At a glance A quality, versatile pair of tights ideal for road or off road cycling on cold, but not freezing days
Tested by
Oliver Laverack, tester for The Bike List
Performance
How often do you start out on a ride to find that you've chosen the wrong clothes for the occasion? Either you're too hot now that you've warmed up and you're starting to regret that extra layer, or you're too cold and you wish you'd put another layer on. Getting it right can sometimes be luck as much as planning as on those grey days the weather can quickly turn, and in a matter of minutes you can find yourself at the mercy of the elements.
Canadian clothing brand Sugoi have gone some way to addressing this tricky issue with the layering system they apply to each of the garments they make. The idea being that each item of clothing has a specific purpose such as moisture acquisition, insulation or protection. This way you can layer different items according to the conditions helping you make the right choice before you set off or at least giving you a better chance of getting it right.
The RC Pro tights which are classed as an S2 or insulation item
by Sugoi are made using their MidZero fabric which consists of 88%
polyester and 12% Spandex and is a moisture wicking fabric that
also keeps you warm. The material stretches to cover the contours
of your lower half well without leaving the material too thin in
any one place. Having ridden in MidZero RC Pro
tights over hundreds of miles I've found them ideal for virtually
any style of riding from mountain bike adventure races to relaxed
road rides. Initially I used the tights through winter either on
their own or as a base layer underneath a pair of Rapha winter
tights on really cold days. I did get it wrong on a couple of super
chilly winter rides having just worn the MidZero RC Pro tights on
their own. On those sub zero days I ended up with cold legs as the
harsh winter air noticably pierced through the small holes in the
fabric. On cold but not freezing days the MidZero fabric offered an
excellent balance between warmth and breathability. The tights have
also been comfortable on warmer sunny days however you need to
complement the tights appropriately on your top half to make sure
you get the best performance and don't over heat.
In terms of technical features the MidZero RC Pro tights have plenty on offer. The surface of the material inside the tights has a soft fleecy finish which keeps you warm and comfortable. The well placed flat seams mean you won't notice the joins whilst riding and have shown no signs of wear so far. The elasticised waist and drawstring prevent the tights from riding up or down also helping prevent mid ride chamois movement. The bright red RC Pro chamois is a good shape and size and its multi-density foam padding offers good support in the all important pressure areas. Finishing touches include 7" ankle zips making the tights easier to put on and take off and also mean you can roll them up if the weather takes a turn for the better. On colder days the soft rubber ankle grippers will help keep them in place once zipped up. There's also a neat little key pocket sown inside the waist band which would also be suitable for a small MP3 player or cash.
Buy from www.wiggle.co.uk
Sugoi says:
The MidZero RC Pro Tight is an incredibly technical addition to SUGOI's bike collection. With flat seams, elastic waist, and ankle zips, the tights are loaded with features. The MidZero RC Pro Tight features the RC Pro Chamois.
- SUGOI flat seam
- 7" ankle zips
- Inside key pocket
- Prelaced stretch drawstring with elastic waist
- Signature leg grip
- Sizes - S, M, L, XL, XXL
For more details, see www.sugoi.com
