The Best Cycling Bib Tights of 2025

The Velocio Luxe Bib Tight excels in milder spring, fall, and winter conditions, as well as spirited rides that generate more body heat. Constructed of Ultra-high gauge compression lycra that Velocio calls “Luxe”, this bib tight has a second-skin fit that makes riding in cooler temperatures an absolute joy. 

The Luxe bib tight is essentially Velocio’s fantastic Luxe bib short, extended down to the ankle. The Luxe fabric has an exceptional ability to regulate temperature. Even during 80°+ summer riding, the Luxe fabric never felt too warm, so we found it amazing that a pair of tights also made from this material could work well down into the upper 30s. 

The paneling and articulation of the Luxe fabric allow Velocio to construct the Luxe bib tight with minimal seams. This eliminates chafing, which can be an issue for many tights, especially around the back of the knee. In this area, the Luxe bib tights feature a small panel that surrounds the back of the knee with perfectly positioned, seam-free compression. 

The Luxe Bib Tight straps are exceptionally comfortable, lying perfectly flat and stretching enough to easily accommodate any riding position. Crossing in back to form an X means that the straps boost the lateral stability of the pad, keeping it stable and snug against the body at all times. The proprietary “Signature” chamois, developed in partnership with Cytech, is dense and supple, providing excellent breathability and never producing friction anywhere. The edges of the chamois transition seamlessly into the seat of the tights, which allows the chamois to flex and conform perfectly to your shape. Moving into different riding postures, or hopping on and off the saddle, never caused the chamois to change position. 

Branding on the Luxe Bib Tight is minimal, which gives it a classy look and means it can pair well with tops from different brands. In addition to black, the Luxe Bib Tight is also available in coffee brown and navy blue if you want something a bit different. 

Versatility is key in a garment that costs $300, which is why I genuinely believe the Luxe isn’t overpriced, although it is expensive. It is breathable, stretchy, and lightweight enough to take the place of legwarmers in spring and fall. It’s also able to retain the heat generated from pedaling and create a warm barrier against cold and windy conditions in the dead of winter. In rainy conditions, the Luxe fabric repels moisture admirably and also dries very quickly if it becomes wet. 

If you can only have one pair of bib tights, the Luxe is an excellent choice. Other bib tights might outperform it marginally in specific situations like extreme cold or heavy rain, but none of those competitors are as versatile or comfortable across such a wide spectrum of conditions as the Velocio Luxe Bib Tights.

Gorewear’s days of producing cycling apparel may be numbered, but the brand is still making and selling some high-value bib tights. The Swiftride Thermo Bib Tights were released this year and add to the brand’s selection of cool-weather bottoms. Not only are these bibs affordable at $130, but they are also made from recycled materials, feature a relatively comfortable pad, a sizable temperature range above the freezing mark, a windproof panel for sensitive areas, and a timeless style.

Gorewear didn’t reinvent the wheel with these bib tights, but it seems like they set out to improve upon the similarly priced C3 Thermo. While the fit and overall comfort are relatively similar, the Swiftride is made from a recycled material with an ultra-soft backing for next-to-skin comfort. Gorewear stepped up to a dual-density Active 2.0 seat pad, which isn’t the fanciest in the world, but it provides good support and cushioning for rides in the 1- to 3-hour range. The Swiftride is also slightly higher in the waist.

What hasn’t changed are the excellent, wide mesh straps and mesh back panel for breathability. Articulation in the knees, along with dialed paneling throughout, makes these more comfortable than their price tag suggests. Adding to that comfort is Gorewear’s signature “Cup”, a windproof panel providing extra protection for the crotch. This small but important detail really helps more than we expected, making it even easier to reach for these bibs for most rides.

And we found that you really can use them most of the time. Gorewear doesn’t specify a temperature range, but we found that they worked well for most temperatures above the freezing point — roughly ~35/40 to 60 degrees F. The lightweight thermal material kept us warm without overheating, and it breathed well when we did work up a sweat.

