Morvélo Womens Stealth Stormshield Bib Tights

Morvélo's range of women's clothing has gone from strength to strength over recent years, with direct input from a variety of female riders and strong feedback via sponsorship. Favoured by cyclo-cross riders in particular, the Morvélo Women's Stealth Stormshield Bib Tights promise a lot in terms of weatherproofing and cold conditions comfort and, while definitely sitting within the upper echelons of price, they do indeed deliver.

Designed with the worst of winter weather in mind, and northern European conditions in particular, these bib tights are not only thermal, but are also water repellent and windproof. The MITI SuperRoubaix fabric is used alone where wind resistance and water repellency is less important than breathability, while panels at the fronts of the legs and the lumbar area use a tougher water and wind-resistant finish to give extra protection from the elements.

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During wet weather, they shed water well and for protracted periods, but I found that in less severe conditions they have a tendency to result in slightly clammy legs, because of the reduced breathability of those windproof and water-repellent sections. This is less of a problem in really cold temperatures or wet conditions but in the very changeable and slightly warmer weather we've experienced in the UK this year, I'd have been inclined to choose tights without the enhanced weatherproofing. Cyclo-cross riders would almost certainly disagree...

On the bike, they have a good amount of stretch and no real feeling of constriction, despite the tougher, less stretchy nature of the windproof sections. There is still plenty of freedom of movement. That said, some tugging on the fabric was required to get the tights to sit where required, which became increasingly difficult as perspiration came into play during a ride.

Sizing is about standard for women's cycling kit, with the large I tried being roughly equivalent to a UK14. There is a good amount of length in the leg, although taller women may find them a little on the short side, particularly if coupled with sturdier legs. It's a sort of either/or situation, allowing for stocky legs OR longer than average legs rather than both at the same time. There are reflective strips on the calves.

Body length is good. The complex multi-panel design of the tights – with foot loops to help secure the legs – is paired up with a super-stretchy mesh between-the-breasts style bib section. This isn't unduly intrusive, and the 'between' design does make allowances for all sizes of bust. The fit overall is comfortable and pliable.

The foot stirrups aren't too intrusive, and keep the legs well secured. They also work well with winter riding boots or overshoes, although they do add a little to sock bulk so might be better for those who tend to size up for winter footwear.

The Italian Dolomiti female-specific pad uses two layers of high density memory foam to give shock absorption and pressure relief, while perforations also allow for ventilation and moisture management. It is exceptionally comfortable, for all lengths of ride.

> Check out our guide to the best winter cycling bib tights and trousers here

All in all, these are comfortable and effective tights, great for super-bad classic northern European winter weather. The quality of the design and material – these are handmade in Europe from Italian fabrics – and the levels of comfort and performance easily account for the high price tag (although they're reduced to £86.25 at the time of writing). Ultimately, it's a case of assessing whether these are higher performance tights than you actually need, or whether the extra weatherproofing and high-end quality matches your riding needs, making them worth the investment.

Verdict

Top notch performance and quality but probably overspecced for all but the most hardcore of winter riders