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review
£175.00
VERDICT:
Uncompromising performance, fit and comfort, if you can stomach the high price
Weight:
365g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
- Exceptional
- Excellent
- Very Good
- Good
- Quite good
- Average
- Not so good
- Poor
- Bad
- Appalling
With adequate insulation for the coldest weather and a comfortable padded insert for the longest rides, the Assos LL.mille Tights_s7 are really very impressive, as they should be for the price, for this is very much Rapha and Castelli territory. If you're in the market for a pair of high-quality winter bib tights that will last, though, you can't go far wrong with these.
The tights are constructed from the company's own RX Heavy material. It's soft and fleece lined, and it's double layered on the knees, thigh and hip areas to provide even more insulation from the cold. I've been wearing them on morning rides when it's a couple of degrees below freezing, and they've kept my legs comfortably warm.
> Find your nearest dealer here
As well as keeping you warm, the material has a WR water resistant treatment that deals well with showers. Rain beads off, and it's ideal for splashing through puddles and dealing with brief showers. It's enough to make a difference on mixed weather rides.
What really stands out when you pull these tights on is how good the fit is. The shape and positioning of the panels have been well thought out, and there's no restriction of movement when pedalling. Assos has used a lighter RX Light fabric at the back of the knees, which helps keep this vital area stretchy and elastic. It all contributes to them being one of the most comfortable pairs of bib tights I've yet tested. It's like wearing (close fitting) pyjamas.
The tights have a pair of wide and flat straps that loop over the shoulders, and although the front of the bibs does cut very low, it makes nature breaks very easy. The legs have a simple opening, and with enough stretch in the material there's no need for a zipper to make pulling them on easier.
They're very understated tights, with just a few reflective panels to provide some low light and nighttime visibility.
> Check out our guide to the best winter bib tights and trousers here
Inside the shorts is the company's Mille padded insert. It's a relatively simple foam padding with varying levels of density and tapered edges. While it's not as posh as the company's more expensive inserts, it's still a very comfortable pad and easily provides adequate comfort for any long rides you have planned. Uniquely, it's only attached to the bibs at the front and back, and this appears to allow the chamois to move a little, which boosts comfort and support.
Yes, Assos clothing is typically expensive, but it works extremely well. These tights are impressively warm and comfortable, ideal for any length ride, short or long, and with the best fit of any bib tights I've ever tested.
Verdict
Uncompromising performance, fit and comfort, if you can stomach the high price
road.cc test report
Make and model: Assos LL.milleTights_s7
Size tested: Medium
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?
Assos says: "Our everyday tight for winter riding. Designed to create a no-fuss product, ideal for those rides where you are in a rush to get out. Cut in our comfortFit, they have a price point that makes them ideal to take the abuse of daily riding in winter's worst conditions.
"Based on our equipe "daily worker" S7 shorts, these tights use the same technology and comfort found in that insert. They are our go-to winter tights that come in at an attractive price point for all. Being comfortFit, they will make sure that you are warm and comfy for any length of ride you wish to use them on."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
THE CONSTRUCTION
NEW RX HEAVY - As with our Bonka tights we used our all-new RX Heavy material in these tights for maximum warmth. On top of that, to protect you from those fall and spring showers, we have used our WR (Water Resistant) treatment on all the material to shed water and keep you riding longer.
STRATEGIC DOUBLE LAYERS - To increase warmth where you need it most, we have sections where we have added two layers of our RX Heavy material. Found on the knee, thigh and hip, we give you maximum protection while riding with minimum bulk.
MILLE INSERT - Using the Mille insert in these shorts, we have kept the construction as simple as possible so that we can offer you the best price. It has our goldenGate technology for added S7 comfort.
ANATOMICALLY CUT - To make sure that they fit perfectly, we have redesigned the rear knee portion of the tight. Tapered, with multiple panels and made from our RX Light fabric, this new, more elastic and breathable area makes the legs noticeably more comfortable.
LOOP FREE ANKLE - Deciding to do away with all of the loops on our tights is something new for W15. Why? We find they are more comfortable. To keep the legs firmly in place, we have put the same elastic used on our S7 short, which is comfortable enough that you will not notice it.
REFLECTORS - Another standard for W15 tights are our new reflectors to increase visibility during those dark winter rides.
KEY FEATURES
New RX Heavy fabric with water resistant treatment
Strategically placed double-layer insulation
Anatomically cut rear of leg
Mille insert with goldenGate
Large reflectors
Loop-free ankle
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Right up there with the best, the shape of the panels makes for a perfect fit.
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Assos has always delivered high performance and these tights are no different.
Rate the product for durability:
9/10
I've still got a pair of Assos tights from nearly 10 years ago, so I reckon these will last a few years.
Rate the product for fit:
10/10
Perfect.
Rate the product for sizing:
9/10
The medium tested compares well to other brands.
Rate the product for comfort:
10/10
The perfect fit and the padded insert makes them super-comfortable for long winter base rides.
Rate the product for value:
8/10
Yes they're expensive, but you're getting a lot of performance for the money.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Very easy to care for.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Delivered excellent winter performance.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The fit and comfort.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Though quite generous, a few more reflective details would be good.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
Assos clothing is typically expensive, but it works extremely well. They're impressively warm and comfortable, as suitable for short rides as they are for long rides, and they have the best fit of any bib tights I've yet tested.
About the tester
Age: 31
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, mountain biking
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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"Collisions with bus shelters normally happen when van drivers pull onto the pavement to let a blue lights vehicle pass, and forget to allow for...
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200 people out of a close by population of how many? Just build it and stop being a wuss
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To paraphrase Field of Dreams, "Build it right and they will come: and use it!"
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And a Happy Christmas to you, road.cc staff!
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The odds of not being able to find a single pedestrian - just one, note, "any pedestrian" - in an area containing more than about ten of them who...
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I love how wannabe racer reviewers talk about fork flex under braking like their tyres are made of glue. I find traction gives long before fork flex.
- hawkinspeter 9 hours 30 min ago
They don't make them like they used to
- LongitudeLatitude 10 hours 20 min ago
Thanks for using my picture of chocolate in your opening picture. The original can be found here, chocolate! | LongitudeLatitude | Flickr.
- lesterama 10 hours 47 min ago
Fair comments. I'll put my hands up and say I got the wrong end of the stick with this one. ¡Feliz navidad! Here's a pic for the season of goodwill.
- Mike Holmes 10 hours 52 min ago
A trip down memory lane (or street) for me - Harry Quinn's bike shop was at the top of our Street and I used to spend time staring at the bikes and...
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4 comments
£175. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrghhhhhhh!
Don't buy them then.
Brillinat! Why didn't I think of that before I ordered that crateload....
Just received these in the post today and they ooze class. Way to warm at the moment but they appear to be super warm, and so so soft.