Caratti Pro Windproof Bib Tights

If you're just getting into (winter) road cycling or after a pair of cheap workmanlike bib tights for shorter winter rides, Caratti's Pro Windproof Bib Tights are great-value options.

• Pros: Top value, good leg comfort, decently warm
• Cons: Chamois lacks padding for longer rides

The thing about a £55 price tag is that, for many roadies – even this one from time to time – it can immediately put potential buyers off. As the old saying goes, 'you get what you pay for', and in bib tights that often means spending up to four times this amount to get the comfort and quality you want. However, Caratti's Pro Windproof Bib Tights give me pause for thought on that – and they should for you too, because as a back-to-basics everyday bib tight for commuting and shorter weekend rides, they're very good indeed.

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Why only shorter rides and commutes? Well, the fact is that the chamois is pretty basic. It features ergonomic ridges that help it mould well to your shape, but each individual section has the same density, so I wouldn't describe it as graded – but then neither does Caratti, to be fair. That density isn't all that, well, dense... so the comfort and vibration damping through the saddle isn't anything to write home about. I was fine with rides of up to 60km, but for any longer I was looking to switch back to more premium models in my collection.

Let's be real for a second, though: everyday riders (as opposed to heavy-duty or performance-orientated riders) tend to need bib tights for winter convenience – whether for snuck-in rides, commuting or something like that – and if you simply need them for that kind of use, these are right on the money. Beginners or novices can also rest assured that this is all they need to spend for a first winter or two venturing out on the bike as well.

The main fabric is designed to be windproof, and while at this price you're not going to see any flashy technical fabrics, it does a decent job of keeping off the worst of windchill. It's a little lightweight when you're right into close-to-freezing ambient temperatures, but anything around 4-5 degrees or more is within its range.

> 30 of the best pieces of cycling clothing to keep you warm this winter

Work harder, of course, and you might be able to reduce that temperature by a couple of degrees. You might be tempted to as well, given that the performance cut of the legs is very comfortable and well-shaped around the leg using panels. You can see in our shots of the tights how little bunching there is even in standing shots, which you don't always see in tights costing maybe three times more.

The inside of the entire bib tight is lined with tried-and-tested thermal Roubaix fabric, and that just adds to the overall comfort, while I'm impressed with the tidiness of the seams at this price point. They're well positioned, too, with that panelling, so chafing was never an issue for me.

The exception to this – on me, anyway – was the zipped ankles. I found the zips lined up almost exactly over my Achilles' tendons. It's unfortunate as I suspect that my ankle shape just isn't suited to them even with socks on, but it's worth bearing in mind when you get a chance to try them on.

The textured rubber gripper helps keep the cuffs in place, while up top I'm also more than happy with the quality of the bib section. The mid-section is Roubaix-lined for added insulation, and the straps sit nicely on the shoulders. They're simple in construction with seams edging the straps themselves, and while you can feel that in comparison to flat-style straps, they're not uncomfortable for it. I did get a couple of strap marks on my skin after the longer of my test rides, but as I say, I wasn't uncomfortable.

Simpler bib tights like these often require simpler care, and I was happy to stick them in with my usual 40-degree wash cycles. They wash through well, and I've not noticed any telltale signs of degradation in either the seams or the fabric itself.

> Buyer's Guide: 16 of the best winter bib tights

All this together means that I consider £55 a genuinely great deal. They significantly undercut Ribble's decent bargain Nuovo bib tights (£85) and Kalf's excellent Club Thermal tights too (£100). Sure, I don't think I'd want to use them for long winter rides, primarily because of the lack of plushness in the chamois, nor in really freezing temperatures, but other than that they'll see you through your everyday winter commute and short rides.

Verdict

Don't be put off by the bargain price – these are top value workhorses