Padded tights for a short fat bloke!

[Gary E]

I'm 5'10" with a 38in waist. I was just about to order some padded tights in XL (36-38 in waist) when I noticed that it said for 5'11" plus.
Now I'm not really that fashion concious (I'm wearing Lycra after all ) but I don't want to look like Nora Battie either (wrinkled tights for any youngsters out there).
So my question is, can anyone out there (with dimensions similar to mine) recommend me a good fitting pair? I was looking at something like Altura Night Vision but I'm open to suggestions.
Oh and one more thing - should I be looking for tights with those foot loop things and do they go inside or outside of the shoe?

 

[Steve H]

Love the Nora Batty analogy!

Can't help with a recommendation. At 6'5, my problem is the other way. You could always go for 3/4 bibs?

 

[Gary E]

I was contemplating these are they as good (when used with normal padded shorts) as tights?

 

[Berties]

i would advise you to pop along to a local bike shop,if shorts do not fit they will rub your under carriage,a cheap pair the pad will not last or stay soft,so get half decent pair they will wash better fit better and last longer and in the long run you will be more happy with them

 

[Gary E]

I'm more than happy to shell out for quality and I realise that the best thing to do would be to try them on but I was just interested in what others have found fitting wise.
Should I go for a Large size for the correct inside leg but a slightly more stretched waist or go for the X Large and turn them up lol?
Either way, I like to give my business to my local bike shop so I'll order them through him. I'm sure he'd be happy to reorder if I go for the wrong size but I was after some advice so I could at least make the best guess.

 

[sabian92]

I'm more than happy to shell out for quality and I realise that the best thing to do would be to try them on but I was just interested in what others have found fitting wise.
Should I go for a Large size for the correct inside leg but a slightly more stretched waist or go for the X Large and turn them up lol?
Either way, I like to give my business to my local bike shop so I'll order them through him. I'm sure he'd be happy to reorder if I go for the wrong size but I was after some advice so I could at least make the best guess.

You sound exactly like me - I'm those exact measurements!

I have the Night Vision tights - my only problem is I'm a 29" leg so they're a bit long, and they look a bit ruffled up but if you have a 31+ leg you should be OK. Comfy though, and a decent pad (although that being said I wear padded bibs under them anyway).

 

[Gary E]

do you have the Large or the X Large?

 

[sabian92]

do you have the Large or the X Large?

Apparently (I say that because I'm not at home and I'm checking Evans) I have the XL pair. The L would have been too small for me (not in length, waist wise). They are too long for me but I'm only a 29" leg so if you're longer than that you'll be fine.

They aren't waterproof though, get them wet and they probably won't dry fully unless you leave them somewhere warm all day.

Sorry for the lengthy reply, I didn't check the thread again because I forgot...

 

[Fubar]

I'm also a 29" leg though a bit shorter at 5'5" - my wife bought me a pair of Altura erofit 3/4 length bib shorts, they look ridiculous on me on their own but they are the most comfortable bit of cycling gear I own! and the 3/4 length is almost full length on me, though compared to the "Nora Batty" too long tights I much prefer them. I haven't got any with the foot loops at the bottom, I think they would be uncomfortable inside a cycling shoe. Regards, Mark