Designed for indoor and outdoor use, these three-quarter tights are made from a midweight non-thermal fabric that Bontrager rates for use between 10 and 24 degrees. They have a flat, broad waistband, a mesh thigh pocket for gels and whatnot, a mesh panel behind the knees for ventilation, and a female-specific pad.
A great looking simple pair of tights in basic black, these caused some consternation when choosing a size based on the company's sizing charts. The broad waistband and very pliable fabric meant that in reality I could have gone down a size from that assumed by measurements alone (it's not me in the photos). However, one of the issues I encountered with the waistband design was that the lack of any sort of gripper tape and the waistband's softness (think yoga pants type) meant they had a habit of migrating when out on the bike. The supportive shaped pad coupled with the soft fabric and that waist design just did not keep them in place securely when riding.
Perhaps this would have been less pronounced with a smaller size, but I suspect the problem would still have been present. Bontrager describes the fabric as compressive, but I found little compression effect from it. The fabric did, however, wick moisture well and dried quickly.
The pad was also very comfortable and supportive for rides of a couple of hours, but the need to keep adjusting the tights did detract from their longer ride comfort and performance.
The length was good for my height (just lower than the knees) but might not be suitable for taller riders, and the lack of a gripper at the hem will please some but not others.
At this price, these tights sit at the lower to middle end of that for 3/4 knickers, but the Van Rysel 900 Women's Cropped Bibless Tights which Janine tested last year make for better value for money at £34.99.
Overall, the Bontrager tights are comfortable to wear, with a supportive pad, a soft and pliable fit and that broad waistband, but better performance and value are available elsewhere.
Good supportive pad, but lack of compression and combination of soft fabric and waistband can result in movement
Make and model: Bontrager Vella Women's Cycling Knickers
Tell us what the product is for
For indoor and outdoor cycling between 10 and 24 degrees.
Bontrager says: 'Padded women's cycling knickers that are perfectly suited for on the bike or in the spin studio.'
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Bontrager lists:
Cirra InForm Chamois female specific pad
Wide yoga-style waistband
Left side mesh thigh pocket
Mesh panals behind knees
70.5% Nylon/19% Elastane/10.5% Polyester fabric
Available in sizes XS-XL
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Decent quality fabric, although not as compressive as claimed, and good quality build and components.
Rate the product for performance:
5/10
Comfortable supportive pad but prone to migrating in use due to the waistband and fabric combo.
Rate the product for durability:
7/10
Washes well and good quality fabric so should last well.
Rate the product for fit:
4/10
Pliable fabric does not offer the compression that Bontrager claims, and the waistband lacks any gripper so can migrate.
Rate the product for sizing:
4/10
The sizing guide suggested XL for measurements, but L would probably have worked better, because of the flat waistband design and pliable fabric.
Rate the product for weight:
7/10
Pleasantly lightweight but versatile for spring, summer and autumn use, or indoors.
Rate the product for comfort:
8/10
Very comfortable fit and pad, but didn't stay put when riding as I'd have liked.
Rate the product for value:
5/10
Not a bad price compared with others, but you can get better performance elsewhere.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Washed very well.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Comfortable, with a good supportive pad but let down by a tendency to migrate when on the bike and the lack of compression in the pliable fabric.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Comfort of pad and waistband, price.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Tendency to migrate due to fabric/waistband combo; slight sizing issues when following the sizing table.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
They sit at the lower to middle end of the market for 3/4 knickers, but Van Rysel's 900 Women's Cropped Bibless Tights are less at £34.99, while the Altura Progel Women's 3/4 Knickers are a fiver more. There are much more expensive options, such as Rapha's Women's 3/4 Tights and Assos' HK.laalalaiKnickers_s7 Lady.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes, they were fine.
Would you consider buying the product? Probably not.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Probably, to those who like soft and pliable tights.
Use this box to explain your overall score
Midweight tights with a good pad and a broad comfortable waistband, but let down slightly by the fabric and waistband combo, meaning that the tights can migrate in wear. They could do with some sort of waist gripper.
Age: 48 Height: 1.65m Weight: 77kg
I usually ride: Liv Invite My best bike is: Specialized Ruby Elite
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,
It's on the left because I live in the USA. And yes, it's a Sprintech as others mentioned. It's pretty good, clear and very light. It does move...
North Yorkshire Police failed to respond, the video was submitted via a Web portal. If I remember correctly, and I may not, I believe it's their...
First thing I always check I've packed is Piriton.
He is Dutch.
A man who has flip-flopped, telling everyone " 10 per cent for WTO rules is virtually irrelevant" and "Brexit momentum of fear is damaging the...
As stated it is likely that the higher risk to the individual is due to fragility rather than competence. Note, high risk to the individual, not...
Not sure I've been that lucky, but 3 punctures in 10 years, and a folding bike means for city commuting flagging down a taxi after a puncture is...
Independent Press Standard Organisation (IPSO) has ruled that the article was inaccurate ...
The number of people ending their lives by jumping from the bridge has increased during lockdown, something no-one could plan for and saying they ...
No I believe it is a carriage. I'm happy to be corrected though...