Kalf Club Thermal Men’s Bib Tight

The Kalf Club Thermal bib tights are supremely comfortable, nice and warm yet lightweight, and really well constructed. The reflectivity on the calves actually looks good, and the fit was near-perfection for me. They've been my go-to bib tights for the winter, except for near-zero temperatures for which they're not quite warm enough.

• Pros: Fit, comfort, colours, ankle grippers, well-placed reflectivity
• Cons: Sizing a little on the small side, slight firming up after washing and drying

They're cut from a thermal 'Roubaix' fabric (originally designed for skiing for greater insulation and stretch), which is made in Italy and brushed on the inside so they're soft against the skin. The flexibility is really noticeable when you put them on, and even though I found the mediums pretty snug with a compressive fit, they pulled up quite a bit easier than other thermal bib tights I use regularly.

> Find your nearest Evans store here

I'm also a big fan of the construction around the ankles and the leg grippers: no annoying straps, just good quality grippers and zips that provide all the security you need without having to worry about whether socks go on first or not.

On the back you'll find some multi-coloured chevrons, which are impressively reflective and very noticeable – I even got a compliment from a fellow cyclist while stopped at a light in central Bristol, who may or may not have had a couple of beers. The jury's out on whether they're essential for safety, but they look good and were shown to work.

I couldn't feel any seams at all on rides with varying levels of speed and elevation, and kind of forgot they were there, which is the mark of a good cycling garment in my book. The fleece-lined middle section zips up to the torso, which provides extra warmth, and has a solid YKK zip. The straps are soft against the skin, with no rubbing or chafing after wearing without a baselayer on numerous long rides.

The understated burgundy colour on the straps and mid-section appears throughout Kalf's range of autumn and winter gear, presumably to reflect the conditions they're made for riding in. The colour washes very well and they're still pretty much as new after a couple of months' heavy use. They did feel a bit firmer and didn't go on quite so easily after washing and drying on a radiator, but this didn't impact on performance.

Kalf says the Roubaix fabric 'is breathable but also has a high thermal rating, keeping out the cold and resisting outside moisture (mist, for example)'. I found them most suitable for winter riding in temperatures between 4 and 10°C, although they'll do a job a few degrees either side. The mesh panels and decent breathability – I never got sweaty – mean they're possibly more adaptable to warmer temperatures than colder, and on a couple of days when the thermometer dropped to freezing and below and the effort level was steady, I did find things a bit cold 'down there' (sorry mum).

I found the water resistance really good, too, and they dry quickly.

> Buyer's Guide: 16 of the best cycling bib tights & trousers

The chamois padding is courtesy of Elastic Interface, used by numerous renowned cycling brands including Assos, 7Mesh and Chapeau! to name but three. This Club pad is male-specific, with varying densities to relieve pressure and promote blood flow where you need it. As Kalf says itself: "In other words, it's very comfortable." And based on my experience, whereby I've had no discomfort from the stitching or padding, with plenty of freedom of movement, I've absolutely no reason to disagree.

Available exclusively through Evans in the UK, Kalf's gear isn't cheap but doesn't make you do a double-take either, and £100 is on the lower end of what I'd expect for a garment of this quality. You'll pay a premium compared to the likes of dhb's Classic Thermal bib tights and Caratti's Sport tights (which I've also worn and don't find as comfortable as these) – but they're quite a bit less than similar options from premium brands, such as Gore's Power Thermo Bibtights+ and Rapha's Core Winter bib tights.

Overall, I was very impressed with the Kalfs, and they've been my go-to tights for the winter. There's very little to criticise, the fit and comfort is excellent, and they're worth every bit of the £100 price tag in my opinion.

Verdict

Supremely comfortable and well-thought-out thermal tights that will see you through most of the winter