Sugoi Firewall tights -- how low can you go??

[ny biker]

How are the Subzeros at blocking the wind?


These are the Firewall tights I'm looking at:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSU_40553F.html

[Crankin]

The only difference between the mid zeros and subzeros is the thickness of the fleece inside. There is no special wind blocking material; it's the same as the mid zeros. For me, realistically, the Firewalls would be overkill, because I don't ride when it's super windy, anyway, and I have the Ibex tights that can serve the same purpose. I wear those x country skiing and snow shoeing when it's -10 F, up to about 32. Of course, wind on your legs, when you are in the woods is less of an issue in those sports!

[ny biker]

Thanks.

I'm thinking that wind-blocking tights would be better for me, since I seem to suffer from the cold more than many people. I have Ibex capris, but I don't love the way they fit so I don't know that I'd like the tights. Also I'd like to get something from TE, since I'm going to ask for the tights for Christmas (or for a gift card to put toward purchasing them).

I know that PI Amfibs are reputed to be very warm, but PI bottoms don't always fit me well.

[Catrin]

I LOVE my PI Amfibs - very warm, great wind-blockers as well. Mine don't have a chamois - is there a local source where you could try them on to see how they fit?

[Crankin]

You know, generally Ibex bottoms don't fit me that well. They are made for tall people with boyish figures (I once tried on a pair at the Arcadian Shop in Lenox, MA while on a TE field trip. That had me laughing quite hard, as I couldn't get them over my knees. And they were a size bigger than I normally wear). The Ibex pants I have are old; bought in 2005 for me by DH. Probably ordered from STP. THe elastic is totally out of the waist and they are getting pilly. But, I don't think these are made anymore.

[Owlie]

Try the Amfibs. They're very warm and have the nice windblock material, and are reasonably water-resistant. It seems like PI changes the cut on their shorts a little bit every year, so it might be worth trying them on.

[Catrin]

I find the PI tights fit different from the shorts, but that might just be me. I've an odd shape for a woman...

[zoom-zoom]

I know that PI Amfibs are reputed to be very warm, but PI bottoms don't always fit me well.

I have the Amfibs without chamois, but am NOT fond of the fit. I've wondered about the Firewalls, since I LOVE LOVE LOVE my SubZeros and I'd expect them to have a similar fit.

[Owlie]

I have the Amfibs without chamois, but am NOT fond of the fit. I've wondered about the Firewalls, since I LOVE LOVE LOVE my SubZeros and I'd expect them to have a similar fit.

I like the performance of the Amfibs (I've worn them in snow and was warm and dry) but not the fit. I can't quite put my finger on why I don't like the fit, though.

[pll]

Here's a different issue on winter tights: I have both an older version of the Sugoi firewall and the Pearl Izumi Amfibs (neither one has a chamois). The thicker fleece and wind proof material cause enough pressure on my patellas that it becomes painful fast. I also tried the Assos LL.uma S5 and I could tell it would be trouble on my knees within minutes. A couple of knickers I have (Shebeest and Assos), without windblock, will also lead to patella pain, just not as fast. What works best to avoid the pain is to have tights that are a size bigger than what you normally would wear. I stay away from the windblock fabrics because they are less pliable. Instead, I apply some vaseline on my knees before putting the tights on.

One of my friends has the same problem with her knees, and she also wears tights that are a size bigger than normal. I wonder who else has experienced this.

[Crankin]

Not this, but last year, I started noticing issues with my gut, from wearing the 2 layers (shorts and tights). This has never bothered me before, but I do have a very sensitive stomach. Doing crunches will make it hurt, not from the exercise, but more it irritates some upper GI stuff I have. Anyway, the problem is less when I wear my Sugoi shorts and not the Bellas, as the waist is lower and flatter. But, I only have it with the Midzeroes, not the Subzeroes. The tights are the same size, but the Subzeroes are just a bit looser and more comfortable.

[Catrin]

Here's a different issue on winter tights: I have both an older version of the Sugoi firewall and the Pearl Izumi Amfibs (neither one has a chamois). The thicker fleece and wind proof material cause enough pressure on my patellas that it becomes painful fast. I also tried the Assos LL.uma S5 and I could tell it would be trouble on my knees within minutes. A couple of knickers I have (Shebeest and Assos), without windblock, will also lead to patella pain, just not as fast. What works best to avoid the pain is to have tights that are a size bigger than what you normally would wear. I stay away from the windblock fabrics because they are less pliable. Instead, I apply some vaseline on my knees before putting the tights on.

One of my friends has the same problem with her knees, and she also wears tights that are a size bigger than normal. I wonder who else has experienced this.

I've noted this with my Sugoui MidZero tights (no chamois), but my knees are much happier with my Amfibs. That being said, my Amfibs do have a looser fit in my legs than the Sugoui tights do. Not having the chamois does give us different size options for sure. I've a small in both pairs of tights, but they fit quite differently.