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Rapha Womens Padded Tights

Rapha Women's Padded Tights

9
by Steph Mann
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Mar 26, 2015

2
£160.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Great tights for longer distances; warm and comfortable, they will see you through this winter and next
Weight: 
237g
Contact: 
www.rapha.cc
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Rapha's Women's Padded Tights could become a winter essential. They are warm, comfortable and come with a pad too.

Made with Thermo Roubaix fabric, the fleece lining feels really soft against your skin. The main fabric is a nylon and polyester mix with elastane thrown in there for a nice stretch. This combination means they keep you warm and dry quickly.

One of the best features of these tights is the high-rise waistband. Not only does it give you the added warmth needed in winter, it really makes you feel secure. Tights sometimes leave you feeling like you might be exposed, but these tights go on high and stay high, so you show nothing.

With Rapha, you want everything to be perfect because of the price. When it comes to construction these tights are great. They use flatlock stitching which means comfort as well as smoothness. The overall feel of the tights is one of good quality. I have been wearing these a lot, and recently discovered some bobbling on the saddle side of the pad. It's nothing major, but worth noting.

When pulling on the tights, they pretty much glide over your skin and aren't difficult to get in to. I tried the medium and found they fitted very well. I am however on the shorter side and I did find the high waistband probably came up higher on me than it would on those above my 159cm size. This isn't an issue, as it just means more warmth.

When riding in 8 degrees, they were warm and stayed in place. I found the chamois really comfortable and great for longer rides. The pad is on the thicker side and there is no thinking these are anything but cycling tights off the bike.

I wore the dark grey and chartreuse tights and the colour accents really stood out. Despite the dark grey, I felt very visible because the leg panels offer much more than a token splash of colour.

At £160 they are at the higher end of the price range for winter tights. Bearing in mind the quality of the materials used, the very good fit and the comfort, they are worth the money.

Verdict

Great tights for longer distances; warm and comfortable, they will see you through this winter and next

road.cc test report

Make and model: Rapha Women's Padded Tights

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Tights aimed at women road users who want to stay warm in the saddle. The women specific chamois is extremely comfortable and makes these my favourite tights.

Rapha says:

Highly comfortable, full-length winter tights with chamois pad, made with fleece-lined fabrics, contrast panelling and reflective details.

Fleece-lined tights with chamois for cold-weather riding

Based on the popular Women's Classic Shorts, these tights use two types of fleece-lined fabric in a high-waisted cut to make comfortable and warm winter legwear. Like in the Classic Shorts, the front panel is doubled over rather than stitched to prevent discomfort when riding, and the high-cut waist is held in place with a soft, silicone gripper. Flatlock stitching is used throughout to prevent chafing, and the chamois from specialist manufacturer Cytech is designed specifically for women.

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

High-rise waist for insulation

Fast-drying Thermo Roubaix® fabrics

Visibility leg panels, visible from side and rear

Comfortable, bike-specific cut

Women-specific chamois

Flatlock stitching for comfort

Soft silicone grippers

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Very well made, but did show small signs of wear in the saddle area.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Performance wise, they are very warm.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

One of the best chamois out there for women.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

Expensive for some tights, but they will last.

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

For winter tights, Rapha have made something great. These are designed with women in mind and it shows.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I find the comfort of these tights are some of the best I have ever tried.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 34  Height: 158cms  Weight: 61kg

I usually ride: Giant defy  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,

 

Rapha Women's Padded Tights
Rapha

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2 comments

Avatar
tritecommentbot | 8 years ago
0 likes

Don't see them. Must be out of stock again. Asked Rapha yesterday if they were getting in women's padded tights this season and they said no. Missus really wants them.

Avatar
purplemadwoman | 8 years ago
0 likes

NOW 1/2 PRICE ON RAPHA'S WEBSITE!!!! 4 If they don't have your size today, keep checking as they re-stock. 1

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