Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

£10 Planet X tights over Castelli bibshorts did me last winter. Might go for Nanoflex bibs this year.

I've never worn padless winter tights over bibs. I'm now wondering if it's worth going down this route instead.

Have a look at Sportful Norain maybe. That stuff is the same but with more subtle branding and usually a few quid cheaper.

I've got Rapha PT winter tights, Assos LL.haBu (possibly their predecessor) and Assos LL.Bonka tights. They're all Jolly Nice (leaving aside the stupid names for the Assos tights) but the PTs are my favourites. The Bonkas are very warm, but not very windproof which isn't so great out in the fens. The LL.haBu are very, very comfortable, but not actually that warm. The Rapha PT winter tights are warm, comfortable and pretty tough. I took a spill wearing them which wore a sizeable hole in my club training jacket, and there wasn't a mark on the Raphas.

I also sometimes use the bib shorts/unpadded tights option, but generally I prefer padded tights. Less faff.

If you happen to be xs or m Rapha have deep winter tights for £75 on the ebay shop. I've just taken a punt on a pair in the hope that they'll be stretchy enough for my long legs.

Interesting.

I think I might just be an xs in Rapha tights.

@umop3pisdn I have the no rain bib tights. They're decent, I like the chamois, and they have really minimal branding as you say. In terms of water repellency, it works well on areas that aren't moving about and stretching the fabric like shins... Holds rain off the rest for a while (10 mins) but then gives in. Having said that, they don't seem to get saturated, just damp.

Gah, I'm going to need some new bibs though anyway aren't I. For the pad.

if the deep winter tights are anything like the classics then they are total nut crushers

Punt taken. Paddless winter tights.

still summer here...
Pro Team Base Layer - Short Sleeve
vs
Merino Mesh Base Layer - Short Sleeve

any opinion?

Pro Team every time. I've got some merino mesh base layers, but I rarely use them. The PTs are better.

Well done. Now when will the 3/4 bibs be back in stock?

For summer deffo +1 on the Pro Team for me

the womens leggings are well weird. just FYI y'all.

I can see it now: Buys deep winter tights. UK ends up having the mildest winter on record in 2015.

Weather is Sh*t here in Ireland. Wore my rapha PT winter tights / Phinney LS Jersey &PT softshell yesterday evening...... & wasnt too warm either :(

Does anyone know what the Women's Lightweight Bomber Jacket is like? Ideally in comparison to the Rapha Wind Jacket.

I've got a pair of Assos winter bibs if anyone's interested. They're amazing, but a bit too short in the body for me. Would fit someone about 5'11" and below. They are yellow though, which I think it kind of awesome because you can pretend to be a superhero but many might find odd.

I thought I was going to struggle to find it still on offer in my size/color but managed to find it for less than £120 delivered.

From where? Looking for a black, long sleeve in large, but struggling to find any real savings.

thanks to both of you

the women's rain bomber seems popular on here but I'm not sure if that's the same as the lightweight bomber... (new name or different garment?)

Cheers. I'll have a read around.

My wind jacket seems to be drifting towards a permanent loan, so I was looking for a girls alternative.

Obviously I'm also looking at the girls wind jacket. I think Signma have it for a similar price as the bomber in the Rapha sale so I was looking for a comparison.

I think the bomber is a bit warmer and more versitle than the wind jacket, but was wondering if anyone had any experience.

fairly sure @Scoot has the rain bomber and may also know if it's the same as the lightweight or not...

the Vulpine disc jacket is on sale at the moment, and I like it but it's really thin, maybe half the weight of rapha wind stuff (so not at all wind "proof"). I have yet to try it in the rain.

Just arrived home to mine, so you should be fine. It's pretty fucking green...