Winter Cycling - Knee Warmers

I normally ride year around, even in the sub zero stuff.

This time of year represents transition time, and so I try to carry clothes that allow a lot of options.

I like knee warmers, but I have yet to find a pair of knee warmers that will reliably stay in place.

I have found some that kinda stay in place, but I want some that will not start sliding down on me half way throught the ride.

Who has had success with knee warmers that stay in place, and with which brand of knee warmers?

First, be certain you're wearing your kneewarmers high enough. They should come up and over your bulging quads, so that the flexing quads don't push them down.

I've had no issues with any sliding down when they're pulled up high enough. That said, when pulled up high enough, many are not long enough on me to extend much past the knee. Then the bottoms ride up and bunch behind the knee, which is ineffective and uncomfortable. What I really need are kneewarmers in a tall size.

Shopping around, I found Trek-branded ones that come in sizes, as opposed to the one-size-don't-fit-all choice in other brands. Perhaps others do as well.

The large size Treks are big enough around that they don't fit like a tourniquet, and long enough that they don't ride up behind my knees either. Articulated knees too, which prevents bunching and binding--especially when layered under tights--and nice grippy stuff top and bottom too. They were expensive, but I've been really happy with them. Gave away all my old ones.

DeFeet Kneekers are the best. I've tried a few, but these stay up no matter what. They also remain fairly warm when wet and don't soak up a lot of water. I can get them at MEC for something like 20CDN and my first pair (of 2) is 2 years old and still stay up.

I visited my local Pearl Izumi Outlet recently, looking for alternative knee warmers, and the salesperson (who rides all winter) recommended the Defeet Kneekers (which they didn't have in the Pearl Izumi store).

Mine fall down, but then I use Performance knee warmers! However, my Pearl Izumi legwarmers also fall down, especially when I walk (I use them touring). My wife sewed some little loops on the top, and I use a string to tie them to my waist pack or a belt.

I have a pair of Endura knee warmers which are not just a simple tube but are made from three separate pieces of fabric and are actually shaped like a human leg. They are also not as stretchy as your run-of-the-mill lycra tubes, but with the proper shape they don't need to be. They do not move around at all.

If you have lycra leg warmers, remember to wear them high enough, otherwise they _will_ slip.

The Specialized brand of kneewarmers have a very grippy band of silicone at top and bottom, but they will still slip down unless they are pulled all the way up to the tops of the thighs.

They're marked with a label inside each for Left and Right side wear and it really does matter because of how they're shaped.

Since they need to be worn so high, they have to be put on before the shorts that will go over them.