Don't know if the o.p. is a dude or a dudette but my S.O. is a dudette. I always think of Pearl Izumi as a women's brand. She has huge calves (my S.O.). She won't kill me for saying so because it is so true. She just got a pair of P.I. tights in size small because that's her size in most things but the tights wouldn't even go on. She got them halfway up her thighs, thats all. I OTOH am a dude so between us we have you covered, o.p. I just got a pair of Nashbar tights in a size large. I thought the fit in the calves was pretty good. I have skinny to average calves. I agree with another poster, if the Nashbar tights weren't such a good price I would have gone my usual route of buying runners tights. New Balance tights are often around $12 and are real tights with key pockets and reflective striping. Long underwear is often baggy around the knees and does not have any kind of reflective treatment. Not the worst thing but I feel creepy wearing underwear outdoors. Knickers are another possible idea. There are some great knicker sites on the web and/or you can make your own.

H