I love my arm/leg warmers! It's hard to imagine anything that could compare at the intersection of their utility/stowability. The leg warmers work better/worse depending on the stickiness of the leg grippers on your shorts. I have some older PI bibs that they don't work as well with as my more recent versions.

Really! Your calves are 2' long? Remember this is measured from your ankle bone, not from the ground. You might want to apply a tape measure to your leg.

First of all, I'm exaggerating slightly of course, and secondly, I like my leg warmers to start about my heel so that my ankles are fully covered, and I like them to be baggy and loose over my knees. By the time you account for those two things, I've never met a pair of leg warmers that has come up above my knee any more than about 4-5 inches. And I buy the extra long ones too.

I buy extra-extra long tights (the kind women wear with skirts) too, because "Average" or "Tall" are just not long enough for me.


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4150/...c1bbb03f_z.jpg

I agree that there are many different options to legwarmers, if you're not too keen on them. One of my friends had a pair of yoga type pants she wore over her shorts until she warmed up enough. I've used leg warmers, but recently bought a pair of Sugioi RPM Thermal Pants. They're semi-waterproof on top, wind proof, and have a breathable mesh backing. The back of the pant is thin enough that I don't get too much rubbing (I wear my bike shorts underneath). If you really don't like the grippers on the arm warmers, I have a pair of wool arm warmers that were awesome (I don't recall the brand at the moment). They just stayed up on their own, plus the natural fibers didn't have the funky smell some of the manmade fibers do. If you can find a pair of leg warmers that fit right (not too tight in the knees) and will stay up, you might just find yourself happiest with that, though.

Just got back from the ride I had in mind when I started this thread: the Ride Around Washington 2014. I did wind up using arm and leg warmers. It turns out that my main objection to them -- the tightness at the gripper -- came from not finding ones that fit me in my local stores. It seems that the disconnect between cyclist sizes and real world sizes caught me: I wear US size 14 slacks, which came out to XXL legwarmers. I was able to find ones that fit online at Aerotech Designs.

On a week-long trip, there were several days when the weather would be misty and 50*F in the mornings when we started out. I'd leave camp wearing shorts, jersey, arm and leg warmers, a thin tube scarf, and a jacket. In an hour or two, the mist would burn off, and I'd peel off a few layers. The versatility was very much appreciated, and having the right fit made all the difference.

Thanks to you all for helping me get the right gear for what was a great ride.

Yes ... I'm experiencing similar sizing issues.

I'm glad you were able to find something that fit and worked for you. :)

You could try gaiters or puttees. Gaiters are great for taking them on and off fast, but I like puttees better. Just takes longer to take on and off.

I see you've already done the trip(glad you had a good time!), but I'm still gonna put in another vote for zip-off pants for anyone still reading this in the future. That's absolutely my favorite thing for biking or hiking. Those with a velcro strap to keep them out of the chain and I'm good to go. If I plan on Cold temps, I'll also take tall socks rather than my usual ankle height or flip-flops. I wear athletic boxer briefs under my shorts. In that gear, I'm comfortable and easily changeable on the trail in all sorts of temps from basically freezing up to however comfortable a person can be in the scorching sun. I'm one of those weirdos who likes to ride a bike in shorts and flip-flops rather than decked out in head-to-toe spandex, so of course that's something to take into consideration.

I'm built like a string bean with chicken legs. All bit-warmers fall down, the grippy elastic fails to grip.

I used the Zoic convertible pants on my recent Pacific Coast trip in May and June. Long pants in early morning, shorts late morning and afternoon.
Black Market Convertible Cycling Pants | ZOIC Clothing

I bought them at REI. They used to be made in tan or black. I first got a pair in tan, then learned that the leather stain in Brooks saddles will discolor light colors on six hour days in the saddle. Thus, bought a black pair just before my trip this year. The staining might be why now you can only buy them in black.
Zoic Black Market Convertible Bike Pants - Men's - Free Shipping at REI.com

My only complaints are that I had to take my shoes off to get the pants legs off (they do not have a zipper to make the bottom bigger) and I do not like their method of raising them up away from crankset with buttons, I used a normal pants strap.

I do not know if there is a women's version or not.

Sew buttonholes in the hem of the shorts . add buttons to the leg warmers..