Castelli Polare 2 Bib Tight - Men's
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Castelli Polare 2 Bib Tight - Men's $199.95
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REVIEWS
ElmisWell this is not what i would like to..
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
...say about the bibs its for warranty department to see the pictures they cant get them by the email and i wish i can add more than one. Does any one else had same problem?
macweelzFit is almost there
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
- Fit: Runs small
I have worn the Castelli Sorpassos for years and generally like them except for the coldest and windiest days. When I read about the Polares I was anxious to see if they would address the issues I had.
The Polare's front panels are considerably thicker and include a brushed lining. They're much warmer on very cold and windy days than any of Castelli's other offerings. And while not billed as being waterproof, they do a reasonable job if you get caught out in the sleet or snow. The added thickness reduces the stretch a little bit and seems to make bunching behind the knees a bit more of an issue. Shoulder straps are a comfortable stretchy mesh and stay in place without twisting up as they can on some of Castelli’s cheaper offerings. I don’t know how much they contribute to keeping the tights up since the compression in the legs seems to take care of that. And of course, the main part of any short or tight—the chamois—is well placed and comfortable even if it isn’t Castelli’s top-of-the-line chamois. Fit is typical for Italian brands. Size up to give yourself a bit more room.
My only complaint—and it’s a small one—are the ankles. These tights use a raw edge gripper with a zipper at the ankle for ease of entry. The closed diameter of the ankle is really tight compared to other products I’ve owned (other Castelli, Sportful, Pearl Izumi, Giordana, Garneau), and that’s even if I wear wool ankle socks so that there is no additional layer adding to the diameter of my ankle. It’s a bit annoying at first, because I can feel the zipper head pressing into my leg unless I situate it just right. I don’t believe it’s tight enough to reduce blood flow to my feet and make them cold and I eventually get over it after a few minutes on the bike. But still….
Personally, I still prefer the fit of the Sorpassos and if the WS versions had protection over the groin as well as the legs (take a hint Castelli; people have been requesting that for years) I would have bought those instead, especially since it has a better chamois. But these certainly fit the bill for a decent pair of tights good for temps down into the 25 deg - 45 deg F in a light snow or drizzle depending on your tolerance for cold.
Zane DordaiGearheadHeight:5'11"Weight:135lbsRuns Skinny
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
- Fit: Runs small
- Size Bought: Small
I normally stick with Giordana, as their products tend to fit me the best, but these were a thicker material than the FormaRed Carbon Tights which gave them the edge in my mind. The Small fits my 5'11 135lb frame perfectly. These tend to widen as the sizes go up and not lengthen. If you're a taller leaner guy (e.g. any taller than me), I recommend mostly sticking with Giordana...otherwise these are a great choice for colder temps (below 45 degrees, down to about 20).