How do your keep legs warm?

Mike said:

I have been using tights but my legs still get cold. More on the bottom side of my thighs than
the top.

What do you mean when you say "tights"? Just long legged lycra cycling pants, or are you referring
to long underpants?

My favorite base layer for cold weather cycling is polypropylene. Helly Hansen's polypro seems to
work better than the less expensive brands (like Medalist). I just got some Duofold polypro (albeit
uppers) that I'll try soon.

I also have some expedition weight polyester fleece long underpants that combined with pretty much
any thin windproof pants keep me nice and warm in the coldest temps with good mobility. It was some
no-name stuff from Sierra Trading Post, I think. I think it's important for it to be actually
"tight" fitting. Generic, loose-fitting fleece might not work as well.

I also got some other expedition weight fleece uppers that are horrible. Sure, they kept me warm,
but they had no wicking capability whatsoever. In fact, they seemed to be water proof and sweat
would pool in my elbows while riding my USS trike. I only ever wore those once. I suppose they'll
come in handy in a less active pursuit, like woodworking in the garage in winter.

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I do not accept unsolicted commercial e-mail. Remove NO_UCE for legitimate replies.

I have a couple pairs of 'wind proof' front panel winter tights. In my df
days these worked pretty well, considering I'm not a comfortable cold
weather rider. On the V-REX the backs of my thighs get frigid. Even wearing
a pair of polypro tights as a first layer, the windproof panels are in the
wrong place for bent riding. I expect the problem to get worse when I start
riding my new feet higher than my ass bike. When the temps get much below
40°F, I turbo train. I'm a wimp. I have a friend who wears a thin,cheap pair
of rain pants over his tights to keep the wind from stealing his heat. I'll
have to ask him about moisture control. If you were handy with a needle and
thread, I you could by some windproof nylon and sew it on the back side of
your tights.
"Victor Kan" <[email hidden]_UCEloopdrive.net> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mike said:

I have been using tights but my legs still get cold. More on the bottom

side

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

of my thighs than the top.

What do you mean when you say "tights"? Just long legged lycra cycling pants, or are you referring
to long underpants?

My favorite base layer for cold weather cycling is polypropylene. Helly Hansen's polypro seems to
work better than the less expensive brands (like Medalist). I just got some Duofold polypro
(albeit uppers) that I'll try soon.

I also have some expedition weight polyester fleece long underpants that combined with pretty much
any thin windproof pants keep me nice and warm in the coldest temps with good mobility. It was
some no-name stuff from Sierra Trading Post, I think. I think it's important for it to be actually
"tight" fitting. Generic, loose-fitting fleece might not work as well.

I also got some other expedition weight fleece uppers that are horrible. Sure, they kept me warm,
but they had no wicking capability whatsoever. In fact, they seemed to be water proof and sweat
would pool in my elbows while riding my USS trike. I only ever wore those once. I suppose they'll
come in handy in a less active pursuit, like woodworking in the garage in winter.

--
I do not accept unsolicted commercial e-mail. Remove NO_UCE for legitimate replies.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Mike
Any preferences on triflex or any insulated tights?

Tights with lightweight windproof fleece.

I use Pearl Izumi Thermafleece tights with a pair of thin Pearl Izumi wind pants on over them in
temps in that range.

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have been using tights but my legs still get cold. More on the bottom

side

Quoted message said:

of my thighs than the top.

Any preferences on triflex or any insulated tights?

Anu other recommendations like wind pants.

Temp range 15 to 35 degrees f.

Thanks, Mike

Mike <[email hidden]> wrote:
: I have been using tights but my legs still get cold. More on the bottom side of my thighs than
: the top.

I use some warm underwear (prolly polypropene) that's made for skiers (downhill/crosscountry) or
outdoors people in general. One of them reaches from wrists and neck to mid-thigh, and I could
combine that with the long john version (belly to ankle). The warmer socks reach almost to the knee.
And on top of that there's a Halti riding suit (not very light, quite windproof and somewhat warm).
This could work down to -30 C or so... without wind... The legs never were a problem for me.

