Riding through the cold winter months can be a hardship in itself and so it’s important to make sure you stay warm and toasty no matter what the elements throw at you.
If you want to keep riding through winter then a decent pair of bib tights is an absolute no brainer to keep you dry and comfortable, and on the road or trails.
But winter isn’t just about what you wear, it is also important to ensure your bike is well prepared and make sure you follow the dos and don’ts of winter cycling as per our expert advice.
This guide focuses on the best bib tights for women. Fellas, don’t miss our buyer’s guide to the best bib tights for men.
What are bib tights?
Bib tights are full-length tights with a bib section that covers some or all of the torso, a chamois (seat pad) and straps that go over the shoulders. They are the cold weather version of bib shorts. Bib tights are essential wear for any winter riding cyclist.
Like any technical piece of cycling kit, it’s important to keep in mind what temperature and weather you will ride in, and the features which are key to your riding.
What are the key features to look for in a pair of bib tights?
Fabric
A good pair of bib tights will properly insulate your legs with many using a fleece-lined fabric, often referred to as ‘Roubaix’, a nod to the Hell of the North.
Bib tights need to be breathable and sweat wicking to ensure your body temperature stays nicely regulated and moisture is able to escape when it needs to.
Water / windproofing
Given winter weather includes rain and wind, bib tights will need to have wind protection, and you will likely also want your bib tights to have a DWR treatment to keep the worst of the water out.
Some bib tights offer windproof panels, which often use three-layer fabrics with a windproof membrane.
Others may be windproof or waterproof in specific areas (usually the front) whilst some will be fully waterproof, but may be less stretchy or comfortable as a resultyo.
Comfort break features
Another key consideration is whether or not you’d like a comfort break feature for when nature calls. In plain language this means a design that lets you go for a pee without removing most of your outfit, something that’s not possible with traditional bib tights.
From clips, to magnetic clasps, to extra stretchy elastic, to zips, it’s good to see more and more brands implementing comfort break solutions for women and there is now a healthy number of options on the market.
That said, not everyone will need to answer nature’s call mid-ride, so consider whether this feature is essential for you or not – if you’re sticking to shorter rides in the winter, you may not deem this important.
Chamois
Absolutely fundamental to the comfort of any ride is the chamois or seat pad as it is sometimes called.
Every brand tends to have a different chamois, and some protrude more than others, whilst others might offer more padding.
The chamois is a very personal thing to each rider and there’s no substitute for a bit of trial and error here. That said, more expensive bib tights tends tend to have better quality, more supportive pads.
Ankle zips
To zip or not to zip? That is the question. A final consideration should be how you get the tights on and off, a task made considerably easier by ankle zips.
In winter you’re likely to be wearing winter boots or overshoes so it’s important to consider how the bib tights will interact with these.
In seriously wet weather, it can be advantageous (if unfashionable) to wear your overshoes under your tights so water runs over the outside (think of it like roof tiles). This is only possible if you have zips, as elasticated ankles are usually too tight.
Ankle zips sometimes also add a handy extra reflective element. On the other hand, some people find ankle zips can add an unwanted risk of chafing and they’re another potential point of failure in the long-term.
How do we test and why should you trust us?
We’re cyclists who know and love cycling kit. We hit the road, the trails, we commute by bike and we enjoy chilled leisure rides too. And that’s how we test products: out riding.
Between us we have reviewed the good, the bad and the ugly so we know what works and what should get the boot when it comes to cycling clothing.
Whether it’s the more premium end of the market or the more purse friendly options, we’ve cast a critical eye over each and every pair of bib tights we reviewed.
With all this in mind, Cyclist has sorted through the market’s current offering and put together the best of the best, with something for every budget, arranged in alphabetical order.
Best women’s bib tights
- Alpkit Rhythm Elite bib tights: £74.99
- Café du Cycliste Marie women’s winter bib tights: £235
- Castelli Sorpasso RoS women’s bib tights: £199
- Chapeau! Soulor Thermal women’s bib tights: £62.99
- Rapha Pro Team winter bib tights: £230
- Santini Coral Bengal bib tight: £119
- Sportful Fiandre NoRain women’s bib tights: £140
- Universal Colours Chroma Thermal Merino Plus bib tights: £132
Alpkit Rhythm Elite bib tights
- £74.99
- Toasty fleece lining
- Fits true to size
- Great value
The Alpkit Rhythm Elite bib tights have a soft brushed inner for comfort and warmth and a DWR finish which protects from wind and light showers.
