The "skinny" on tights
 

I am pretty set on the cut-off shorts/tights combo for the remainder of Fall/Winter. I don't care about getting wet, I just don't want to freeze. Rain pants are out of the picture for me.

Initially, I bought some size small Pearl Izumi leg warmers. They fit well (meaning they were tight around the calves/legs) but the would slip down. A friend told me I need bike shorts to hold em up and that I'm better off just getting tights as they are warmer.

I brought back the leg warmers and went in a few days later with cash in hand, ready to buy tights. They didn't have any pearl izumi stuff in size small so I tried on some off-name brand in a small and they were baggy around my calves.

I was going to try on the bike shorts/pearl izumi leg warmer combo at rei while i was there but they had no small leg warmers left.

Here's what I'm wondering. If the Pearl Izumi leg warmers fit well, will the tights also? I am about to order some but I am going to be bummed if they fit wrong.
I have very little body fat, I cycle a lot and although my legs are strong, they are skinny (if that makes sense)

I don't want to spend $120 for the Pearl Izumi Elites (that's just way too much for me to spend) so was going to buy the $70 ones.

Anyone ever have issues with this?

Thankssssss

There are lots of strong slim cyclists. Go to a shop (local bike shop, Performance, REI, etc...) and have a talk with a sales associate and try stuff on. That's what they are there for. I know for a fact that Performance and REI carry Pearl Izumi. Also, I know that REI has a *very* liberal return policy. Not sure about Performance, but I think so, too.

By the way, this isn't a SSFG issue. I suggest asking in another forum. Maybe Commuting or something.

pearl izumi fits giganticly.

Don't buy that cycle specific crap.

Get some ski tights like Duofold. Better and cheaper.

really all american brands are cut huge.

Word. Its called vanity sizing.

"your new girl is vanity sized"

has a nicer ring to it

i dont really have anything to add, just wanted to comment on the pun intended

Cheaper $olution and better fit:
Pantyhose or dancing/ski tights (any color).

$120 for Pearl Izumis??? That's way overpriced that's Assos territory. Check out Wiggle or one of the other online shops.

carleton is right. Moving to the Commuting forum where I'm sure you'll get better responses.

Dude,

I've worn these tights for 5 seasons with great results.

http://www.coldlizard.com/products/men/bottoms

I have 2 pairs of the heavier weight 100's and 1 pair of the thinner. You can double them up easily. The thinner ones are more of a slick outer to go well as an under layer. Honestly though I have almost never doubled them up. Worn them below freezing.

-D

I've done well with a pair of PI Gavia Plus bib tights for the past 3 years. Only in the most extreme of cold that we get up here (below 20F) do I need to double up with a pair of shortie thermals underneath to keep my junk warm. My legs are just fine, though. I've done plently of winter 200k permanents in them without problems.

I'm not sure about skinny fit on their small sizes. All I know is that their 2XL stuff fits my Sasquatch stature really well.

I've been using Pearl Izumi AmFib tights for several years and they are incredibly warm. However, I have found that PI gear is sized very inconsistently. My first PI tights fit me great in size Large, so I bought my AmFibs in L but they were much too small and I had to exchange them for Xl. I recently bought some PI Select tights in Size L (which cost $70 full retail but I got for 25% off at REI) and they also fit too small, so I again exchanged for XL. Their jerseys and jackets fit the same way -- some styles fit me perfect in Large and other styles I have to go up to XL. I don't know why they can't size their clothes consistently.

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

Like some of the others here I've always used non-cycling specific tights because I can also use them for running and XC skiing. Much cheaper too. All the running shoe brands offer good options.

I've nothing to add except:

I'm surprised since you live in Portland you haven heard of these pants. Check out REI's Headwind pants. Not skin tight but snug and they have a windproof front. I likem a lot. They did have them for $54.00 a while back but I'd still pay the full price. They are water resistant but not waterproof.

Gak! Ditch the cutoffs. That's just far too 80s. Like fax machines.

What next? Revenge of the parachute pants?

Cutoffs (extra points for corduroy), tights, wool knee socks, SPD sandals. Sooooo totally rockin' the PNW awesomeness. :)

If REI doesn't have them in stock, order them on REI's website. If they don't fit, you can take them back to the store.

Or these: http://www.rei.com/product/786445

I own a couple of pair and they're very nice.

I would never buy clothing I didn't first try on. period.

Consider Lou at Foxwear for custom-made in material you want at comparable prices.
 

I have not bought any items from him, but have read several very favorable review of clothing made to order in the materials and colors you want by Lou at FoxWear. Want something made of "Bright commuter yellow water resistant Power Stretch in 250 weight"? He'll make them for you.

With winter coming, I think I will give him a try. Just try and find biking-type tights in yellow or red etc. His Powershield tights (available in two weights) are $63, PowderShield tights $44. Also makes pants, jackets, shirts & vests. "All products can be fitted for no additional cost. In most cases Foxwear can adjust the fabrics used for articles depending on the customers' needs. Please contact Foxwear with any custom orders."