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I thought arm warmers were for weedy running/roadie types with no arm muscles as they get cold easy?
I missed the word "runners" there, we've already discussed this here...
I thought arm warmers were for weedy running/roadie types with no arm muscles as they get cold easy?
Errrm, and also muscles on skinny people are colder as the blood flows through them without insulation.
It's tubby MTB'ers that can regulate their temperature better as the body chooses whether to send the blood flow under the fat layer keeping you warm or over the fat layer to cool you down.
So if you don't need arm warmers you probably also don't need that post ride cake fatty.
I have the cheap version. Three quarter sleeves! You lot sound like the cast of Fame 😉
Sigh...it didn't take long for the usual suspects to get offended (on their or someone else's behalf in true STW fashion), you know that comment was tongue in cheek poking fun at both sides (those who wear them and those with enough insulation to not need them) as well as the general fashion, or lack of, of them?
Lunge - that link made me smile. Always amazed to see the extremes some people will go to in winter to keep with their training and arm warmers always remind me of seeing runners first thing or last thing in winter when it's dark, wet and miserable.
Ah, I might get some then. Tempted by planet x ones for under a tenner…
The Decathlon ones are a similar price if you have one near you.
Unfortunately Decathlon don’t seem to have made it to the southwest. I’m in Bristol and Reading is the closest. Always seems odd given the amount of people and leisure activities in the southwest.
I’m a person who, generally, never gets cold.
but i wear arm warmers if it’s early, or late.
or if I’m sleeping in my hammock.
I've not used arm warmers. Nor a gillet. Am a backpack wearer however. Have used knee warmers. Nothing is more annoying (forget about car drivers for the moment) than knee warmers slipping down your legs within 2 miles of a 4 mile commute. As well wearing a backpack I also wear baggies. Trying to pull up knee warmers by shoving hands down shorts can be a bit embarrassing while riding along. So I try to do it when no one is looking. Or go for the I've got a really big itch all round my right thigh, oooh, look.
I missed the word “runners” there, we’ve already discussed this here…
I felt a bit weird after posting 'pics or it didn't happen' in that thread so pretended I hadn't and didn't return!
Yeah, and you got more than you bargained for!
This morning seems like a day for arm warmers- bit chilly in just a t shirt but will be fine on the cycle home.
Didnt expect this thread to get quite so many replies!
This morning seems like a day for arm warmers- bit chilly in just a t shirt but will be fine on the cycle home.
It was for me - normal pair though, not my funky Stolen Goat ones. Should've gone for warmer socks too - chilly toes!
Arm warmers are great. Don't buy black ones though because they get lost too easily.
I was thinking black arm warmers would be nice and subtle - i definitely don’t want pink camo ones.....
The problem with black ones is they disappear in the drawer amongst all the lycra shorts etc and you'll never find a matching pair.
Nothing is more annoying (forget about car drivers for the moment) than knee warmers slipping down your legs within 2 miles of a 4 mile commute
the key to non slipping knee and arm warmers is to get some that actually fit
aye that's true rocketdog, neither of my recent arm warmers are great fit, first ones too tight to the point of not getting them on, second pair tend to loose, and work down off the shoulder / upper arm. Guess a different manufacturer as much as size might help. Shame as they're a great idea, just stuck in a 'mare of fit for short and stocky 😉
So I went for some and ordered some jazzy looking dhb ones. Wore them today for he first time and they seem good. Was a chilly morning, but I was warm enough without getting too hot on my 8.5 mile commute. I tend to push as hard as I can most of the way.
I've got some. I think I've worn them about 4 times in the years I've owned them. They're ok for commuting when it's cold in the morning and warms up a bit coming home. Those days are few and far between though, so I could live without them and just carry a spare s/s jersey.
Never seen the need mtbing (even though mine are nicely branded with a Canadian mtb company name)
Mine are mainly for commuting int the spring / autumn when the weather isn’t too extreme or wet. I may crack g m out for mtb on evenings soon if we have chilly but dry nights where I don’t want to wear a full on jacket.
I wore mine on Saturday on the YD200. Quite cool in the morning but once things had warmed up they weren't needed until just before sunset when things got cold again. Not your typical MTB usage grant you.
The most useful piece of cycling attire (once you're in a basic level of clothing) is the gilet. Then after that arm and knee warmers. I don't use my leg warmers, but with arm warmers and knee warmers suddenly changeable conditions are much easier, and commuting around the spring or autumn when it's cold early in the morning but warm in the evening is much less faff
My basic kit for the Dales is a short sleeve jersey, gore softshell gilet, arm warmers and a very thin shell to throw on top if the weather craps out. I can cope with various combinations of the above and a smallish bumbag.
Arm warmers are a godsend on those mornings when you need a few miles to get up to temperature.
The most useful piece of cycling attire (once you’re in a basic level of clothing) is the gilet. Then after that arm and knee warmers
Pics please of you wearing just the most useful pieces of clothing 😀
(ps. the gilet is the single most pointless piece of clothing I, personally have ever come across!)
the gilet is the single most pointless piece of clothing I, personally have ever come across!
Really? While I'd agree it's not the absolutely most useful item ever, I do find mine pretty good as and "in between day" easy to remove layer that keeps the wind off my chest, zipped right up stops me getting a neck chill but has a mesh back so doesn't become a sweaty mess like a full jacket would.
I'm sure there's more useless items what about those old 'Respro' face masks? Personally I'm not quite sold on cycling mitts, I also think a fair bit of the armour some MTBerists choose to wear is a bit on the superfluous side, and then there's Camelbaks... But that's just me.
Whilst I'm a great fan of gillets I've never got arm or leg warmers to work very well. I think this is because I have quite hairy arms and legs and the tight arm/leg warmers compress the hairs (which normally trap an insulating layer of air) and make my arms/legs colder than if I am wearing slightly baggier clothing. if I try looser fitting arm/leg warmers then they are too big and tend to slip off. Maybe there are some more suitable for the hairier gent????????????????
@natrix - The On-One Coolmax arm warmers work well with hairy arms 🙂 https://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CLPXCOLAW/planet-x-coolmax-seamless-arm-warmers
Really?
Yep. If my body is cold, then so are my arms. If not, they're colder, seeing as they're extremities... but I have no issue with other people enjoying a gilet (even if it is a stupid name for a garment) 😉
I've got knee warmers which are great for cold mornings/warm evenings or layering up for nights away. Any recommendations for someone with more muscular (for a roadie) arms? I tried some (DHB I think) but found whilst on the limit of being too long, they were also too tight...
If my body is cold, then so are my arms. If not, they’re colder, seeing as they’re extremities…
That's the view I've always taken. Those with a mesh back (brand?) sound interesting however... but then I'd need arm warmers in addition when I could just buy a jacket with a mesh back if such things exist???
The On-One Coolmax arm warmers work well with hairy arms
Thanks for that, I may have to investigate...................
On sizing I bought large dhb arm warmers and length wise they’re just about ok (bordering on a bit long - I have quite short arms - 33” sleeves in shirts) and they’re not quite as tight as the arm measurements led me to think they would be. I have been flat out weight lifting the last month after a bit of half hearted training for a few years so I wouldn’t say I’ve got small diameter biceps etc.
However, the gripper things were tight enough they didn’t sag down so overall I’m pleased and they were pretty cheap.