The chamois is made from dual density foam which Alpkit says contours to your body to help relieve saddle pressure. It also has a Silvadur 930 anti-microbial finish for freshness.
These bib tights are toasty and fit true to size. We really liked how the straps had a decent amount of stretch in them making them ideal for taller riders.
That said, there’s no comfort break feature and we found the ankle zips were great for getting the tights on but could cause some scratchiness when riding.
Overall, these are a good pair of winter tights and an absolute steal at £74.99.
The Alpkit Rhythm bib tights are available in sizes 8 – 18.
- Read our full Alpkit Rhythm bib tights review
- Buy now from Alpkit (£74.99)
Café du Cycliste Marie women’s winter bib tights
- £235
- Sumptuously soft
- Comfortable
- Breathable
The Café du Cycliste Marie women’s winter tights are made from a blend of polyamide, polyester and elastane and have a fleece inner lining. The chamois is a Cytech Elastic Interface pad which is said to be made for long distance rides and leg grippers (rather than zips) keep the tights in place.
The bib straps are stretchy but firm with a racerback strap design, and the tights profess to be water repellent rather than waterproof.
There are reflective slivers on the back of the calves but there is one feature missing: these tights do not have a comfort break feature.
Regardless, we found the bibs breathable, warm and the material offers a decent stretch without any fear of bunching. The bib straps and racerback design offer a secure feel to the top section of the bib tights.
Our tester found the Marie bibs hard to fault, with a host of top quality features and worth the investment.
- Read our full Café du Cycliste Marie women’s winter bib tights review
Castelli Sorpasso RoS women’s bib tights
- £199
- Compressive performance fit
- Water-repellent fabric
- Supportive back panel and straps
The Castelli Sorpasso RoS are the brand’s all-weather performance bib tights, using Nano Flex 3G and Flex Xtra Dry fabric made from polyamide and elastane.
The Sorpasso’s are designed to be water-resistant as well as suitable for riding conditions from -2° to 10°C.
The highly compressive fit is the key to its performance claims, with anatomical cuts to the hips and knees, aimed at reducing material folds at the joints.
The high back panel and flat lay straps help support the upper body, though do not have a comfort break feature.
YKK Camlock ankle zips are fitted at the back of the calf to help make them easier to get on, and the placement also helps stop the zips from rubbing against the ankles.
Pitched at long days in the saddle, Castelli says that the Progetto X2 Air chamois adapts to the rider’s body, and uses perforated padding to protect the most sensitive areas.
We found the Sorpasso’s compressive fit to be very comfortable while riding, with the water-repellent fabric helping to keep us warm and dry throughout the depths of winter
- Read our full Castelli Sorpasso RoS women’s bib tights review
- Buy now from Castelli (£199)
Chapeau! Soulor Thermal bib tights
- £62.99
- Supportive chamois
- High rise fit around the stomach
- Good value
The Chapeau! Soulor Thermal women’s bib tights are made from a mixture of polyamide, elastane and polyester, and consist of a stretchy exterior that assures a slim fit, and a brushed fleece interior.
The upper back is covered by a mesh panel, with mesh straps progressing to a zipped body section that finishes with a high rise around the stomach.
The Soulor Thermal bibtight uses the women’s-specific Dolomiti Maloja pad which benefits from differing densities where needed for a comfortable ride.
The chamois is breathable, elastic and tear resistant and doesn’t use glue in its composition. Instead the foams are laminated using heat.
These tights are warm, breathable and supportive and the chamois stays in place on long rides.
We found these bibtights to be simple, flattering and reliable while also keenly priced.
The Chapeau! Soulor Thermal women’s bib tights are offered in sizes XS – L.
