both water and wind repellency can sometimes come at the cost of breathability, so think long and hard about the conditions you're most likely to be wearing them in.
Looking for some winter kit to keep you warm and dry when running, too? See our lists of the best running jackets and the best neck tubes for more expert reviews.
