Need to beef up for 30F and below. Can't decide if I want to go with a heavyweight tight or stay with a medium and go with a merino wool baselayer. Anyone use a baselayer out there? I guess my worry is chaffing. I have never used a baselayer with tights. Come to think of it, as far as that goes until 1 week ago I have never had a pair of tights on in my life! LOL The things we do for the sport!

You may want to also crosspost this in the Winter Forum, as you'll get a ton of responses there.

Personally, I prefer a heavyweight ("winter") tight and not having anything else to worry about. I just got my current set after winter stuff went on sale last year and my first ride with them was in December. When I took them out of the packaging, I was initially afraid that they'd be a bit bulky and not that comfortable, but that hasn't been an issue.

I got Pearl Izumi stuff, as I find it works well for me, but there are lots of good brands. If you want to see a ton of options, Rapha has perhaps the biggest selection of clothing options for winter that I've seen. Their stuff is good, but definitely not cheap, though.

30 C or F? I have 200wt polar fleece + my Rain pants or I use a pair of pants made for Ski stuff that puts those 2 Material together

Insulating and Wind block Snow is easy to waterProof for, it's not a liquid any more .


<< note location its more wet and over 0C here most of the time..

I have worn Pearl Izumi Amfibs for years in really cold weather and I'm totally satisfied with them. Mine are bib tights without the pads, and I wear them over regular bib shorts. They are comfortable for me in temps down to the teens and up to the 50s. I used to reserve them for rides only in the 30s or lower, but they are fine in warmer temps if you are riding at a moderate or easy pace. On fast paced rides, they might get too warm in temps 40s or higher.

I bike commute year-round, so I have gotten a lot of use out of my Amfibs. They are one of the few items of cycling gear that I would buy again with no hesitation or shopping around for competing products.

I have a pair of fleece lined tights, the fleece is very thin, but they are prteey warm in the 30's. If it's really cold, say in the mid 20's, I'll add regular sythetic long johns underneath. Never had a problem with them under the tights. Bu then again the rides won't be that long if it's that cold.

Your first pair of tights? Wait until you decide to stop at a store, like Walmart, while your wearing them. Or stop into a resturant with them on.

^this.

This has worked for me down to around 30F with just shorts underneath. Then, if colder, I'd just add a pair of lightweight long underwear underneath. I use these - the PI P.R.O. tights which are similar.

The whole trick for me is keeping the wind intrusion down. I generate enough heat from riding to keep warm but it's the windchill that does it to me.

J.

I use a merino wool base layer with Rivendell Musa pants over. The light nylon is comfortable and breaks the wind while the wool keeps me comfy even in subzero temps.

Marc

Wool leg warmers; no worry about chafing

Thanks Folks.

PI Amphibs for me below about 50.

Unpadded PI Amfib bib tights below 30. I layer regular kneewarmers under them below 15.

Decided to go with icebreaker medium weight wool base layer and smartwool lightweight. Think I like the flexibility it will give me. Got a good deal at sierra trading post. Got 6 pieces for $110. What the heck. If I don't like it I will use the woolies for everyday stuff and get the pi amfibs. All set I think.