Caratti Elite Windproof Bib Tights

Caratti delivers some decent quality kit at very sensible prices, and it's continued that theme here with these Elite Windproof Bib Tights. At 65 quid they are ideal for the commute or general riding and training, and have all the bases covered for riding through the chilly months.

• Pros: Good choice of pad, great price
• Cons: Windproof panels feel quite thick which restricts movement

I've tested quite a bit of Caratti clothing over the years and on the whole I've always been pretty impressed. It may not have the attention to detail of some of the more expensive brands and the fabrics might not feel as plush, but I've always found the fit to be good and surprisingly durable.

> Buy these online here

The Elite Windproofs are finished with a Roubaix-style fabric; for those of you not in the know, that means a material that has a fleece-like backing that sits next to your body to keep you warm. It feels soft to the touch and very comfortable to wear.

To provide the additional windproofing over its Sport Bib Tight stablemates, Caratti has added thicker-density panels at the front of the thighs and over the knees to keep out the cold sting of a winter breeze.

The fabric is quite thick and doesn't allow for the same levels of movement that you find with the rest of the material. It's not a massive difference but is noticeable, especially on a long ride.

I would also like to see the windproofing extended to the front panel above the pad; in a full-on headwind you can be noticeably chilly below the waist.

Caratti has used multiple panels to create a good fit and the addition of the two circular panels behind the knees removes awkward seams and allows for a bend of the leg without any bunching of the fabric.

The legs are held in place by an ankle zip which isn't my favourite method of retention, especially if you are wearing overshoes over the top, but I found these to be unobtrusive with their small zip tab.

You get some reflective detailing here as well, with a thin panel sitting over the zip.

The bib straps are quite wide, and the rear mesh panel covers your entire back. It keeps you warm while allowing for breathability to stop you getting too sweaty.

When it comes to sizing, Caratti tends to be typically Italian (it's an Italian brand, although the tights are made in China); the size recommended for me was XL rather than the medium I usually wear. I've always got away with wearing medium in Caratti's bib shorts and I found the tights to be a reasonably good fit, although if I was buying them I'd probably go up to a large to get just a little bit more length in the legs; other than that, the cut is good. (It's not me in the pics.)

You need a good chamois for comfort regardless of how expensive your tights are, and it's good to see that Caratti has gone for a pad made by Elastic Interface, one of the largest chamois makers out there, used by many of the big brands.

Here it's the Tour HP model, which has multiple density foam padded sections with various channels passing between them to increase blood flow. I've used this pad countless times before and it is a very good, especially if you aren't a fan of massively padded chamois. It's firm enough that it's supportive and absorbs the road buzz from beneath without being too thick that you can't feel what is going on with the bike.

When it comes to money, the Carattis are some of the best value around for their performance. Tights like the Santini Myego 2.0 offer a lot of the same properties but with a price tag of £105. Then there are Kalf's offerings, the Club Thermal Men's bib tights: they're very good longs by all accounts but again, £35 more expensive than the Carattis for what would sounds like similar performance.

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

On the whole, I think the Elite Windproof tights are hard to knock for the money. Yes, I have more expensive pieces in my wardrobe that I'd prefer to wear for a long ride or when out on the best bike, but for day to day commuting or blasting around I'd happily use the Carattis. The fact that you can almost get a two-for-one deal compared with many brands is also a bonus.

Verdict

Decent quality tights for the money that'll keep you plenty warm enough in those chilly winds