Value: £270 / $300 / €290
Weight: 351 grams – Small
Colors: Uranium Black
Sizes: XS-XXL
The times could also be slowly getting longer within the northern hemisphere, however winter remains to be effectively and actually right here. As such, my winter bib tight (and equipment) testing continues apace.
This week, the POC Thermal Cargo bibtights are below the microscope. POC is a Swedish model that designs biking gear but in addition Snowsport tools and attire.
The POC Thermal Cargo bibtights are certainly one of a pair of choices within the model’s vary, the opposite being the decrease priced Important Street Thermal tights, which I have not had the prospect to check out but.
The bibtights in query are a pair of heat, winter bibtights which are accessible in each males’s and girls’s variations. A key calling card, as evidenced within the mannequin title is the Cargo pocket on every thigh which gives further cupboard space. General, they’re presently the very best winter cargo tights I’ve examined, however not essentially the very best bib tights general.
The POC Thermal Cargo bibtights are priced at £270 / $300 / €290, so on the premium finish of the market worth clever, and fortunately given the value they characteristic the technical particulars you wish to see in bibtight; wind/waterproof membrane, DWR coating, cosy fleecy backing and a strong reflective panel.
You can too take a look at our greatest winter bibtights information, which options a variety of the very best bibtight. There ought to be one thing within the for you, it doesn’t matter what type of using you do.
Design and Aesthetics
These POC Thermal Crgo Tights are available in one color possibility, ‘Uranium black’, which is all the time good for a winter bibtight because it hides all method of street spray and muck. Branding is minimal and the tights characteristic a single reflective ‘POC’ wordmark on the left leg.
Manufactured in Albania, the bibtights, like most biking equipment, use a mix of polyester, elastane and polyamide. The inside is absolutely lined with mushy fleece, notably nice when pulling the bibtights on; you are feeling able to face the chilly from the off. The fleece ends on the meshy bibs straps and high again panel. The rear of the left hand calf can also be coated in an enormous piece of reflective material. It is very vibrant when mild hits it from behind and a much more than the standard passing to not reflectivity that some clothes have.
There is a vibrant inexperienced ‘Important VPDS’ chamois pad which hasn’t given me any grief, although I take to each other with the vast majority of chamois pads. Except one thing is majorly off, I are inclined to really feel snug. Chamois thickness will be noticeable at instances in case you’re pulling on new equipment. While the Important pad is plush and mushy, it did not trigger situation in any method.
These are, if you have not labored it out but, cargo bibtights, and there’s a cargo pocket on every leg. The pockets are produced from stitched on mesh panels and supply a comfortable match for gels, multi instruments, telephone and so on. if you need some further cupboard space.
Match-wise, I have not had any issues with the tights and I’ve examined 20+ pairs of bibtights of late. They’re true to dimension; I am all the time a dimension small in tights (up so far) and the POC small has fitted me effectively. There’s loads of size within the leg with out it going too far. There has additionally been zero bunching or tightness behind the knee, a key level for me and by no means very good when pedalling.
The general lower is ever so barely extra relaxed, extra so than one thing just like the Rapha Professional Workforce bibtights. They don’t seem to be dishevelled by any stretch of the creativeness however there’s just a bit further room, and a few wrinkles from the match on the entrance of the legs.
Efficiency
Efficiency has been superb from the bibtights all through testing. First off, thermal effectivity. These tights have stored me heat and cozy right down to freezing. Heat – or a scarcity of it – is not a problem. A 3-hour experience at low depth in these situations did not section them in any respect, and so they appear to stop biting winds from chilling you on longer descents. The fleece inside definitely retains issues heat, if something I might warn towards utilizing them above round 10C / 50F as it’s possible you’ll begin to really feel uncomfortably comfortable, we’re all totally different nevertheless.
No bibtights are completely waterproof for my part. I am presently testing sneakers like the brand new Sidi Nix winter boot in addition to bibtights and not using a entrance mudguard fitted and have been pummeled with loads of spray and water on all my current rides. In case your out in a heavy downpour for an prolonged interval of using, their defences will in all probability be breached, however they’ll take care of a good little bit of spray and water.
Two issues I might personally change are the skinny bib straps and ‘pillowcase openings’ on the high of the cargo pockets. The bib straps, while completely purposeful, are on the skinny aspect. I discover a wider and at instances thicker bib strap extra snug, akin to those discovered on the Attaquer Race bibtights.
Second up are the cargo pocket openings. They double over on the the highest and are unstitched, like a pillowcase opening. POC claims this helps retains belongings secure however I discover they’re comfortable sufficient that once you do attain into one for one thing, pulling your hand out once more ends in the fabric folding over itself, bunching and looking out undity. It is the type of factor that niggles at me as a result of it appears to be like just a little messy.
If it helps you make a shopping for determination, I might say there are tights on the market with a extra fashionable match, lower, and look that supply related heat and safety. Two prime examples are the MAAP Apex winter bibtights and Rapha Professional Workforce, however they do not have pockets. Premium winter bibtights with cargo pockets are just a little extra scarce, but when that is what you need you’ll be effectively happy. These will make a superb pair of winter tights that ought to deal with no matter you wish to do in them.
Worth
A barely difficult prospect, as I am undecided the POC Thermal Cargo tights provide superb worth for the cash. They’re costly at £270 / $300 / €290. That is on a par with among the most costly bibtights round.
They’re just a little greater than the aforementioned Rapha Professional Workforce Winter tights, which I desire for his or her heat, fashion and match. They match the tights for consolation and heat, however look actually good while doing it and have higher bib straps.
The tights additionally do not match as much as the Nalini Ergo X Heat bibtights which provide implausible safety with a brilliantly snug match. I do not really feel one million {dollars} in them and for the cash I simply desire a bit… extra.
Verdict
The POC Thermal Cargo Tights are set of cargo bibtights. They’re heat, snug, and sturdy. If you happen to need heat winter bibtights with twin cargo pockets these are an excellent possibility that will not allow you to down. However I really feel you may have the identical heat and luxury for much less cash elsewhere in case you forego the necessity for pockets.
| Design and Aesthetics | A effectively thought out design and exectuion that hasn’t actually acquired any weak spots, simply a few areas that could possibly be tweaked | 8/10 |
| Consolation | Comfy all through my complete testing interval, mushy and heat with no tight spots or bunching behind the knee | 8/10 |
| Match | Good, barely extra relaxed which causes a number of wrinkles in locations however true to dimension | 8/10 |
| Heat | Superb, i’ve worn them on lengthy chilly rides at near freezing with out situation | 9/10 |
| Worth | Not fairly so sturdy for me, rather a lot for cash for tights that would excite just a little extra | 7/10 |
| General | Row 5 – Cell 1 | 40/50 |