Novara Mezzo Capri Bike Tights - Women's

Comments about Novara Mezzo Capri Bike Tights - Women's:

I bought these on-line based on the great reviews. Alas, while the overall fit was great, the padding was terribly uncomfortable. Way too wide for me. Plus it was very stiff. While the stiffness might soften up over time, the chamois' width interfered with the motion of my legs while cycling. YMMV.

I am 5'3" & weigh 153 lbs. The large fit great & the length was perfect - just below the widest part of my calf. Unfortunately, the poorly fitting chamois means these are going back. Would have loved for these to have worked out.

Comments about Novara Mezzo Capri Bike Tights - Women's:

I use these tights under jeans or breeches for horseback riding, and LOVE them! I wanted something with length AND ample chamois, and these fit the bill 100%. I bought a second pair when they went on sale so I have a back up. If they are this good in a western saddle, they will be fabulous on my road bike as well.

Comments about Novara Mezzo Capri Bike Tights - Women's:

If 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 :-)

Comments about Novara Mezzo Capri Bike Tights - Women's:

I 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.

Comments about Novara Mezzo Capri Bike Tights - Women's:

I 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.

Comments about Novara Mezzo Capri Bike Tights - Women's:

I 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.

Comments about Novara Mezzo Capri Bike Tights - Women's:

These 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.

Comments about Novara Mezzo Capri Bike Tights - Women's:

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.

Comments about Novara Mezzo Capri Bike Tights - Women's:

LOVE 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.

Comments about Novara Mezzo Capri Bike Tights - Women's:

This 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.