[Closed] What are you wearing on your legs to ride in cold and wet?

I was going to mention knee pads but I feel that may not be appropriate...

Thanks - Its my thighs that seem to feel the cold. They definitely have an optimal running temperature.

What headwear are you using? Can you fit a thin cap under your helmet?

Does the group insist on helmets when riding? If not get one of the waterproof/windproof Belgian caps.

Also how old are the winter tights, things have changed a bit between 5 years ago and now. It maybe that you don't have what are now regarded as winter wear on your legs.

With three good layers on your core you should be able to remain warm when stopped for a while (unless the weather is such that they are not wicking/breathing properly and you're chilling down due to the damp).

I wear liner shorts under a padless winter biblong if I'm out on a road bike in winter.

The two layers of material over my thighs may be preventing me experiencing your issue.

But sometimes it's just bloody cold.

I’ve worn knee warmers under bib tights when it’s really cold, I guess you could do full leg warmers if you wanted.

I use the Endura FS 260's which are relatively new but perhaps a bit thin and an older pair of Rapha Deep winter tights, which are basically a thicker grid fleece affair (probably 10 years old).

Not chilling at the core and can fit a fleecy cap under the helmet.

I use leg warmers under bib longs sometimes,I have worn two sets of bibs before (one unpadded) but last time I did that I also crashed on black ice so figure its best to avoid riding if its that cold!!

But sometimes it’s just bloody cold.

This. One of my rides earlier this week was in 1*c, mizzle and a breeze. No matter how hard I pedalled, it was chuffing cold and I froze.

I notice a difference in thigh warmth so wear baggies over tights.

I'm also looking for some new bib tights. How sweaty are membrane'd tights such as the Galibier Mistral?

I wear full length waterproof trousers over thermal bib tights, but I'm sure that breaches all kinds of rules if you're on a road bike. 🙂

Summer bibs, knee length compression socks and hiking socks, cheapo planetX thermal unpadded bib tights on top. Merino base, normal short sleeve jersey, light arm warmers and Gore thermal windproof on top. Cap or merino Beany under helmet. Nice and warm whilst riding, if I get too warm can remove arm warmers 👍 Bit chilly if you stop for a coffee

I really rate the Galibier Mistral membrane bibs - I used to suffer in anything sub 4 or so but on Xmas eve was out for about 3 hours in 3 degrees + wind chill and was comfortable throughout.

Had two rides this week in barely above freezing temperatures.

Full length paddes bibs, they're lined but not full on thermal - Aldi jobs I think. On the road I went with knee length shorts over, long socks under, SPD's and endura neoprene over shoes. Same on the MTB but endura water resistant trousers over, never felt the cold.

IME too many layers just becomes restrictive. I got an insulated ShakeDry jacket in the summer sale - really is a do-it-all jacket, properly waterproof but not sweaty.
I used to wear lycra bib shorts under winter tights but actually find a winter tight with seat pad better - less restrictive and don't get a clammy midriff from the lycra. I find my thighs getting cold is the point where it's time to think about heading home - a pair of GoreTex shorts are great, as they roll up small enough to fit in your pocket, easy to put on and don't restrict / flap like a pair of over trousers. Bizzarely, typically UK cold/wet is far harder to deal with than -10C and below - but that's an entirely different problem/wardrobe.

Sportful Fiandre Pro here. They do me for several hours off road in this kind of weather.

Same as a_a, if it gets even colder then leg warmers under is a good shout and I have some Lusso Max Repel tights to wear over instead if it is really, really grim. The fit and feel isn't the best but you do stay warm and dry!

I wear the same all year round - shorts and knee pads. But I'm not a roadie.

Cold legs have never troubled me. As long as my upper body is warm, I'm all good.

Last road ride I had a pair of endura thermal tights with gore Tex trouser over the top.

When it stopped raining I went back to just tights.

Before that it was knee length sealskins, 3/4 tights with full thermal tights over the top.

I'm not keen on winter road riding, it's not happening if I think I'll be cold 🙂

FS260  windchill or Thermo Roubaix? Annoyingly Endura don't seem to give a temperature range on the product pages. The membrane tights nowadays are really good for cold weather, plus you could stick some leg warmers under or over (possibly a strong look) them if you need more insulation.

