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review
Tights & longs
Craft Performance Storm Bib Tights Craft Performance Storm Bib Tights

Craft Performance Storm Bib Tights

7
by dave atkinson
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jan 11, 2012

0
£108.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Good off-season legwear that keeps the wind (and rain) off your pins
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.craft.se
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The Craft Performance Storm Bib Tights are a well-engineered and nicely thought out garment for your bottom half when the weather is murky.

These don't feel like a winter tight when you pull them on for the first time: the construction isn't heavy and the rear roubaix panels are pretty thin. You even get mesh bibs. However, they feature a full-length windproof insert down the front to keep the chill off when you're riding, so the overall effect is of a more heavyweight set of bibs.

Set off on a chilly day and you'll feel the nip against the back of your thighs and calves where you're not heavily protected, so starting with a long downhill run on a cold day can leave you a bit chilly to begin with. Once you start working, however, the thin rear sections give all that heat you generate an escape route while the windproof panels stop the icy blasts robbing you of too much warmth. They do a decent job of shrugging off the rain too. On a wet day the thinner rear panels get wet quickly if you're not sporting mudguards though.

Getting into these tights is pretty easy thanks to long calf zips, and they're a comfy fit although the windproof panels aren't as elastic as Lycra which can leave them a bit bunched up at times. They're generous on the sizing, with a L big enough for me (1.90m, 99kg) when I'd normally expect to be wearing an XL. The Craft pad is decent without being a showstopper; I was comfy enough on some fairly long rides but it's not as good as some of the other pads out there. The reflective detailing is well placed and has remained intact through repeated washings.

Overall the performance is good, the tights comfy and the windproof fabric is well placed and functional. These tights would see you through most winter rides, although if you've got a penchant for heading out when it's really bitter and dismal, you might find that you need more protection to the rear than these offer.

Verdict

Good off-season legwear that keeps the wind and, to some extent, the rain off your pins

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Craft Performance Storm Bib Tights

Size tested: Black - L

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

- Performance Bike StormBib Tights

- Windproof front by thin, elastic windpanel

- Highly elastic, slightly brushed fleece fabric for warmth

- Reflective prints in front and back

- Craft Performance Pad

- Zipper to knee

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Well constructed, nice details

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Good all-round performance, pad could be better and they're not for really bitter days

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Wearing well, reflective has stayed put

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10

About right, really

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
6/10

Pad could be better, the windproof panels aren't as elastic as standard lycra

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Not cheap, but well made and do the job they're designed to do

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Well

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Windproof panels work well, build quality is good

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Pad could be better

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 190cm  Weight: 98kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...  My best bike is: Genesis Equilibrium with SRAM Apex

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

 

Winter clothing
Tights
longs
Craft Performance Storm bib tights
Dave Atkinson

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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