Winter Cycling - Pantyhose for foot layer?

Anyone ever tried this? I know a lot of hunters and farmers (not to mention cheerleaders and majorettes) swear by pantyhose in the wintertime to keep the ol' leggers warm. Are they a good idea for cyclists, or is the material from which they're made a big no-no (like cotton)?

Thanks,
Cole

Hunters and farmers don't deal with wind resistance. Guess it would depend on your distance, speed, and winds.

On a 13mi commute...at about 18MPH, I tried the "winter" hose as a base layer for temps around 30F and froze it off :( If you try the hose, you may want to bring Plan B "just in case". Your mileage may vary....

If you're going to do this, you have to get tights, not pantyhose. They're thicker. But i found some non-cotton thermal underwear. Much thicker than tights are.

Yeah I usually use thermal underwear with baggy pants when it gets REAL cold. Otherwise I have a pair of insulated and non insulated tights that work pretty good until about 10-20deg when mountain biking or about 20-30 on the road.

I tried a pair of control top tights under my cycling tights and they did keep me warmer.
They only cost $3 so it is worth a try.

The pantyhose works even better with a French Maid outfit.

I found a pair (2 pack) of black non-cotton tights at Wal-Mart for about $3. I cut the legs off and use them as leg and arm warmers. They work great down to about 30 deg F. Roll on...roll off. I've even used them at extreme temps as a base layer. I usually go for the cheap and work my way up.

I wear mens pantyhose under my bike shorts all the time, check www.comfilon.com thanks :)

Pantyhose are COLD!!!! Take it from a girl who was forced to wear them with dresses on Sundays in the winter. They won't provide you with a bit of extra warmth, you might as well go out with bare legs.

Not only that, but if you sweat in pantyhose you'll discover a whole new meaning to the word: itch. Your legs will be crawling!

If you feel you must try this, go with tights ... they are slightly more comfortable.


But what's wrong with cycling-specific clothing?? That's what it is there for!

http://www.comfilon.com/Images/Products/Style610_WaistHigh_Lg_Navy.jpg

Pantyhose are COLD!!!! Take it from a girl who was forced to wear them with dresses on Sundays in the winter. They won't provide you with a bit of extra warmth, you might as well go out with bare legs.

Not only that, but if you sweat in pantyhose you'll discover a whole new meaning to the word: itch. Your legs will be crawling!

If you feel you must try this, go with tights ... they are slightly more comfortable.


But what's wrong with cycling-specific clothing?? That's what it is there for!

Not only are Pantyhose cold but they run so easily they really aren't worth the trouble unless you absolutely have to wear them.

WHen I was in school I'd sometimes wear Danskin's heavy weight dancer's tights - either under a dress or on the rare occasions we could wear jeans. The footless version was good with wool socks.

Stacy

Not only are Pantyhose cold but they run so easily they really aren't worth the trouble unless you absolutely have to wear them.

WHen I was in school I'd sometimes wear Danskin's heavy weight dancer's tights - either under a dress or on the rare occasions we could wear jeans. The footless version was good with wool socks.

Stacy

Actually, I find pantyhose to be a very comfortable base layer when I ride in the winter, they really help reduce the effects of wind cutting through your tights, they don't bind and add bulk like long johns, and they give your legs some extra support on longer rides.

My wife gets a good laugh at my expense too, but she agrees, they help her too!

Sheer Energy aren't too expensive, as long as you get them on sale.

For feet (versus legs), I remember reading somewhere that some commuters were using PLASTIC BAGGIES over their socks or something to keep their feet warm. Or am I making that up? Anyone else ever hear of that? I've never tried it so can't say if it works, but I imagine it would ... might be pretty hot, in fact.

I wear mens pantyhose under my bike shorts all the time, check www.comfilon.com thanks :)
I thought they're called "Manihose." :D

I thought they're called "Manihose." :D"mantyhose".....available at most sex shops.

For a wind/cold/water resistant sock, I use a thin sock that is kind of a lycra/neoprene thing. I got them at a scuba dive shop. They are designed to go inside your dive booties. Really impressive for their thickness.

[QUOTE=LOOPDEELOOP]For feet (versus legs), I remember reading somewhere that some commuters were using PLASTIC BAGGIES over their socks or something to keep their feet warm.

I have tried it and did not have much success.

For feet (versus legs), I remember reading somewhere that some commuters were using PLASTIC BAGGIES over their socks or something to keep their feet warm. Or am I making that up? Anyone else ever hear of that? I've never tried it so can't say if it works, but I imagine it would ... might be pretty hot, in fact.

Some friends have used the baggies to break the wind and keep the toes warm. Down to 20F my feet stay warm enough with out trying them so I do not have first hand experience

Pantyhose are COLD!!!! ...


But what's wrong with cycling-specific clothing?? That's what it is there for!

Pantyhose by themselves probably are cold. As another layer under the bike tights, it does help.

cycling-specific clothing? Yes for a price. A number of the things I use for cycling come from Walmart. Take winter gloves - a good, cycling-specific pair cost $50. A pair from the hunting department - $11. S they are camflaged but who cares when it 25F out.

I would be carefull with baggies. Plastic does not breath and if you layer too much or just get warm enough, your feet will sweat and then you will freeze your feet solid. Problem with bike shoes are that they are tight, does not promote good circulation which keeps your feet cold. A size up in shoe size and a layer of polypro with wool socks may not be great to race in but will probably work for a commute. Panty hose work but they are not for everyone. They are usually used to add to whatever else you normally wear.