Knickering It Up
November 20th, 2007 by Arleigh JenkinsIn Charlotte, NC it doesn’t get as cold as it does in the Mid Atlantic. All my cold weather gear is true cold weather that I wore in the winters of Maryland and one in Boston. There are some long knee warmers that I wear most the winter long but the issue with those are that my butt cheeks get cold when it gets below 35 degrees.
Enter the hunt for a good warm thermal knicker. I own a good commuting type knicker - the Hypnotic Lefty Lucy which for 15 miles to and from work, with pockets and a comfy fit is wonderful. For a road ride or a longer than 9 mile mountain ride I need something that doesn’t flap around. I need spandex.
From JensonUSA.com :
Terry - $70 Looks like a good price for a knicker
Ibex - $120 Merino wool, do I need to say anything more?!?!
From Nashbar.com :
Endura - $99.99, I use their mtb shorts and they are pretty nice.
DeMarchi - $79.99 The name sounds swanky.
Now I am looking for feedback. What do you use? What do you like or hate? Know of any good deals? Thank you in advance.
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I just stick with knee/leg warmers until it’s cold enough to warrant Pearl Izumi Amfib tights (which actually work well from 5-45 degrees.) The strategy seems to work well in Boston although I haven’t tested it in NC…
I use combat trousers cut off right below the knee patch with some bike shorts underneath.
Wool dress pants (men) or slacks (women) from Goodwill. It’s a bit harder to find wool slacks, I suppose, but they’re out there. Get a size or two too large and shrink them in a hot wash cycle and hot dryer. Shrinking tightens the weave. Hem them 4-6 inches below the knee with elastic band fit to your leg size. Or, get fancy with the sewing machine and create knife pleats. Go wild with a button up cuff if you want. The tight weave works great here in Portland to keep out the wind and rain. You can treat with waterproofing if you want.
Ibex rules. They are so comfortable in any condition. These are my daily commuter from late summer to early summer here in cold, rainy portland