Our women's Novara Mezzo capri bike tights feature a nonbinding waist, a Gelspot chamois pad and more coverage than shorts for cool-weather cycling.
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$ 6.45 on this item as part of their
annual member refund.
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Rated 3 out of
5 by
trickycoolj from
Mixed Quality, Inspect the Chamois SeamsI have now purchased 3 pairs of these capri pants. I like the Novara Chamois, it's a little more resiliant than the mid-grade Pearl Izumi and covers my wide sitbones well. The first pair I purchased in mid 2011 and returned after 1 wearing because the chamois stitching was coming undone. They fit perfectly fine, it wasn't like I was popping seams on pants a size too small. I didn't like the shorts version as much (too loose in the thigh) and decided that I would buy the revamped version in mid 2012 (tag says Vietnam Jul 2012) and they've held up great through out my STP training over several hundred miles. No wonder these pants are so hard to find! Well I needed a 2nd pair for the 2nd day of the STP, they're backordered and I drove out of my way to get the last mediums in the Redmond, WA store. To my dismay the tag says "Vietnam Nov 2012" and the seams were already coming undone on the chamois. But it was the last pair of medium left pretty much anywhere in Washington. The nice associates at the register gave me a slight discount and I'll probably hand sew the seam ends in the 5 or 6 places around the chamois they're coming undone. The pants had tags on them still, they weren't returned and put on the rack. So brand new off the rack the seams were already bad. Wherever these are being manufactured is producing mixed quality and inspections so be sure to inspect the seams as soon as you get these shorts. Hopefully the chamois doesn't unravel too much during the STP!
REI-- Please enforce the quality control a little better in your manufacturing facility.
Date published: 2014-04-12
Rated 5 out of
5 by
GiveMeSunGal from
Highly recommendThis is my second pair of bike capris from Novara. I find these very versatile for both colder and warmer days. And they are very comfortable and breathable.
Date published: 2014-04-12
Rated 4 out of
5 by
GrnGeek from
long in the legs but still greatIf you are Short, meaning under 5'8" these will be a little long. However, even if you pull the leg up a little, you still do not get binding around your knees. They are very comfortable and I have found these to be the best fit for being short and chubby :-)
Date published: 2014-04-12
Rated 5 out of
5 by
queenladyk from
LOVE THESELOVE these pants. They make a world of difference on my daily commute to work. The only thing for you to be aware of is I'm 5'8" with long legs and these come just past my knee so a bit shorter than the photo but that doesn't bother me...just an FYI if you are looking for something longer.
Date published: 2014-03-26
Rated 4 out of
5 by
Cydnew from
Fit like Pearl Izumi, nicer qualityThese knickers fit very much like my Pearl Izumis, with the one difference that I wear a full size smaller (at least) in the Novara. I wear a large in the PIs but the large Novaras literally started falling down before I took five steps.
When I compared the chamois between brands, they were nearly identical in size, shape,and placement.
Unfortunately, I ordered these hoping for a different fit than PI, because the chamois sits too far back on my body, so the edge is right where my sits bones contact the saddle and causes a lot of chafing. Since these fit so similarly, they will be going back, and I will continue looking for a different fit.
Date published: 2014-03-26
Rated 3 out of
5 by
Ally from
Mixed feelingsI have mixed feelings about these. I like how the length is a longer than a regular bike short and felt they were a lot more falattering than other pants I tried on. But I feel like the padding is a little off (too far in the back) and bulky. I also have noticed the seams along the chamois coming undone, and I haven't worn them too often. Might return them and try another brand.
Date published: 2014-03-26
Rated 5 out of
5 by
SDCyclist from
These make for a comforable rideI have had these for three years and they have held up very well. I love the added sun protection since they fall right below my knees. I am 5'6" and they fall a little shorter than they do on the model in the photo. There is a generous amount of padding in these but since I usually ride 20+ miles, I appreciate it. I end up wearing these all of the time because the waist band is so comforable and the shape is flattering. Ordering another pair today - not because the others have worn out - they still have many miles left in them.
Date published: 2014-03-26
Rated 5 out of
5 by
pedlpadlgrl from
great tights!I love these capris. I've been sidelined for quite awhile and gained some weight. The waist band doesn't "dig in" and is so comfortable. Also really good padding which I seem to need now that I'm older(60's)and feeling like a "newbie" again. I didn't rate the durability because I only got to use these for a few weeks until weather got too warm, but so far, so good. I've had good experiences with Novara bike attire since I started using it 5-6 years ago.
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