Madison Sportive Thermal leg-warmers review

Considerably less expensive than the likes of Castelli and Assos, how do the Madison leg-warmers stack up to the competition?

Cycling Weekly Verdict

For the price these warmers are very good. They do the job for which they are intended. however, there are better leg-warmers out there.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Low price - good value

  • +

    Soft fabric

  • +

    Comfortable

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Not the best fit.

  • -

    Some bunching

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

The fleece-backed Lycra employed in Madison’s offering is really comfortable against the skin, offering a great degree of thermal insulation. These leg-warmers don’t feature the water repellency of Castelli’s NanoFlex, but did a good job of retaining heat when wet and offer more warmth as they are slightly heavier. With regards to weight, they are heavier than many competing products, but this is not really noticeable on the bike and they can be packed down well and stuffed in a jersey pocket.

>>> Buyer’s guide to arm warmers

The ankles have a zip for easy access, but this compromises the fit around the ankle slightly — it can be a little loose but not as much as others I've tested. As can be seen from the picture, these leg-warmers feature a straight tube shape. More expensive leg-warmers often have an anatomical shape that is designed to accommodate a bent knee. Although, Madison has placed a lighter-gauge Lycra behind the knee joint to prevent overheating and aid flexibility.

>>> Better than a Castelli Gabba? Wet weather jackets put to the test.

The lighter fabric behind the knee works, with these warmers offering good freedom of movement. In addition, the panels are sewn together with flat lock stitching which means there are no annoying seams to cause discomfort. The rubberised thigh grippers work well under shorts, doing a good job of staying in place while riding.

For more information, head over to Madison.

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Oliver Bridgewood - no, Doctor Oliver Bridgewood - is a PhD Chemist who discovered a love of cycling. He enjoys racing time trials, hill climbs, road races and criteriums. During his time at Cycling Weekly, he worked predominantly within the tech team, also utilising his science background to produce insightful fitness articles, before moving to an entirely video-focused role heading up the Cycling Weekly YouTube channel, where his feature-length documentary 'Project 49' was his crowning glory.