sneakers & leg warmers?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,552
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,585 Times
in
2,344 Posts
sneakers & leg warmers?
saw a bike commuter this morning wearing sneakers & leg warmers around his ankles. I guess it works, just thought I'd share in case anyone has cold ankles
not the biker, just an internet pic
not the biker, just an internet pic
Last edited by rumrunn6; 01-03-19 at 12:13 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Mid Atlantic / USA
Posts: 2,115
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite
Mentioned: 43 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1002 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
155 Posts
One truth I hold to be absolute...
When biking in the cold (or hiking, or sledding, or just going out to get the mail) being warm is far more important than not looking like a dork.
If you're warm, you're right!
When biking in the cold (or hiking, or sledding, or just going out to get the mail) being warm is far more important than not looking like a dork.
If you're warm, you're right!
Likes For Skipjacks:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 1,257
Bikes: 2017 Salsa Carbon Mukluk frame built with XT, 2018 Kona Rove NRB build with Sram Apex 1,2008 Salsa El Mariachi, 1986 Centurion Ironman
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 286 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times
in
65 Posts
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Mid Atlantic / USA
Posts: 2,115
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite
Mentioned: 43 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1002 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
155 Posts
I mean...if you sport that look in the summertime....you invite the criticism from the fashion police. But in the winter...whatever keeps you warm.
#5
20+mph Commuter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Greenville. SC USA
Posts: 7,517
Bikes: Surly LHT, Surly Lowside, a folding bike, and a beater.
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1434 Post(s)
Liked 331 Times
in
219 Posts
You can easily purchase cycling specific leg and arm warmers. It is quite common to wear such things in cold climates. So why wouldn't gym leg warmers be effective? Good idea using them. Many years ago I had a set or "women's" leg warmers I used for converting a short sleeve sweatshirt into a long sleeve bike shirt. It worked. And when it warms up just take the sleeves right off. And they were dirt cheap on sale somewhere.
#6
Banned
You a Dancer?
Those are dancer's warm up leggings keeps those tendons in the ankles warmer for dance classes.
Leg warmers for cycling, are removable sleeves for your legs
Cheap?you can make them out of sweat pants
but for commuting , why not just buy track suit warm up trousers
to wear over your , I assume , Shorts? ... since race leg warmers are a leg cover to be combined with Bike shorts..
...
Leg warmers for cycling, are removable sleeves for your legs
Cheap?you can make them out of sweat pants
but for commuting , why not just buy track suit warm up trousers
to wear over your , I assume , Shorts? ... since race leg warmers are a leg cover to be combined with Bike shorts..
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 01-03-19 at 12:45 PM.
#7
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,978
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,538 Times
in
1,047 Posts
A corollary to that absolute truth - there is no requirement to dress like a dork in order to keep warm when cycling.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
But once something proves that it's going to work I go looking for equipment that's both effective and looks average or stylish.
The only item I have trouble with the fashion aspect on is balaclava's...hard to find something that covers your face that doesn't risk you looking a bit like a bank robber. Their fashionability has gone up at least with more people winter biking.
Last edited by PaulRivers; 01-03-19 at 04:27 PM.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,552
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,585 Times
in
2,344 Posts
maybe he got the idea from the Swedes?
Swedish Military Surplus Wool Leg Warmers
personally, I would use gaters if I were biking to a train. to keep my pant leg bottoms clean & dry
was at Savers in Wilmington at lunchtime looking for shirts for my 2nd job & saw a big supply at the register. cashier said they stock up for the holidays & are usually sold out. she wasn't sure why they still had so many. maybe cuz it's been so mild? falling out of fashion? asked Daughter if she wanted some, but she already has. girl goes to school in VT ...
Swedish Military Surplus Wool Leg Warmers
personally, I would use gaters if I were biking to a train. to keep my pant leg bottoms clean & dry
was at Savers in Wilmington at lunchtime looking for shirts for my 2nd job & saw a big supply at the register. cashier said they stock up for the holidays & are usually sold out. she wasn't sure why they still had so many. maybe cuz it's been so mild? falling out of fashion? asked Daughter if she wanted some, but she already has. girl goes to school in VT ...
