Fleece backed shorts or 3/4's?

BigSpecs
BigSpecs Posts: 309
edited September 2009 in Road buying advice
Hi. It is getting cold up here, so am starting to prepare for the dreaded...winter (!) In previous years I have managed with shorts and leg/ knee warmers but what I find is that due to the cold on the upper part of the legs, I end up with a pink pair of shorts 'left over' once undressed and in the shower! This is because the shorts only have a single lycra layer to keep the top part of my legs and the crown jewels warm, Have tried non-pad tights over the top but loads of layers then, The legs are fine as my leg/ knee warmers are fleece backed or "Roubaix".

Are there any fleece backed shorts or 3/4's? I have looked at the DHB ones from WIggle but can't figure which ones have a fleece lining, if any?

Any thoughts?

Comments

  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    For winter I go for the full length thermal tights. If you get unpadded ones - then you can wear shorts underneath.

    Autumn and Spring - 3/4s or shorts with knee warmers.

    Summer - shorts.
  • BigSpecs
    BigSpecs Posts: 309
    Thanks. I don't really mind if they are shorts, 3/4's or longs. I just want them to be thermal or fleece backed. Any one got any suggestions? As always, I am playing the tight was Scotsman card. Would like to try the DHB ones but cannot figure which ones are fleece backed.
    Cheers, Col.
  • jordan_217
    jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    BigSpecs wrote:
    Thanks. I don't really mind if they are shorts, 3/4's or longs. I just want them to be thermal or fleece backed. Any one got any suggestions? As always, I am playing the tight was Scotsman card. Would like to try the DHB ones but cannot figure which ones are fleece backed.
    Cheers, Col.

    The DHB Merston tights are fleece backed. I use these when it gets cold and they are excellent. The pad is comfortable too. I'm sure you can get better tights but I doubt they will cost the same as the DHB's. For the money these are spot on.
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Santini do a nice pair of roubaix, fleece lined shorts and matching leg warmers. I'd probably still go for 3/4 for general riding / training duties, but the roubaix ones could be good for things like early-season races, cyclocross etc.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • BigSpecs
    BigSpecs Posts: 309
    Are the Merstons fleece backed all over or just on the knees?
  • Wooliferkins
    Wooliferkins Posts: 2,060
    Lusso do roubaix 3/4s
    Neil
    Help I'm Being Oppressed
  • FOAD
    FOAD Posts: 318
    Mate

    The Merstons are backed all over and are currently on sale at £31 until Tuesday next.

    They have an extra layer over the knees as well.

    The Rogate which were £60 are down to £44 at the moment and are basically the Merstons with windproofing on the front of the legs.

    Both pairs are lined all the way up to the kidneys, ie. on the bib.

    If you subscribe to the Wiggle news letter (or unsubscribe then subscribe if u already did) you will get a £5 voucher if you spend over £50 which may also help.

    I just ordered both pairs to compare, so if you want to wait until Tuesday I can let you know my thoughts. A mate at work bought the Merstons in April when they were clearing them fro Summer at £24 and he loves them so much he wore them on his 5.30am summer commute as well.

    I see the Merstons are rated +3 to 12 degrees (from memory) and the Rogate -2 to 10 degrees (again from memory).

    They also have the "new" 2010 versions of both on the site, but if you compare the specs they are exactly the same, so I suspect a bit of marketing coming into play there.
  • BigSpecs
    BigSpecs Posts: 309
    Thanks Guys,

    All very helpful. I have been getting the Wiggle newsletter for a while and have a £5 voucher burning a hole in my pocket too, so suspect an order will be going in this lunchtime...

    Cheers, Col.
  • canamdad
    canamdad Posts: 165
    +1 for the Merston long tights. I have some from 2 yrs ago (when the bottom leg zipper was on the side) and some from last year when the zipper was moved to the back. I can stay warm with these right into minus temps. I ride them right up to +10 or 11 and then switch over to the Merston 3/4 which also has a double knee.
  • FOAD
    FOAD Posts: 318
    canamdad wrote:
    +1 for the Merston long tights. I have some from 2 yrs ago (when the bottom leg zipper was on the side) and some from last year when the zipper was moved to the back. I can stay warm with these right into minus temps. I ride them right up to +10 or 11 and then switch over to the Merston 3/4 which also has a double knee.

    So do you think the Rogates are overkill then with the extra windproofing to the Merstons? I ride in shorts down to about 10 degrees, then add knee warmers so don't really want to hit tights until about 5 degrees...was kinda thinking the Merstons would end up a wasted purchase and should got straight to the Rogates as I will be riding down to about -6.
  • canamdad
    canamdad Posts: 165
    Well, you're already wearing a lot less on your legs at +10 than I do so perhaps the Rogates are the way to go. I guess it would depend how consistently you're riding at minus temps. Personally, they're pretty rare where I live (Berkshire) and I'd tend to use them as a rest day anyway!

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