In this article I’m going to give you my top picks for the best bib tights for winter cycling. And with winter, I mean cycling gear which will keep you dry and warm in sub zero temperatures.
Thermal bib tights can roughly be separated into two categories. Bib tights that keep you warm. They fall into the category of windproof tights. These tights feature materials which negate the effects of wind, but are not water-resistant, or at least provide minimal protection against rain.
The other category, and the category which I’m discussing here, is the category that provides both effective protection against the wind and rain. These thermal cycling bibs add water-repellent finishes to the material where they are most needed. That could be in obvious places like the back and legs, or for the entire garment.
It’s the latter which provides the most protection for obvious reasons and which enables you to keep on riding in deep winter and sub zero conditions. If that’s your forte you’ve come to the right place, so let’s over to the list of the best bib tights for winter cycling.
Pearl Izumi AmFIB Cycling Bib Tight
If you want to take it up a notch with protective thermal tights, the Pearl Izumi AmFIB Cycling Bib Tight has got you covered.
Featuring the same robust PI Dry® finish as the standard thermal bib tight, this one also comes with an added AmFIB® softshell located at the front of the tight. What this does is provide your body with extra protection against the wind, making this a sub-zero alternative.
It also comes with the incredibly comfortable Men’s ELITE Escape 1:1® chamois with gel inserts, which ensures many, many miles without saddle soreness.
The best protection Pearl Izumi offers is a cycling bib tight, with the best seat pad from their range of chamois.
- Very comfortable, top-of-the-range thermal bib tight with softshell front for sub-zero rides
- None
Pearl Izumi Men's AmFIB Bib Tight
The Pearl Izumi Men’s AmFIB Bib Tight is a durable, windproof, water-resistant, all-season, high-quality cycling bib for any weather conditions you may find yourself in.
The AmFIB® softshell with PI Dry® finish of the fabric ensures maximum levels of windproofness where it matters and excellent water-shedding capabilities for the entire garment. The PI Dry® treatment is done before creating the yarn that makes the cycling bib, which ensures a far more durable and extensive protection against rain and road spray.
Raw-edge straps with a comfortable back panel and no-zipper, integrated elastic cuffs create a cycling bib with very little seams, which you slip over the cycling bibs with chamois you prefer riding with.
- Very comfortable, top-of-the-range thermal bib tight with softshell front for sub-zero rides
- None
Giordana Men's G-Shield Thermal Bib Tight
The Giordana Men’s G-Shield Thermal Bib Tight is a high-quality premium thermal bib tight that has everything going for it.
First off, the bib tight is almost seamless, drastically lowering the chance of water seeping through. Furthermore the thermal fleece-lined Blizzard™ fabric with Aqua Zero Eco™ is fully water-resistant and windproof, which makes this an all-season option for people who want to ride in cold conditions.
The fabric has an immensely great fit, with varying amounts of thickness to mold the garment around your body and be out of the way when pedaling.
Featuring the 4-layer 11 mm high-end Cirro S chamois, it’s a performance-oriented cycling short that’s actually thinner than their next-in-line 13 mm Cirro chamois, but still packs a pressure relief layer with a waffled texture. This is again pressed onto another thin layer with open cell padded elements for the ultimate pressure relief where it’s necessary.
Probably The best-of-the-best Giordana has to offer in the water-resistant bib tight department.
- Fantastic, fleece-lined, water-resistant big tight
- None
Castelli Sorpasso Ros Bibtight
The Castelli Sorpasso Ros Bibtight is a water-resistant state-of-the-art thermal bib tight.
Castelli’s water resistant fabric is called Nano Flex. With its fleece lining it will keep you both dry and warm. The front uses a tighter-knitted Nano Flex Xtra Dry. It’s an area where added protection against rain is most needed.
The thermal cycling bib offers Castelli’s best Progetto X2 Air chamois. Male specific pressure points are more supported with an added layer of perforated padding, besides a skin layer, and dual density foam layer. This means a further reduction of saddle soreness when riding for many hours.
