Foldable Bikes Party: Best winter thermal bib shorts

Sunday, 23 October 2016

Best winter thermal bib shorts

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When the temperatures drop, you’ve got three main options for keeping your lower body warm: thermal tights over your regular bib shorts, thermal tights with a chamois, or thermal leg warmers with bib shorts.

While many riders prefer the fit, performance and versatility of bib shorts with leg warmers, the thin layer of Lycra in your normal shorts is a weak link in your winter armor. Enter the thermal bib short.

But simply being warm isn’t enough. Overly thick material may feel fine in the store or when standing outside, but cycling shorts need a good cut, compression and stretchy rebound to feel good when your legs are turning over thousands of rotations. Poor winter bibs — like poor tights — can sag away from your body, causing chafing and other discomfort. A well-cut performance material that wicks and conforms to your body and its movements is essential. Likewise, a quality chamois and proper chamois placement are vital.

We have tested a dozen or more thermal bib shorts over the past two winters, and here are our five favorites:

All bibs shown here are on a 6ft rider in size L, except Endura, which fits roughly the same in size M. Note that a heavier weight doesn't necessarily mean thicker or warmer bibs. The Endura bibs, for example, have heavy elastic and silicone leg grippers, while the Alé bibs have lighter grippers and bib straps