Madison Sportive Thermal leg-warmers review

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.

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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.

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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 (opens in new tab).