mthayer

I've been considering getting some knickers to wear while touring. Anyone have experiences that they would like to share, good/bad?

busted knuckles

I went to good will, picked out some pants that fit well and had them cut and hemmed just below the knee. I love them. I wear them all the time. One of them is even made of stretchy material. I have not toured with them, yet.

NoReg

The main point of knickers is to provide knee mobility in the absence of lycra or stretch fabrics. Not really a factor today. i used to enjoy heavy tweed knickers for ice climbing and cross country skiing back in the 70s/80s, at which point they were on their way out. Can still look kinda classic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3M9w9fC7tg

staehpj1

Different strokes, but if I am going to be in odd looking clothes I figure that they might as well be bike shorts and or tights/leg warmers.

wahoonc

Depends on the type and length of tour. I still wear wool slacks and knickers for most of my riding in cooler weather. Longer tours I am more apt to go with more cycling specific clothing, but I wear the baggy type shorts with the lycra liners and regular shirts.

Aaron

truman

I've got a pair of Cloudveil shants that come below the knee. They're extremely lightweight and fast-drying. Handy for cool mornings that transition to warm, sunny days. I wear them more for commuting now, because they're a little too single-purpose for my lightweight tour packing style.

For touring I use some REI convertible nylon pants. They have an semi-elastic waist that's helpful as I ride the lard off, and look a bit more normal in rural communities than manpris.

SurlyLaika

I really like my bicycle fixation knickers. There kind of pricey but I went tried a few other alternatives and this one is the best. Give them a shot. Rick is really good about providing customer satisfaction. Return them if it doesn't work out.

SurlyLaika

good idea

barturtle

I recently purchased my first pair of knickers, the LG Krocknickers. I've got to say I think they're great. I could totally see touring in them. They're also great for cruising around town, hitting the coffee shop, etc. I've even used them on club road rides. The zipper cargo pockets are just the right size, holding no more than you'd want while pedaling. They're made of a nice stretchy material. With the inner liner out, I've put them on over bib tights, for cool weather shopping.

paxtonm

Don't own them, but I kind of like these. And at $60, not too bad compared to most cyclewear. Lots of pockets, not skintight, fast-drying synthetic, and some reflective piping.

https://www.oregoncyclewear.com/knicksandshorts.html

escii_35

I like nylon knickers for the tweenie temps to keep the knees warm or for extra UV cover up. I can't think of a negative. Bonus points for being able to dry them fast in an electric dryer and not worry about damage.

barturtle

The Oregon Cyclewear ones have always looked nice, but until they start making them in clyde sizes, I'll never get to find out. Only in cycling is 35.5" an XL waist...

mthayer

I'm thinking I might just go ahead and bite the bullet and get some.

531phile 

If you have MASSIVE He-Man type legs like me. Make sure to try them on before you buy. I find a lot of knickers to be TIGHT.

VT_Speed_TR

I picked up a pair of the Ibex wool knickers last fall to keep my knees warm in cool weather. I absolutely love them. I have a number of Ibex wool shirts in various weights and find the wool to be very comfortable in a wide range of temperatures. I like the knickers so much, that this summer I'm getting the Ibex wool bike shorts to replace the spandex bike shorts I have.

https://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product...-bike-knickers

scroca

For $130, they better last.

truman

Forgot: I also have some of the Cutter knicks. Not bad. The butt is starting to "pill' a bit, but plenty of pockets and they have a bit of stretch to keep them comfy. A good deal at %50 off, but I'm glad I didn't pay full boat for them.

threecarjam

I wear knickers for most of my riding - including on tour - from about 25 degrees to 95 degrees. I don't have to worry about sunblock on my legs, for what it's worth, and the Cutter and Rivendell MUSA knickers I've been wearing both breathe well and give you plenty of flexibility. I look like an idiot, I'm sure, but would look like an idiot in tights/cycling shorts too, just a different kind of idiot.

For the record, I'm more comfortable looking like an idiot without skintight pants. Also, you should tour in whatever's comfortable for you, whether that's knickers, bike shorts, a speedo, or cut-off Dickies.

gavtatu

this thread makes me giggle !

mthayer

I'm tired of my legs getting sun burnt right above the knee. Hopefully these will take care of the funky tan lines that I get every year.

NoReg

Yeah you will get them across your calves. The solution is called pants. I wear the aptly named sweats. I once came back from rock climbing (always seems to be one day when I haven't yet started carrying repellent) with about 200 bites on each calf. Worst slaughter I ever suffered. Can't blade the breeches.