Where, pray tell, can you find sub-zero temperatures in the great outdoors in September in this country for a practical test of winter trousers? Not at all! So the TOUR test crew travelled to the Dolomites, to the Passo di Valparola at 2,192 metres above sea level, where temperatures around freezing point and snow showers are not uncommon even at this time of year. Ideal conditions for testing winter trousers, while cyclists in the valley can still enjoy a few balmy late summer days. At least that's what many racing cyclists had hoped for when they set off from the surrounding valleys to collect passes in the Dolomites on our test days wearing shorts. And while they extended their shorts at the top of the Valparola with trembling fingers using makeshift leg or knee rings, we were glad that we had 14 pairs of long trousers with wind and moisture-protecting membranes in our luggage.
membranes to protect against wind and moisture.
Admittedly, riding mountain passes in autumn places extreme demands on your trousers: uphill to the top of the pass in mild temperatures is still sweaty, downhill low temperatures and the wind quickly suck the heat out of your body. This may not be representative of the usual training on most winter days, but on the other hand it is not completely absurd. Maximum protection from the weather and cold with the best possible vapour permeability and high wearing comfort are the requirements for good winter trousers that are difficult to combine, even on the flat.
We have formulated our selection criteria for this test of winter trousers with seat padding accordingly. As an exception, we have limited our selection to men's models, as there is practically no market for long, warm women's trousers. If there is a corresponding model for women for a pair of men's trousers, we have noted this in the table. The prices of the 14 trousers in the test range from 126 euros to 280 euros. The average price is around 180 euros - a lot of money for cycling shorts. If you look at the countries of manufacture, you can at least see that products made in Austria (Löffler) or Italy (Bioracer, De Marchi, Santini, Sportful) are no more expensive than products from overseas.
You can find the test results of these models in the PDF download below:
- Bioracer Snowflake Bib Tight
- Castelli Sorpasso Bibtight / Women's Sorpasse Bibtight
- Craft Performance Storm Bib Long / Women's Performance Storm Bib Long Tights
- Endura Windchill Biblong
- Exteondo Ordago Bib Tights
- Gore Bike Wear Oxygen Soft Shell Bibtights / Ocygen Lady Bibtights
- Löffler Bib Tights WS Softshell light / Ladies Bike Bib Tights WS Softshell Warm
- Mavic Inferno Bib Tight
- Pearl Izumi AmFIB Cycling Bib Tight / W AmFib Cycling Tights
- Santini Active Air Intake Bib Tights (Unisex)
- Scott AS Premium Plus Tights / Women's AS Shadow plus Tights
- Sportful Total Comfort Bibtight
- Storck Bib Man Tight Winter Pro / Bib Woman Tight Winter Pro
Downloads:
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