been using fleece tights & Novara cycling pants for cold rides but I think my 58yr old left knee would benefit from another layer. left knee probably has a touch of arthritis or tendinitis that acts up in these long duration cold situations

thinking about knee warmers but don't want something tight. also not sure where I would wear it, next to skin? over fleece tights & under cycling pants? (there isn't much room) or over the cycling pants? (this would be easier to add during the ride but should be black to blend in, thick & fleecy but wind proof?)

if I keep the rides to under 2.5-3 hrs I might be OK without but would like something I cold maybe throw on after an hour or two, when I know I'll be out for a bit more time

Big old wool sock, cut the toe off, between layers. I use some Dirt Rag Kneekers, sort of stretchy wool with grippers to hold up, great for those really cold days.

interesting. thank you. looking into those I found this article about knee warmers

Cold Weather Riding #3: Keep Yer Pants On | Dirt Rag

Make your own with cheap snow pants, cut out the length you want around the knee and move up the elastic inner ankle retainer to above the knee (depending your leg size, it may be possible to just cut off a length and turn them upside down). Wear them over the top, take off if too warm, slide back on if too cold. I have the retainer at the bottom instead of top, but my legs are more or less sticking out forward on the recumbent so it's also a wind seal for me, if upright then you may want elastic at the top or on both ends.

Try applying an "Aspercreme" type product, Trolamine salicylate 10%, pre-ride. I find it helps me a lot, YMMV as they say.

I have chrondomalcia patellae (CP) and have since 1978. It's not going away. I was told when diagnosed that I had to keep my knees warm if I wanted to keep them. I always wore an extra layer over them. Eventually I decided that super warm kneewarmers that covered only the fronts and sides of my knees would be a lot better for the rest ofme, esp in warmer weather so I designed and had made warmers that are two layers of 3oo weight windblock fleece wiht twl light elastics around the back and a velcro'd strap up my thigh front to a "D" ring n sewn to my shorts. (With CP, binding against my hamstrings aggravates the same problem I am trying to help. Any strap around my knee tight enough to accomplish keeping them up is way too tight. My first pair, one I found in a sale box at a bike shop was great except after one ride I HAD to loosen the strap. Loosened it enough to work and they promptly fell to my ankles. The thigh strap idea was born.)

I have the plans for these warmers if anyone is interested. I wear them every ride until the temps are into the 80s F and wear over them whatever I would have anyway.

Ben

maybe a photo?

was poking around & found these that might be worth a try but might need some modification

Women's Fleece Leg Warmers Queen [apparently there's no such product described as for men with big thighs :-)]
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6EC8TK...SS4VI2PG&psc=1

Add the extra wool to the lower end of knickers legs and they will stay up.

My first were a pair of supposedly volleyball kneepads. They provided good windbreaks while being well ventilated to the rear. I wear them outermost.
2nd pair are some double-fleece Houdini. These too go on the outside. More discrete, warm about as well except for in rain. Bunch up more at the back.

tried one by cutting off the elastic collars, seemed to work well. was out for a cpl hrs. temps in the mid to high 30s, rigged a fleece knee warmer tucked under the trishort & under the fleece tights. used a little masking tape too. then novara headwind pants over it all

I used these in the coldest days. They are very thick and warm, but may be too thick to wear under your pants. Also would be irritating next to your skin. But really warm. (may take a couple weeks for you to receive)