- Read our full Chapeau! Soulor Thermal bib tights review
- Buy now from Chapeau! (£62.99)
Rapha Pro Team Winter Tights
- £230
- Ideal for the coldest rides
- Great comfort break feature
- Warm and snug fit
Featuring a three-layer fabric which offers water resistance to the front, the Rapha Pro Team Winter Tights are a thermal deep winter option.
With a high waist and minimal straps, the bib tights have a soft brushed lining close to the skin, and reinforced panels at the front, to offer additional protection against the elements.
Notably, these tights include a drop seat system for when nature calls. This includes an injection-moulded plastic clasp that sits at the small of the back, containing magnets to ensure it closes easily and reliably.
We really liked the drop seat design and found the clasp system means you don’t need to take your gloves off.
These are thick, thermal tights, so much so that we’d liken the material to that of a wet suit. This is great for deep winter riding, but also means the bib tights are less stretchy than some.
Overall, these are snug, compressive and comfy.
The Rapha Pro Team winter bib tights are available in sizes XXS – XL.
- Read our full Rapha Pro Team winter bib tights review
- Buy now from Rapha (£230)
Santini Coral Bengal bib tights
- £119
- Integrated base layer for added warmth
- Comfortable chamois
- Good fit
Designed for temperatures between zero and 10 degrees C, the Santini Coral Bengal bib tights are made from thermofleece and have an integrated base layer.
The brand’s Gilevo chamois has a seamless construction and anti-shock gel core for all-round comfort on long rides.
The ankles don’t feature a zip fastening which makes them slightly trickier to get on but it also means there is no chance of an itchy and distracting zip when riding.
We found the Santini Coral Bengal Women’s bib tights really comfortable and the chamois is great for long days in the saddle.
The integrated base layer is great for added core warmth and the overall fit is flattering.
These tights come in black or blue with three different colours for the base layer. They are offered in sizes XS – XXL.
- Read our full Santini Coral Bengal bib tights review
- Buy now from Santini (£119)
Sportful Fiandre NoRain women’s bib tights
Designed for training in cooler temperatures, the Sportful Fiandre bib tights feature a brushed lining and fabric that uses Sportful’s proprietary nanotechnology treatment, which it says will ‘keep you performing at your best in the worst conditions’.
The bib tights are intended for temperatures above 5°C, with a soft brushed lining and minimal seams for added comfort and water-protection.
The Fiandres use a TC Pro W Sportful chamois which is aimed at pros and riders who prefer a minimal seat pad and is, as such, quite thin.
We found the fabric to be soft, with impressive breathability, which performed well on longer rides and the tights were true-to-size.
They kept us warm when riding at temperatures around 5°C, but struggled when it got colder so would recommend them for Spring/Autumn riding.
- Read our full Sportful Fiandre NoRain women’s bib tights review
- Buy now from Saddleback (£70) or AlpineTrek (£67.17)
Universal Colours Chroma Thermal Merino bib tights
- £132
- Excellent comfort break feature
- Water and windproof
- Compressive fabric
Made from a mix of nylon, merino and elastane, the Chroma Thermal Merino women’s bib tights are made for cold winter riding.
The inner lining is made from merino which Universal Colours says helps retain warmth, is naturally antibacterial and wicks away unwanted moisture.
The Chroma bib tights also have a DWR treatment on them so harsh winter conditions don’t infiltrate.
According to the brand, the highly durable, compressive, woven nylon also helps to reduce muscle fatigue.
The chamois is a women’s-specific Elastic Interface Road Performance Space pad which is made from recycled and pre-consumer materials.
Importantly, the bib tights have a comfort break feature in the form of a small subtle zip at the back of the tights, for easily answering nature’s call.
These tights are comfy and feel good against the skin, and we really like the chamois. The pee break feature was very easy to use and overall this is an excellent pair of winter bib tights.
The Universal Colours Chroma Thermal Merino bib tights are offered in sizes XS – XXXL and a restock is expected soon.
- Read our full Universal Colours Chroma Thermal Merino bib tights review
- Buy now from Universal Colours (£132)
Looking for some more women’s cycling kit? Check out our guides to the best women’s bib shorts and the best sports bras for cycling