With a smart design around the hips and knees the cycling bib offers enough freedom of movement to not be restrictive while pedaling in sub-zero conditions up to 28°F (-2°C).
- All the protection and comfort you'll ever need for long distance touring in sub-zero conditions
- None
Castelli Sorpasso Ros Wind Bibtight
If the standard Sorpasso Ros doesn’t do the job for you, the Castelli Sorpasso Ros Wind Bibtight probably will.
Instead of the Nano Flex fabric it uses GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® X-Fast for frontal protection against the cold, making it the best-insulated thermal cycling bib in Castelli’s lineup up to a temperature of 23°F (-5°C), which feels about right.
It offers the same high-quality Progetto X2 Air chamois, which is the best seat pad they have to offer.
This premium thermal cycling bib will prove its money’s worth for die-hard cyclists who shy away from nothing.
- GORE-TEX insulated bib tight with the best seat pad available for the very worst conditions
- None
Castelli Entrata Wind Bibtight
The Castelli Entrata Wind Bibtight is the first entry in their lineup that promises to be almost completely windproof.
While their most expensive deep winter tights offer GORE-TEX in the front, this bib tight does so with AirFlex windproof fabric. It still offers the same splash and rain protection in the back in the form of the application of Nano Flex 3G water-repellent material.
What this means is that you get a winter-ready thermal tight which will keep you warm and dry that’s a bit more affordable than the most expensive tights out there.
A KISS Air2 is the seat pad of choice for this tight, and if you don’t know already, it’s an anatomically shaped dual-density layer, which provides the right kind of support in areas where more pressure is applied.
- Affordable mid-tier wind- and splash proof bib tight for those who want to lengthen their riding season
- None
Castelli Polare 3 Bibtight
If you’re looking for the best-insulated, warmest, most windproof thermal cycling bib in Castelli’s lineup, the Castelli Polare 3 Bibtight is one to consider.
The entire front is made from GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® X-Fast, ensuring wind-chill is virtually non-existent, while breathability remains at a maximum. Furthermore this fabric also has great water-resistant capabilities, which is further enhanced by the Nano Flex 3G material placed on the back and lower legs. Nano Flex 3G is Castelli’s proprietary way of making their thermal bibs water-resistant.
The KISS Air2 pad sits just below their most expensive Progetto X2 Air one. This means that you get all the bells and whistles of that more premium one except for the silicone pads, which will prove to be more than adequate to keep you riding comfortably for many miles.
Camlock zippers at the hems, reflective elements, and stretch straps with a mesh back panel finish this high-quality design for people that like their winter riding in subzero temperatures.
- Best insulated, windproof thermal cycling bib
- None
Gore C3 Thermo Tights+
Last but not least, if you want the strapless cycling tight version of the C3 the Gore C3 Thermo Tights+ is the way to go.
- Cold-weather bib tights with entry-level chamois
- None
Gore C3 GORE® WINDSTOPPER® Bib Tights+
The Gore C3 GORE® WINDSTOPPER® Bib Tights+ are well-designed thermal cycling bibs made from the company’s well-known fabric.
As is clear from its name, it’s entirely made from GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® fabric, which is the latest and greatest the company has to offer. It promises increased moisture-wicking characteristics, while still being fully windproof and highly water-resistant.
The ACTIVE Comfort seat pad is perfectly comfortable, though I would have loved to see a more high-end chamois. It does have the Gore WINDSTOPPER® cup to prevent this delicate area from freezing.
The cycling bib is very easy to put on with zippers everywhere. And I simply love the adjustable straps which enable you to create the perfect fit around the shoulders.
There’s no denying the quality of the Gore Windstopper fabric, which is proven by the fact that it’s used by dozens of other brands. So if you want to go all out with Gore Windstopper fabric in your cycling tights, there’s no other option in the market than this one.
- Fully decked out GORE-TEX INFINIUM WINDSTOPPER bib tight
- Seat pad is too lightweight for the type of bib tights
Gore C7 Partial GORE® WINDSTOPPER® Pro Bib Tights+
The Gore C7 Partial GORE® WINDSTOPPER® Pro Bib Tights+ is the more performance oriented brother of the C3.
