If you live in Minnesota like I do, you had better learn how to ride in the cold or you're going to have a 2 month season. I ride year round in temps as cold as -10F (where I call it quits) and rides in the 20's and 30's are pretty normal in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. Because of this, I have an ridiculous investment in cold weather gear. I've spent a ton of money on winter tights (with chamois) and none of them have been adequate. They either have sufficient insulation but they aren't windproof or they are windproof but have no insulation. With everything breathability has been a problem.
Enter the PI Amfib bib tights. First off, no chamois, so wear them over your standard bibs or shorts. That saves you a ton of money because you can use these tights multiple times between washes and you don't have to have multiple pair of cold weather tights. Secondly, if you do happen to overdress, you can take them off and continue riding. Finally, they breathe well, they have good insulation and they are windproof. So these are kind of the bees knees of winter big tights in my opinion.
I've worn these down to 20F with just bib shorts underneath. I can go considerably colder if I add knee warmers. These are my cold weather goto tights for road biking.
I cycle daily, weather permitting. Colorado winters can be super cold and are often a bit breezy. The Amfib fabric provides adequate protection against gusts down into the low 20's. Below that, I watch the weather from indoors. I am 5'11, 34 waist, 185 lbs. I got size L, my usual for PI tights and shorts. This model is somewhat more snug, a tad restrictive, but certainly usable. I kept the size L and got XL. Better mobility with a bit more length in the leg. I like and use both pairs. My older version of PI Amfib tights had a front access slit for nature breaks. Miss that feature. Other than that, a great product from Pearl Izumi and great service from this vendor.
I have have owned the predecessor of these tights since 2008. Back then they were simply called Pearl Izumi's AmFib Bib Tights and they have been my favorites for cold weather cycling or XC skiing. Apparently one now needs to be a little careful on correct size selection in Pearl Izumi (PI). Until I purchased the new Elite Escape AmFib Tights (2020) I always selected PI clothing in size medium. I am 5' 9, 155 pounds, 31 inseam and have a measured 35 waist, but usually take 34 in most men's clothing due to 'vanity sizing'. I would say that I have an athletic, but not overly muscular build. I initially ordered these in medium, but I found them to be too snug just about everywhere. I will add that that the newest Amfib wind-block material is a little heavier, stiffer, and less stretchy than what's in my original Amfib Bib Tights, so I exchanged for a size Large and they fit me much better. They are definitely much more comfortable on me than the mediums. Like my original pair of AmFib bibs I really like that the ELITE Escape DOES NOT have an integrated chamois pad. I certainly do not want or need one for XC skiing. When the tights are used for cold weather cycling I simply wear a pair of bike shorts underneath them. That also reduces required washings of the bibs.
First the good I've had these bibs for about two months riding in the Mid-Atlantic where current temps often hit 35-40 degrees during my rides. I rode once in the rain wearing them. They are indeed warm and water proof. I'm 5'10 and 195 lbs so the large fits snugly but ok.
Now the less than thrilling attributes I have a pair of Amfib tights purchased about three years ago. The new pair, bibs this time, seem to be made of a thinner material. True, the new pair may be more flexible, but they are less windproof. Also, the old pair had stirrups on the bottom of the legs to keep them in place. Worked really well. The new pair has a thinner elastic material on about the final 8 of leg and no stirrups. This probably works better if you wear boots, but I don't. Amazingly, there are no zippers on the legs. Wonder what happened? Do I have a rogue pair, or is that a misprint?
These continue to be the standard to judge al others.
