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Le Col Pro Bib Tights

9
£210.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Premium bib tights that you can use in winter whatever the conditions
Great chamois
Good fit
Water resistance
Ideal for a wide temperature range
Price
Ankle zips
Weight: 
204g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Le Col's Pro Bib Tights are a super high-end pair of bib tights. The fleece-lined inner material is soft against your skin, and their water-resistant surface helps to keep out the worst of the winter weather. And after the first wash, the chamois was up there with the most comfortable I have ever ridden in. This premium product does come at a correspondingly premium price, but these tights still look like serious contenders for our best winter bib tights buyer's guide.

> Buy now: Le Col Pro Bib Tights for £210 from Le Col

The British brand Le Col has become very popular in recent years for its high-quality kit and collaborations with big names in sport such as McLaren, Wiggins, and most recently the partnership with WorldTour team Bora-Hansgrohe.

2022 Le Col Pro Bib Tights - legs front.jpg

Okay, so Le Col doesn't have a 'budget' line for any of its kit, so these tights aren't part of any premium line. They just happen to be a high-quality pair of tights that offer loads of protection for riding in some harsh conditions.

2022 Le Col Pro Bib Tights - back detail.jpg

Firstly, the tights have a super-soft fleece lining that helps insulate your thighs while you're cruising through breezy winter air. But when you're stomping on the pedals and working up a sweat, I found my legs didn't overheat as the tights regulate temperature very well. I rode a few times in temperatures reaching the low teens without getting too hot, but I also hit the road on days when the mercury was below zero – and I stayed nice and toasty during these rides.

2022 Le Col Pro Bib Tights - leg logo.jpg

Le Col has placed 'aerodynamic lower leg panels' on the tights below the knee. Without access to a wind tunnel, I can't accurately comment on how effective they are aero-wise, but I do think they look pretty cool. I only wore the tights without my Spatz Roadman 3 overshoes on a few occasions, so these panels were mostly hidden anyway.

2022 Le Col Pro Bib Tights - legs back.jpg

These Pro Bib Tights have a really snug fit, and if you're a muscular rider then these will still fit you with a nice race-cut. I'm not blessed with large, muscular thighs but I was able to stretch the tights away from my leg with ease.

2022 Le Col Pro Bib Tights - askles.jpg

The length is good too, with mine coming about an inch above my ankle bone.

2022 Le Col Pro Bib Tights - chamois.jpg

When I initially wore the tights, I found the chamois comfortable yet a little firm, so I was unsure how I was going to find them over time. Fortunately, after the first wash the chamois softened a little, to became one of the most comfortable I have ever worn. Usually, I find winter tights cause some discomfort through the chamois but with the Le Col's chamois it feels like you're wearing your favourite summer shorts.

2022 Le Col Pro Bib Tights - straps back.jpg

During winter, I think most of us will be wearing a baselayer, but I found the tights' straps very comfortable over my shoulders without too much pressure; if you've got a plate in your collar bone, you'll know what I mean.

2022 Le Col Pro Bib Tights - ankle zip.jpg

The only issue I had with the tights was the zip. I don't think zips are needed on a premium product such as this and, as with most high-quality tights, I think the elasticated cuffs have enough stretch for the zip to be an unnecessary extra.

Value

The Le Col Pro Bib Tights are not alone at coming in at a price north of £200, with both Assos and MAAP having tights more expensive than these in their ranges.

Jamie enjoyed testing the MAAP Team Evo Thermal Bib Tight and loved how well they regulated his temperature. But they cost £230 and at 264g are a bit more than the 204g Le Col tights should that be an issue.

Ash reviewed the Assos Equipe RS Spring Fall Bib Tights S9 and found them very warm, perfect for those very cold dry days but not so good in the rain. These retail at £240, which is £30 more than the Le Cols.

Most recently, Iwein tried out the £160 Stolen Goat Black Alpine Bodyline Bib Tights, but he found them quite restrictive, which might be a result of their heavier 356g weight.

Coming in at £130 are the Santini Lava Thermofleece Bib Tights, which George found warm and the chamois comfortable.

Overall

There isn't much to fault with these Le Col tights. I found them very warm on very cold rides but they regulated heat well, so that I wasn't overheating when temperatures rose. They're good for wet or dry conditions, which means they're suitable for any riding a British winter day may throw at you. You just have to be happy spending that much money on a pair.

Verdict

Premium bib tights that you can use in winter whatever the conditions

road.cc test report

Make and model: Le Col Pro Bib Tights

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

These bib tights are for use in winter to keep riding as pleasant as possible. Le Col says they're "designed with speed in mind" to help with maximising efficiency and avoid restricting any movement.

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

Aerodynamic lower leg panels

Pre-folded binding on edges

Low profile uppers wick sweat and regulate temperature

Lightweight cuffed ankles

Large logos across lower legs

Made in Italy

Face: 75% Polyamide, 25% Elastane

Back: 86% Polyester, 14% Elastane

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
10/10

These appear to be very well made, with no loose seams or dangly parts.

Rate the product for performance:
 
10/10

I found these tights were very warm and tight fitting. There was no bagginess after being sat at the cafe during a mid-ride stop, and I found them water-resistant too.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

I can't fault them at all so far.

Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

The tights hugged my legs extremely well. The ankles were ever so slightly too big for me – but then again I am awfully skinny.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
9/10

I found they sized up well.

Rate the product for weight:
 
10/10

Lighter than all competitors.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10

Extremely comfortable, though I found the chamois a little firm on the first outing.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

It is expensive! Though the price is in the ballpark for competitors' tights of similar quality.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

No issues with washing.

Machine Wash at 30°C

Do not use fabric conditioner

Close all zippers/velcro fastenings

Dry flat, do not tumble dry

Do not bleach, iron or dry clean

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

Kept me warm in all conditions and the tights were always comfortable.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The fit of the tights around the leg.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Zipper on the calf!

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

They are pricey, which places them at the upper end of the classy bib tight market.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

I found these bib tights very comfortable especially on longer winter rides and their water resistance helped keep road spray off my legs. I only scored these down from 10 as I don't think high-end bib tights should have zips.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 22  Height: 185cm  Weight: 69kg

I usually ride: Dolan Rebus  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Semi pro

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, commuting, club rides, Always love some off-road with some mates.

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1 comments

Avatar
ChuckSneed | 1 year ago
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I own lots of kit from Le Col and even though it's expensive at full price, once you get the typical discount from whatever Strava challenge they're doing that minute, it's very good value. I don't know anyone at the club who's paid full price for Le Col ever.

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