Leg warmers: Over or under?

[avman1023]

What is the "correct" way to wear leg warmers: Over your cycling shorts legs, or tucked in under your cycling shorts legs? I have tried both ways and they always creep down after a couple of miles.

[staehpj1]

It probably depends on the fit and type of gripper on the cuff of your shorts, but...  Mine are a snug fit at the cuff and are grippy there, so if the leg warmers are tucked under they really gripped to stay put all day.

I do think I recall in the distant past having some shorts that had no grippy cuff where leg warmers might not stay put as well.  Even then my leg warmers mostly stayed up though.  The might have dropped just a little just at the knee, but due to weird genetics I have freakishly large calves (to the extent that strangers stare and often comment on them) that keep leg warmers up whether tucked in or not.  So basically any leg warmers are a tight fit for me so that helps.  Whether snugger leg warmers will help may depend on the shape of your legs.

Not sure any of that is helpful or not.  You might consider different shorts, either snugger fitting or with a different cuff, if that helps.  If it is a matter of leg size/shape there is less you can do.

[HikeBikeCook]

Depends on how long the shorts are, but no matter which way I start there is always a gap between the shorts and the leg warmer after a few miles. I am also usually warm enough that I don't care. Anything colder and I am wearing tights anyway.

[hikerjer]

Whatever works.

[Pat Lamb]

The lower end of my thighs are tapered down toward my knees, so unlike Pete, there's at least a 50% chance I'll have to stop and adjust warmers within a few miles.  Usually that involves pulling the leg warmers up, so if I catch the gap forming early, the chance of repeating slippage goes down every time I stop.  Eventually I have to peel them off.

[HikeBikeCook]

This could be an application for a good old fashion garter belt -  . The question is would I wear it inside or outside my shorts?

[John Nelson]

Under. Overlap them by six inches.

[avman1023]

Thanks for the suggestions! It sounds like I'm not alone with leg warmers that don't stay up. I like HikeBikeCook's suggestion. Do they make bike-friendly masculine garter belts?? 

[staehpj1]

Well there is always just the option or wearing tights with no chamois over your shorts (or bibs if you are a bibs person).  It is fairly easy to take them off or put them on.  If they have zipped cuffs you may not need to take off shoes.  On tour ease of taking off and putting on is less of a big deal than racing.  Not as quick and easy as leg warmers though.

I usually take a pair of tights on tour.  I also often sleep in them when it is cold and I might want a little extra warmth.  They do not stay up as well as shorts when worn over shorts if both are slippery material, but it is mostly just a matter of needing to be pulled up in the back after getting on or off the bike.  I use different weight ones depending on the tour location and season, but have never needed to take my real winter tights even for winter on the ST.  Ones that are just brushed and ever so slightly fuzzy inside add a lot more warmth that the silky on both sides thin ones.

[BikeliciousBabe]

Under. Overlap them by six inches.

Correct. And no arm warmers with sleeveless jerseys. In fact, no sleeveless jerseys. Period. 

[driftlessregion]

Absolutely under the shorts: put them on first and put them up as far as they will go. I use a little of this product https://www.juzousa.com/Products/Accessories/Product-Detail/M/60
to keep them up.

[staehpj1]

Absolutely under the shorts: put them on first and put them up as far as they will go. I use a little of this product https://www.juzousa.com/Products/Accessories/Product-Detail/M/60
to keep them up.

I have to wonder how practical that is.  Sure when it is possible that makes sense, so in the morning if it is cool sure, but the whole point of leg warmers is that they can be put on or taken off when conditions change or even pulled up and down.  It isn't so east to put them on first in the evening or when you are ready to descend down the shady side of a long mountain descent and are dripping wet with sweat from the climb to the top.

[hikerjer]

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who has struggled with the issue of keeping leg warmers up. I have somewhat skinny thighs to begin with so it was bit of a problem. My wife solved the problem by sewing some elastic strapping into the top around the openings being careful not to make it too tight. It tightens them up enough so they don't slide down but still don't cut off circulation. The trick, of course, is determining the proper degree of tightness. Once done, they work great for me.

[BikeliciousBabe]

Never bought a pair that did not have elastic at the tops.

[driftlessregion]

Elastic doesn't guarantee that they will stay up. My experience is that they don't without a little help.
Never had trouble removing them when it gets warm but everyone's experience is different.