Home of the Winter Cyclist
And Other Crazy People.
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And Other Crazy People. |
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ICEBIKE Tights!!
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What do you wear on your legs when it gets really cold out? Looking in all of the various bike catalogs you see that the super warm tights are good down to - get this, 45 Degrees (F). Well, that takes care of October, but what about Winter?
The availability of cold weather tights has been spotty at best. This has caused some ICEBIKERS to seek other sources of clothing such as cross country ski pants and general winter wear for cold rides.
For mildly cold weather there are tights by various manufacturers that have a pile (sort of like terry cloth) on the inside. These are quite good if you can find them. Both Nashbar and Performance have these, but the thickness varies from year to year and you can never be sure what you will get when you order. These can be worn down to about 10 degrees(F) if you are planning a high level of activity, as your legs will generate a lot of heat. If your ICEBIKE ride entails any standing around at the end of the trail you will probably get cold in these.
In years past there have been some very cold weather tights made by Performance with a polyester inside like sweat pants (only tighter) and an outer layer of thick nylon and lycra that was almost totally wind proof. I scored some of these one year and never have seen them for sale again. These are good down to Minus 20 (F), maybe more with some capilene long johns underneath.
Several manufacturers, such as Pearl Izumi, and Cannondale used to have fairly good lines of winter gear, but have of late turned toward style rather than functionality as the driving force in the apparel inventory. As a consequence finding really good winter tights is still a problem.
However, The ICEBIKE site had beeen working to find a supplier of warm winter tights. This effort has paid off with the advent of custom ICEBIKE Tights from Col d'Lizárd. These tight are made for winter and are WARM, good looking, and reasonably priced.
| Most of winter I find I am using a combination of clothes
that is dictated by the weather of the day. I use a small group of garments in various
combinations. One day it may be rain pants over shorts, and the next day perhaps light
cotton lycra tights if it gets cooler. (Winter tights is one of those areas where a little cotton in the blend does not hurt too much. Pure lycra is too cold in winter temperatures. Polypropylene also works well, but this does not stretch much, so it is seldom mixed with lycra.) With a little experience, by noting the temperature, you will be able to judge just how many layers to add and just what sort of layers will be needed. One or two cold rides happen while you're learning. Don't be surprised if you find yourself selecting what would seem like goofy combinations to a normal person. (Banish all pretenses of normal ye ICEBIKERS). Shorts in November DO make sense if they are worn under your dual layer Gore-Tex- rain pants. The light tights combined with the Long Johns may be just the ticket when it is just below freezing. If the wind is howling and the snow is swirling, you may find yourself climbing back into your rain pants if only for the protection they provide from the wind. If going out for a day trip, throw a set of leg warmers in your fanny pack or pockets. If commuting, maybe stash a set at work in case you miscalculate the temperature on the way in, you can dress warmer to return. Remember, you can over dress your legs without feeling as uncomfortable and sweaty as you would if overdressing your torso. So error on the side of dressing too heavy on the lower half. |
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Finally, for socks, don't make the mistake of packing your boots too tightly because this simply cuts off circulation and causes numb toes. Wool is still often used for winter cycling (and everything else for that matter). Also, some of the newer fabrics make great socks. Especially those that wick moisture away from the foot. The newer synthetic fleece socks are quite warm and keep you very dry. Cotton socks are a winter disaster, no matter how thick they are.
Finally don't ignore cold feet. You have to warm them up, when your toes STOP hurting, you are well on the way to serious frostbite. No, don't rub them with snow. Get them warm any way you can, and then buy some winter boots.
If you have a good source of winter leg-wear e-mail me with a description, a review, or just a web page and we will add it below. Remember, it has to work on a bike. Snowmobile pants just don't cut it.
| Product | Review |
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REI
Thermal Tech Tights -
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Similar to several other brands by Cannondale, Pearl, Nashbar
these are mild weather tights, good down to 35 or so. The depth of the pile (loops) are a
good indicator of warmth. You have to see these to evaluate. Better to buy in person. Also similar Polypropylene models available from Nashbar |
Performance Winter Tight #17-6520
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Probably the best cycling tight for really cold weather. Good down to 20 below(F) colder with Polypropylene long johns underneath, virtually windproof. May no longer be available. Check the winter catalog. Very Durable. |
Performance Triflex Tight #00-7698B
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Quite warm, down to about zero (F). Front is fairly wind
proof due to dual thickness. Rear single thickness can be felt as slightly cooler on a
cold day. Zippers are too light for the task but work well when new. Independent Review. |
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Alone, they're pretty serviceable between 0 and 25F, and seem comfy (below 0F) with a thin pair of Thermax long underwear.The only drawbacks to these pants are a) no pockets and b) price, and c) not a cycling specific cut. |
Col d'Lizárd
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Small company with attention to detail. Polartec 100 PowerStretch tights are lite-weight, but Very Warm, far warmer then their weight would lead you to believe. Warm down to 10F (-12C), fairly wind resistant, and fast wicking. Reviewed on this site. See NEW Custom ICEBIKE Version! |
Boure
Brushed Thermal Lycra
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These may be great for early fall or spring, when the
temperatures are not too extreme. Drew at Boure says of these tights: I rate our thermal tights, worn alone, down to about freezing, which is what I think our average customer would consider to be a "colder day", but obviously you cater to those with a different perspective on the phrase "colder days". |