Assos Mille GTO Winter C2

£395

You could buy a decent winter wheelset for the same price as Assos’s Mille

GTO bibs. But with high cost comes premium quality that delivers on every level.

The level of warmth provided by the tights is exceptional. They also repel water well without being totally waterproof, and Assos has set aside a large proportion of the lower legs to a sealskin-like fabric that is also reflective. This ‘geoprene’ layer fits snuggly around the lower leg, preventing any water from sneaking inside.

The tights are constructed mainly out of the brand’s OSMOS Heavy material that provides a high degree of insulation. On top of this is the company’s Sphere Ultra Hole – a series of micro holes in the stretchy membrane-backed softshell designed to wick away excess heat.

Other notable features include a rougher fabric on both upper thighs that reduces abrasion, and removable, flexible hip pads that aid breathability. The sky-blue chamois is a six-layer product that initially felt too thick. However, we’ve never encountered a pad that provided so much bumpabsorbing comfort and warmth on the bike.

Even on one particularly bitter mountain descent, these tights kept the chill out. They are best reserved for the coldest rides, though, and felt too hot on a balmy 11°C day.

While stretchy and breathable, we wouldn’t say the GTO C2 tights offer the freedom of movement of the Lussos. They felt quite tight around the knee area and there were times when we had to do some readjusting. That said, these were infrequent occurrences.

The Assos Mille GTO Winter Bib Tights C2 are a ‘money-no-object’ product designed to be top of anybody’s range. If you can afford them, buy them. www.assos.com