What To Look For
For bike rides in cooler weather, many cyclists prefer to ride with cycling tights. Cycling tights provide not only insulation and warmth but also compression and support. When looking for the best cycling tights, look for fabrics that allow flexibility, such as spandex, and are effective at wicking away sweat, such as polyester or merino wool.
Common Pitfalls
Make sure the tights you buy are designed for cycling, as running tights don't feature the chamois padding that provides comfort during long rides. Also, look for tights that allow heat to escape, to prevent you from overheating during a workout.
Where To Buy
Sierra Trading Post and RealCyclist.com have good selections and allow you to sort your search according to price range, brand and user reviews, and they frequently offer discounted gear. Both offer satisfaction guarantees and easy return/exchange policies, which is important when shopping for gear that fits as specifically as a pair of tights.
Cost
Cycling tights can cost as little as $20 to $30, or up into the $200 to $300 range for a high-end pair of compression tights. Expect to spend about $150 for a good entry-level pair of tights that offers warmth, ventilation and compression. But if you shop around, you can probably find a pair on clearance for less than $100.
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