Sportful Diva Bib Tights

The Sportful Women's Diva bib tights are designed for winter riding in cool and dry conditions. They don't come with any revolutionary new features, but are warm, comfortable and decently priced. They aren't what you'd choose for sub-zero days or riding in the rain, but in the conditions they're designed for, their warmth and comfort are just right.

Their fleece lining is soft and snug, keeping you warm on cold autumn and winter (and spring) rides. I was pleased to find that they never lost this luxurious softness no matter how many times I washed them.

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The tights are lightweight and very breathable, meaning you won't overheat on a warmer autumn (or spring) day, but unfortunately this also allowed the cold to creep in when conditions were particularly windy or dropped below zero. Sportful doesn't claim that these tights are at all water resistant and they are designed for 'mostly dry' conditions. While they are fine in a little drizzle, when it really got wet the rain came straight through and made for a very cold and soggy ride.

My favourite thing about the Diva bib tights is the fit. They fit me beautifully, without any unwanted sagging from excess material, and the sizing comes up just as expected from Sportful's size guide. Unlike other tights I've worn previously, the legs aren't miles long and the medium fit my 5ft 4in size 8/10 frame perfectly. The fabric is also incredibly stretchy for a flexible fit.

I love the bodice-like bib section which, like the legs, is soft and fleece-lined up to the bust, with a zip up the front. It added some much needed extra warmth around the core. I also found this style far more comfortable than regular bib straps. They have so far kept their shape and softness through several washes with no problems.

The tights feature YKK zips at the ankles, making them very easy to get on and off, with reflective detailing up the sides to help visibility at night.

The pad felt a little bulky initially, but I was quick to forgive this as it is well padded and really comfortable for at least two to three hours in the saddle, making it perfect for winter rides. It is not the best chamois I have ever ridden in (that title goes to Assos' premium S7), but I certainly wasn't uncomfortable on longer rides of over four hours.

You can get both warmer and waterproof winter tights for a similar price (check out the Dhb Aeron Rain Defence Tights, for example), but I certainly don't think £100 is too much to pay for what you get. Yes, I was a little disappointed with the warmth on especially cold days, but they do, in fact, do just what they are designed for: winter rides in cool and dry conditions.

> Buyer's Guide: The best winter cycling tights

The Diva bib tights seem pretty average in warmth, performance and cost, yet they are so comfortable that I can't seem to stop wearing them. If you found them at a discount, I don't know how you could refuse.

Verdict

Not the warmest, but make up for it by being super-comfy and fitting beautifully