FS260 seem to be Roubaix. Decided to shift some winter kit that does not fit and reinvest in some Assos overtrousers (in sale). Agree that I dont seem to suffer on mtb but wear an extra layer (baggies or water-proof pants) over the top of bib-tights or 3/4s. Probably just need to find a stylistically acceptable road option.

I wear Bib shorts with fleece lined tights over the top.
top half is an Icebreaker base layer, tshirt, Endura jacket and a gillet over the top of that.
on my feet I wear a liner sock with ankle length sealskinz, and overshoes.
I've not been cold on a ride yet this winter.

Sport pursuit sale have a selection od merino socks incl sealskinz at what appear to be reasonable prices
Maybe some of these, i guess you have neoprene overshoes and winter weight gloves.
Then merino beanie undet lid, snood, jacket plus layers.
Same as you though, its my thighs that seem to suffer. I guess its because all the above sort out top half and feet.
Might try to find unpadded bib longs and use my planet x bibs as they are pretty thick material

Lusso thermal tights over bibs sounds like a good compromise
£60 updadded thermal material, foot loops if you can cope with them

Some DHB fleece lined tights, not enough to be honest, especially when wet, but good enough to keep me just this side of freezing.

I bought a pair of those Aldi (or maybe Lidl) fleece lined thick padded winter tights on a PSA on here years ago, and coupled with baggy waterproof shorts and neoprene overshoes I'm quite happy on most depths of winter road rides. Keeping your core warm obviously plays a big part in keeping warmth in your extremities too.

Knee length ski socks, meeting 3/4 bib tights under unpadded full tights.* Plus keeping your core and all extremities warm. I've also started carrying an insulated gilet for cafe and puncture stops.

I find being a couple of stone overweight helps as well.

*Never let your other half see this combo without the full length bib tights over the top. A sure fire passion killer, so I'm told.

🙂

3/4 length bibs or tights with arm surplus goretex trousers with braces over the top.
Preferably with my knee length sealskins as the local fords have been quite high lately.

I can come home, hose the bike & myself down, remove the outer layer in the garage & be bone dry when I walk into the house.

Pearl izumi amfib tights over lightweight bib shorts and thin ls baselsyer and gore thermal jacket, with a primaloft gilet for any stops that's for super cold. Galibier membrane bib tights for around 2-7 degrees

darkslider
Free Member
I bought a pair of those Aldi (or maybe Lidl) fleece lined thick padded winter tights on a PSA on here years ago,

Exactly what I was going to say. I got a pair of these thinking they'd be a bit crap, bur I actually very rarely wear them as it has to be very cold for me to search them out (around the kind of temps when I contemplate whether it's sensible to actually bother).
I am not sure if mainstream brands do anything similar (they must do) but they have some kind of windproof top layer and brushed lining.

I would generally use them if I know I'm going to be going for a longer, lower paced ride when I might not be generating quite as much heat and want my legs to stay warm.

On the MTB it's knee-length Sealskinz, with trainer socks under, Polaris fleece lined knee warmers, and longish bib shorts (not quite 3/4, but longer than normal).
They all tuck in together to make a nice toasty base layer.

Then over the top it's a set of Regatta DWR hiking trousers (Sungari I think) which I've taken in a little at the ankles to fit better.

On the road bike I wear similar, but with a slightly shorter set of Sealskinz, and some thickish Endura tights over the top instead of the trousers.

Castelli Nanotech padless tights over my usual summer shorts (or Castelli Omloop shorts if it's really chilly).

If it's 6 or 7C+ I wear Assos 3/4 tights. Colder than that and it's 20yr old Endura thermal overtights, which are getting quite holey but still holding up. I'm on a gravel bike with full mudguards so my legs aren't getting very wet anyway. Hands and feet are important for me - usually Shimano MT90 boots with thick wool socks, or road shoes with overshoes if I'm on a road bike.

Under 5 degrees and my 20 year old Ronhills come out, worn over bib shorts. My feet are the worst, so thick socks and sealskin overshoes complete the look. This time of year there are not many people to see me! 😂