Worth: £270 / $300 / €290
Weight: 351 grams – Small
Colors: Uranium Black
Sizes: XS-XXL
The times could also be slowly getting longer within the northern hemisphere, however winter remains to be nicely and really right here. As such, my winter bib tight (and package) testing continues apace.
This week, the POC Thermal Cargo bibtights are underneath the microscope. POC is a Swedish model that designs biking gear but in addition Snowsport tools and attire.
The POC Thermal Cargo bibtights are considered one of a pair of choices within the model’s vary, the opposite being the decrease priced Important Street Thermal tights, which I have never had the prospect to check out but.
The bibtights in query are a pair of heat, winter bibtights which might be obtainable in each males’s and ladies’s variations. A key calling card, as evidenced within the mannequin title is the Cargo pocket on every thigh which gives additional space for storing. Total, they’re presently the very best winter cargo tights I’ve examined, however not essentially the very best bib tights general.
The POC Thermal Cargo bibtights are priced at £270 / $300 / €290, so on the premium finish of the market worth clever, and fortunately given the value they characteristic the technical particulars you wish to see in an excellent bibtight; wind/waterproof membrane, DWR coating, cosy fleecy backing and a strong reflective panel.
You can too try our finest winter bibtights information, which options a variety of the very best bibtight. There needs to be one thing within the for you, it doesn’t matter what form of using you do.
Design and Aesthetics
These POC Thermal Crgo Tights are available one color possibility, ‘Uranium black’, which is at all times good for a winter bibtight because it hides all method of highway spray and muck. Branding is minimal and the tights characteristic a single reflective ‘POC’ wordmark on the left leg.
Manufactured in Albania, the bibtights, like most biking package, use a mix of polyester, elastane and polyamide. The inside is absolutely lined with delicate fleece, notably nice when pulling the bibtights on; you’re feeling able to face the chilly from the off. The fleece ends on the meshy bibs straps and high again panel. The rear of the left hand calf can also be coated in an enormous piece of reflective cloth. It is very shiny when gentle hits it from behind and a much more than the same old passing to not reflectivity that some clothes have.
There is a shiny inexperienced ‘Very important VPDS’ chamois pad which hasn’t given me any grief, although I take to each other with the vast majority of chamois pads. Until one thing is majorly off, I are likely to really feel comfy. Chamois thickness could be noticeable at occasions in the event you’re pulling on new package. While the Very important pad is plush and delicate, it did not trigger subject in any method.
These are, if you have not labored it out but, cargo bibtights, and there’s a cargo pocket on every leg. The pockets are constructed from stitched on mesh panels and supply a comfortable match for gels, multi instruments, cellphone and so forth. if you’d like some additional space for storing.
Match-wise, I have never had any issues with the tights and I’ve examined 20+ pairs of bibtights of late. They’re true to dimension; I am at all times a dimension small in tights (up up to now) and the POC small has fitted me nicely. There’s loads of size within the leg with out it going too far. There has additionally been zero bunching or tightness behind the knee, a key level for me and by no means very good when pedalling.
The general minimize is ever so barely extra relaxed, extra so than one thing just like the Rapha Professional Crew bibtights. They don’t seem to be saggy by any stretch of the creativeness however there’s just a bit additional room, and a few wrinkles from the match on the entrance of the legs.
Efficiency
Efficiency has been superb from the bibtights all through testing. First off, thermal effectivity. These tights have stored me heat and cozy right down to freezing. Heat – or an absence of it – is not a problem. A 3-hour journey at low depth in these situations did not section them in any way, and so they appear to stop biting winds from chilling you on longer descents. The fleece inside definitely retains issues heat, if something I would warn in opposition to utilizing them above round 10C / 50F as you could begin to really feel uncomfortably comfortable, we’re all totally different nevertheless.
No bibtights are completely waterproof for my part. I am presently testing sneakers like the brand new Sidi Nix winter boot in addition to bibtights with no entrance mudguard fitted and have been pummeled with loads of spray and water on all my current rides. In case your out in a heavy downpour for an prolonged interval of using, their defences will most likely be breached, however they’ll take care of an honest little bit of spray and water.
Two issues I would personally change are the skinny bib straps and ‘pillowcase openings’ on the high of the cargo pockets. The bib straps, while completely purposeful, are on the skinny facet. I discover a wider and at occasions thicker bib strap extra comfy, similar to those discovered on the Attaquer Race bibtights.
Second up are the cargo pocket openings. They double over on the the highest and are unstitched, like a pillowcase opening. POC claims this helps retains belongings secure however I discover they’re comfortable sufficient that once you do attain into one for one thing, pulling your hand out once more ends in the fabric folding over itself, bunching and searching undity. It is the form of factor that niggles at me as a result of it appears to be like slightly messy.
If it helps you make a shopping for resolution, I would say there are tights on the market with a extra fashionable match, minimize, and look that supply related heat and safety. Two prime examples are the MAAP Apex winter bibtights and Rapha Professional Crew, however they do not have pockets. Premium winter bibtights with cargo pockets are slightly extra scarce, but when that is what you need you may be nicely happy. These will make a superb pair of winter tights that ought to deal with no matter you wish to do in them.
Worth
A barely tough prospect, as I am unsure the POC Thermal Cargo tights supply superb worth for the cash. They’re costly at £270 / $300 / €290. That is on a par with a number of the most costly bibtights round.
They’re slightly greater than the aforementioned Rapha Professional Crew Winter tights, which I desire for his or her heat, model and match. They match the tights for consolation and heat, however look actually good while doing it and have higher bib straps.
The tights additionally do not match as much as the Nalini Ergo X Heat bibtights which supply incredible safety with a brilliantly comfy match. I do not really feel one million {dollars} in them and for the cash I simply need a bit… extra.
Verdict
The POC Thermal Cargo Tights are an excellent set of cargo bibtights. They’re heat, comfy, and sturdy. Should you want heat winter bibtights with twin cargo pockets these are an excellent possibility that will not allow you to down. However I really feel you’ll be able to have the identical heat and luxury for much less cash elsewhere in the event you forego the necessity for pockets.
| Design and Aesthetics | A nicely thought out design and exectuion that hasn’t actually acquired any weak spots, simply a few areas that could possibly be tweaked | 8/10 |
| Consolation | Comfy all through my complete testing interval, delicate and heat with no tight spots or bunching behind the knee | 8/10 |
| Match | Good, barely extra relaxed which causes a couple of wrinkles in locations however true to dimension | 8/10 |
| Heat | Excellent, i’ve worn them on lengthy chilly rides at near freezing with out subject | 9/10 |
| Worth | Not fairly so robust for me, quite a bit for cash for tights that would excite slightly extra | 7/10 |
| Total | Row 5 – Cell 1 | 40/50 |