Bellwether Coldfront Tights
Review: Bellwether Coldfront Tights
By Scott Mares | Published Feb 7, 2010
We Liked
The Bellwether Coldfront Tight is an extreme weather tight for the die-hard cyclist. The front of the tight has Bellwether's Coldfront fabric, which is a softshell Wind-Tech fabric that has a anatomical cut to it. Swiss fabric technology! You have to love that! Anything that makes the rider more visible is a good thing in our book. Reflective 3M Scotchlite on the ankle zippers, thighs and lower back is much appreciated. Silicone grippers on the ankles keep the tights from moving while riding.
We Didn't Like
While the front is wind and water-resistant, the back has fleece and does not use the same material. Most cyclists that need the Coldfront Tight will possibly be in the rain or slushy snow, making directional splash a reality. Constructing the rear "splash" panels with the same material as the front would be desirable. The inseam of the Coldfront Tight needs to be addressed. When evaluating the large size of this garment, we felt it was too short for us (28" inseam). When compared to the large version of the Bellwether Windfront Tight (32" inseam), there was a 4-inch discrepancy. Granted, the evaluator is 6' 3", but the average male may find the large Coldfront Tight too short. Even though the Coldfront garment tag and packaging are labeled as large, we guesed that there may have been a mix up and we received a medium instead. We contacted Bellwether and voiced our concerns. They immediately sent us XL Coldfront Tight, which we promptly tested for fit. Our findings were consistent in that the XL Coldfront Tights were also too long from crotch point to waistband, but short in the inseam. This is case in point for always trying on a garment before racing or training in it. During the evaluation ride with the Coldfront Tights, they performed well until the we attempted to remount and caught the tights on our saddle. After we pulled them up enough to prevent this from happening again, they were too short in the legs and exposed our ankles and shins.
The Final Say
Bellwether got the fabric and most of the panel cuts right on. However, they made the inseam too short. I take a 33" inseam on a pair of jeans but I had trouble with the large and XL Coldfront Tight. If you have a shorter leg length you might be in luck; if not we would recommend looking elsewhere. Since we have brought these issues to Bellwether's attention, they have been hard at work giving this issue their full attention. Had the Coldfront Tight been cut with the correct inseam and rear panel materials, we would give this pair of tights 5 cowbells. But sadly it falls short.
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Vitals
- Manufacturer
- Bellwether
- Model
- Coldfront Tights
- MSRP
- $140.00
- Website
- Coldfront Tights
- Materials
- Bellwether's Coldfront fabric is a stretchable softshell intended for the harshest weather you can ride in. The tights are constructed with 3 layers of fabric that include Wind-Tech and Thermaldress materials. This method creates a barrier from the elements while providing excellent moisture transfer and breathability. With this combination of materials, the body temperature is consistently regulated during hard exercise output.
- Sizes
- S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Fit
- Athletic
- Colors
- Black
- Design
- The Coldfront Tight is ergonomically constructed with multiple fabrics for extreme element protection. Located on the front panels of the tights, this multi-fabric is a stretchable wind and water resistant barrier. To provide additional warmth in the cold, the interior and back panels of the tight are also fleeced. The garment is assembled with flat seam construction which greatly reduces chafing. Multiple reflective accents are located on the ankle, thigh, and lower back for improved visibility and safety in low light conditions. Silicone ankle grippers and locking ankle zippers keep the tights in place and sealed while riding.
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