Knickers vs full length

[kayandallie]

Question: is it worth it to get knickers or is it a waste... if I'm too cool for shorts then will my calves still be too cool? Should I just go directly to long?

[Blueberry]

I LOVE knickers! I find them less restricting than tights - and I'll wear them from the 50's (if dry) up to the low 70's. I think it's just personal preference, but I really feel like tights constrict my movement somehow.

CA

[VeloVT]

I totally agree with CA_in_NC -- knickers fill a real hole in the temperature range. I wear them from about 45F-low 60s. At these temps, tights are too warm for me -- I get overheated -- but shorts are definitely too cold.

If you don't want to spend the money on knickers, you could always just get knee warmers -- but personally I find them more hassle than they're worth. (Lots of people like them though).

[Veronica]

I like options. I have knee warmers, leg warmers, knickers and tights.

The knee and leg warmers are for those days that start off cold, but you know it will get warm. Or for putting on for a long descent.

Knickers are for the days that aren't going to get really warm - like for my 200K tomorrow. It will be in the 50s when I start and isn't supposed to get above 75. I'll probably go with knickers.

Tights are for the colder days and you know it's going to stay cold.

Veronica

[SadieKate]

I'm like V. There is a place for it all.

[redrhodie]

I just pulled out my knickers this week! It's officially fall! I wear them alone at first, then with long socks, then with leg warmers, then with (un-padded) tights. Reverse order until spring.

I almost bought another pair today. I love them.

[Crankin]

I like my knickers, too. I wore them Tuesday, but it was a bit too warm (humid really). Of course, on me, they come pretty far down the leg, to the mid calf. Same with the knee warmers.
Like V, I have them all, except leg warmers, as they are all too long for me. I used to hate the knee warmers because of the way they, uh, sausage the legs, but different shorts a bit more firmness made me forget that.
I will probably wear mine tomorrow when I ride with mayanorange.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I too LOVE my knickers. I wear them all Fall and all Spring. :p

I also have black capri leggings that I wear very often, as everyday clothing pieces usually under short dresses or skirts. :p

[Zen]

And what is the difference between capri length and knickers?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

And what is the difference between capri length and knickers?

I don't know that there is any....except that in my mind when I see the term 'knickers' I think biking and with a chamois. It might be just in my mind though. It might be a regional thing, too.
All I really mean is stretchy leggings that end below the knee or around the calf area.

[Biciclista]

I wore Knickers 90% of the time this year so far! a few days with shorts, not many. Knickers cover up those knees and if you're hot, roll your socks down!

But this is Seattle. I didn't wear long tights at all since spring this year, warm wool kneesocks and knickers did the trick. if i get too hot, i roll them down.

[GLC1968]

See - and I'm kind of the opposite of Mimi. I also often wear knickers - but for me, they are cold weather bottoms. I wear shorts down to about 55 F and below that, knickers. It's rare that I wear full length tights, even when it's in the 20's & 30's. I get too hot (weird, I know!).

I also have knee warmers, but I find them very uncomfortable and don't wear them all that often. They are good in a pinch though...

Everyone is definitly different when it comes to body heat. If you are often cold and you know you'll want full length tights, maybe you should get those first and try them? If you find them too hot for some situations, you can always get knickers later and save the tights for very cold days.

[lph]

I'm one of the ones who doesn't like knickers, so I'll wear thin kneewarmers first, then go straight to thin long legwarmers with thin long socks before I pull out the tights.

[Veronica]

if you're hot, roll your socks down!



Not everyone wears knee socks when they ride.

Veronica

[Becky]

I like options. I have knee warmers, leg warmers, knickers and tights.

The knee and leg warmers are for those days that start off cold, but you know it will get warm. Or for putting on for a long descent.

Knickers are for the days that aren't going to get really warm - like for my 200K tomorrow. It will be in the 50s when I start and isn't supposed to get above 75. I'll probably go with knickers.

Tights are for the colder days and you know it's going to stay cold.

Veronica

Exactly what V said. I need more knickers!

