Rapha Women's Core Winter Tights With Pad

The Rapha Women's Core Winter Tights are excellent for cold days on the bike. Designed simply to 'keep you warm while you train or commute on cold winter roads', they don't do anything especially fancy, but they do their job extremely well. Dave Arthur thought the men's ones were very good too; you can read his review here.

• Pros: Comfort, fit, warmth, 'more affordable'
• Cons: Umm...

The plain black design features a couple of subtle logos on either thigh and at the base of the back along with a small reflective stripe at each ankle. The ankle cuffs feature an unusual ribbed design, matching the Core Winter Jacket I've also been testing. I particularly like this design and find it preferable to rubber grippers around the ankle. It also helps to make the tights very easy to get on and off. The stripes are also reflective.

> Buy these online here

Coming up pretty much true to size, the tights are an excellent fit. I don't have especially long legs for my 5ft 3in height and found the leg length on the small pair I tested perfect. The stretchy bib straps, with their slightly unusual design, are also a great fit and sit so comfortably on my shoulders I barely notice them while riding.

The chamois isn't quite the best I have ever tried – the Assos T.laalalai shorts win that one – and is bulkier than some, but that's not to say it's uncomfortable. In fact quite the opposite, it stayed in place well and caused no chafing or discomfort on long rides.

The inside of the tights is lovely and fleecy, and they're incredibly cosy on chilly days. They kept me lovely and warm without being too thick, never becoming uncomfortably warm while climbing or doing efforts. I'd want something thicker for sub-zero riding, but up to that point these are ideal.

At £120, the Core tights come with a lower price tag than we'd usually expect from Rapha, being part of its 'more affordable' line. (Rapha's Souplesse Winter Tights are another £75.) Okay, they're still not cheap, but knowing the quality and durability you get from Rapha garments, I'd say they are worth the money and would make a great investment for winter. They're £10 cheaper than the Rivelo Monsal tights Tass tested last winter, and she wasn't overly keen on the pad.

> Buyer's Guide: 16 of the best winter bib tights and trousers

If £120 is still too much, keep an eye out for our reviews of women's tights from Sportful, dhb and Santini, ranging from £80-£99.99. Or you could always go for the Core bibs without pad at £95.

Verdict

Simple, stylish and effective, they do everything you want from a pair of cold weather tights