[Closed] Are arm warmers a thing?

No, they're excellent and very handy. Castelli Nanoflex are mine, I'd recommend them.

"Roadies " have the most practical cycle clothing so don't diss arm warmers.

Yes, brilliant. I'd get heavy ones, but I get very cold arms.

take up no space and make a massive difference. perfect for cold mornings and late evenings. I have a nice set of endura merino ones that work well.

Ah, I might get some then. Tempted by planet x ones for under a tenner.....

They work really well. I have Planet X merino for when it’s cold and use Morvelo for less cold.

Yeah, brilliant for autumn where you it's a bit chilly to start or finish a ride, but not quite long sleeve jersey weather.

Merino good for road but not so much off due to cagging on thorns etc.......Mine are cheapy ebay/PX things I think, fleecey lined, but not heavy, go in a jersey pocket easily.

Arm warmers are the best thing since garlic bread.

Yes, very useful they are too, for keeping your arms warm.

Arm warmers are the best thing since garlic bread

You really need to get out more... 🙂

As above, very useful - mean that one jersey can do both cold and warm rides or longer rides that start cold and get warmer as you can easily put them in a jersey pocket. I actually have several sets but mainly light and heavier ones for different weather. Castelli Nanoflex ones are particularly good with a gabba style jersey

All the above and more.  And once you've ventured into the arm warmers it's easier to embrace the knee warmer too.

Yep, very useful bit of kit for spring/autumn riding, they're a constant fixture in my commuter attire from about now until it gets properly cold. I've got a pair PX merino wool which are very good but prefer an old, cheap ASSOS pair for when it's wet. Knee warmer are also a useful bit of kit for similar reasons.

And don't forget to add more time when getting dressed for a commute as if your good lady/man walks in on you wearing the striking combo of nothing but knee warmers, arm warmers, HRM and socks they may not be able to contain themselves...

Yes. Best piece of kit I own*

* well sort of. I mean, I couldn't get by with just arm warmers whereas i could in theory get by without them but versatility of my biking wardrobe is so much higher for a tenner's worth of Planet-X merino ones.

(I do also have a pair of Castelli ones, freebie as part of my Ride London Safety Captain's kit. Very nice but I would comment that your average Italian road cyclist doesn't appear to do much upper body gym work if these are L. And I'm no Arnie in the biceps area)

I won’t be wearing knee warmers - I just go to leggings when it gets cold enough for my knees to consider going purple!

I’m guessing though that once you go to arm warmers it’s tempting to get a cycling gilet.....

yeah, they're great. allow your pits to continue to vent but keep the chill off, keep a wind/waterproof off bare skin and roubaix ones don't hold water, in addition to the benefits mentioned above.

Only ever used them for commuting, but perfect for that - cold morning ride with a warm afternoon one means only one top needed.

I was going to say that arm warmers, knee warmers and a gilet all go together to provide a great combination for covering the bases.

Handy for multi-day/bikepacking trips too as they turn one jersey into two.

Also useful for midge protection ...

I won’t be wearing knee warmers

This is foolish talk.

I’m guessing though that once you go to arm warmers it’s tempting to get a cycling gilet…..

This is correct.

🙂

Yes, brilliant. I’d get heavy ones, but I get very cold arms.

+1

If anyone wants some pink/blue/white camo large Morvelo arm warmers for £15 posted let me know.  They are good but too long for me.

I’m guessing though that once you go to arm warmers it’s tempting to get a cycling gilet

It's a slippery slope but for all their faults, roadies know about practical kit. Stuff that seems odd is very useful indeed, gilet's are another great spring/autumn item as are toe covers, knee warners and caps.

Kryton - you just mentioned pink and camo in the same sentence for cycling kit. You are aware there’s  nothing right about that?!

I was going to say that arm warmers, knee warmers and a gilet all go together to provide a great combination for covering the bases.

for sure.  So many spring/autumn/mountain days when you start cold and it gets warm.  All that stuff can easily come off and get stuffed in pocket or backpack.  Arm warmers regularly get rolled down part way through a commute as it warms up.