[sundial]

I much rather wear knickers than knee warmers because of the comfort. I wear knickers mountain biking because in my mind it protects me from rocks and such. ;)

[Zen]

Just don't get your knickers in a twist :rolleyes:

[Biciclista]

Not everyone wears knee socks when they ride.

Veronica

you clearly missed my point. Most people wear leg warmers and tights. INSTEAD of these things, I wear the knickers and kneesocks, which i find very comfortable. You don't have to wear 'em, i was just offering yet another suggestion. And yes, i know that most people do not wear kneesocks when they ride bikes. It's just a solution that works for me.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey Mimi- I suspect you are actually on the cutting edge of the next big thing!:
http://www.bicyclefixation.com/prod_knickersox.html

[redrhodie]

I also wear knickers and knee socks. I didn't think anyone else did! I must admit, I look a little silly, especially since all my socks are striped. They're bamboo, and really warm. I've never had cold feet while riding with them.

[Zen]

Oooo! I like those!

[redrhodie]

How about these?

http://www.bicyclefixation.com/prod_wool_knickers.html

Now THOSE are knickers.

[Biciclista]

Yes, those are really nice knickers. My husband would love a pair. Sigh, there are birthdays coming.

so what's wrong with striped knee socks ? :cool:

[Blueberry]

We need cooler weather in NC!!!! Those are very cute socks - would love for it to be cool enough to wear them here:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Bamboo socks? Haven't seen those - nightshirts and all sorts of other stuff, but not socks. Where do you find them?

CA

[Biciclista]

yeah, I was hoping for a link to the bamboo socks too!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Mimi, GREAT photo of you two!! :)

Hey that guy(?) walking along the road behind you in the picture doesn't have any knee socks on and he looks so sad. :o

[lph]

you two are so darned cute, mimi :p And your socks are too!

[Trekhawk]

Yes, those are really nice knickers. My husband would love a pair. Sigh, there are birthdays coming.

so what's wrong with striped knee socks ? :cool:

Love the pic!
Are they smart wool socks?
I think I have a pair of those socks in green shades and I love them on and off the bike in winter.:)

[kayandallie]

Next question then...fleece lined or not...or both?

[sundial]

if i get too hot, i roll them down.

I wasn't awake when I first read your post. I thought, how can I cool off by rolling down my anklet socks? :confused: I really need to drink at least 2 cups of coffee before reading. :o :)

[Veronica]

Next question then...fleece lined or not...or both?


I have a pair of each. I wore the unlined ones yesterday for a 200K. It was in the high 50s when I started the ride and climbed into the low seventies.

I wear the fleece lined ones for days that are going to stay in the low sixties.

If the day is staying below 55 or so, I want to be in tights. I have two different weights of those as well - a fleece lined pair and a heavier pair with wind resistance built into the front. The lighter weight ones have a chamois, the heavier pair doesn't so I wear shorts under those.

I also have a pair of rain pants that I will wear over the lighter tights. When combined with the heavier pair it makes me too hot.

Veronica

[Biciclista]

Love the pic!
Are they smart wool socks?
I think I have a pair of those socks in green shades and I love them on and off the bike in winter.:)

yes! smart wool, and they're so soft too.

[redrhodie]

yeah, I was hoping for a link to the bamboo socks too!

I wish! I found them at Marshalls. Bought a pair, wore them, went back and bought the rest (just 3 more). I dread the day they wear out!

Yesterday, I remembered I wear them with some polar fleece socks over the top when it's below 40º, which adds another layer of warmth and color. Never too much color for me.

Nothing wrong with striped socks in my opinion! I think I look pretty cute, just like you do in that pic ;)

[Kano]

yeah, I was hoping for a link to the bamboo socks too!

Here are a couple of links:

http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Toe-Womens-Bamboo-Jersey/dp/B000V6ZFYE

http://www.shoppingfor.us/index.php?c=1&i=b000v6zfye&n=1044886&x=gold_toe_womens_bamboo_jersey_knee_socks

an intermediate link or two suggested Target, Kohl's, Sears, JC Penney, and other retail outlets...

Karen in Boise

[elk]

I wear my Spinnaker knickers all year...and like Mimi...merino kneesox in the winter.
I actually have not found anything I like better than those Spinnakers...(thanks Lisa!)