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Item # CST00DL
Item # CST00DLWarm miles.
A little bit of wind can be refreshing in summer but quickly turns devastating on frigid mid-winter rides. Fend off icy, biting wind gusts with the element-fighting power of Castelli's Polare 2 Men's Bib Tights. Made with Gore Windstopper X-Fast fabric across the front and wrapping around the sides, these tights block the chill whether the wind is coming from Mother Nature or as a result of all those watts you're dropping into the pedals. Across the back, Castelli uses its soft, fleecy Thermoflex Core2 fabric for a blend of breathability and warmth that will have you taking the long way home on even the coldest days.
The Polare 2 tights also feature Castelli's high quality, long-mile worthy KISS Air chamois, which provides comfortable support without adding extra bulk. The bibs stay lightweight and minimal so you can precisely layer for upper body comfort while reflective accents across the legs increase your visibility to other road users when the light gets low.
- Castelli's warmest winter cycling tights
- Windstopper panels keep the winter elements at bay
- Thermal fabric insulates and breathes
- Minimal bib straps let you pick your upper layers
- Reflective accents increase visibility to others
- Recommended for temperatures dipping into the low 20s
View more Men's Tights & Bib Tights
Reviews & Community
REVIEWS
Sarah W.Decent sub for no women’s Polare
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
- Fit: Runs small
Since Castelli doesn’t make the Polare in a women’s version, (get on board Castelli?!), I decided to see how the men’s fit. After wearing the Meno wind tight with great DeFeet wool leg warmers underneath and feeling pretty bulked up, the discovery of the Polare, albeit men’s, was worth a try. The product delivers on its temp and wind ratings, and other than being a little long and slightly too big, the Polare gets the job done in sub freezing conditions. The extra seams in the legs are a little bulky, but I think they keep these skin-tight bibs intact. The added material around the torso keeps lower back muscles warm, esp with a little Embro, and the larger-designed chamois on this men’s-only product provides greater warmth and protection than the women’s Meno, especially for glutes.
5’5”, 110 lb.
Clayton Otto GearheadHeight:6'2"Weight:153lbsCold Day Go To
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
- Fit: Runs small
- Size Bought: Small
These are my go to tights on those cold days. The are super warm for the temps around 20 degrees. I would rather be outside in the cold than riding the trainer, so I have been quite a fan of these. They have a comfortable chamois and good compression. You can't go wrong with these.
KEVIN H.Height:6'Weight:165lbsGreat bibs.
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
- Fit: Runs small
- Size Bought: XL
I have taken these bibs into the low 20s with wind chill and have not been cold for a minute. They fit small as does most things by Castelli. I am 6' and 165 lbs. and the XL fits great. Chamois is nice, don't even notice it which is all I care about. Legs are a generous length if you want to put over winter cycling boots. All and all, could not be happier with this purchase.
keith G.Finally cold enough to wear
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
These are extremely well made bibs for cold temps. It's still in the 30's here and I think these bibs will be best once we are below 30. They are good in the low 30's, but I start overheating getting close to 40. As is classic Castelli, the sizing is nuts. I'm 5'8", 153lbs and a size L is really tight. I also find that the ankle closure is way too small. In winter I have layers of socks and overstocks. I can barely get the ankle zipper closed over the sock layers (I don't like the socks being the outer layer, I prefer the bib pants to be over the socks). I'll post again when it gets into the 20's and lower!
DENNIS H.So far so good
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
- Fit: Runs large
I got tired of layering on the bottom and wanted a pair of winter bibs for sub freezing. I have a few pairs of older Castelli wind tights but they weren't putting the wind proof material in the crotch yet then. These cover that area. We had an early cold snap in ny and I did 2 windy 90 minute rides in them in sub 30 degree temps and I was completely comfortable. They are a little restrictive but acceptably so for the warmth. I'm usually a very good fit in Castelli large these are just a little big around the knee and hip but I'm ok with it because the wind stopper material doesn't stretch as much and it allows a little more movement. Also the ankle zips aren't super tight like some other Castelli models. I'm giving them 4 stars for warmth and design one off for fit. Of the wind tights I tried these were by far the best fit for me. It's trickier than regular tights and shorts because of the more limited stretch of the fabric. I checked the box for "runs big" but that's by Castelli standards not normal sizing. I'll check back in at end of season and let you know if I had the stitching problems others experienced.
Clayton Otto was very helpful we tried a few different brands and sizes of wind proof tights sent them back and forth and found the best fit with these. A very good online buying experience.
I decided to review these because normally I buy a piece of clothing it fits and I never think about it again. This is a garment I've had a hard time getting right so maybe my experience will be helpful.
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?
keith G.The same thing happened on my Castelli bibs - primarily because they are so tight to get on, I put too much pressure on the seems while stretching them up and over.
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 DordaiHeight: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).
Try Gore in medium--I have the opposite problems with those at 5'9" 145lbs. Too large overall and large (un-streatchy, non-zippered ankle openings). Just know that it is difficult to get size 10 feet thru the ankle openings.
I think I'll try these if they go on sale in my size. For now though, I'm done purchasing any tights without trying them on FIRST.