Santini Eureka Leg Warmers

Santini's Eureka leg warmers provide enough insulation for cool and even cold rides, and a water repellent treatment means that road spray and even showers don't get through.

The leg warmers are made from a Roubaix-style nylon/elastane fabric, the brushed back providing plenty of warmth and comfort.

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The BeHot yarn – which has been a feature of Santini's range for the past couple of years – is interesting in that it is said to generate heat as you pedal.

'When functional BeHot stretches, it generates heat by decreasing the entropy (disorder or randomness of molecules),' according to Sitip, the company behind the fabric.

Rather than a treatment, the heat generation is said to be a function of the yarn and the textile construction so it's there for life. The extent to which BeHot generates heat is difficult to assess but it's only ever going to be marginal. Sitip claims a difference of up to 1°C compared with standard fabrics, measured by a temperature sensor between the fabric and the knee.

Without the same product, in the same weight, made from a different yarn, I couldn't tell you whether the claims made for BeHot stand up to scrutiny, but the important factor is whether these keep your legs warm, and they do. We've had some chilly mornings around here recently and I've been wearing these comfortably down to about 7°C. I reckon they're good for a couple of degrees cooler than that too.

At the upper end of the spectrum, I've worn these at 13°C, although I felt a bit overdressed at that point and would rather have been in knee warmers. If you do start to overheat, it's easy enough to get them off over your shoes, although not as easy as with zipped leg warmers. Still, the lack of a zip makes them a little less bulky to carry in a jersey pocket.

The BeHot fabric has an Acqua Zero DWR (durable water repellent) treatment to help keep water out. Road spray beads up and rolls off the surface, although heavy rain will get through. Several washes in and this DWR is lasting well although, as with any other, the performance will eventually diminish and you'll need to reapply.

> Check out our guide to the best arm and leg warmers

The fabric's technical features aside, these leg warmers come with silicone inside the elasticated gripper that holds them in place comfortably against your skin, and they're slightly articulated thanks to a two-panel back section. You just need to position the seam carefully to avoid any rubbing behind your knee. Reflective tabs add a small amount of night-time visibility.

If you're quick you can buy these for £30 – or as a package with Santini's Eureka bib shorts which I tested alongside the warmers, made from the same BeHot yarn, for £125 (rather than the RRP of £167) – from independent bike dealers before the end of October 2016.

Verdict

Fleecy leg warmers with good water repellency and enough insulation for cold rides