Alternatives to tights for cooler weather
#1
bill nyecycles
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Alternatives to tights for cooler weather
I don’t love rolling up to work in typical spandex cycling tights that leave nothing to the imagination for my coworkers - the bike rack is right outside the main entrance.
So as the weather starts to cool down, I’m looking for your [affordable] alternatives to tights.
My commute is on a vintage road bike made to a single speed, usually around 15mph avg. It’s not a lolligagging kind of ride.
Suggestions?
So as the weather starts to cool down, I’m looking for your [affordable] alternatives to tights.
My commute is on a vintage road bike made to a single speed, usually around 15mph avg. It’s not a lolligagging kind of ride.
Suggestions?
#2
Senior Member
It gets cold in Houston?
I use those leg warmer things that extend from your shorts to your socks. Helps when you wear cycling shorts to hold the top of the warmer in place. I always wear baggy shorts over any spandex shorts for modesty.
I use those leg warmer things that extend from your shorts to your socks. Helps when you wear cycling shorts to hold the top of the warmer in place. I always wear baggy shorts over any spandex shorts for modesty.
#3
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So you're not into performance aerodynamic racing. I wear loose nylon track pants with liners. The shell shields from the wind and gives a little bit of rain resistance. When it rains, get baggier overpants. I can usually tolerate rain but it's really uncomfortable to have wet thighs.
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#5
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I've also used cross-country skiing pants. A bit tighter than track pants, but not form-fitting like cycling tights. Plus the ones I had were more insulated in the front with a wind breaker layer, and vented in the back.
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You could use ordinary pants with ankle bands to constrain the cuffs.
I got over being shy 15 years (or more) ago, so polypro tights for me. At least I don't have the skin gap showing between shorts and the knee warmers slipping down.
I got over being shy 15 years (or more) ago, so polypro tights for me. At least I don't have the skin gap showing between shorts and the knee warmers slipping down.
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I wear "jogging pants", you know, tighter and lighter than sweat pants, but not as tight as tights. I use elastic hair bands at the ankles. Everything's black so it looks alright.
I run hot so for me the important thing is the balance between breathability and wind blocking. The pair I have now have a vent strip down the side. which works great. I don't need to worry about water resistance in this dry Colorado climate. When it rains I use a rain cape and it keeps my legs mostly dry.
In loose, wet or messy snow I wear water resistant jogging pants...over the others when its below 20F.
I run hot so for me the important thing is the balance between breathability and wind blocking. The pair I have now have a vent strip down the side. which works great. I don't need to worry about water resistance in this dry Colorado climate. When it rains I use a rain cape and it keeps my legs mostly dry.
In loose, wet or messy snow I wear water resistant jogging pants...over the others when its below 20F.
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Merino wool is the business for cold weather. Put some track pants on top.
or just drop stacks on ak gear from burton. Some of their waterproof lighter weight stuff should work for biking.
or just drop stacks on ak gear from burton. Some of their waterproof lighter weight stuff should work for biking.
Last edited by DonkeyShow; 09-30-22 at 07:59 AM.
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Thank me later. Just order one size up from what you normally wear. The the size chart is valid.
https://www.amazon.com/4ucycling-Win...-1-spons&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/4ucycling-Win...-1-spons&psc=1
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those Amazon pants look to be a good suggestion.
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uh oh, who's going to be prj's guinea pig this thread?
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#14
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Thank me later. Just order one size up from what you normally wear. The the size chart is valid.
https://www.amazon.com/4ucycling-Win...-1-spons&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/4ucycling-Win...-1-spons&psc=1
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Soccer warmup pants? Not tight up top (in fact, have a roomy fit because of course they're meant for someone who has shorts underneath) but fitted at the lower leg (so no catching in anything). Have zip bottoms to put them on/remove them over shoes.
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I bought a pair of the pants from Amazon someone mentioned. I have not used them yet, but they will be handy for errands and times I don't want tights. I might use them for warmup laps at CX races too. I sized up as suggested, but I don't think it was necessary. I'm usually a L, I bought XL. I'm 5-10", 165 lbs, 32" waist, 32" inseam. The L prob would have been gooder.
#18
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You might consider long socks, then pants with a fleece liner, eventually add a thin thermal pants layer.
(I'm speaking in the context of commuting.)
#19
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These Amazon pants seem great but after reading the one star reviews, the issue of Class "C" clothing is troublesome. I wasn't aware of clothing classes so could someone with textile knowledge please chime in? One would think that if they were really dangerous, some government agency would have banned their import.
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I bought a pair of the pants from Amazon someone mentioned. I have not used them yet, but they will be handy for errands and times I don't want tights. I might use them for warmup laps at CX races too. I sized up as suggested, but I don't think it was necessary. I'm usually a L, I bought XL. I'm 5-10", 165 lbs, 32" waist, 32" inseam. The L prob would have been gooder.
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When the temps drop in autumn (below 50 in the morning) I switch to liners under long workout pants.
Under:
https://www.rei.com/product/170782/z...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
Over:
https://www.rei.com/product/157092/r...ing-pants-mens
Not cheap, but I've gotten 3 seasons out of 2 pair of liners and 2 pair of pants riding appx. 150-200 miles a week. And, they keep me warm down into the high 30's with a merino wool top and light jacket.
Under:
https://www.rei.com/product/170782/z...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
Over:
https://www.rei.com/product/157092/r...ing-pants-mens
Not cheap, but I've gotten 3 seasons out of 2 pair of liners and 2 pair of pants riding appx. 150-200 miles a week. And, they keep me warm down into the high 30's with a merino wool top and light jacket.
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These Amazon pants seem great but after reading the one star reviews, the issue of Class "C" clothing is troublesome. I wasn't aware of clothing classes so could someone with textile knowledge please chime in? One would think that if they were really dangerous, some government agency would have banned their import.
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I have a pair of chrome pants as I wanted something I could work in and did not have to change. Plus I need something that holds up I have worn the crotch out of more jean pants. they block the wind and the rain on your legs. when it is closer to 32 then I use this guys. water proof and really warm. they kept my legs so warm my whole body stayed warmer.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
#25
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I wasn't questioning the fleece itself (although fleece from China could be suspect in some cases). I wondered about the Class 3 rating. Read the one star reviews. One reviewer (who may or may not be truthful or accurate) claimed that a label actually said something to the effect that it shouldn't be worn against the skin.
Waiting for a person knowledgeable about textiles to respond.
Waiting for a person knowledgeable about textiles to respond.