In about -5 C it's enough to just have the Halti and one piece of that underwear. And of course
something warm for the hands and feet!

--
Risto Varanka | helsinki.fi~rvarankaOpen ↗ [email hidden]

I'd suggest an assortment of goodies to fit the weather, distance, etc:

Knee high, smartwool socks work well sockcompany.comsmarsnow3.htmlOpen ↗ I'd suggest 2 pair as
they are not real heavy, but double up nicely if needed.

Leg warmers are also a nice option as they come up over the knees and can easily be removed when it
warms up sockcompany.comtoplegwar.htmlOpen ↗ (you probably don't want the pink ones they show)

At $65, Performance Triflex winter tights seem to be a pretty good buy
performancebike.comProfile.cfmOpen ↗ I like these tights and combine them with
polypropylene long johns if it is really cold.

I mix and match the above items to suit the conditions. However, for more moderate conditions, I
just use my old set of Skins.

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have been using tights but my legs still get cold. More on the bottom

side

Quoted message said:

of my thighs than the top.

Any preferences on triflex or any insulated tights?

Anu other recommendations like wind pants.

Temp range 15 to 35 degrees f.

Thanks, Mike

Bellwether used to make a riding pant which was similar to a tight but fit a little looser so you
could layer underneath it. I would use silk long underwear (bought from Sierra Trading post for
under $15) which proved sufficient. But I haven't been able to locate another pair (after I melted
my pair in a laundromat dryer on a recent trip). I also found that in cold weather wearing a
Balaclava over my head allows me to handle very cold weather (for us in St. Louis). Maybe it is
psychological or maybe by conserving bodyheat the body just felt warmer, but I don't have problems
with my legs being cold when I use the headgear. Fingertips and toes, now that's another story. I
agree with Harv that windproof tights are not the answer for recumbent riders. We don't have to
worry about blocking the wind from the front of our legs as they are perpendicular not parallel to
the oncoming wind. As to the Bellwether pants, my wife came up with the solution that I would never
have figured out. She bought me a pair of thermafleece tights, one size too large. The larger size
makes them a tad loose fitting allowing me to layer. I never would have thought of that solution.

Mike S. ST. Louis, Mo.

I recently bought PowderDry tights. I like them so much I bought a second pair. It is the best
fabric I've found for cycling. It's very comfortable and reasonably windproof. I like this fabric
better than polypro or Capilene. I don't like completely windproof fabrics as I tend to get too wet.

For example, today I went for an hour and half ride in 35 F with strong cross winds for about 15
miles of the ride. I don't know how fast the wind was blowing but I had a significant lean on the
Strada. I wore both of my PowderDry tights (1mm and 2mm) and was quite comfortable.

I got my tights from www.foxwear.net for $40, which is significantly cheaper than brand names.

mike s said:

... I also found that in cold weather wearing a Balaclava over my head allows me to handle very
cold weather (for us in St. Louis)....

As a point of reference "very cold weather" in St. Louis is 20°F to 30°F (~ -7°C to -1°C).

Tom Sherman – Close to 41½ ?N, 90½ W

[email hidden] (mike s) wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Bellwether used to make a riding pant which was similar to a tight but fit a little looser so you
could layer underneath it. I would use silk long underwear (bought from Sierra Trading post for
under $15) which proved sufficient. But I haven't been able to locate another pair (after I melted
my pair in a laundromat dryer on a recent trip). I also found that in cold weather wearing a
Balaclava over my head allows me to handle very cold weather (for us in St. Louis). Maybe it is
psychological or maybe by conserving bodyheat the body just felt warmer, but I don't have problems
with my legs being cold when I use the headgear. Fingertips and toes, now that's another story.