The Gorewear aesthetic also offers a timeless appeal, featuring solid colors, subtle logos, and a few small reflective details. They look relatively classy and should pair with just about any jersey or jacket for years to come. We are sad to hear that Gorewear won’t be making apparel for much longer, but you can still buy these affordable bibs, and we recommend them to anyone shopping on a budget.

If you want the best of the best, we feel the MAAP Team Bib Evo Thermal Cargo Tight is it. Why is the MAAP Team Evo special and worth the lofty asking price of $360? Simply put, they fit better than any other model we’ve tried and allow you to ride more efficiently and comfortably, all while looking pretty classy and refined. These tights will make you look forward to riding on cold days; they’re that good. If you’ve already got a handful of winter tights, you might find yourself giving them away because you just can’t pick them over the Team Evo when you get ready to ride.

The Team Evo features a thermal fabric with a soft fleece interior that gently holds just the right amount of body heat. It also includes an external water-resistant treatment to block light rain and road spray. Although the MAAP Team Evo is not as water-repellant as tights made with a water-resistant material on the front, it still works effectively to repel light rain and is simply more comfortable and flexible than models made with those types of fabrics. And, despite the “thermal” fabric, they’re breathable enough to work well into the lower 60s, so they can take the place of some mid-weight options as well, depending on the intensity level of your riding. 

The 3D Thermo Molded triple-density chamois is not only supremely stable and comfortable but is also positioned perfectly, avoiding the forward slippage that affects many other tights. This pad also transitions seamlessly into the rest of the Team Evo tight, conforming perfectly to the body and pedaling movements at all times. The straps lie perfectly flat and offer a nice balance of stretch and grab, and the mesh back panel is designed for maximum breathability. The ankle cuffs are stretchy and thin, which works really well when wearing tights over socks, and we found the length of the legs to be perfect, with the cuffs grabbing just above the ankle joint, and with sufficient length above the knee to allow for a full range of motion with zero pulling or grabbing anywhere.

All the seams on the MAAP Team Evo are flatlocked, which means they don’t chafe. The paneling is also arranged to avoid seams coming into contact with areas around the knee that are vulnerable to irritation. Simply put, the Team Evo has a second-skin fit that doesn’t restrict or distract in any way from enjoying your ride. 

The addition of cargo pockets adds convenience, making it easy to keep your gloves, phone, and snacks readily accessible. If you want one pair of tights that can carry you through all that winter has in store, in supreme comfort and elegance, put the MAAP Team Bib Evo Thermal Cargo Tights on your shortlist.

The Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Tight is a niche style of bib tight that is indeed lightweight, stretchy, and breathable. Essentially, these are just summer bib shorts that continue down to the ankle. That sounds odd, but it might make a lot of sense, depending on the climate and the intensity of your riding. If you ride in moderate temps at relatively high intensity, the Pro Team Lightweight Tights make the mid-50s feel like riding in the high 70s in shorts. There is zero bulk around the knee and hips, both areas that can feel constricted in thicker tights, especially at high intensity.

The Pro Team Lightweight Tights feature the size-specific Pro Team Training pad, which is dense and supportive, and an excellent product in and of itself. The transition from the pad’s edges to the Lycra shell does not feel perfectly seamless, however, which is a very small nitpick of an otherwise perfect family of bibs. The pad had an occasional tendency to detach ever-so-slightly from my inner thighs when I would hop off the saddle. It’s something that I hope Rapha figures out in the future, because some other brands have, and those pads stay perfectly bonded to my body 100% of the ride. 

The overall fit is snug without any pinching, rippling, or bunching. While some Pro Team items are designed for a very specific body type, the Lightweight Tights offer a generous amount of stretch, making them suitable for a wide range of body types. There are no zippers on these or any other Rapha tights, and we think that’s a smart move. Zippers can fail and tend to irritate the skin, and also affect the fit around the lower calf. The lycra ankle opening of the Pro Team Lightweight is soft and flexible, making getting in and out a breeze. The same goes for the straps, which are well-executed and nearly identical to those on the Pro Team bib shorts. 

