knickers vs tights (cold weather prepartions)

[Catrin]

I have the same problem, Catrin (shortness). But, even thought the knickers come down to my mid-calf, almost to my ankle, they aren't really "warm." There's no insulation at all. They are just a pair of "long" shorts. I wear them, or knee warmers (which on me are almost leg warmers) when it's between 50 and 65. Below 50, I have tights on. I know, I see some people in the dead of winter, riding with shorts on... not good for the old knees.
When I finally found some knee warmers that fit me, I found I wear them more than the knickers. If the temperature is staying between 50-60 I wear the knickers.

Ahhhh, this is good to know about knickers - I didn't "get" that they are just long shorts. LPH is saying the same thing. So it sounds like the best investment would be a good pair of tights, and then a good pair of knee warmers. The leg warmers I have seem to come up TOO high - I think they could actually come above the top of my thighs if that were physically possible

Thanks Indy, Murieen, NYBiker, Crankin, LPH, Sundial and Becky! This thread is really helping me to focus on what is most important. Still like the idea of the bib-tights if I can swing the price.

Anyone have opinions on the chamois that Gore uses? I hope it isn't one of those thick ones...

We can have long periods of REALLY cold weather - a few winters back we were colder than Chicago and had more snow than they did or a mild winter with just occasional snow/major cold temps. It just depends...