Hostel Shoppe sells tights that may be similar to the Bellwether. hostelshoppe.comcgiOpen ↗
bin/readitem.pl?Accessory=1015952910 As for the balaclava, a lot of body heat escapes through the
head so it is essential to wear something to cover your head in cold weather. This will keep you
warmer. And as for the fingers and toes, I found that wearing a vest or something to keep my body
warmer will help to keep my digits warmer.

Davenport?

"Tom Sherman" <[email hidden]> escreveu na mensagem -"]news:[email hidden]-
berlin.de...

Quoted message said:

Tom Sherman - Close to 41½ ?N, 90½ W

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A front fairing sure does the trick for me. Behind the fairing my legs and feet don't feel cold even
below freezing, like they sure would when riding my MTB.

Brian

Eduardo L P Jr said:

Davenport?

I may work in Iowa, but I don't have to live there. 😉

I live close to the Quad City International Airport.

Tom Sherman – Close to 41.5 N, 90.5 W

One night I stayed at a Motel 6 near there, before a meeting in Rock falls. And a weekend at a
campround west of Corona, Indian trails.

Tom Sherman said:

=

Quoted message said:

Eduardo L P Jr wrote:
=

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Davenport?

=

Quoted message said:

I may work in Iowa, but I don't have to live there. 😉
=

Quoted message said:

I live close to the Quad City International Airport.
=

Quoted message said:

Tom Sherman =96 Close to 41.5 N, 90.5 W

SportHill XC Pant is amazingly warm (windproof) yet comfortable in a wide temperature range. Easily
one of the finest pieces of clothing I've ever had the privilege to wear. You buy, you like.

peterwhitecycles.comsporthill.aspOpen ↗

REI also sells the SportHill line.

Barry

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have been using tights but my legs still get cold. More on the bottom

side

Quoted message said:

of my thighs than the top.

Any preferences on triflex or any insulated tights?

Anu other recommendations like wind pants.

Temp range 15 to 35 degrees f.

Thanks, Mike

SportHill XC Pant is amazingly warm (windproof) yet comfortable in a wide temperature range. Easily
one of the finest pieces of clothing I've ever had the privilege to wear. The fabric feels great.
Comfy in the 30's (coldest I ride in) with just jockey shorts underneath.You buy, you like.

peterwhitecycles.comsporthill.aspOpen ↗

REI also sells the SportHill line.

Barry

"Mike" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have been using tights but my legs still get cold. More on the bottom

side

Quoted message said:

of my thighs than the top.

Any preferences on triflex or any insulated tights?

Anu other recommendations like wind pants.

Temp range 15 to 35 degrees f.

Thanks, Mike

BarryG scribed with passion and wit:

Quoted message said:

SportHill XC Pant is amazingly warm (windproof) yet comfortable in a wide temperature range.
Easily one of the finest pieces of clothing I've ever had the privilege to wear. The fabric feels
great. Comfy in the 30's (coldest I ride in) with just jockey shorts underneath.You buy, you like.

peterwhitecycles.comsporthill.aspOpen ↗

REI also sells the SportHill line.

Barry

I agree, windproof is the key for keeping the legs warm.

--
Ian

catrike.co.ukcatrike.co.ukOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

A front fairing sure does the trick for me. Behind the fairing my legs and feet don't feel cold
even below freezing, like they sure would when riding my MTB.

I have a faired uss swb, and at first, I notice my feet very toasty, behind the protection. But
after about a half an hour, after the numbness sets in from the high position of the feet with USS,
they get cold. Then they are cold and numb, even with foam and regular socks on. I think that if my
feet were in a lower position, cold would never set in.

Riding in temps down into single digits (farenheit) this past winter, I wore what I always wear when
out in cold weather: either fleece or flannel lined denim jeans. When triking I put a leg band
around the cuff area to keep the wind from creeping up. Never experienced any cold in that area of
my anatomy and therefore never had the urge to try tights or any sort of long underwear.