We do wish there were a few more reflective accents where motorists can see them. The two large reflective Rapha logos on each thigh feel like branding more than anything that enhances visibility. That said, riding in low-light conditions requires a bright tail light, and there are other opportunities to add visibility to a kit. 

So, if you find leg warmers to be awkward or never seem to remove them, and you want a light, stretchy pair of tights with an excellent pad, check out the. Again, these are most useful in the high 40s to low 60s F, depending on the intensity of your riding.

The Castelli Polare 4 Bibtight is by far the warmest bib tight that we tested. With the proprietary Polartec AirCore fabric covering most of the front side of the legs, we’ve been able to ride through the worst of the worst winter can throw at us, without ever worrying about our joints or even feeling the conditions. The Polare 4 is warm enough to promote better circulation in the lower body, which has knock-on effects for the feet, which we noticed also stayed warmer. 

Of course, the Polare 4 isn’t as versatile as other tights we tested and needs to be used in the right conditions and at the right intensity to shine. Ideally, the conditions would be absolutely frigid, near or even below freezing, and the intensity level would be low to moderate when using the Polare 4. The Polartec AirCore material is admirably flexible, and the Thermoflex fleece on the back of the legs does well to pull away sweat. However, these bibs will feel clammy and cumbersome if the temperature rises significantly above 42 degrees F or the intensity level rises. So, we found ourselves using this bib tight on days when the risk of ice made riding high into the hills a bit risky, and we just wanted to get out of the house and spin the legs. 

The pad is Castelli’s Kiss Air 2, and while serviceable and comfortable, it does leave a bit to be desired in terms of stability and moisture management, compared to Castelli’s range-topping Progetto X2, which is featured on other bib tights of similar cost. In fairness, pad comfort isn’t going to be the primary concern when riding in deep winter’s most frigid conditions. 

Straps are a traditional mesh design that works well, and like the pad insert, weren’t super important in rating the Polare 3, as riding in the appropriate conditions means that we always had on a burly base layer that isolated us from the straps. They certainly have plenty of stretch to be comfortable when standing, and they did the basic job of holding everything in place nicely. 

The ankles are zippered, which is one potential question mark for the long-term durability of the Polare 4 bib tight. Zippers do make sliding in and out of these bibs much easier; however, the Polartec AirCore lacks the stretch required to easily pull on and off. 

If you enjoy facing harsh winter conditions head-on and have other options for higher intensity or mild conditions, the Castelli Polare 4 has you covered when the temperature drops and you still need to ride.

Ornot started with the phrase, “You could be a rolling billboard, Ornot,” and since then, the concept of minimally-branded cycling apparel has resonated with countless cyclists, helping Ornot grow a large following. Beneath the surface, the performance and durability of Ornot apparel have always impressed us, and that continued with our test of the Thermal Cargo Bib Tight.

The weather in San Francisco, where the Thermal Carbo Bib Tight is designed, is notoriously variable and compartmentalized. You could go from a foggy drizzle and 48°F to full sun and 60°F within 10 minutes, making it tough to stay comfortable at all times. It’s no surprise that the Thermal Cargo Bib Tight is a versatile option that we found to be effective in temperatures ranging from the high 30s to the low 60s. 

The fit of the Thermal Cargo Bib Tight fit is certainly snug, but compared to other tights we tested, it’s not the most compressive. That said, it easily accommodates the individual shaping of the knee area as it flexes and extends throughout the pedal stroke, and we found it helped excess heat escape more easily when things warmed up, and also made getting in and out of them easy. 

The pad insert is made of Oeko-Tex-certified recycled fibers and provides a nice balance of support and flexibility. It’s an endurance-oriented pad that is dense and cushy, ready for big miles and the roughest surfaces. At the same time, the transition from the pad to the legs of the tights is smooth, and the pad is able to flex as needed with each pedal stroke. The straps are soft and stretchy but strong enough to keep everything, including the contents of the rear pockets, stable and in the right place. The straps terminate relatively high on the back, at the top of a fleece-lined panel that not only provides additional insulation to the lower spine but also pads it from objects stored in the rear pockets.

