Cycling tights - confused!

[Aggie_Ama]

Deb- For mid temps we have in Texas I am partial to knickers. I don't like to spend a lot so I have some Pearl Izumi Sugar Knickers. DH found them at Bicycle Sport Shop for Christmas last year. My Specialized leg warmers don't budge, are yours possibly too big?

I wear unpadded tights over shorts myself. My favorites are some you can find at Performance because they have zippers and stay in place pretty good. My back up pair I like quite a bit are Cannondale tights we got back when 360 Cycleworks was open. Actually overall I am partial to Cannondale shorts as well. REI carries Cannondale, Nelo's might since they are a Cannondale shop. But personally we don't get colod nearly enough to spend too much on cold weather clothes, unless of course you got it to burn. I would go to REI (hint Clearance starts 1/9) or Performance.

V- She lives in my area. While we do see blustery 30's, upper 40's and low 50's are most common for winter highs. Just shocks the heck out of us Texans when it dips below 60!

[jobob]

I wear Smartwool wool tights over my knickers, they work great. Unfortunately the microlight ones aren't very durable so I have lots of holes in them. But since I wear them over knickers anyhow the holes are not all that obvious.

Now the problem I'm running into is that I cannot find the Smartwool tights in black in either microweight or lightweight. My usual sources (TE, REI, Backcountry) appear to be out of them and they are on backorder from Smartwool. Bah!

[kfergos]

I wear my old running tights over my bike shorts. I'd go with some comfortable ones that work for you -- I often layer up on the tights -- but don't worry about getting super-fancy name brand tights. Your good shorts are what really count in this department, so if you can find good warm off-brand tights, go for it.

[Becky]

Ditto what kfergos said. I don't spend a lot on tights, but I'll spend a fortune on the shorts that go under them!

[kermit]

I picked up a pair of Canari tights from ebay for about $20. They have a light chamois and are just enough for extra warmth. I too hate the leg warmers, slippage sucks!

[beccaB]

I like the sleekness of wearing a pair of padded bike tights, and the ones I purchased from Sierra Trading post are warm and didn't cost a lot. However, I'm having a problem with winter hives on my legs and rear end and hip area, and I wondered... does anyone wear something over their padded full leg bike tights?
It seems like if I can keep my legs almost overly warm, I don't get the hives.

[Aquila]

Becca,

I've gone so far as to wear long johns (both silk ones and more high tech ones) over shorts and under biking tights.

You're sure the hives aren't more a heat rash?

[coyote]

I like the sleekness of wearing a pair of padded bike tights, and the ones I purchased from Sierra Trading post are warm and didn't cost a lot. However, I'm having a problem with winter hives on my legs and rear end and hip area, and I wondered... does anyone wear something over their padded full leg bike tights?
It seems like if I can keep my legs almost overly warm, I don't get the hives.

I wear a pair of thick compression shorts. They are just enough to help keep my thighs warm. I'll were them under my padded capris or tights. I think the extra layer helps keep me warm. We just don't get cold enough that I feel I need actual long johns. So, it may just depend on how much warmth you need to stop the reaction.

[DebTX]

I like the sleekness of wearing a pair of padded bike tights.

I keep peddling with the hopes that someday I too will be able to publically proclaim that I look sleek in padded bike tights -

Right on BeccaB!