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They’ll keep your legs and core warm when the temperature drops.

When it comes to winter cycling, let’s face it: Some parts of the country have it worse than others. Even so, at some point, no matter where you live, it will get colder. It will get windier. It will get wetter. And that’s okay, as long as you’re prepared. A good pair of cold-weather tights tops the list of gear you must have to make the experience less uncomfortable. After all, your legs do the brunt of the work, so you should keep them happy.

We tested a range of tights to determine the best. Read on for buying advice, followed by our in-depth reviews of the top 10 for cold rides.

First, think about where you spend your winters. Someone who lives in California, for example, might not need a fully insulated pair of tights, while folks who brave the frigid temps in the Northeast would be thankful for any protection against the cold and wind. Where you live will determine what you should prioritize.

Water-resistant coatings: Usually called DWR (durable water repellent), this treatment keeps light drizzle and road spray from soaking through your clothing. But it’s not fully waterproof. And it can wear out over time and must be reapplied.

Wind-proofing: One of the most intolerable of all winter annoyances is frigid wind. There’s almost no escaping it. If you’re the type who braves it all, look for tights with a wind-proof fabric such as Gore’s Windstopper. But if you don’t go out in more than a chilly breeze, you can get away with wind-resistant tights or those with wind-proof panels only in certain areas.

Insulation: There’s no better feeling than slipping into something cozy on a cold day. Look for tights with thermal or fleece linings (or both). Some are fully lined, while others are only partially lined. Case in point, the fleece on the Pearl Izumi Elite Escape AmFib is on the back of the legs only.

Chamois: There are two chamois configurations with winter tights: You can buy a pair with the chamois already built in or layer chamois-less tights, like the 7Mesh Hollyburn, with your favorite pair of chamois shorts. Layering increases your chances of chafing, but opting for a pair of tights without a chamois can save you some dough—the Pearl Izumi Elite Escape AmFib sans chamois costs $20 less than the padded version.

Bibs: A bib creates a canvas for more coverage, adding wind and water protection and room for pockets. It also eliminates any chances of exposed skin around your midsection. But it also adds a layer of difficulty when it’s time to suit up. And a bib tight without a drop-tail could be frustrating during midride pee breaks. Fortunately, most companies now offer bib tights and shorts with some sort of easy access for when nature calls.

Zippers, pockets, visibility: You can find pairs with some or all of these. Ankle zips can make getting the tights on and off easier, and reflective hits make you more visible to drivers. Pockets, of course, add storage.

We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience surviving the worst winter can throw at us in these tights to determine the best options. We’ve ridden through wind, rain, sleet, and polar vortexes to put them through the wringer. Most have been thoroughly tested by our team of editors. Those that haven’t have been carefully chosen based on their value, quality, ability to keep you warm and toasty, our experience wearing similar products, and how the overall package meets the needs of the intended buyer.

These affordable tights have a quality feel, with a plush chamois that was immediately comfortable on the saddle. The gripper at the bottom of each leg kept them in place, and the thermal fleece material provided exceptional warmth. However, that fleece is relatively thin and not at all wind-resistant, so you’ll be chilled until your legs warm up. Once we rode in them for 15 minutes, though, the breathable material retained warmth and wicked sweat nicely. We’d prefer something more substantial for sub-freezing rides, but in that awkward 30-45 degree temperature range, the Black Knickers are ideal.

Though not technically wind- and waterproof, the Pursuit Hybrid bib tights are still pretty great in sub-freezing temps and on soaking-wet roads. You’ll be happy to see water droplets on the material instead of soaking through it. The wind- and water-resistant AmFIB Softshell fabric on the thighs and knees offers outstanding protection without feeling restrictive, and a cozy fleece liner—with Pearl’s PI Dry water-shedding technology—wraps around the waist and covers the back of the legs. Elastic cuffs at the ankles are stretchy enough to pull over shoes without the added bulk of zippers, and the mesh bib upper is comfy and breathable.