The pockets, four in total, are easy to access and strike a balance between flexibility and durability, allowing you to focus on riding while inserting and removing items. The low-back pockets are a great touch. These allowed us to keep seldom-needed items (keys, wallet) stowed away neatly and freed up the two leg pockets for things like snacks, a phone, and gloves. 

Small reflective tabs are sewn into the seam along the calf and are positioned high enough to remain visible at all times, even when wearing shoe covers. The Mesa color that we tested received a lot of compliments on the road and certainly stood out against the ubiquitous black palette of most winter kit, as it not only adds personal style but can also help motorists more quickly realize what they are approaching. 

Ornot apparel is designed and manufactured in California, and the Thermal Cargo Bib Tight features Bluesign-approved fabric, ensuring that it is produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Ornot has also offset its entire carbon footprint since 2019 and continues to work on minimizing its carbon footprint whenever possible. 

So, if you want a bib tight tailored for endurance riding, offering massive amounts of storage, minimal branding, and an attractive design, while being produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, the clear choice is the Ornot Thermal Bib Tight.

The term “entry-level” can be somewhat misleading, particularly with some brands, such as Castelli. Castelli’s Entrata line, as the name suggests, is the entry point into a family of highly technical cycling kit from the Italian brand that’s been supplying Tour De France-winning apparel to teams for decades now. With the Entrata Bibtight, we came away impressed with how much performance Castelli was able to pack into such an affordable offering.

Starting with the pad insert, Castelli was able to save some cost here by opting for the Kiss Air2 model. While not quite as heavenly as the top-tier Progetto X2 pad, the Kiss Air2 is still among the best pads available from any brand. This pad has a buttery-soft and subtly dimpled surface, and balances moderate density with excellent flexibility, taking the sting out of even the roughest roads. After testing this pad in numerous pairs of bibs from Castelli, we’ve determined that the Kiss Air2 essentially gives up only a marginal amount of breathability compared to the Progetto X2. In the context of tights designed for winter riding, this is much less of a concern because the temperatures are so much cooler. 

The Entrata Bibtight is comprised of Thermoflex fabric, which is warm and stretchy, but does not have the same level of water repellency as Nano Flex fabric that Castelli uses on some of its higher-end options. So, when riding in the rain or in a group where few or none of the riders are using fenders, the Entrata can get a bit soaked and feel a tad heavy. That said, Thermoflex is burly enough to keep the legs warm even if a little moisture gets in. 

Riding in cold and dry conditions was a joy with the Entrata Bibtight. The Thermoflex fabric has a natural, even stretchiness and the fleece backing was able to trap just the right amount of heat next to the skin across a wide range of temperatures from 35 to 60 degrees. 

The legs are paneled with all seams positioned to avoid irritation and allow for maximum range of motion throughout the pedal stroke. The ankles have a couple of nice touches that help set the Entrata apart from other bib tights at this price point. First, the zippers help getting in and out much easier, and it is covered by a reflective strip that is sewn into the seam that runs up the back of the calf area. So, you get visibility without worrying about it cracking or peeling over time, and the zipper is hidden for a clean look. 

The Castelli Entrata Bibtight might be an affordable option, but it doesn’t sacrifice much performance compared to its more expensive counterparts under the right conditions. It’s not the most versatile when the rain arrives, but for a dry-weather rider, it’s a great pick that won’t break the bank.

Endura is renowned for crafting winter apparel and accessories that consistently surpass expectations and provide excellent value, thanks to its reasonable prices. Designed in Scotland, where wind and rain seem to be ever-present, the FS260-Pro Thermal Bib Tight II continues this trend by keeping cold and moisture out, while achieving excellent comfort at just $200 USD. 

