Scott RC Pro Warm GORE-TEX +++ Men’s Bib Tights

The Scott RC Pro Warm Gore-Tex +++ Men's Bib Tights keep you very warm in the coldest conditions winter can throw at you through their use of Gore-Tex Infinium on the front-facing panels. They provide all-day comfort thanks to a race-fit design that hugs your legs, and a plush chamois pad. They're definite contenders for our best winter bib tights buyer's guide.

> Buy now: Scott RC Pro Warm Gore-Tex +++ Men’s Bib Tights for £131.36 from Alpinetrek

The first time I put on these bib tights, I knew they were going to be a comfortable pair to wear during the winter months. They hugged my legs really well and did not leave a baggy part of material behind the knee, which you can get with some tights. Initially, I found the padding a bit firm, but this is often the case with new tights, I find. After their first wash, the chamois had softened up and I was in pure comfort all day.

The only slight inconvenience I found from the whole time I have used these tights is that the ankles are a bit baggy. Maybe it's just me having weirdly small ankles, and you may not experience the same issue, but it's the only thing I would change if I was making my own personal pair of tights.

Speaking of the ankles, I was over the moon when I unpacked the tights to find no zip at the ankle. Personally, I don't think zips are necessary on a set of tights, especially high-end designs that should have enough stretch in them to get around your foot. And if you wear tall overshoes, such as Spatz Legalz, then ankle zips can get rather uncomfortable.

Here, the tights are made from 85% polyamide and 15% elastane, with plenty of stretch in the fabric to hug any leg size.

As I said at the start, the tights also use Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper panels – a game changer for winter tights. It will keep even the chilliest of winds away from your legs so you can stay toasty, even when the temperatures plunge below freezing.

Infinium isn't waterproof, so the tights excel in very cold, yet dry conditions where there's less risk of them getting soaked. It is water-repellent, though, and you can still head out in the rain in these tights as even when wet the material stays warm, so you won't be suffering from the cold.

Scott says these tights are 'for the coldest conditions', though it doesn't give a temperature range. I would place them anywhere from sub-zero conditions up to high single digits. Once things get into double-digit territory, you may start to get a bit toasty.

Pad

I found the pad – Scott's +++ Pro Padding Men – ultra comfy, providing the perfect cushioning for all-day riding no matter the conditions. There is plenty of coverage, so nowhere is left unpadded, but there's not so much that it's at all baggy.

Even on some hard, sweaty rides where I clocked over five hours in the saddle, I would arrive home with no soreness to speak of.

Straps

The bib straps are well positioned to keep the tights secure on your shoulders without digging in – not stitched too close together that they dig in around the base of your neck.

At the rear, they're connected by a mesh panel, which helps wick away sweat ever so slightly.

Sizing

The tights are available in five sizes, S-XXL. At 186cm tall and weighing around 68kg, I found the mediums the perfect length for me as I like the bottom of my tights to sit a couple of inches above my ankle bone.

Value

While £154.99 isn't exactly loose change for a pair of tights, I'd say these are well priced for the higher end of the market, especially with the addition of Gore-Tex Infinium. It's a good price for such a great pair of winter tights.

The Le Col Pro Bib Tights that I reviewed at the start of this year cost another £55, and though I was impressed by their water resistance and the wide temperature range they worked in, they did have a zipper on the ankle which I am not a fan of.

Tom reviewed another Le Col pair around the same time, the Sport Bib Tights II, which are slightly cheaper at £175. He enjoyed their all-day comfort but their lack of waterproofing hindered the overall score.

And the Stolen Goat Black Alpine Bodyline Bib Tights that Iwein tested last winter are a very similar price to these Scott tights (£160), but though he was very impressed with their weather protection he did note that they felt quite restrictive.

Conclusion

Although not cheap, these tights from Scott are good value for what they offer. The Gore-Tex Infinium is a game changer, I can't stress it enough. These tights have made riding in the cold so much more pleasant, even coping with the wetter days – stick them on your shortlist.

Verdict

Quality bib tights that offer great all-round protection against cold weather