[JaredP91]

With the weather beginning to change and the cooler, wetter and generally more unpredictable autumnal rides now the norm, I’m looking to upgrade to some more suitable autumn/winter clothing.

I’m struggling to pick between leg warmers and full bib tights. I wondered if anyone has a preference? And can explain some of the pros and cons?

For instance, will a good pair of thermal leg warmers see me through winter riding?

Topic

[Shades]

Initially I just had summer

Initially I just had summer kit that I planned to ‘add-to’ (eg leg warmers, arm warmers etc) for winter, thinking that winter specific kit was just a marketing ploy by the manufactures.  I did, eventually, pick up some winter kit in sales and kind of ate my words; far more comfortable in a pair of long bib tights and a long sleeved winter jersey, perhaps with a baselayer on cooler days.

[Secret_squirrel]

Bib tights FTW for me. 

Bib tights FTW for me.  Galibier Mistrals (Gabba-like) are fab.

Cold is so often mixed with rainy in this country I think I might as well be protected from both.

[wycombewheeler]

I prefer to use knee warmers

I prefer to use knee warmers and thicker thermal bibshorts. I find leg warmers are too long for me, and bibtights are also longer than I would like. I do have some 3/4 bibtights, but these tend to be less warm than full length.

I’m generally quite comfortable with the 2″ gap between knee warmers and socks, others may not be in the colder weather.

If you don’t plan on removing them during the day bib tights or 3/4 tights are probably the best bet, they are more comfortable. I do tend towards bibtights if I am planning a ride over 4 hours in december and january as the warmers tend to irritate behind the knee on longer outings.

[MoutonDeMontagne]

I think it depends alot on

I think it depends alot on what type of person you are (do you feel the cold or not) and where you ride. 

When I were a broke lad (student), I only ever used leg warmers through the winter, along with a thicker pair of bibshorts that I used all year, as that was all I could afford – Bibtights were prohibitively expensive. Eventually I bought a paid of Planet X unpadded bib tights, regretted the loss of beer tokens and carried on with leg warmers. That said, if it was ultra cold or wet, I usually went climbing or running instead! 

Now I still use Leg warmers (and knee warmers) alot in the Autumn and Spring months, paired with a pair of either Castelli Nano-flex or Sportful Fiandre Bib shorts. These also get used in the summer if its on the damp side. I rarely take them off since I don’t have a team car to give them to, so Bib tights would feasibly be more practical. However, I find the warm shorts with either knee or leg warmers is more flexible for those inbetween temp days (e.g. 5 degrees in the morning rising to 14 at lunch), allowing me to buy a fancy and ultra warm pair of Bib tights for the winter/cold days. This saves having a pair of thick tights and thin tights at £120 a pop. 

When I lived in London, this combination got me through the winters too for a couple of years, since it rarely got super cold (below 5degrees) so its only as I’ve got older and moved north that I’ve really invested in quality bib tights. 

I’m a fan of the Sportful Fiandre no-rain pro bibtights for winter/crap weather as the windproofing is a real plus over the non-wind resistant leg warmers. BUt even then, the close weave nan-flex warmers are much warmer than my old lusso roubaix ones! 

[Grahamd]

Bib tights for me, I only use

Bib tights for me, I only use my warmers for long days that are cold to start but certain to warm up appreciably, about 3 times in past 4 years. 
 
I also have 3/4 for autumnal weather, which get plenty of use, so much so that I’ll get another pair soon.

[OnYerBike]

I own a pair of leg warmers,

I own a pair of leg warmers, but they rarely get used – if the weather conditions require it, I tend to reach for the bib tights instead.

– Although in theory leg warmers can be removed, in practice I rarely bother just because the it’s an extra piece of unnecessary faff.

– I don’t particularly like the feeling of the thigh grippers on my leg warmers (your experience may vary).

– Leg warmers might keep your lower legs cold, but if the weather’s chilly then your summer bibshorts might not provide enough warmth to certain key areas!

That said, leg warmers do have some advantages – in particular, you can pick up a pair of leg warmers for a fraction of the price of a pair of bibtights. Indeed, that’s why I have leg warmers – as a broke student with a single pair of cycling shorts, I got leg warmers to see me through the winter because I couldn’t afford bib-tights. And I did ride throughout the winter in that combination – although I’m not sure I would recommend it!

[mdavidford]

Depends what riding you’re

Depends what riding you’re doing. If you’re commuting, warmers are a good option for that significant chunk of the year when the temperature is very different at the end of the day to what it was at the start, because you can shove them in a bag or pocket when not needed.

[don simon fbpe]

I prefer bibs.

I prefer bibs.

I have knee warmers that have a tendency to bunch behind the knee making the ride uncomfortable. I saw last week that there are knee warmers with cut aways at the rear to prevent this, but I would consider the draughts there a negative.

My wardrobe consists of longs (maybe two layers in really cold weather) for cold/wet weather. They have been out more than once this summer, while I saw folks riding in shorts and short sleeved tops.

3/4 bibs for milder conditions, such as today 15°C and wind, to up to 20°C.

Then over 20°C, I’d consider bibshorts.

In all cases a pair of bibshorts are worn over the top. Only one day this year have I considered myself overdressed, I blame the Gabba for that.

Give them a try, at the end of the day it’s a personal choice.

 

[Author]

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