What To Look For
When you are bicycling in cold weather for a long period of time, be it a race or practice, it is necessary to cover all areas of your body. Regular pants are cumbersome and are not usually made of the best material to keep your legs as warm as they should be for the work they are doing. This is where cycling leg warmers come in. They are made from materials other than cotton, which holds in sweat and wetness. Leg warmers for bikers are made from water-resistant fabrics that will help keep you dry, and therefore warmer and more comfortable.
Common Pitfalls
There are so many materials leg warmers are made out of, it may be confusing as to which kind you need, or which one you think is best. Also, many brands of leg warmers are difficult to size. If you buy them either too small or too large, they may slide down while you are riding, making it a constant struggle to cover your knees once the day warms up. You will need to decide whether you wear them over your shorts or under, depending on which problem you have, if either.
Where To Buy
Outdoor sporting goods stores like REI or Dick's are going to be well-stocked in leg warmers. Purchasing online is easy as well, with websites such as Amazon that sell almost everything under the sun and bike-specific websites such as Performance Bike and Sierra Trading Post stocked full of bicycling apparel. Where you choose to buy will mostly be based on personal preference---if you want the product right away, what price you want to pay or even if you need to try the leg warmers on for fit.
Cost
The prices of bicycling leg warmers range from as low as $15 all the way up past $70, depending on the material you choose and what brand you like. Quality is going to make the price steeper, so if you are in a colder climate and will be out riding for a long time, you will probably be better off spending the extra money. But if you are a casual biker out for a Sunday ride, you might not want to invest quite so much in such an item.
Comparison Shopping
From Thermafleece to a material called Sensor, which helps wick the dampness away from your body, you have a range of choices in the type of leg warmer you purchase. If you are going to run into wet conditions, Gore is a great brand that produces waterproof products. Some leg warmers zip up at the bottom, to help in removal while keeping your shoes on, and some are just like regular pants. With so many options, you are bound to find apparel that can fit your needs.
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