With these tights the GORE® WINDSTOPPER® has been moved to the front only, which makes for a more snug and comfortable fit at the expense of a bit of protection where it least matters. It improves the freedom of movement associated with these tights.
The EXPERT Road chamois is Gore’s best chamois made from fast-drying and moisture-wicking fabric, and also features the GORE® WINDSTOPPER® cup.
- Performance-oriented bib tight comfortable chamois, and GORE-TEX where it matters
- None
POC Thermal VPDS Bib Tights
The POC Thermal VPDS Bib Tights is the brand’s best all-weather option.
Made from water-resistant and windproof fabric the front has a higher torso action for more protection. They are easy enough to pull on, which is a chore with some other brands. But it does come at a cost of a relatively loose fit in some places.
The Swedish brand offers cycling tights with silicone inserted chamois meant for long distance riding. The inserts are cleverly located to relieve pressure for a male specific anatomy, and sit seamlessly atop a perforated base layer.
They’re not cheap, but they are incredibly comfortable and feature one of the best chamois in the market in a thermal tight.
- Very comfortable thermal tight with higher front for increased protection against the elements
- None
Specifications bib tights for winter cycling
Name | Price | Chamois | Straps | Material | Hems | Pockets | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pearl Izumi AmFIB Cycling Bib Tight | 200 USD | Men’s ELITE Escape 1:1® | raw-edge straps w. back panel | AmFIB softshell w. PI Dry®® finish | integrated elastic | dual rear side-entry pockets | |
Pearl Izumi Men’s AmFIB Bib Tight | 175 USD | none | raw-edge straps w. back panel | AmFIB softshell w. PI Dry®® finish | integrated elastic | dual rear side-entry pockets | |
Giordana Men’s G-Shield Thermal Bib Tight | 225 USD | Cirro S | straps w. back panel | Blizzard™ fabric w. Acqua Zero Eco finish | stretch opening | none | |
Castelli Sorpasso Ros Bibtight | 240 USD | Progetto X2 Air | lie-flat straps w. mesh back panel | Nano Flex Xtra Dry front w. Nano Flex 3G fabric | YKK® Camlock® zippers | none | |
Castelli Sorpasso Ros Wind Bibtight | 260 USD | Progetto X2 Air | lie-flat straps w. mesh back panel | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® X-Fast w. Nano Flex 3G back | YKK® Camlock® zippers | none | |
Castelli Entrata Wind Bibtight | 200 USD | KISS Air2 | mesh straps w. mesh back panel | AirFlex windproof fabric w. Nano Flex 3G back | YKK® Camlock® zippers | none | |
Castelli Polare 3 Bibtight | 210 USD | KISS Air2 | mesh straps w. mesh back panel | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® X-Fast w. Nano Flex 3G back | YKK® Camlock® zippers | none | |
Gore C3 Thermo Tights+ | 100 USD | ACTIVE Comfort | none | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® | Grip elastic | none | |
Gore C3 GORE® WINDSTOPPER® Bib Tights+ | 200 USD | ACTIVE Comfort | adjustable bib straps w. back panel | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® | YKK® Camlock® zippers | none | |
Gore C7 Partial GORE® WINDSTOPPER® Pro Bib Tights+ | 220 USD | EXPERT Road | mesh straps w. mesh back panel | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® | Grip elastic | none | |
POC Thermal VPDS Bib Tights | 250 euros | VPDS Multi D | mesh straps w. mesh back panel | Windproof and water-resistant material | Grip elastic | none |
Johan van Seijen
FoundeR Restoration.bike
Johan van Seijen is the founder of restoration.bike. His passion for cycling in general, and restoring older bikes turned into a website to share his knowledge with a broader audience. Starting out on his father’s road bike and riding classics as the Amstel Gold Race and Liege Bastogne Liege he has shifted his attention to trail, XC, and gravel riding since. No matter how much he loves writing about everything related to cycling, nothing beats actually using his ever-expanding bicycle collection.
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