I don't really feel the cold on my arms, sort of an East coast upbringing thing. But I do feel wind chill at the start of a ride so use thin arm warmers in winter or on cold nights. SS jersey with light gillet and arm warmers is so much nicer and more versatile than a L/S top.

I have some old Burgtec "Disco Camo" Penthouse Flats, they'd match perfectly!

As for gilets, best bit of kit (even better than arm warmers) I've got 2x Endura Laser gilets, one in fluro yellow for commuting and a black one for MTB.

Great for rainy summer days when it's too warm for a waterproof but you want to avoid the feeling of being constantly sprayed with a hosepipe and keeps the wind off your torso so the wetness doesn't become windchill.

I was going to say that arm warmers, knee warmers and a gilet all go together to provide a great combination for covering the bases.

I'd have to agree.  I couldn't imagine a cyclist's wardrobe without them.

I won’t be wearing knee warmers

I'm always wearing knee warmers. Even if it is blazing hot, have thin lycra knee warmers. If not for temperature control they are doubling up as a sun burn protection.

Arm warmers are very good, but a bit difficult to find right size for my gibon long but very thin arms...

Cheers!

I.

Arm warmers are very good, but a bit difficult to find right size for my gibon long but very thin arms…

As someone with a similar affliction, PX standard merino are fine in width but a little short, the more expensive version are too short and far too wide. Assos fit well but you pay for the pleasure and I also have a couple of pairs from Pro Vision that I picked up at the Cycle Show in Brum last year that work, albeit I had to buy a size s/m.

(appreciate this is a roadie thing)

I'd say they're more of an arm owner 'thing' similarly as the owner of a pair of legs, when winter rolls round the leg/knee warmers come out, a gillet or a base layer is a the sort of thing you might choose to adopt as the owner of a torso... *I appreciate not everyone has the same number of limbs...

Of course 18 year old me would have been perfectly content wearing flappy, cotton based sweat retainers and wouldn't hold with the wearing of lycra... but we all have to grow up sooner or later.

Arm warmers are very good, but a bit difficult to find right size for my gibon long but very thin arms…

My Arm and Knee warmers of choice are DeFeet Armskins and Kneekers.  You look at them and think they're odd and wouldn't be a patch on trad roadie roubaix type but they're comfortable, warm enough, and stay in place.  They're also longer than most others (i'm 6 5" with long arms) and have a lot of stretch.

Merino ones are warmer (and more expensive)

Kryton – you just mentioned pink and camo in the same sentence for cycling kit. You are aware there’s  nothing right about that?!

They matched the rest of the club kit at the time.   Back with the old club now 🙂

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They're great but you need to make sure you get some that stay in place well. The sensation of an arm warmer gradually working it's way down as you ride along is deeply annoying.

With that in mind, DeFeet Armskins and some Giro ones are the best I've tried.

Yup,arm or leg warmers that move are indeed deeply annoying

I like the Castelli ones,they don't slip

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/castelli-nanoflex-arm-warmers/

Prendas knitted ones are the dog thingy.

Having started my cycling on mountain bikes, I'd always assumed that arm warmers, knee warmers, gilets and - God help me - cycling caps were just a roadie affectation.

Turns out that being 100 years further along the cycle clothing evolutionary path than mountain bikers, those pesky roadies have actually got it pretty well figured out!

I thought arm warmers were for weedy running/roadie types with no arm muscles as they get cold easy?

I do buy long sleeve jerseys to added arm protection against brambles but generally push them up to my elbow as I don't like the feeling of a single sleeve from m shoulder down to my wrist as I find it constraining. I have just ordered XL elbow pads in the sale to try as I have gave up on my large RF ones as it felt like my arms would drop off.

echo the above about sliding down being a distraction as it also applies to when wearing elbow and knee pads

I thought arm warmers were for weedy running/roadie types with no arm muscles as they get cold easy?

I certainly fit that description bit until you've tried them I wouldn't be so quick to pour scorn on them.

I’ve got fairly short upper arms but I do some weights so they aren’t (too) weedy. Might give the PX ones a go for a fiver then.

