Leg warmers?

Hi there. I live in an area with a mild winter (usually 35-60 degrees during riding time). Thinking of getting leg warmers to go with my chamois shorts (mostly Shebeest SSS shorts). But I have no experience with leg warmers. This will really be my first experience riding through the winter.

Anyone here have a favorite brand? Why?

Favorite material? Why?

I have thick-ish knees/legs, and any leg warmers would also have to fit over my cho pat (knee brace). So I would need to size accordingly.

Or - should I just wear lightweight tights instead?

Thanks in advance!

Hola Mariposa and welcome to TE.

I love leg warmers but I prefer wearing tights when it becomes cooler, below 8 Celcius say. They keep my booty warm.

Leg warmers are pretty much all made of the same lycra, some with and some without some warmer fuzz on the inside. Some have zippers so you can take them off without taking your shoes off as well, but those haven't worked well for me.

I have Sugois and like them, except those with the zippers. I don't think fitting your knee brace will be an issue.

my favorite leg warmers are pearl izumi.... don't waste your time or money on the performance brand (and i'm not a performance snob... i have a LOT of performance clothes... their ultra shorts are my favorite/most comfortable ones that i wear on all my centuries and double metrics!)

I like my Nashbar leg warmers. They fit my shortish legs perfectly and have a zipper to take off over bike shoes. My thighs are not super skinny, and they are comfy at the top and don't cut off circulation. The fabric is supportive and stretchy. I got them a couple of years ago, though; not sure if the design/fabric might have changed. I can't remember if they came in different lengths, but the ones I have would not work on someone tall - I'm 5'2-1/2" with about a 28.5" inseam and they are the perfect length for me.

Emily

I'm a big of Defeet's kneekers. They're knit (not lycra) and come in either wool or CoolMax. I find it rarely gets cold enough in northern california to wear either leg warmers or tights (except if you ride at the butt-crack of dawn or at night).

DeFeet Kneekers

Speak for your own little nook and cranny of northern California! It will stay in the 30s and 40s all day here if the fog sets in.