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Mid Atlantic / USA
Posts: 2,115
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Crosstrail / 2013 Trek Crossrip Elite
Mentioned: 43 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1002 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
155 Posts
But I cant' cover my face with it. I have to leave the full face open. I've yet to find a face cover that doesn't get wet inside form my breath condensating.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I have to remind myself that when you say "leg warmers" most normal people picture what the OP posted, not this:
#12
Banned
Gaiters are what Fills in the gap between (hiking) boots and trouser legs ..
These are Swiss military surplus ...
These are Swiss military surplus ...
Likes For fietsbob:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
You ride with your regular bike shorts up the mountain. Even near the top you're working hard so you're sweating.
You get to the top and are looking at coasting down a mountain at 40f with bare legs. The leggings are lightweight enough that you could bring them with you (jersey pocket? I dunno) so you put them on for the ride down.
That being said, it's a pretty niche use. If I'm not running into such radical differences in temperature I have the same attitude of just wear full pants.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
Different people have different temp ranges they can handle I suppose. Also Minnesota winter does help harden one off.
Yeah, it was an issue for me when I was trying to ride at real cold temps like 5f. Only solution I found at the time was wearing contacts. Eventually I just decided it was to annoying to ride when it's that cold so that uh "solved" it...
#16
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
I use Gore-Tex gaiters...They are one of the most functional and useful items a winter cyclists can have...They add extra warmth, prevent snow and water from getting into my boots and keep my lower legs clean and dry.
Likes For wolfchild:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
It's true, it's a niche product, but it fits a niche I find myself in quite a bit during winter in these parts: 45-35F. Warmer than that, I usually just wear kneewarmers; colder than that, I usually put tights over bibs. But for the commute, I will usually just wear my office clothes and an elastic cuff band.
#18
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,696
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1533 Post(s)
Liked 1,530 Times
in
917 Posts
Hah! I don't have to worry about looking like a dork in the winter, because it's too dark for anyone to see me! :
#19
On Holiday
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,014
Bikes: A bunch of old steel bikes
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 394 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
12 Posts
Here's my sub-freezing winter dork suit. Heavy wool Italian Alpini troop knickers with wool socks. Definitely toasty. A bit too warm for any temp higher than 35F.
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,552
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,585 Times
in
2,344 Posts
this morning saw another bike commuter, on the same trail, heading to the train. saw his ankles. they must have been cold, cuz my car thermometer read 15 F degrees!
#21
Non omnino gravis
I also don't understand cycling-specific leg warmers. My kneecaps and shins can handle most any amount of cold-- if it gets cold enough that my shins are cold, the whole wardrobe needs to change. So yeah, now you put on leg warmers, and you've got toasty kneecaps. Meanwhile, your junk has frozen solid, because normal shorts/bibs don't insulate at all.
Further, that pic with the Castelli warmers is showing an almost scandalous amount of ankle.
Further, that pic with the Castelli warmers is showing an almost scandalous amount of ankle.
#22
Keepin it Wheel
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,433 Times
in
2,540 Posts
I have never in my life felt that my ankles were cold. Toes yes, but never ankles.
(My solution for cold toes is to HTFU because work is only about 5 miles away, but if I were to ride longer than that in the cold, I would use plastic grocery bags between socks and shoes. Actually, since the free bag ban passed, I don't think you can get those thin plastic bags anymore, all they have now is the thicker, reusable bags you that cost 10c each)
I wear shorts in all temperatures I get, which stretches down to about 30 a few clear winter mornings per year.
(My solution for cold toes is to HTFU because work is only about 5 miles away, but if I were to ride longer than that in the cold, I would use plastic grocery bags between socks and shoes. Actually, since the free bag ban passed, I don't think you can get those thin plastic bags anymore, all they have now is the thicker, reusable bags you that cost 10c each)
I wear shorts in all temperatures I get, which stretches down to about 30 a few clear winter mornings per year.
#23
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,446
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,105 Times
in
1,369 Posts
Just a note here that whatever your selected solution is to cold shins, I can understand and accept it.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I also don't understand cycling-specific leg warmers. My kneecaps and shins can handle most any amount of cold-- if it gets cold enough that my shins are cold, the whole wardrobe needs to change. So yeah, now you put on leg warmers, and you've got toasty kneecaps. Meanwhile, your junk has frozen solid, because normal shorts/bibs don't insulate at all.
Further, that pic with the Castelli warmers is showing an almost scandalous amount of ankle.
Further, that pic with the Castelli warmers is showing an almost scandalous amount of ankle.
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,552
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,585 Times
in
2,344 Posts