Fall/ Winter Ride Essentials: Thermal Tights for Cycling

If you’re a cyclist who will ride outside no matter what the weather throws your way, the cost of obtaining all you need to stay warm can get a bit crazy. You’ll obviously need base layers, gloves, socks, shoe covers, or toe warmers, the list goes on and on as the price escalates. Fortunately, as I mentioned in prior posts, these are items you will most likely only need to buy once.

Cycling clothing manufacturers would prefer that you invest in a pair of bib tights. They’re great but super expensive with a pair running nearly $300.00. For much less money, you can obtain a pair of thermal tights that you can wear underneath any cycling shorts or bibs and achieve the same result. For winter riding, bib tights or thermal tights, whichever you opt for, are an absolute essential item.

What Are Thermal Tights?

The best comparison I can muster is that thermal cycling tights are like sweatpants with a drawstring to cinch them around your waist. The leggings part, though, are more like leg warmers, except tights are for much colder conditions like the 30s and below.

Thermal cycling tights are made to be insulating, light-reflective, and moisture-wicking. They have zippers at the bottom that make them easy to get on or off and zip over your socks much like the tights featured here on Pearl Izumi’s website. I’ve had mine forever and they’re still in excellent condition.

Cycling Tights Versus Cycling Bib Tights

The great thing about cycling tights is they can be paired, as already mentioned, with your favorite cycling shorts or bib shorts. Bib tights, on the other hand, are an all-in-one piece of kit. Bib tights have shoulder straps and a chamois sewn in. 

Although I’ve never owned a pair of cycling bib tights, they are made to be worn like tights. To see an example of what I’m getting at, check out this image from Pearl Izumi’s website. The problem with bib tights, as already mentioned, is they are more expensive than cycling tights. 

Plus, you are limited by the upper portion of the bib tights, so you have to wear the same bib tights on every winter ride. That’s not a great option for these reasons. You may find the chamois is too thin or too hard or you don’t like how the straps fit around your shoulders.

Availability and Cost of Cycling Tights

Like most of the fall and winter gear I’ve mentioned here on the blog, check with your local bike shop, a retailer like REI, or save yourself time and order online from someone like Pearl Izumi. Just keep in mind tights are a sized item. Chances are if you wear a large in bib shorts, a large cycling tight should fit you fine.

A basic thermal cycling tight will probably run between $75.00 and $100. It depends on where you buy them and, sometimes, even the season. Look for sales if you shop online at someplace like Castelli, Giordana, or Pearl Izumi, which is currently offering a pair of $100 tights for $75.00.

Last Thoughts

When it comes to anything cycling, look for good quality and great value. $75.00 is a lot for a pair of tights, but if you do any winter riding when the days are in the 30s, you’ll appreciate the fact you invested in tights. Plus, as mentioned earlier, unless you put your gear through its paces, you won’t have to buy a pair of tights more than once.