Need stupidly warm tights

[Brett L.]

@Tania 170555 wrote:

OK, so where does the smartwool layer come in? Bike shorts > smartwool > tights? In my case, the bike shorts cover all the cold bits that might be ameliorated by the smartwool so that layer’s not going to do much.

Ideally, you would want the most breathable layers closest to skin. Skin > bike short > smartwool > tights > windshell (if tights don’t have wind protection). Some smartwool layers have a windstop built in (basically a plastic liner in between layers), so that’s not necessarily bad for an outer layer either. I’d also look to make sure all layers are comfortable – if they’re too tight, they can restrict blood flow and make you colder than without. I would suggest that if you’re in doubt between two sizes, size up instead of down.

[consularrider]

Rapha’s Deep Winter tights (no pad) are on sale as are several other models. Unfortunately, none of them are women’s.

[hozn]

@consularrider 170565 wrote:

Rapha’s Deep Winter tights (no pad) are on sale as are several other models. Unfortunately, none of them are women’s.

I love Rapha’s idea of a sale.

[Vicegrip]

@Tania 170537 wrote:

Interestingly, Dr. Google tells me that fat doesn’t have the same circulation that muscle does. 😮

Well, then how does Dr. google explain my head not getting cold? :confused:

You and I are “polar” opp. My feet and hands were the only problem parts. Butt and legs, one layer of winter bibs down to 15. two layers at 20 if a long ride, one bib layer and leg warmers under. Intrested to see what the solution is.

[PeteD]

@Vicegrip 170570 wrote:

Well, then how does Dr. google explain my head not getting cold? :confused:

You and I are “polar” opp. My feet and hands were the only problem parts. Butt and legs, one layer of winter bibs down to 15. two layers at 20 if a long ride, one bib layer and leg warmers under. Intrested to see what the solution is.

Determined that below freezing is time for the second layer of vestments between me and the outside world. Microfiber boxer brief (mid thigh to keep from rolling up) + Bib Shorts + Leg warmers. If I’m going for an extra long ride, I might throw the Sugoi Firewall 180 pants on instead of just the leg warmers.

After NYD ride, I came home and quickly put the order in for the Bar Mitts.

[AFHokie]

What level of UA Cold Gear? It comes in four different weights with the heaviest designed for extreme cold and low activity levels such as sitting in a deer stand in Minnesota in winter. I have a pair and they are warm that I usually only wear them on low teen or single digit temp days.

For extremely cold weather I layer a baselayer under my bike shorts which are under PI amb tights. Add mountaineering socks that stop just below the knee and it’s essentially three layers. If I need more than that I probably shouldn’t be out on a bike.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[anomad]

When it’s really cold I break these out.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]15987[/ATTACH]

[jabberwocky]

When it gets stupid cold out, I’ve generally just put on a pair of fleece sweats over my winter tights. It’s not as ELITE as fancy super warm winter tights but it’s a lot cheaper. Marshals and such usually has warm stuff for cheap.

[dplasters]

https://www.amazon.com/4ucycling-athletic-active-thermal-Xl-gangsuo/dp/B00AQDTTC6/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1514943904&sr=1-3&keywords=4ucycling+pants

Those over the top of your preferred fleece winter tights. My legs will sweat if I wear the combo at anything above 20.

Watch the sizing. Its all sorts of wild. Those crazy Asians.

[Steve O]

So in addition to fingers and toes, we men have one other “appendage” to concern ourselves with. Runners have dealt with this for years (called “blue tip”), and some manufacturers make running gear specifically to help. Most bicycling manufacturers make stuff for cycling “season,” which doesn’t coincide with Freezing Saddles, so I haven’t seen anything specifically designed to address this issue.

Most cycling shorts and tights do not stop the wind. And the wind is blowing right in the wrong place, compounding the issue. A couple of times when I used to commute to Kensington, I actually had to stop at the Starbucks it got so bad.

So I devised a homemade solution. The YEH (Your Euphemism Here) Protector.

I took an old, well-loved winter jacket that had lived a good life, and the back was still in good shape, and cut out this. When I discussed this with dkel, he called it a codpiece, which is pretty apt.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]15989[/ATTACH]
The jacket had a wool liner, which I had to sew around the edges to hold it together. I added shoelaces and velcro as shown. The jacket’s shell was windblocking, which is key if your shorts, tights or other lower body wear is not.
Here’s what it looks like over biking shorts:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]15990[/ATTACH]
Shoelaces stick to velcro fabulously. I should have put the velcro patch higher, but the YEH Protector is meant to be worn between layers, unlike traditional codpieces, like this (pic shows shorts-YEH Protector-tights):
[ATTACH=CONFIG]15991[/ATTACH]
The tights serve to hold it in place along with the shoelaces.
Here it is with biking shorts under jeans. This is what I was wearing today for my jaunt down to the C&O Canal to go ice skating:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]15992[/ATTACH]

When my commute was shorter, I would often ride in my street clothes, including business casual slacks, to work. In those cases I would wear the YEH Protector over my usual underwear and under my slacks. The design allows for easy removal without taking off your pants. Just unattach the shoelaces from the velcro and pull the YEH Protector straight up and out.

[dkel]

I debated whether or not to put on my rain pants over my tights this morning, and was disappointed that I didn’t: first time ever I had cold knees during my commute westbound into the (admittedly quite mild) headwind. I was fine on the way home in the same outfit. I’ve ridden my usual not-very-special tights with the rain layer on top into single-digit polar vortices and been very comfortable in the past; my SOP will be to do so below 20 degrees from now on. I do think it would be better to have more dialed-in tights for lower temps, but I’m too lazy and cheap to shop for that when I can throw the rain layer on and feel like I’m getting a little more value out of those expensive em-effers (seriously, my tux cost less than my cycling rain gear).

[dkel]

@Steve O 170620 wrote:

When I discussed this with dkel, he called it a codpiece, which is pretty apt.

Please don’t use my name in association with your junk or any junk-related product.

Also get a job so you hopefully won’t have enough time and energy to post detailed descriptions and pictures of your junk and homemade junk-related products.

:rolleyes:

[OMG this is one of the funniest things I’ve seen in a long time]

[dkel]

@Steve O 170620 wrote:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]15990[/ATTACH]

I mean, come on! I’m laughing so hard I can barely type!

[Birru]

@Steve O 170620 wrote:

Here’s what it looks like over biking shorts:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]15990[/ATTACH]

From Steve O to Cameo. Larry Blackmon would be proud. Word up!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]15993[/ATTACH]

[Birru]

Also I just want to apologize to Tania for the sorry state in which we left her thread. She deserves better and we have all let her down.

[Author]

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