Though available for both men and women, the female version of the C3 is packed with women-specific features. Starting at the top, the bib straps use a hook closure at the front to create a comfortable, x-shaped upper that stays put during rides. At the waist, a two-zipper design lets you drop tail for midride pee breaks without having to strip layers. The C3 uses Gore’s chamois tailored for women, as well as its Windstopper Cup technology: a preformed windproof front at the crotch. Articulated knees improve mobility, reflective details increase visibility, mesh on the back of the tights prevents overheating, and a fleece liner feels soft against the skin (and it’s doubled up at the knees). The men's version has the same fleece lining, and Windstopper and mesh panels, as well as more traditional bib straps and a men’s chamois

These may have Lite in the name, but we wore them on cold-ass days down into the 30s and were plenty warm. Pearl Izumi’s AmFIB softshell fabric extends from the waist to just below the knee on the front of the tights to block the wind. Thermal fleece kept us warm everywhere else. No need to fear rainy days: The brand’s PI DRY technology, similar to a DWR treatment, sheds light precipitation. And the extremely comfortable Elite Escape chamois  required no break-in period and kept us comfortable on long rides. Unlike some bib straps that are made from multiple pieces of fabric sewn together, these tights have Pearl Izumi's raw-​edge bib straps which are made from one continuous piece of fabric and have no seams. So on the rare occasion that these tights would be worn without a base layer, those straps prevent chafing from annoying stitching.

If you live and ride where winters aren’t downright brutal, unlined tights will suffice—these kept us warm on rides where the temperature stayed above freezing. Made from polyamide and elastane, the Luxe tights are soft and durable, with compressive support. Minimal seams reduce chafing, the chamois is comfortable and breathable, and a mesh front panel on the upper helps keep the wide suspenders in place. The tights come in sizes from XXS to 3XL, and have a no-zipper, no-clasp FlyFree design for hassle-free rest stops.

The Fiandre NoRain bib tights check all the boxes—thermal, windproof, and water-resistant. They also boast extra fabric on the knees and thighs for additional protection from the cold. Ankle zippers make it easier to wriggle into them, and reflective striping around those zippers add much-needed visibility. The mesh upper covers a lot of real estate on the torso and chest, but is light enough to minimize interference with other layers. Last but not least, the chamois means that while your upper body may be bundled up enough to feel like Randy from A Christmas Story, you’re free to wear only one layer on your legs.

Rapha’s Pro Team products are its snuggest-fitting and most technical. That’s especially evident in these bibs, which have less-stretchy wind- and water-resistant front panels. Unless you have the body of a stick figure, they take some work to get into—so much so that our tester noted he had to be careful not to rip seams as he pulled them over his legs. They’re intentionally compressive and he said they felt constrictive until the fabrics were broken in a little. Some riders will likely need to size up. Though they’re a bit stiffer than a standard thermal bib, the wind-resistant front panels kept biting gusts at bay. A water-resistant (not waterproof) coating warded off light precipitation and spray, which helped cold miles pass more comfortably. The fabric on the back isn’t wind- or water-resistant-a bonus while climbing. The chamois is appropriately padded for long rides (but isn’t overstuffed) and properly placed for a more aggressive riding position. Using our very subjective insulation rating scale, we deem these tights to be just pretty warm, not exceptionally so.

Two pockets on the outside of the upper legs and two on the lower back are enough to justify Rapha including the word “cargo” in the name here. The left-side, traffic-facing pockets are water-resistant, with zipper closures to keep stuff safe, while the right-side pockets are made from a stretchy mesh, and therefore roomier and easier to access mid-ride. The calves are reflective, as are the logos on the leg pockets and a stripe across the rear. The bib straps are lightweight mesh, and the chamois dries quickly to keep moisture from hanging out where it doesn’t belong.

Simpler in design than some of the higher-end tights on this list, the AmFib bibs are a good option for cool—but not the coldest—days. They’re also among the few here to not have a chamois. That means you’re free to wear your favorite, nicely broken-in shorts underneath. Wearing shorts also adds protection from the elements where it’s needed most, given the fleece-insulated tights aren’t as warm as those with windproof panels. The tights are treated with Pearl Izumi’s PI Dry technology, with makes them resistant to light rain and road spray but not waterproof. And reflective panels are nice touches on dark, winter rides and help you be more visible to motorists.

For anyone who has yet to find leg warmers that don’t slide down during long rides but who also wants the option of easily stripping down to just shorts when the temp goes up, the Hollyburn meets you halfway. With no chamois and no straps, these soft and stretchy tights are easy to pull over your favorite bib shorts and lightweight enough to stuff into a jersey pocket. Reflective details on the calves boost your visibility, and a DWR finish repels mist and light rain. These cozy tights kept our legs warm in temps as low as 30 degrees.