Women's Cycling Tights Information

Cycling isn’t just a summer sport! You can ride all year in a pair of women’s cycling tights. Women’s tights are specifically cut for a female shape. Compared to men’s tights, they are usually roomier in the bottom and have a waistband that is contoured to lie softly on the stomach without binding. A proper fit ensures that the fabric fits snugly, which enables it to wick moisture, trap heat, and keep you warm.

Women’s tights come in several weights. On cool days when you want to cover your legs, but do not need much added warmth, a pair of uninsulated cycling tights do the trick. Colder days call for thermal tights, which have a layer of fleecy insulation that traps heat next to your skin. Some women’s winter tights, including Bellwether and Hincapie tights, even feature windproof and water resistant panels for extra protection.

Padded tights have a chamois insert, just like in biking shorts and bib shorts. The chamois has a layer of dense padding that dampens road vibrations and protects your sit bones. A soft, seamless, moisture wicking fabric layer keeps sensitive skin dry and comfortable for hours in the saddle. Unpadded tights do not have a chamois, so they are meant to be worn over a pair of bike shorts. Because they can be worn for cycling, running, and other sports, and do not always have to be washed between wearing, they are more versatile than padded tights. Louis Garneau and Giordana tights are available without a chamois.

Women’s biking tights come in black and feature reflective accents on the back for visibility. The leg hems usually have a zippered closure so they can be slipped on and off over cycling shoes. Paired with a winter cycling jacket, winter tights see you through the greater part of the cycling season.