Castelli vs POC bib tights

[Salted_Peanut]

Talk to me about Castelli and POC’s sizing and fit. What are their bib tights like?

[tvrfan007]

I have a ton of castelli. I am Mr medium clothing and with castelli medium is my expected size and generally fits fine, with the exception of the higher end rosso corsa where I have to go up one size for the same fit.

If in doubt order both and return one.

[Salted_Peanut]

Thanks!

[Castrol for a knave]

Good timing.

I am just ordering some new Poc shorts to replace the ones I left, with half my arse, on the track after a crash racing yesterday.

Medium Poc. My Castelli are Medium. I would say Poc is true medium, Castelli come up a touch snugger.

As said, the Corsa stuff needs to be a size up.

[Salted_Peanut]

Brilliant, thanks @Castrol

[Salted_Peanut]

Does anyone have insight into how Endura bib sizing compares? I guess Castelli (and POC?) are considered more premium. I have nothing but positives to say about my Endura jacket, but I have no clue how Endura bibs fit or what their pad is like.

[Harpoon]

I've got four pairs of Endura Pro SL bib shorts - medium size, medium pad width, long leg length. Comfiest shorts I've ever had, hence having four pairs of them as I've picked them up when on offer.

As a reference I'm a 32" waist and 6'1 - would normally buy casual T-shirts etc in medium as well.

[Salted_Peanut]

Thanks @Harpoon — very helpful!

[Salted_Peanut]

Any thoughts on how Santani sizing compares?

I’ve tried some for size and found Endura bibs are just off the mark for my derrière. POC is winning for fit, but I’m curious about Santani (some decent sale prices) and, if I can find any on sale, Q36.5.

[YorkshireStu]

Salted_Peanut said:

Any thoughts on how Santani sizing compares?

I’ve tried some for size and found Endura bibs are just off the mark for my derrière. POC is winning for fit, but I’m curious about Santani (some decent sale prices) and, if I can find any on sale, Q36.5.

I have a lot of each of Santini, Castelli, Rapha, Le Col and Cycology.

I am medium jersey and small bibs in all.

The only ones that are a slim fit are Castelli at Rosso Corsa level. No hiding a belly in those!

[addey]

Salted_Peanut said:

Any thoughts on how Santani sizing compares?

I’ve tried some for size and found Endura bibs are just off the mark for my derrière. POC is winning for fit, but I’m curious about Santani (some decent sale prices) and, if I can find any on sale, Q36.5.

BikeInn normally good for discounted Q36.5 stuff. I have a couple of pairs of their bib-shorts, they are easily the best shorts I've had (against rapha, castelli, le col, gore, 7mesh and others!). Sizing consistent with other brands. Only santini kit I have is a jersey, again sizing is consistent with what I'd wear in other brands

On the subject of bib tights, my recommendation is always to try and find padless tights, then you can wear your favourite shorts underneath. You also then have the benefit of being able to wear them a few times before washing, quite useful in winter if you are riding regularly

[YorkshireStu]

addey said:

BikeInn normally good for discounted Q36.5 stuff. I have a couple of pairs of their bib-shorts, they are easily the best shorts I've had (against rapha, castelli, le col, gore, 7mesh and others!). Sizing consistent with other brands. Only santini kit I have is a jersey, again sizing is consistent with what I'd wear in other brands

On the subject of bib tights, my recommendation is always to try and find padless tights, then you can wear your favourite shorts underneath. You also then have the benefit of being able to wear them a few times before washing, quite useful in winter if you are riding regularly

.
I tried that with padless tights and it just felt weird to me, moving separately from the shorts, sliding a bit etc but is an option for sure. I still have a couple of pairs but I preferred to just use my bib shorts and leg-warmers.

But then I tried bib tights and they are even warmer. In really cold conditions, deep Winter, I'll have leg-warmers under the bib tights as a base layer, same as I wear a Winter base layer under my jacket or jersey.

Castelli's best pad is the Progetto X2 and it is very good. I have 2x tights with that pad.

My preferred Santini bib tights are Vega and they are decent too - I have 3x of those. Rapha have light and deep Winter options so one of each. Nice but not as good as the Rosso Corsa Castelli's or Santini Vega's. Those are my main Winter options, I have 3 other Santini tights too but rarely use them now since the above are more comfortable.

I hate being cold.

[Salted_Peanut]

Am I alone in concluding that buying bib tights is like buying a lottery ticket? Luck determines if they’re worth it – because pads vary hugely within the same manufacturer’s range.

[Sebo]

I'd say once you find some bib tights that you like, just go buy multiple pairs of the same.

I used to have some Endura bib tights and they were like a second skin, fitted so well. No idea what size or style they were so despite buying a few other pairs, from Endura I have never managed to recreate. Just bought some HUUB ones in the usual Black Friday sale so will try them out.

Bib shorts - my Castelli's are heaven

[dave123456]

I have some endura thermal bib tights, they are terrible. Bizarrely have a zip on the front which unzips itself and zips at the bottom of each leg that do the same…

I’m a 31” waist and endura small fit me fine but castelli I have to go to a medium. I prefer the endura pro sl bib shorts to anything else, have a couple of pairs of castelli and they are not as comfortable on a longer ride for me.

[Tall_martin]

I'm large in most things and XXL in Castelli.

I have a pair of the sorpasso tights. Winter tights with gore infinitum in the front.

Awesome things. Good for down to -3 on the legs. Comfy pads. Did 130 miles ( not long for some, but longest ever ride for me) last spring. The temperature went from -2 to 10 degrees.

I was chilly and a bit too warm at the the extremes, but fine for most of the way.

[Salted_Peanut]

addey said:

BikeInn normally good for discounted Q36.5 stuff. I have a couple of pairs of their bib-shorts, they are easily the best shorts I've had (against rapha, castelli, le col, gore, 7mesh and others!). Sizing consistent with other brands.

I ended up with Q36.5 winter bib tights (thanks to a SevenHundred.co.uk sale) and was wowed. They are easily the best bib tights I’ve worn, too.