Cannondale LE tights: TESTED

Cannondale LE tights

Winter tights are a cold weather must have and especially if you're not going to let the weather dictate when you ride. The LE tights are designed for bike wear but as they don't have a chamois built in they can be used for walking and running and you get to fit your favourite padded shorts under them for bike use too!

The unique part to the LE tights is the Carbon Thermal HydroGrid Max fabric, it's waterproof, windproof and breathable with 4-way stretch, for comfort and range of motion in foul weather conditions. There are multiple panels to provide a good fit that moves with your legs and with XJersey Plus Stretch panels for breathable flexibility in high articulation regions such as the knees. We lost count trying to work out exactly how many panels there were - not something you usually say about women specific tights!

At the ankle there are 10” leg zippers to aid getting them on and off and rubber grippers to keep the ankle cuffs in place during workouts, there's also an internal stash pocket at hip for cash/card or key. On the rear calf and side of the knee there are large reflective panels, exactly where you need them for night time riding.

Comfort

The multiple panels help provide an anatomic fit, but as with most wind and waterproof fabrics the amount of stretch is compromised slightly which means that some of the panels don't flex as much as others. In general this isn't a problem with the LE tights and our only suggestion would be to lose the wind and waterproof fabric panels from the tummy area. A slightly stretchier panel here would be welcomed in our opinion. They're not cheap though, with a £90 price tag they're in the top end of the tight's market but you'll be guarenteed quality, longeivity and warm legs in the worst of conditions!