I am asking for information as to where to wear my base layer on the bottom. Do I wear them under the biking shorts or over them? Also have some leg warmers that I wear and plan on wearing these over those to keep me warmer in the weather we are having. I am just a sissy where it comes to being cold.

What's a base layer on the bottom ??
When it's cold I wear shorts, with regular tights on top. 45f - 60f
When it's colder, I wear shorts with thermal tights on top. 20f - 45f
A few times when it's really, really cold, I wear my "too big" tights over my thermal tights. below 20f

I am not sure if the terminology is correct. They called them a base layer at the store I bought them. They are like a thin thermal underwear. The material appears to be the same material as my leg and arm warmers only a full set of pants instead of just the legs.

I am just wondering if I should put these on first before the biking shorts or over them to be able to take off if I get too warm during the ride.

I wear army surplus full length poly pro tights underneath my shorts. I should mention I dont wear those super tight yoga style bike shorts most riders wear, the ones I wear look like regular (non cycling) shorts and have more room to wear something underneath.

Then on top I wear a long sleeve jersey, over that a poly pro top, then over that a hoodie. With ear protectors and the hoodie's hood under my helmet. Then thermal socks and winter riding gloves. Works pretty well. I'm a wuss in cold weather too.

I think the idea is that nothing comes between you and the chamois (not even, especially not even Channel No.5).

On top of the chamois bearing pants (I have full leg length bibs for the winter) you can pile up anything.

I have X-Bionic ski underwear (expensive) but I don't dare wearing them on a 30 mi ride under the chamois. I am afraid I will end up with blisters where the sun don't shine... ...and if you know what the X-Bionic look like, wearing them as an outer layer, you might join the X-men and other Marvel super-heros.

Tomorrow's ride will be in the mid-thirties, considered cold here in Houston.

Don't wear anything between cycling bibs/shorts and the skin. I've never heard of anyone marketing a "base layer" for the lower body for cyclists. The usual routine is bibs plus legwarmers or, when it's colder, tights (with no pad) over bibs.

On a warm day, I wear cycling shorts.

On a cooler day, I add knee warmers or legwarmers.

On a cold day, I wear tights over my cycling shorts.

On a really cold day, I might wear sweatpants over my tights over my cycling shorts.


Thermal underwear is for skiing.

Thanks for the quick responses. It follows what I thought, not wearing anything between me and the bike shorts. They are not biking specific base layer pants (tights is more correct, I suppose) Hoping they will break enough wind to keep me warm. Thankfully the weather does not stay cold (relative) here in north florida.