villabryan

Background
Please accept my apoligies if this is not appropriate for this subforum.

So I am in the market for cycling tights that will keep me warm. It doesnt get too cold here in Japan, only during the nights. The days are usually from about 11c(51f) to about 4c(39f). At night itll drop to about 1c (34f) with extremes at about -4c (25f). Right now im looking at around -1c (30f) to -4c(25f) at night.

This will only last about a month though.

What I would want
I want warm tights for fall and spring that I can also use in winter, but they dont exist. they sell both spring/autumn tights as well as warmer winter tights.

Question
However I was wondering if it were possible to buy autumn tights in the 8c~ range and just layer a heavier merino baselayer underneath to make them warmer so that perhaps i can handle the 0 range.

Or perhaps layer on top with windbreaking pants?

Products I am considering
I am looking at the dhb asv professional roubaix bib tights or the castelli nanoflex tights. I feel that these will be nice in spring and i can layer them in winter.

There is also the dhb vaeon zero tights but i am afraid that these will be too warm to use in the spring and fall.


What I have
I currently have windblocking fleece tights that I think are warm enough with layering but they have a horrible pad. They are definitely too warm to use in 10c+ weather. At that point though im comfortable using regular cycling shorts with perhaps under armor tights on top.

StanSeven

Either of those laying ideas should work. Just about any tights will keep you warm after going a few minutes.

headloss 

I wear thermal tights in the winter under my spring/fall cycling tights (not padded), that's worked for me. I wouldn't mind having something more water proof though, for those transitional days where the snow is melting.

BigJeff

Have you added extra thick leggings yet? (Pack and pocket stash as weather changes)

79pmooney

I've been doing that for years. I've also been known to put folded newspaper on the fronts of my thighs and knees over my last layer before the tights. Doesn't take long for the newspaper to become silent. (Newspaper is a trick as old as cycling. Still done by the pros who stuff sheets of it inside their jerseys after mountain climbs and before the descent. We don't see it because the stars on the teams, ie all the riders the cameras cover, will get handed jackets, either clear or with logos. Their lowly teammates who crest the mountain 5-10 minutes later can be seen stuffing the newspaper.

I have even done the same under tights but with cut up plastic bags for rides that were going to be seriously wet. I still get wet, but it takes longer and I do not get quite as cold.

Edit: I'll second wearing tights without a chamois. Until it gets cold enough, I often wear simple cycling briefs under. Or my old, no longer decent in public, shorts.

Ben

xscottypx

i had thermal pants that sucked because they did not block wind, so the cold just came on through. swapped for wind blocking, and stayed warmer. i suggest wind blocking.

Jiggle

For 25-30F dry weather, I use regular spandex knee warmers (short pieces that cover the knee and some of the thigh) and padded shorts under regular spandex long tights. I found any more than that and I'm sweating when I get warmed up.

At 40F I leave the knee warmers at home.

Merino wool insulated leggings for dry weather? Sounds like torture.

I have a log book of what to wear in 10F increments so every winter there is no guesswork.

DXchulo

I use a different approach. I have my warm winter tights (PI Amfib) and use leg warmers (PI Elite Thermal) in spring & fall. The leg warmers are very versatile in changing temperature conditions. When it gets really cold, the winter tights are definitely worth having. They make a big difference on those miserable days. I've tried knee warmers under leg warmers, but it's just not as good as the dedicated winter tights.

Stucky

I just wear a fleece base layer with regular cycling shorts over them, and it's fine for temps in the low 30*'s F.

cashmonee

I use my regular bibs with Under Armour ColdGear tights over them. I am plenty warm here in Central California with temperatures similar to what you are talking about, 30F at sunrise. I have always found a good jacket that keeps the core warm is the key to keeping the rest of me warm.

villabryan

You guys are awesome! You gave me so many good ideas! I think I am gonna cut out the pad of the pants I already have and use those with my favorite shorts for when it gets really cold. I think I'll get some spring fall tights and give it a shot.

Somebody mentioned cycling briefs? That would make things so much easier! Who makes cycling briefs with a good pad for long distances?

Looigi

Yes, wind blocking front on tights is good for me below ~45F. Above that it's thermal leg warmers or tights up to ~50-55F depending wx and ride.

txags92

I generally only go for my heavy winter tights when it gets below about 35F. If it is at or above 35F and relatively sunny, I will wear my regular bibs and Pearl Izumi leg warmers that go all the way to my ankle.