The Sorpasso RoS W Bibtights rank highly in Castelli’s winter tights range. Second only to the Polare 2 – itself an Arctic-level piece of kit – they are intended for long rides in less-than-appealing conditions, with a suggested temperature range of -2°C/28°F to 10°C /50°F.
I’m an old-school cyclist: I like to build a base in winter, to put in long outdoor rides, and shelve intensity until there are signs of spring, which makes a pair of the best bib tights essential kit for me. Reading the specs of the Sorpasso RoS W Bibtights made me think I’d found the perfect armour for my winter training rides in the UK.
Construction
Castelli has aimed to combine warmth, stretch and weather protection through careful panel selection. The front panels use the brand’s Nano Flex Xtra Dry fabric, intended to provide wind resistance and water repellency where they are most needed. The rear panels use Nano Flex 3G, a superior fabric when it comes to breathability and freedom of movement.
All panels are joined with flatlock seams to minimise irritation, and are joined in such a way that the tights could be mistaken for shorts and leg warmers.
Shorts and leg warmers, or tights?
(Image credit: Emma Silversides)
The lower leg is particularly well designed; ankle zips sit at the rear of the tight, while reflective detailing sits high enough up the leg that it is not hidden by a pair of the best cycling overshoes.
(Image credit: Emma Silversides)
For the upper body, an open-weave mesh panel at the rear holds the bib straps firmly in place. The entire upper feels and looks very robust; the joining seams are well-stitched and as wide as the design will permit to help spread the load.
(Image credit: Emma Silversides)
(Image credit: Emma Silversides)
The tights are finished with Castelli’s Progetto X2 Air seat pad, a long-distance favourite designed to provide support without bulk.
(Image credit: Emma Silversides)
I’ve been testing a size medium – my go-to size for most cycle gear – and it’s a great fit. I’d say stay true to size with this piece of kit. The tights are available in sizes XS-XL.
The ride
Pull on the Sorpasso tights and you immediately feel ready for a winter training ride. The fleecy lining feels warm and comfortable against the skin. None of the fabrics are restrictive, they move naturally when riding and never pinch or squeeze. For me, the tights offered medium compression. Although the interior of the front and thigh panel, made from Nano Flex Xtra Dry fabric, appears less fleecy than the rest of the tights, the difference is imperceptible against the skin.
(Image credit: Emma Silversides)
The tights are easy to get on, thanks to the thoughtfully placed ankle zips – why have we waited so long for a manufacturer to place zips at the rear? I didn’t sense the zips when riding, with or without overshoes, which isn’t always the case with laterally positioned zips that can irritate the ankle.
I wore the tights across the full range of temperatures suggested by Castelli. For me, they were optimal between -2°C/28°F and 6°C /50°F. The fabrics keep the leg muscles toasty warm, enabling them to work as hard as you ask them to.
The fabric repels road spray brilliantly. It also handles very light showers. After six weeks of several rides a week in persistent rain, I needed to treat the fabric with a reviver – the original PFAS-free DWR treatment is not designed to handle the volume of water I was exposing them to. With a reputable reviver, the fabric is restored to its original efficacy, once again perfect for misty conditions and wet roads.
Above 6°C /43°F I found the tights a touch too warm for anything remotely intense. I could still use them for very easy rides up to about 8°C /46°F. Everyone has their own internal thermostat, however, for me the tights were overkill in 8°C /46°F and above, where I overheated while riding steadily. Even if I dialled down upper layers I was unpleasantly warm. The small section of doubled-up fabric at the abdomen, plus the mesh panel at the rear do an excellent job of retaining body heat – exactly what you want in freezing temperatures, but less welcome when the mercury is nearing double figures. In these milder conditions, my torso would begin to overheat if I increased the intensity.
The fabric is doubled-up at the top edge
(Image credit: Emma Silversides)
Arguably, there’s no better way to test an endurance pad than with a 230km Audax. This dry outing was off the back of weeks of rainy rides. The chamois had already impressed. Cheaper pads and poorly finished seams (around the chamois edge) can have painful consequences in wet conditions; soaked skin is far more vulnerable to abrasions from rough fabrics and stitching. During six weeks of consistently wet rides, I never once felt discomfort with the Progetto X2 Air seat pad. Over the eight-plus hours of the Audax, I didn’t feel too hot, or uncomfortable at any point. It’s a very supportive chamois that, despite its thickness, flexes naturally and doesn’t feel bulky underneath you.
The Sorpasso’s only real drawback, if it matters to you, is the lack of an easy-pee design. In my experience, many of these systems can compromise durability and, if not carefully executed, can end up being more of a faff than a solution. With the Sorpasso’s bib construction, it feels like Castelli have prioritised long-term durability instead. As a result, there are no shortcuts when nature calls while wearing these, so they’re tights to avoid if quick roadside stops are high on your priority list.
Value and conclusion
At £220 (currently not available in the US), these are among the more expensive bibtights I have tested. Prices are undeniably creeping up – seeing tights with RRP’s inexcess of £200 is becoming a regular thing. Rapha’s Pro Team Winter Tights, for example, have an RRP of £275.
At full price, I’d argue the Sorpasso only represent good value if you regularly ride in cold to very cold conditions. Comparable-performing tights, such as Sportful’s Fiandre Women’s Bib Tights at around £150, could reasonably be considered better value for many riders.
That said, as someone who doesn’t shy away from riding outdoors when the temperatures drop, I place real value on the levels of protection the Sorpasso offer. The thoughtful design – particularly around the lower leg and bib area – also stands out. Even if the upper isn’t pee-stop friendly, it is durable. Add the exceptionally comfortable pad to the mix and, personally, I can justify the outlay. At the current discounted price of £132, they’d certainly be a purchase I’d snap up.