Although not quite a Scottish climate, the Pacific Northwest of the US gets plenty of rain, so we had plenty of chances to ride in the FS260-Pro Thermal II in wet conditions. We came away impressed with the water-repellent and PFC-free (Polyfluorinated chemical) DWR treatment, which helps water bead up on the surface until it dries or gets blown away. 

We also appreciate how high the FS260-Pro Thermal II extends into the midsection, helping keep hips and abdominal muscles warm and relaxed. A zipper also helps keep this extra coverage from requiring any extra work to get into the FS-260 Pro Thermal when you need to relieve yourself. Endura also chose to add zippers at the ankles, making the FS260-Pro Thermal II one of the easiest pairs of tights to slide on and off. 

The FS260-Pro Thermal II features Endura’s 600 series pad, which features gel inserts and a luxurious, dimpled surface, as well as a “Continuously Variable Profile” which Endura says enhances its ability to stretch. We found it up to the task of keeping us comfortable, motivated, and happy on long rides in nasty conditions. We found the straps to be a bit loose, due to how high they are positioned, atop the extended abdominal paneling in front, yet it never felt like they weren’t doing the job of holding the pad and tights securely in place.

Large reflective elements are placed high up on the back of the calf, which is smart, as they won’t be covered up by shoe covers. Silicone Endura logos grace the side of the thighs. Only time will tell if these thin, raised letters will hold up to harsh conditions on the road and in the laundry room.

If riding in wet conditions is part of your routine, and you want a bib tight that competes with tights at higher price points, the Endura FS260-Pro Thermal II is a model that is definitely worth trying.

The Giro Chrono Expert Thermal Bib Tight is ready for cold temperatures and heavy moisture from rain and road spray, yet is also lightweight and breathable. This blend of attributes makes them a valuable addition to any winter cycling wardrobe, as they can be used comfortably in a wide spectrum of conditions, all of which you might encounter in any single ride during this time of year. 

Warmth is provided by the Chrono Expert Thermals’ hi-loft Italian fabric, which features a brushed-back facing that holds body heat to create a cozy microclimate next to the skin for good temperature regulation in cold weather. Giro also wisely added wind-resistant material to the central panel that protects your most sensitive areas, along with a DWR coating to fend off rain and road spray. 

Seated comfort is excellent, thanks to the Chrono Expert Thermal’s Renew Series Chamois, a triple-density, 13mm thickness pad. Getting in and out of the Chrono Expert Thermal is easy, by utilizing locking zippers at the outer ankle, which are smartly oriented at an angle that follows the natural position of the lower leg during the pedal stroke to avoid chafing. Silicone grippers ensure that the leg openings stay locked in place without digging or constricting the ankle’s movement. 

Above the waist, soft and stretchy mesh straps hit the mark for comfort and support while incorporating three rear pockets for discreetly stashing extra food or other small items. The fit of the Chrono Expert Thermal is generally quite good, but we did notice some puckering of the material at the stitching that runs along the medial glute area when standing. Once an aggressive riding position is assumed, the fit becomes more snug in this area. This is a fit issue that affects many tights, and only a few models we tested, all priced over $300, managed to avoid it. 

At $190, we believe the Giro Chrono Expert Thermal offers solid value due to its high level of versatility and its attention to detail, including essentials such as warmth in the seating area, water resistance, and helpful features like genuine rear pockets and angled leg zippers. These are tights we would not hesitate to take out into the worst of the worst weather, or those days when it’s highly unpredictable. So, for riders looking for a single pair of winter tights that can do it all, the Giro Chrono Expert Thermal is a great pick.

Pearl Izumi’s Expedition Thermal Cycling Bib Tight features thermal fleece fabric that provides quick-drying insulation, perfect for long rides in cold weather. The thermal fleece fabric’s ample stretch allows for fewer panels, which in turn reduces the number of seams, giving the Expedition Thermal a natural, luxurious comfort. 

