Sportful Total Comfort Bib Tights review

The Sportful Total Comfort Bib Tights headline with their excellent level of comfort.

They are among the best bib tights on the market if a flexible fabric, easy joint movement and a thick chamois are at the top of your wishlist.

However, protection from water and very cold temperatures is limited.

Sportful Total Comfort Bib Tights details and specifications

The Total Comfort tights are designed to achieve premium comfort through the use of a stretch fabric across the vast majority of the construction.

This is said to be made using a 'four-needle' stitching technique, which Sportful says improves the woven strength, yet minimises chafing.

The main exception is around the lower leg, which sees ‘NoRain’ water-resistant fabric (a fabric shared between Sportful and Castelli) employed.

Underneath, the tights use a brushed fleece inner lining for warmth.

The bib section is constructed using a perforated mesh fabric. This is said to be warm to the touch, and it certainly has a fleecy feel, but enables excess moisture and heat to escape.

The straps are also perforated for a similar cooling effect, while zips are used at the ankles to help get your feet in and out.

Sportful has used its Total Comfort chamois here, with high-pressure zones up to 18mm thick for a plush ride experience. It’s the thickest pad Sportful uses.

The cut is aggressive and my size-large test garment felt a little tighter than average.

Certainly, the chamois is firmly ‘pulled up’ against my undercarriage, and the small belly overhang I experienced suggests the Total Comfort Bib Tights may be best suited to slimmer riders.

Nevertheless, the fabric’s inherent stretchy properties offer some ‘get out of jail’ flexibility here if you happen to be carrying a little excess winter weight.

Sportful sensibly offers the Total Comfort tights in six sizes, topping out at an uncommon 3XL, which offers larger riders the ability to ‘size up’, should they wish.

Sportful Total Comfort Bib Tights performance

The Sportful Total Comfort Bib Tights are aggressive and tight in their cut and fit.

The stretchiness of the fabric eases matters, but if you know racy-fit garments aren’t for you, then it’s probably best to steer clear here.

Nevertheless, for the benefit of those who can ‘squeeze’ into them, they're extremely comfortable. The legs feel lightly compressive and well-proportioned.

The chamois is excellent and well suited to covering long winter miles at a decent pace. The 18mm thickness at the sit bones – combined with the high density – works well at cushioning road buzz and vibrations.

Those with very particular bike fit (saddle height) needs may need to pay attention to this, although I didn't have any problems with the couple of millimetres of extra depth.

The bib section feels slightly short, with more tension pressing down through the straps than I’d consider average for large-sized bib tights.

The straps don’t cut into your shoulders, though, instead feeling very fitted, with the chamois effectively pulled up into position when walking about.

In the foulest weather, there are better, more protective bib tights available.

I found these wetted through quicker than others I've tested in the rain, and the NoRain fabric around the shins offers only a small amount of additional protection – less than the Gore-Tex or Schoeller fabric alternatives.

The upside is outstanding breathability and articulation, and if the conditions are good, there are few tights I’d rather wear.

I needed to be working relatively hard to stave off sub-zero windchill, otherwise I felt the cold, but given the cut it’s reasonable to surmise that Sportful has pitched the Total Comfort Bib Tights towards those who prefer to ride at a certain intensity.

Naturally, they do an admirable job in milder temperatures too – I wore them on a ride with temperatures just over 10ºC and didn’t feel overly warm.

The price of £200 / $220 / €179.90 is a good chunk of money to spend, but may be worthwhile if you prefer to avoid the worst winter weather in favour of a session on the indoor trainer.

The dhb Aeron Lab Winter Bib Tights are compelling rivals, though, perhaps striking a more rounded balance of performance and protection.

Sportful Total Comfort Bib Tights bottom line

Although the Sportful Total Comfort Bib Tights may not be the best bet for the foulest winter weather, or those who require a more generous fit, there’s plenty to commend them for.

They're among the most comfortable and breathable tights I tested in 2023 and the cocooning, aggressive feel will certainly appeal to many.

Backed up by a very comfortable chamois, there’s a lot to like here.