In this article I’m going to give you my list for the best budget winter cycling tights.
What I always do with budget-related articles is to establish a baseline of what budget is with respect to the specific product category. Based on my research you will have to pay just shy of 200 dollars for premium brand thermal cycling tights. It means that for this list I’ve chosen to include tights between 100 and 130 dollars as the original retail price.
For that type of money you get more than adequate protection against above-zero chilly temperatures, but the protection against rain is somewhat lacking, apart from a water-resistant rear panel in some.
And to keep the price low, the thermal cycling tights do not feature the latest and greatest in seat pads.
So if you want to extend your ability to ride comfortably outdoors with the temperatures dropping below 15 degrees, but you still rather watch Netflix than getting soaked, this list of the best budget winter cycling tights is perfect for you.
Pearl Izumi Thermal Tight
The Pearl Izumi Thermal Tight is a no chamois fleece-insulated cycling tight designed for 3-season riding.
Pearl Izumi uses a PI Dry®® technology to make their tights’ fabric water resistant. The benefits of this technology is that it combines good breathability properties with excellent long-lasting water resistance characteristics.
Because of the fact that this is an insulated tight they are not only perfect for less than ideal wet riding conditions, but also for your body to remain at a more optimal temperature.
The lack of both straps and chamois means they are more flexible than just for cycling, but appropriate for outdoor activities in general. And if your favorite cycling shorts are not from the Pearl Izumi lineup, you can obviously use them for all-season riding.
- All season tight usable on and off the bike
- No chamois
Castelli Entrata Tight No Pad
The Castelli Entrata Tight No Pad is exactly as the name implies: a cold weather cycling tight without chamois.
Made from Thermoflex fabric, it’s a great way to get an affordable entry into cycling beyond hot summer days from the reputable Italian manufacturer.
Since Thermoflex is not water-resistant, these tights are definitely meant for chilly and cold rides when it’s dry. They do still offer decent protection for cold should they get wet though.
Since it’s a cycling tight, not a bib, you can use it for more than cycling, as well as wearing it over your favorite cycling shorts.
So if you want to extend your riding beyond the summer season, but don’t like to ride in the rain, these thermal tights are your go-to solution.
- Solid allround cold weather bib tight
- Meant for cold, not freezing temperatures. No chamois
Castelli Entrata Tight
The Castelli Entrata Tight has the exact same properties as the tight without chamois. except of course this one can be used without another cycling short.
The chamois featured in this tight is the KISS Air2 seat pad, which is a dual-density, multi-layered, anatomically shaped one, ensuring many miles of comfortable riding. This time in chilly and cold temperatures as well.
Again keep in mind that the tight is not made from water resistant fabric, but it’s main goal is to keep the body warm with fleece trimmed Thermoflex fabric.
It’s a solid product from Castelli which does what it set out to do with verve. So as long as you want comfortable riding in the off season but still don’t like riding in the rain, make sure to keep this one in mind.
- Solid allround cold weather tight
- Meant for cold, not freezing temperatures. No chamois
Castelli Entrata Bibtight
The Castelli Entrata Bibtight is the version with straps of this cold weather favorite of mine.
It has the same KISS Air2 seat pad for excellent comfort, and the mesh straps w. mesh back panel are made from lightweight material.
The tight itself is made from durable Thermoflex fabric, which is perfect for chilly temperatures, which are still above zero.
- Solid allround cold weather bib tight
- Meant for cold, not freezing temperatures
Gore C3 3/4 Bib Tights+
The Gore C3 3/4 Bib Tights+ are the only non-full length thermal tights I could find, which definitely make them stand out from the crowd.
So why would you use these tights? Well basically they are meant for cold weather rides where you’d normally put on some knee warmers, which kind of makes this a 2-in-1 product.
The tights made from GORE® Selected Fabrics promise warmth from 5 degrees upwards, but will not keep you dry should you find yourself in a sudden downpour.
Considering the fact that the bib tight comes with the ACTIVE Comfort seat pad, and is priced friendly enough, they are best for people who’d normally shy away from riding because it’s getting too cold. The Windstopper cup in the pad is an added bonus to keep your groin from freezing.
If you plan on doing plenty of rides in all seasons, I’d opt for a more traditional full-coverage bib tight.
- Cold-weather 3/4 bib tights with entry-level chamois
- Very niche specific tights
Gore C3 Thermo Bib Tights+
If you feel like you want that last bit of coverage on the lower leg opt for Gore C3 Thermo Tights+ instead, which is a traditional bib tight for cold weather riding.
Featuring the same ACTIVE Comfort single-layer seat pad and GORE® Selected Fabrics material. The only obvious difference is that the legs fully extend to the ankles and there’s a mesh back panel with straps attached to the tight.
This tight is made to keep you warm, not keep you dry. Although there is a water-resistant panel in the rear to save your behind from getting soaked with road spray. And as far as keeping your body warm, the tights do an excellent job, as long as the temperature is a couple degrees above freezing temperature.
An excellent, moderately priced thermal cycling tight for sunny autumn and spring rides.
- Excellent, moderately priced thermal tight to extend your season
- 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
Specifications budget winter cycling tights
Name | Price | Chamois | Straps | Material | Hems | Pockets | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pearl Izumi Thermal Tight | 125 USD | none | none | Recycled nylon w. PI Dry®® finish | integrated elastic | none | |
Castelli Entrata Tight No Pad | 100 USD | none | none | Thermoflex fabric | YKK® Camlock® zippers | none | |
Castelli Entrata Tight | 115 USD | KISS Air2 | none | Thermoflex fabric | YKK® Camlock® zippers | none | |
Castelli Entrata Bibtight | 130 USD | KISS Air2 | mesh straps w. mesh back panel | Thermoflex fabric | YKK® Camlock® zippers | none | |
Gore C3 3/4 Bib Tights+ | 100 USD | ACTIVE Comfort | straps w. mesh back panel | GORE® Selected Fabrics | Grip elastic | none | |
Gore C3 Thermo Bib Tights+ | 120 USD | ACTIVE Comfort | straps w. mesh back panel | GORE® Selected Fabrics | Grip elastic | none | |
Gore C3 Thermo Tights+ | 100 USD | ACTIVE Comfort | none | GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® | 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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