These thermal bib knickers from Endura have been around what feels like forever - clearly a product that has weathered the test of time. With a thick and stretchy fabric, treated with water resistant teflon on the outside and brushed fleece on the inside, they have wide bib straps and come down to below the knee for spring and autumn cycling, whatever the discipline.
Having used the Endura Thermolite in anger for more years than we care to mention we have really put them through the wringer as far as conditions are concerned. With a brushed fleece inner face they are always warm and welcoming to pull on, with the stretchy yet supportive fabric easy to become a fan of when the temperatures drop below summer day levels.
We have comfortably worn then right through spring and autumn, with even the chillier summer evening rides being ideal conditions when the ride is a little more leisurely and social. A light water repellency courtesy of Teflon does make water bead up on them, but of course it does still pass through when splashes occur or there is anything more than a light drizzle. We have always treated it as a bonus rather than a huge selling point, and they certainly don't take long to dry even when wet anyway.
The wide bib straps do the job without shrugging off or digging in, and the high back keeps kidneys and lower back warm and supple when in the saddle for any length of time. The pad during those longer rides has always delivered too, with all-day efforts not showing up any weakness or hotspots at the saddle.
The only time we have seen any kind of wear problem was really our own fault - mountain biking through dry heather the fabric suffered from multiple pulls and from that day on have looked bobbled and tired, even though they are still riding like new. So the fabric can be a little fragile if you are careless.
If you are looking to ride into the cooler weather without resorting to the full tights option, these bib knickers are a superb choice. Warm, supportive and even a little water repellent, they are as at home under a pair of baggy shorts for mountain biking as they are for a hundred mile road ride on their own.
