Bolero vs arm warmers - packing for a tour

[Slowspoke]

I am beginning to collect some more clothes for my tour in June. I am self supporting solo, first for an overnight, then some 2-5 day later on in the summer. I like sleeveless jerseys but the mornings can be cool. Do you like Boleros or arm warmers? I have arm warmers but don't love them and have the luxury of affording a bolero. How do you like them?

For a week long tour with opportunites to wash overnight I am planning on 2 sets of riding clothes, rain gear, two set of town/camp clothes and camping gear. I have back packed, so I am used to going light. I just wonder if I am under packing in the riding clothes area. I figure one set on, one set clean (or drying off the back of my panniers!).

[Crankin]

Boleros only work under certain conditions, i.e. for me,< 55 or so in the AM, and only with sleeveless jerseys. I find my bolero (a Terry, well made and it fits me) just doesn't do well with short sleeved jerseys, only sleeveless. The ss jerseys kind of bunch up around the shoulders and just look funny with it. So, the only time I really have worn my bolero consistently is when we were in Spain and it was 50 or so in the AM and 80-95 in the afternoon. Mine is the original version, with a thermal inside, but they do have a lighter weight one.
I would vote for the arm warmers. More versatile. If you pair them with a vest and/or sleeveless base layer, they will work for a wider range of temperatures, and they can be peeled off when it gets warm. If you can find ones that are women specific and come in sizes, they work fine. Otherwise, they do fall down.

[7rider]

I prefer a bolero for its versitility. Simply, I find arm warmers never stay up if you take them off and then have to put them back on for some reason. The bolero, you can take on and off a bunch of times, and they never ride down your arms and bunch up at your wrists. For touring I'd definitely go with a bolero.

I have some Pearl Izumi boleros with a zip front. Love 'em.

[indysteel]

I prefer a bolero for its versitility. Simply, I find arm warmers never stay up if you take them off and then have to put them back on for some reason. The bolero, you can take on and off a bunch of times, and they never ride down your arms and bunch up at your wrists. For touring I'd definitely go with a bolero.

I have some Pearl Izumi boleros with a zip front. Love 'em.

Out of curiosity, what brand(s) of arm warmer have you tried? I wear Sugoi warmers and have never had a problem with them not staying put. They're pretty snug.

[7rider]

Out of curiosity, what brand(s) of arm warmer have you tried? I wear Sugoi warmers and have never had a problem with them not staying put. They're pretty snug.

Biemme. They are fine when I wear them, say on the morning commute. They just don't stay up on the afternoon ride. That's why I prefer the bolero - especially if I knew I wasn't going to be able to wash things every day or would wear the same piece several times.

[SallyRides]

Neither the arm warmers or the bolero take up much space......... I know, when touring, the idea is to travel as light as possible, but it might be worth it to take both. Wear the bolero with sleeveless tops and the arm warmers with ss tops. You might want to have at least one ss top with you. Gives you one more option, if needed. Will you have both front and rear panniers? Carrying sleeping gear? Cooking gear? It all makes a difference in how much room you have for "extras."

Personally, I like to take clothing that can be worn while cycling and while off-bike. Wicking fabric, but not necessarily bike jerseys on top. (I do always wear bike shorts, for the comfort, but usually with a skirt over.)

SR

[redrhodie]

Funny you should ask, because I happen to be wearing a bolero right now, and I didn't ride today. I love them even off the bike. I have on a '50s style skirt, and the bolero reminds me of a shrug, so it's kind of modern vintage. Only problem with this outfit is the chain lube on the sleeve. Oh well.

I wear the Terry light weight one the most. The thermal one is a bit too warm, and the problem Crankin described is probably due to the fuzzy inside. The light one I have is silky.

[Crankin]

I have Shebeest arm warmers in an x-small (I have short, skinny arms). They stay up fine. So do the Sheila Moon ones I have.
The PI unisex ones sucked.

[OakLeaf]

PI arm warmers fit me fine and don't slide down, not the wool ones nor the fleece ones. And I can pull them back up after I've pushed them down, no problem.

Just like anything - get them the same shape your arms are and they'll fit you better.

I can't imagine a bolero snug enough not to flap, that would fit over a short sleeved jersey, and I don't wear sleeveless.