The Elite is made from a combination of Pearl Izumi’s Elite Barrier and Elite Thermal fabrics, with the Barrier being deployed in panels through the front and back of the thighs and knees.
Just keeping the wind and rain off your thighs makes a huge difference in preventing heat from escaping on the worst days, and these were superb, with the water resistance proving very effective in a sudden downpour and then staying warm and gradually drying as we rode on.
There’s a lot of freedom of movement and no constricted sensation at all thanks to the careful shaping on the legs – if anything we found the fit a little over-generous in places with some baggy spots, so if you struggle with the slender proportions of some windproof tights then try these.
We like the zip garage detail on the ankle zips and the pad, which feels longer than many, moulds to your shape well and stays put when you don’t. One small thing – loo breaks are quite a challenge.
