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11-30-06, 10:15 PM
This is my first experience with Adidas tights/shorts. I've known that Adidas made a full range of cycling wear but it hasn't been as widely available as many other brands. After Performance stopped making their Tri-flex tights in a bib version I have been looking for alternatives for a heavy weight winter bib-tight. These arrived at my office today and I was able to try them out on the commute home.
Conditions: -5F/-20C, no wind, no precipitation
Performance: I wore these over a pair of Patagonia capilene long underwear. My commute only takes 25 to 30 minutes but it was adequate time to compare them to the Performance Tri-Flex tights I wore on the way in this morning. I prefer winter weight tights with a chamois-in since I always wear a base layer underneath but I have a few pairs of shorts with chamois and I will probably wear them over the top of these. I ordered these in size large, they fit great on my 34+ inseam legs and are roomy enough for even expedition weight underwear if needed but the length from waist to shoulder-strap is marginal for someone over 6'1" (I'm hoping they will stretch a bit with wear). If I was going to buy another pair I might consider the XL size but I bet they would be baggy. I found these tights impressively windproof and warm although they felt lighter than the Triflex material (and PI amphib material as well). I never felt cold at any point in my ride. I'll try them on a longer ride this weekend but I am confident they would work for me down into the -15F range which is about my limit.
Construction: These tights are constructed with multiple panels using a flat-lock stitch in a contrasting red thread, the front panels are of a wind-proof fabric (possibly a double layer) and the rear panels are of a less wind-proof material, both sides have a cozy fleecy inside finish. The three Adidas stripes on each hip are reflective and wrap around the leg for visibility. The shoulder straps are nice and wide and there is a short zipper in the front (which seems a little pointless to me), zippers at the ankles and rubber-finished ankle gripper cuffs. Time will tell in terms of durability but I think the finish is superior to the Performance tights and maybe even the PI stuff.
All-in-all I think these might be a good option for anyone looking for winter weight tights. These were on sale and I got them for less than $80 which compares favorably with the alternatives.
Conditions: -5F/-20C, no wind, no precipitation
Performance: I wore these over a pair of Patagonia capilene long underwear. My commute only takes 25 to 30 minutes but it was adequate time to compare them to the Performance Tri-Flex tights I wore on the way in this morning. I prefer winter weight tights with a chamois-in since I always wear a base layer underneath but I have a few pairs of shorts with chamois and I will probably wear them over the top of these. I ordered these in size large, they fit great on my 34+ inseam legs and are roomy enough for even expedition weight underwear if needed but the length from waist to shoulder-strap is marginal for someone over 6'1" (I'm hoping they will stretch a bit with wear). If I was going to buy another pair I might consider the XL size but I bet they would be baggy. I found these tights impressively windproof and warm although they felt lighter than the Triflex material (and PI amphib material as well). I never felt cold at any point in my ride. I'll try them on a longer ride this weekend but I am confident they would work for me down into the -15F range which is about my limit.
Construction: These tights are constructed with multiple panels using a flat-lock stitch in a contrasting red thread, the front panels are of a wind-proof fabric (possibly a double layer) and the rear panels are of a less wind-proof material, both sides have a cozy fleecy inside finish. The three Adidas stripes on each hip are reflective and wrap around the leg for visibility. The shoulder straps are nice and wide and there is a short zipper in the front (which seems a little pointless to me), zippers at the ankles and rubber-finished ankle gripper cuffs. Time will tell in terms of durability but I think the finish is superior to the Performance tights and maybe even the PI stuff.
All-in-all I think these might be a good option for anyone looking for winter weight tights. These were on sale and I got them for less than $80 which compares favorably with the alternatives.