Winter Cycling - leg warmers or tights?

I cant decide, I have a pair of tights in mind but i dont know about legawrmers? any input? Do the leg warmers work. As you know i am talking about New england so keep that in mind.

Leg warmers work as long as they stay up..Have have a pair of leg warmers by PI..They are pretty good..But,for really cold conditons..Thick tights!Thick lights with a lining.

I just got both, thermafleece Pearl Izumis.

The tights definitely are more comfy in colder temps than the leg warmers. I could feel the chill a bit with my regular shorts at higher speeds, but only on my butt - where the leg warmers didn't reach. (That thermafleece stuff works wonders, keeping the chill out.)

My Performanc Triflex tights are fleece lined...I recommend you not take them out unless it is below 40 degrees..They get too hot..Everywhere...But when needed they are just great.

Leg Warmers = Good for temps over 40 F. 40-30 use some lightweight tights. 30 and below, start looking at some winter tights. I own all of the above and use them accordingly. Happy Holidays!!

I also have them both and I would agree with both of you. Leg warmers are layerable though if that is important.

ok I think i am goin to get a pair of tights. Any reccomendations. want to spend at most 80-85$ (us dollars).

ok I think i am goin to get a pair of tights. Any reccomendations. want to spend at most 80-85$ (us dollars).

I have tried a number of things, but this is the best i have found. I had a pair custom made by Lou at Foxwear.net. (http://www.foxwear.net/PowerShieldTights.htm) He took my measurements and they fit perfectly.

Don't be skeptical just because this isn't a big company. It is rare to get tights custom made for these prices. I simply love my powershield tights. I have worn them in the teens already this year with nothing underneath.

Those look cool, I am looking for more of the tight fitting tight. But those look good for the price, do they have fleece insert?

565... I am looking at my latest Performance Catalog..Right now,they have their 'Triflex' tights on sale...$5 off....Priced $74.99. Says windproof and waterproof...They are warm...Decent quality..For that price you get them with a chamois..You wear them above low 40's, you will be too warm.. Waterproofing..They are effective..I have found..
Performance can be accessed on line.

Those look cool, I am looking for more of the tight fitting tight. But those look good for the price, do they have fleece insert?

They are made of power shield by Malden Mills. The mateiral is wind and nearly water proof. The inside is lined with very light fleece. I sold my Bellwether winter tights that were much more expensive after i got these.

BTW, these ARE tights. The material is just heavy enough that it doesn't cling to you. I much prefer them to my other tights. They are loose fitting enough that you can wear them into a store without getting any peter pan comments. Yet they are tight enough to feel like tights.

I don't rave about products very easily. I am just SOOOOOOO impressed with these tights. Lou sent me over 20 fabric samples of different high tech winter fabrics. He carefully explained what each is better for, then recommended i go with Powershield. He was correct. He made them up for me and mailed them to me with a bill.

He also took custom measurements. This is all virtually unheard of these days.

565... I am looking at my latest Performance Catalog..Right now,they have their 'Triflex' tights on sale...$5 off....Priced $74.99. Says windproof and waterproof...They are warm...Decent quality..For that price you get them with a chamois..You wear them above low 40's, you will be too warm.. Waterproofing..They are effective..I have found..
Performance can be accessed on line.

I am a performance member.

I amy have to call him, where is he located? do nyou have his number?

*may

Leg Warmers = Good for temps over 40 F. 40-30 use some lightweight tights. 30 and below, start looking at some winter tights. I own all of the above and use them accordingly. Happy Holidays!!


Ok. I’m too cold in just tights in 40-50 F, so I wear wormers and shorts on top. I tried to ride with just tights in 50F and I felt the wind in my knees and crotch area (which is more important then knees). It really got cold. On the other hand I see these guys just in tights. I can bare cold in my knees but why would a men want a wind chill in his crotch area, it really is not healthy. I say get both, you can’t go wrong.

For the crotch area, I wear Wind Briefs..Underwear Nazi's advice is NOT headed when it is below about 45...Wind Briefs keep the vitals from going numb...Takes care of that problem..Also, I have a pair of lined tights by Nalini..Designed for the 'Gan team' Those are really incredibly warm..
For the rest of me..Triple layer on top..Craft cold weather T shirt, jersey, arm warmers, and winter windstopper jacket..closed SPD shoes and winter socks...I am off and running and just fine.
Of course, winter full fingered gloves, and full size skull cap..
Should be fine until about freezing..Not that it gets that cold here that often.

I picked these up a few weeks ago (were on sale):

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19658

Very pleased. They have a micro-fleece liner similar to the PI ThermaFleece. But they're more of a mid-weight tight and might not be warm enough for New England. I'm skinny, and these fit me better than the Performance/Nashbar tights of the same size.

I've just been wearing MTB shorts with PI leg warmers down to 36F. If the reast of me is warm then my legs don't bother me. I can even wear these warmers up to 50F - they're very comfortable, I love them.

For when it get's SERIOUSLY cold, I might just try throwing on my rain pants on top.