dhb Ladies Vaeon Reflex bib tights

Temporarily setting aside the 'comfort' problems for female riders associated with bib-tights, the dhb Ladies Vaeon Reflex bib tights are still the easiest and most enduringly comfortable option for keeping warm on long winter rides.

Yes, it's hard as hell to take a pee stop, but at least your back stays warm and you're not cut in two at the waist by tights trying to migrate down your legs. So, bib-tights = necessary evil.

The Vaeon Reflex Roubaix bibs from dhb aren't the company's warmest tights (that's the Vaeon Zero tights) but they are definitely the most reflective! Designed to be ultra visible in low light conditions, the smooth outer of their Lombardia 235g Roubaix fabric is covered in reflective taping and accents.

The top bib section is part mesh, while a long zip does its bit to help out on those tricky comfort breaks. This particular incarnation has an integral pad, using a good quality Cytech Elastic Interface Performance Chamois.

I'm not even going to bother talking about the looks of these. They are bib tights, and therefore possibly the world's least flattering garment in the first place. That said, these are at least sleek in their styling, with seams placed in the correct places aesthetically.

On the bike, they delivered a good level of warmth and comfort even at temperatures close to zero (they are suggested for 8-15 degrees), windchill being the only real reason for requiring anything more heavy duty.

The soft fuzzy backing of the Roubaix fabric is pleasant next to the skin and gives good warmth, while still being very breathable and thereby helping to stop overheating or chilling.

The fit is much as you'd expect from bib-tights, but the fabric has a lot of stretch, allowing for some fluctuation in sizes. The size 10 I had for test were perfectly comfortable, although I'm normally a size 12, and I suspect a size 12 would have been comfortable too. The top section of the tights was pliable and unobtrusive as well.

The chamois was excellent, giving just the right level of padding without being bulky or over cushioned, and breathed well. The inclusion of the integrated pad does mean that the tights need to be washed after every ride, which in turn means they will wear more quickly, especially the reflective patches, but the flip side is that they're easier to throw on and more comfortable than padded shorts under unpadded tights. Swings and roundabouts.

£65 is a bit of a bargain for a genuinely warm pair of winter tights, with plenty of versatility and lots of reflective bits and bobs, especially when you consider that with this level of warmth they'll get worn a good chunk of every winter. The quality of the materials used belies their inexpensive price too.

Verdict

Excellent value for money, extremely comfortable and superbly effective for all but the coldest conditions.