Know what people are saying about sliding pads - my knees pads can gradually slide which is a little annoying. Elbow pads are just for uplift days and those are much tighter.

arm warmers and knee warmers are essential UK riding kit. as indispensable as a dropper post

I can imagine a separate arm warmer is much less constraining than a long sleeve jersey down to your wrist.

I thought arm warmers were for weedy running/roadie types with no arm muscles as they get cold easy?

I guarantee you will get a hell of a lot hotter running than you ever will MTBing...

I thought arm warmers were for weedy running/roadie types with no arm muscles as they get cold easy?

Next time you see a skinny fell runner heading into the mountains in conditions that would keep most MTBers at home, wearing only a vest and tiny shorts, why don't you go and call him soft to his face, see what reaction you get? 🙂  If you can catch him.

Just purchased some Sportful Fiandre No-Rain arm warmers, combined with a gilet I'm hoping they buy me a few extra winter-riding hours without the waterproof on...

I thought arm warmers were for weedy running/roadie types with no arm muscles as they get cold easy?

I missed the word "runners" there, we've already discussed this here...

I thought arm warmers were for weedy running/roadie types with no arm muscles as they get cold easy?

Errrm, and also muscles on skinny people are colder as the blood flows through them without insulation.

It's tubby MTB'ers that can regulate their temperature better as the body chooses whether to send the blood flow under the fat layer keeping you warm or over the fat layer to cool you down.

So if you don't need arm warmers you probably also don't need that post ride cake fatty.

I have the cheap version. Three quarter sleeves! You lot sound like the cast of Fame 😉

Sigh...it didn't take long for the usual suspects to get offended (on their or someone else's behalf in true STW fashion), you know that comment was tongue in cheek poking fun at both sides (those who wear them and those with enough insulation to not need them) as well as the general fashion, or lack of, of them?

Lunge - that link made me smile. Always amazed to see the extremes some people will go to in winter to keep with their training and arm warmers always remind me of seeing runners first thing or last thing in winter when it's dark, wet and miserable.

Ah, I might get some then. Tempted by planet x ones for under a tenner…

The Decathlon ones are a similar price if you have one near you.

Unfortunately Decathlon don’t seem to have made it to the southwest. I’m in Bristol and Reading is the closest. Always seems odd given the amount of people and leisure activities in the southwest.

I’m a person who, generally, never gets cold.

but i wear arm warmers if it’s early, or late.

or if I’m sleeping in my hammock.

I've not used arm warmers. Nor a gillet. Am a backpack wearer however. Have used knee warmers. Nothing is more annoying (forget about car drivers for the moment) than knee warmers slipping down your legs within 2 miles of a 4 mile commute. As well wearing a backpack I also wear baggies.  Trying to pull up knee warmers by shoving hands down shorts can be a bit embarrassing while riding along. So I try to do it when no one is looking. Or go for the I've got a really big itch all round my right thigh, oooh, look.

I missed the word “runners” there, we’ve already discussed this here…

I felt a bit weird after posting 'pics or it didn't happen' in that thread so pretended I hadn't and didn't return!

Yeah, and you got more than you bargained for!

This morning seems like a day for arm warmers- bit chilly in just a t shirt but will be fine on the cycle home.

Didnt expect this thread to get quite so many replies!

This morning seems like a day for arm warmers- bit chilly in just a t shirt but will be fine on the cycle home.

It was for me - normal pair though, not my funky Stolen Goat ones.  Should've gone for warmer socks too - chilly toes!

Arm warmers are great. Don't buy black ones though because they get lost too easily.

I was thinking black arm warmers would be nice and subtle - i definitely don’t want pink camo ones.....

The problem with black ones is they disappear in the drawer amongst all the lycra shorts etc and you'll never find a matching pair.

Nothing is more annoying (forget about car drivers for the moment) than knee warmers slipping down your legs within 2 miles of a 4 mile commute

the key to non slipping knee and arm warmers is to get some that actually fit

aye that's true rocketdog, neither of my recent arm warmers are great fit, first ones too tight to the point of not getting them on, second pair tend to loose, and work down off the shoulder / upper arm. Guess a different manufacturer as much as size might help. Shame as they're a great idea, just stuck in a 'mare of fit for short and stocky 😉

So I went for some and ordered some jazzy looking dhb ones. Wore them today for he first time and they seem good. Was a chilly morning, but I was warm enough without getting too hot on my 8.5 mile commute. I tend to push as hard as I can most of the way.

