Winter Cycling - Winter Tights

Can someone recommend some good winter tights that are good down to 10-20 F? (10 thru 20 plus) I have a pair of Pace Winter tights that i got last year but anything below 20 they get a little chilly. Thanks.

check this site out maybe itll help.....http://www.illuminite.com/cycling_detail.asp?Style=7082

or this too.....http://www.probikekit.co.uk/

At 20F you need to factor in the wind chill so you can figure it feels like zero or possibly even worse. If there are tights that can handle that I want to know about them. But I doubt there are. I use goretex
cycling rain pants with stretch thermal underwear when it gets really cold. But to be honest, I have done that, but I didn't have the gumption to ride very often when it was that freaking cold.

With all due respect, that was not helpful. Others?

Most of the winter I ride with a pair of bike shorts (so I have a chamois) and then some "cafe-style" tights made by Moving Comfort. If it is into the teens with serious wind I will wear bike short, Duofold tights and my Jackson-Gibbons rain pants. I've found that having a good windproof layer over my ankles is extremely important. Wool socks are essential, be sure your shoes or boots have room enough for the heavier socks. Until it is below 10F, 3 well chosen layers are fine. It really is a matter of learning what works best for you at different temperatures. My first year winter commuting I made notes on what I wore on the days I was miserable, so when I simialr day came along I knew to layer differently. Some of us get cold feet, some cold faces. Just be careful not to overdress, sweat is your enemy in the winter.

Most of the winter I ride with a pair of bike shorts (so I have a chamois) and then some "cafe-style" tights made by Moving Comfort. If it is into the teens with serious wind I will wear bike short, Duofold tights and my Jackson-Gibbons rain pants. I've found that having a good windproof layer over my ankles is extremely important. Wool socks are essential, be sure your shoes or boots have room enough for the heavier socks. Until it is below 10F, 3 well chosen layers are fine. It really is a matter of learning what works best for you at different temperatures. My first year winter commuting I made notes on what I wore on the days I was miserable, so when I simialr day came along I knew to layer differently. Some of us get cold feet, some cold faces. Just be careful not to overdress, sweat is your enemy in the winter.

Thanks Jean. Having cycled through a Winter already I have most everything figured out. My Winter Cycling tights just were not enough when temps got down below 20 F. (esp with wind) I usually ended up just putting a pair of nylon (non lined) pants over the top which worked ok but i prefer sticking to tights.

I was just wondering about this very topic. I want to find something I can wear in the wind and cold that's not bulky. Last year, (my first year biking in the winter) I was decked out in long underwear and jeans. Not good. Very cumbersome and not warm.

Do rain pants keep the wind off? I'm thinking about buying some.

Do rain pants keep the wind off? I'm thinking about buying some.

Yes they do. However they also don't breathe. The same can be said for any vinyl pants.


I have since rediscovered this thread (http://users.rcn.com/icebike/Clothing/lowerhalf.htm).

I am going to study this page then make a purchase. Last year i wore some of these Pace AMp2 "winter" tights. (http://www.mtbstore.com/product_pages/Tights-Warmers/Pace-Pace-AMP2-tights-no-pad-black-L.html) They were ok but 25 F I could feel the cold wind.

Are you rideing on a trail or on the road. If on the road it might be wet? salt etc, waterproof pants should be fine with long underwear wear bike shorts underneath and take the long undies off if you are to warm in my opinion it is more important to ventilate the top than the bottom. If it is dry out I have ridden for two hours in a pair of early winters tights nothing else over them, lots of hills not much wind.

I just ordered Sporthill's men's xc pant from http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/sporthill.asp
These are supposed to be breathable but windproof to 35 mph. Also, they're more of a relaxed fit in case you don't like tights.

You'll have to post an update on these when you get them... I need something that's not so bulky. I have some campmor full zip things that are okay but a tad stiff and sort of bulky. They get the job done but not really comfortable. A keen tight that's warm down to about 15 degrees would be great....

I ride up here in chilly orono ME thru the winter. usually i wear 2 pairs of thermals under a pair of nylon shorts, and 2 pairs of ski socks on my feet. and i find that i am alll set for most conditions. when in doubt, layer.