The straps are wide and laser-cut, so they lie perfectly flat. Pearl Izumi also designed the straps to allow drop-tail nature breaks should that need arise. We never had to put this design to the test, but we’ve been in that situation on all-day epics before, and it’s nice to know it’s there. 

Pearl Izumi added full PI Dry® water-shedding technology to protect from road spray and drizzle. There are also three reflective bars bonded to the fabric on each leg, around the outer calf. The placement of these reflective panels should be effective in helping motorists identify cyclists as they approach. Only time will tell how durable these panels are. Many heat-bonded panels like this end up cracking and peeling, but it’s variable from brand to brand. 

The dual-density Levitate™ Plus chamois provides an excellent balance of dense support and supple pliability, while also wicking away sweat to keep the seating area dry and comfortable. Whenever we stood up to accelerate or shifted position on the saddle in the Expedition Thermal Cycling Bib Tight, the pad stayed perfectly situated beneath our sit bones. 

The pockets use a slightly different design than most, made of a simple sleeve of lycra sewn into the seams. We would like to see a little bit more volume available, but there’s still plenty of space for a phone plus a few small snacks. These pockets are very quick and easy to access and hold items securely over even the bumpiest terrain. Unlike the other cargo bib tights we tested, the Expedition Thermal Cycling Bib Tight does not have additional pockets built into the low back. So, storage is reduced by 50% compared to some competitors. 

The Pearl Izumi Expedition Thermal Cycling Bib Tight is an excellent choice for endurance rides in cold weather, assuming the minimal storage capacity meets your needs. All other facets of this bib tight are top-notch, at a fair price, which is what Pearl Izumi is known for and continues to offer here.

The Castelli Sorpasso Plus Bibtight excels in windy and rainy conditions thanks to the use of two fabrics. Nano Flex 3G fabric makes up a large portion of the Sorpasso, and you might already be familiar with this material from Castelli’s popular Nano Flex warmers. Inside the Sorpasso is a lightweight fleece that helps retain enough body heat to insulate from wind and cold. The front-facing panels of the Sorpasso are coated in a proprietary water-repellent finish, which features a chemical DWR (durable water repellent) coating as well as “millions of ultra-tiny nanofilaments that cause water droplets to bead up on the surface of the garment and run off instead of pooling on the fabric and soaking through.”  

The DWR treatment is necessary because while Nano Flex is indeed flexible and vents well, the fabric itself doesn’t resist moisture intrusion very well. So, in the areas most vulnerable to road spray, like the lower back and torso, Castelli opted to build the Sorpasso Bibtight with Nano Flex Xtra Dry fabric instead. The Xtra Dry type of Nanoflex features a tighter knit on the outside and gets a more robust DWR treatment. 

The sizing of the Sorpasso is in keeping with everything Castelli makes, meaning that it runs a bit small. The actual fit is nicely balanced to accommodate any body type. The only small issue I found related to fit was that the seams around the pelvis could be better reinforced, as I did notice some fabric puckering in this area. 

The Sorpasso Bibtight features Castelli’s top-shelf pad, the Progetto X2 Air Seamless. It’s a dense yet cushy pad that effectively moves excess heat and moisture out, keeping your seating area dry and comfortable in any weather or at any intensity level. The pad is seamlessly integrated into the structure of the Sorpasso tights, ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining stability while flexing with your pedal stroke. 

Reflective accents on the back of the ankle/calf area are a nice touch. The way the reflective strips slant inward looks a bit odd, and if the reflective material were placed higher, it would be more effective, as it wouldn’t be concealed by shoe covers.

The Sorpasso is a great option for long rides, simply because they are so comfortable. Seams are out of the way of the knee joint, the straps are forgotten after a few minutes of riding, and the pad is one of the best available. The combination of Nanoflex, Nanoflex Xtra Dry, and DWR coating enables the Sorpasso Plus Bibtight to transition easily through the spectrum of fall, winter, and spring weather without ever leaving you unprotected or feeling dragged down.