Leg warmer with zipper for easy removal, worth ?

[alebleicker]

Hi there,

I'm trying to find a good alternative to warm my legs during early morning, so seems that leg warmers are the best option but I now that as soon I warm them, I'll get too warm so I need to remove them to keep cycling but I don't want to stop and remove shoes, loose time, and start going again. So I was thinking about sipper leg warmers or something similar for easy removal while cycling. Do you guys have any experience with this ? Do you think is pratical to remove them on the fly ?

thanks !!!

 

[Globalti]

Just grit your teeth, start cool and you'll soon warm up.

Alternatively invest in a pair of Wiggle's dhb 3/4 bib tights, certainly the most comfortable cycling garment I have ever owned. They're fleecy lined with a good pad and very nice in all but freezing weather.

 

[ColinJ]

Alternatively, buy very lightweight leg warmers. Like these...

I have heavy-duty Roubaix type leg warmers which hardly ever get used. If it is cold enough for them, then my shorts are not warm enough either (frozen nuts anybody?) so I wear tights.

My lightweight leg warmers are ideal for temperatures in the range (say) 8 degrees to 18 degrees. They take the chill off my legs but I don't start to overheat until conditions are getting towards the 20s.

 

[alebleicker]

Just grit your teeth, start cool and you'll soon warm up.

Alternatively invest in a pair of Wiggle's dhb 3/4 bib tights, certainly the most comfortable cycling garment I have ever owned. They're fleecy lined with a good pad and very nice in all but freezing weather.

I did this morning, but I think at least with some arm warmers could be better. I'll consider this dhb gear, seems like good stuff, I'm just not a big fan of bibs so I was considering to get a pair of tights with padding instead of using 3/4, but I'll need to try them to see which one is better.
thanks for the advice

 

[alebleicker]

Alternatively, buy very lightweight leg warmers. Like these...

I have heavy-duty Roubaix type leg warmers which hardly ever get used. If it is cold enough for them, then my shorts are not warm enough either (frozen nuts anybody?) so I wear tights.

My lightweight leg warmers are ideal for temperatures in the range (say) 8 degrees to 18 degrees. They take the chill off my legs but I don't start to overheat until conditions are getting towards the 20s.

I liked them, cheap as well
Is it the same lightweight kind you use ?

In your opinion, tights are only for really cold weather ?

thanks !

 

[MacB]

I started in Jan with normal boxers and jogging bottoms over the top. Next I went to DHB padded waist shorts under the jb's. Then I got some of the 3/4 DHB bib shorts. Now all my shorts are bib ones and I'm considering what to wear for the changing weather. I wear a fresh pair for each leg of my commute, so my plan will be:-

Autumn - DHB 3/4 for the morning - bib shorts for evening and leg warmers as back up - I do find my knees will hurt if I let them get too cold

Winter - DHB 3/4's both directions and optional Ron Hill bikesters for over the top. If your shins get cold you can wear longer socks. Only areas I ever felt the cold were the knees and the crotch. you can always stuff an extra layer down your front, could even be impressive if done right

Top half will be layers - merino base, microfleece mid and jacket(Altura Nightvision) or gilet outer, plus a woolly hat. Even in the coldest snap I found the above was plenty. Windchill is the biggest factor and the jacket stops most of that.

Hands - I never really got happy in this area and am looking at layering as a solution again. Some fine base layer gloves and mitts over the top to start with. Then move up to heavier full finger gloves plus base layer if needed.

Feet - I suffered on the coldest days quite badly, will again look at layering and get some decent overshoes.

 

[Garz]

Hands - I never really got happy in this area and am looking at layering as a solution again. Some fine base layer gloves and mitts over the top to start with. Then move up to heavier full finger gloves plus base layer if needed.

Feet - I suffered on the coldest days quite badly, will again look at layering and get some decent overshoes.

I too suffer in the cold weather only with these limb areas. When it bitterly cold im going to have to purchase proper sealskins or similar as the standard gloves I have just dont hold warmth (probably not wind resistant). Feet I shall invest in some overshoes, my only question on these would be are there two varieties one for windy conditions and one for wet?

 

[palinurus]

You can get legwarmers with full zips, try www.zepnat.com

They are useful for cyclocross since you can get them off without having to remove your (invariably muddy) shoes, which generally involves putting one of your socks in a muddy puddle.

The zip makes them a bit uncomfortable IMO so for anything but 'cross I prefer legwarmers without zips. You can get them with little zips at the ankle end which makes it possible to get them off without removing your shoes.

 

[ColinJ]

I liked them, cheap as well
Is it the same lightweight kind you use ?

No, but they are similar.

The pair that I have are made by Nalini but I couldn't find an advert for them. The ad that I did manage to find for Nalini leg warmers was for the warm Roubaix type. I bought my lightweight Nalinis years ago at a bike shop in Bradford.

In your opinion, tights are only for really cold weather ?

As I said above - if it's really cold, Roubaix leg warmers will keep your legs warm but there is the problem of a cold wind cutting through your shorts - that's not not nice! If it was that cold, I'd go for the tights.

If it was a cool start, likely to be followed by a warm day, I'd go for shorts and leg warmers because you can take the leg warmers off if you overheat or keep them on if they are the lightweight type and it doesn't get too hot.

The same sort of thinking applies to the upper body...

Cold all day - wear a long-sleeved jersey and a heavy long-sleeved jacket.

Cool start, warm later - wear a short-sleeved jersey, arm-warmers and a lightweight windtop or maybe a gilet.

 

[MacB]

I too suffer in the cold weather only with these limb areas. When it bitterly cold im going to have to purchase proper sealskins or similar as the standard gloves I have just dont hold warmth (probably not wind resistant). Feet I shall invest in some overshoes, my only question on these would be are there two varieties one for windy conditions and one for wet?

Exactly the same question I've had Garz, they seem to be advertised as waterproof OR windproof. Personally I just want one pair that does both these things.

Anyone?

 

[Dan B]

If you get thin legwarmers (not really practical except in marginal conditions) you can just roll them down around your ankles instead of taking them off completely. That 80s rollerdisco dancer look is bound to come back sooner or later

 

[ColinJ]

If you get thin legwarmers (not really practical except in marginal conditions) you can just roll them down around your ankles instead of taking them off completely. That 80s rollerdisco dancer look is bound to come back sooner or later

I'd say that the thin leg warmers knock the coldness/warmness level up about one notch.

Cold -> Cool
Cool -> Mild
Mild -> Warm
Warm -> Hot
Hot -> Get 'em off quick!

You are right about the disco look! I've done it once or twice with the leg warmers; much more often with arm warmers, usually when going up a climb because I know I'm going to want to roll them back up for the next descent.

 

[Garz]

This is all getting interesting/technical!

BTW, having driven around hebdon bridge i imagine it being a world of hurt for hills as halifax area has unbelievable geography! You must be king of the mountains just by living there colin.

 

[ColinJ]

This is all getting interesting/technical!

BTW, having driven around hebdon bridge i imagine it being a world of hurt for hills as halifax area has unbelievable geography! You must be king of the mountains just by living there colin.

I'm too tall to ever be a king of the mountains! (6' 1", medium build) but when I was skinny I wasn't a bad climber. Trouble is - I weigh 45 pounds more than that now and rely on a 30/28 bottom gear to get me over some of the brutes round here!

Hills - what hills?

Still love the hills, mind you! I often organise little CycleChat rides round here if you ever fancy sampling some of the local 'scenery'!

 

[Garz]

Wow I would love to! I think this will be a must once i get my CC jersey *cough Will*.

How has height stopped you from being king though? I can understand being overweight..