I've got some. I think I've worn them about 4 times in the years I've owned them. They're ok for commuting when it's cold in the morning and warms up a bit coming home. Those days are few and far between though, so I could live without them and just carry a spare s/s jersey.

Never seen the need mtbing (even though mine are nicely branded with a Canadian mtb company name)

Mine are mainly for commuting int the spring / autumn when the weather isn’t too extreme or wet. I may crack g m out for mtb on evenings soon if we have chilly but dry nights where I don’t want to wear a full on jacket.

I wore mine on Saturday on the YD200. Quite cool in the morning but once things had warmed up they weren't needed until just before sunset when things got cold again. Not your typical MTB usage grant you.

The most useful piece of cycling attire (once you're in a basic level of clothing) is the gilet. Then after that arm and knee warmers. I don't use my leg warmers, but with arm warmers and knee warmers suddenly changeable conditions are much easier, and commuting around the spring or autumn when it's cold early in the morning but warm in the evening is much less faff

My basic kit for the Dales is a short sleeve jersey, gore softshell gilet, arm warmers and a very thin shell to throw on top if the weather craps out. I can cope with various combinations of the above and a smallish bumbag.

Arm warmers are a godsend on those mornings when you need a few miles to get up to temperature.

The most useful piece of cycling attire (once you’re in a basic level of clothing) is the gilet. Then after that arm and knee warmers

Pics please of you wearing just the most useful pieces of clothing 😀

(ps. the gilet is the single most pointless piece of clothing I, personally have ever come across!)

the gilet is the single most pointless piece of clothing I, personally have ever come across!

Really? While I'd agree it's not the absolutely most useful item ever, I do find mine pretty good as and "in between day" easy to remove layer that keeps the wind off my chest, zipped right up stops me getting a neck chill but has a mesh back so doesn't become a sweaty mess like a full jacket would.

I'm sure there's more useless items what about those old 'Respro' face masks? Personally I'm not quite sold on cycling mitts, I also think a fair bit of the armour some MTBerists choose to wear is a bit on the superfluous side, and then there's Camelbaks... But that's just me.

Whilst I'm a great fan of gillets I've never got arm or leg warmers to work very well. I think this is because I have quite hairy arms and legs and the tight arm/leg warmers compress the hairs (which normally trap an insulating layer of air) and make my arms/legs colder than if I am wearing slightly baggier clothing. if I try looser fitting arm/leg warmers then they are too big and tend to slip off.  Maybe there are some more suitable for the hairier gent????????????????

@natrix - The On-One Coolmax arm warmers work well with hairy arms 🙂  https://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CLPXCOLAW/planet-x-coolmax-seamless-arm-warmers

Really?

Yep. If my body is cold, then so are my arms. If not, they're colder, seeing as they're extremities... but I have no issue with other people enjoying a gilet (even if it is a stupid name for a garment) 😉

I've got knee warmers which are great for cold mornings/warm evenings or layering up for nights away. Any recommendations for someone with more muscular (for a roadie) arms? I tried some (DHB I think) but found whilst on the limit of being too long, they were also too tight...

 If my body is cold, then so are my arms. If not, they’re colder, seeing as they’re extremities…

That's the view I've always taken. Those with a mesh back (brand?) sound interesting however... but then I'd need arm warmers in addition when I could just buy a jacket with a mesh back if such things exist???

The On-One Coolmax arm warmers work well with hairy arms

Thanks for that, I may have to investigate...................

On sizing I bought large dhb arm warmers and length wise they’re just about ok (bordering on a bit long - I have quite short arms - 33” sleeves in shirts) and they’re not quite as tight as the arm measurements led me to think they would be. I have been flat out weight lifting the last month after a bit of half hearted training for a few years so I wouldn’t say I’ve got small diameter biceps etc.

However, the gripper things were tight enough they didn’t sag down so overall I’m pleased and they were pretty cheap.