I've successfully used the Performance Triflex tights for the last 2 years down to about 6 degrees F and they stay plenty warm. They are so warm in fact that if it isn't below 35 or so I don't wear them at all. They have a very thick layer on the fronts and a more breathable fabric on the back. I think they also have a bib version which would eliminate any areas for cold or wind to creep into.. I found they run a little small, I have a 36" waist but wear the XL's

Here is the info from their website:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=15777&subcategory_ID=1121

We built these tights with serious winter riding in mind, with six panels of windproof, waterproof Triflex™ (a stretchable laminate of micro fleece and nylon/LYCRA®) and breathable, heavyweight brushed Dryline. The front, crotch and rear center panels are completely windproof and waterproof, to protect areas vulnerable to windchill and road spray. The lighter rear panels and waist help dissipate heat. Articulated, anatomic knee panel, banded waist with drawcord, 9" leg zippers with reflective piping, gripper elastic openings. Black (BLK). Sizes: S(28-30), M(32-34), L(36-38), XL(40-42), XXL(44-46). USA.

I have a pair of Etxe-Ondo bib tights that have Gore-Tex on the front of the legs (not at the knee for movement) that I wear down to zero. I start with a bib short then depending on the weather I add leg warmers and/or or a poly long underwear the top it off with the tights. I like to be warm and with this set up I don't feel the cold. I can come back after a ride and ring out the sweat.

In the summer the tights are great for rain also.

I got the Etxe-Ondo tights from CycleSports.com at their store in St. Paul, MN I think they were a sample or closeout. If I ever see another pair I'll buy them.

Cheers

Hey I ride with the sporhill XC pants. Made for high winds and comfortable. They make 2 or 3 different levels I think mine is 3, the one for the most extreme conditions. A little pricey, l got mine for 20.00 on ebay. Charlie
PS I've heard good things about Performances best brand, name??

Try Assos Airblock Thermax Tights that are good for 9F-50F degrees. They are to warm for me above 20F and ride with them down to zero,(but thats just me) Don't look at the price :eek: , Just say to yourself I need them.
http://www.branfordbike.com/wintwear/wintwr8.html

I looked at the pricey winter tights and decided to be inovative and just wear long
underwear under my normal Summer tights, and it works very well for me.

Well, i have decided to launch an attack on multiple fronts. I bought a used pair of windfront cycling tights on ebay that i plan to try. They are made by Bellwether and have fairly heavy fleece on the front inside and a wind proof fabric on the front of the legs.

I also have been working with a guy that runs a company called Foxwear to come up with another solution. His name is Lou and i ran across him on icebike.com. (http://users.rcn.com/icebike/Clothing/Ctestedonice.htm) (scroll down to find his company)

Foxwear (http://www.foxwear.net/products.htm) is a company in Idaho apparently run by Lou himself. So far he has been very helpful and sent me a whole bunch of fabrics to try. Today i called Lou and he is going to make me a pair of windpants/tights out of lightweight powershield. Yep, that is right, he is going to make them himself. He took my measurements over the phone.

The pants made out of this fabric will run me around $57. He is going to make them for me and then send them to me with the bill. I will report back as to how things turn out. He also makes jackets, hats etc. I like the idea of having the gear custom made and also having the individual who owns the company making the actual product.

When winter hits i will try my powershield pants, and windproof tights along with my other "winter tights" that are made by Pace. (come to find out these Pace tights are only supposed to be good down to about 30 F.) Heck i wore them down to less than 20 last winter a couple times. No wonder they were sort of chilly. :eek: I will be anxious to see what i learn.

Last year I bought REI Headwind Tights, which is 1/3 misnomer because they are not tight at all, kinda like a nice pair of jeans (though tapered), allowing you to go into any store, work and not raise any eyebrows:

http://www.rei.com/product/47811763.htm?vcat=REI_SSHP_CYCLING_TOC

One of the best purchases I've ever made. If it's really cold, I can just add a pair of long johns under them. They are windproof on the front side. It's kind of like riding behind a windshield. They breathe great. I bought them on sale last year about this time, so if you can wait a while, they might go down about $20 again. But if I knew then what I know now about them, I'd pay $100 for them. They are every bit as nice as any Pearl Izumi product. Most REI stuff is. I think these are similar to the Pearl Izumi Tokyo tights.

Of course, these won't be enough when there's precipitation. For that you'll need a shell type of pant.

Glad to hear the Triflex is working out, I am thinking of getting some. Did you look at the Pearl Izumi Amfib tights? Anybody have experience with those?

Dave

Glad to hear the Triflex is working out, I am thinking of getting some. Did you look at the Pearl Izumi Amfib tights? Anybody have experience with those?

Dave

One of my riding partners speedskates in those (edit: amfibs) on outdoor ovals up here. He says they are warm while he is skating (15-20oF).