Waterproof/insulated leggings.

[peetee]

Can anyone recommend some water repellent leggings that would efficiently keep naturally cold thighs and knees, if not dry, then insulated enough that dampness would be tolerably warm?
I have some (so far untried in the wet) Castelli knee warmers that repel water but I want something that will do the job a bit higher up so water doesn’t run down my thighs and under the knee warmers.
I want close-fitting not flappy-in-the-wind thingies, by the way.

[PH]

Not sure they come under the leggings category, but the Skyline pants from Showers Pass are excellent. Waterproof where you need it, water resistant where you need it a bit less, two thicknesses of softshell and Lycra type material on other panels. As long as it's not too warm, I can comfortable wear them all day, I wouldn't call them 100% waterproof, but what gets through isn't enough to spoil a ride. Not cheap, £111 in the sale, I think I paid £85 three or four years ago and they'll outlast me.
https://showerspass.co.uk/products/skyline-pant

[Nearholmer]

Very similar recommendation to the above, water resistant/repellent pants/trousers, rather than waterproof leggings, and a similar price: Endura MT500 Burner Pants, nice and slim fitting.

If you want to go one level up in waterproofness the MT500 Spray Trousers, which are slightly looser fitting. I find them a bit too warm except in deep midwinter, and they do give a tiny bit of “knee drag”, which isn’t noticeable with the above.

PS: maybe I’m misunderstanding what you mean by “leggings”. I’m thinking you mean waterproof over-trousers, but do you mean something like tights? If you do, then I’ve got an old, and now rather tatty, pair of very thick Madison thermal tights with padded bum, which aren’t waterproof, but keep my legs warm even in a downpour.

[Halla]

Rain-legs go over the knees and keep them warm and dry.

[KM2]

Paramo, warm and waterproof.
Used rainlegs, better than you might think.
Also for very cold days, bibs which are made of a rubber rich material. Like ski jump stuff.

[peetee]

To answer a few questions.
I’d like close fitting for long, slim legs - my own, obviously.
Sub-zero temperatures are unlikely to be a problem. Generally the weather in the south-west is wet, mild and wet.
And it drizzles.
Forever.

[borisface]

Sportful fiandre no rain bib tights are made from the same material as the castelli knee warmers (castelli and sportful are owned by the same company). I think Castelli also do something similar. They are warm, water-resistant and hard wearing. I've had a pair for about 10 years now, although the waterproofing ain't that great anymore.

[Pinhead]

I KNOW it isn't what you want but this is what I use

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fencelly-Motor ... C94&sr=8-9


And - or comes in black

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0B ... UTF8&psc=1

[Nearholmer]

Sub-zero temperatures are unlikely to be a problem. Generally the weather in the south-west is wet, mild and wet.

Based on that, I reckon you’d be better off with thick-tight-like things than trouser-like things.

But, I also reckon that it depends a bit on how hard you cycle most of the time, because trousery things seem to work better for low effort, or only occasional bursts of high effort, riding (utility or touring sort of thing), whereas tight-like things seem far better when ‘going for it’ (at least somewhat sporty riding).

[ANTONISH]

Rain-legs go over the knees and keep them warm and dry.

I've used rainlegs in the past mainly during audax rides. They do work.
But I found the waist belt and straps irritating. The straps caught on my saddle when I was getting off the bike.
Eventually I bought a pair of Helly Hansen waterproof overtrousers and cut them off just below the knee.
That worked well, the rain protection was better than the rain legs and no problems with straps etc.
I'm not keen on full length waterproof trousers - mine allow more air circulation.

[pjclinch]

Paramo, warm and waterproof.

I was thinking of suggesting Buffalo Teclite trousers, but was put off by "I want close-fitting" in the OP, which I assumed in a cycling context would be skin-tight and stretchy. If that is the case then Paramo stuff would similarly be out.

Pete.

[slowster]

A few years ago Castelli made an eVent (similar to Goretex but I think more breathable) jacket and 3/4 trousers. The trousers were designed to perform as you describe, and were meant to be combined with legwarmers with a waterproof front section below the knee. I think the kit worked, but it was expensive and niche (literally intended for putting on to go out and ride when it was already raining), and was discontinued. I doubt you would be able to buy them now, but you can see the kit in the various photographs here - https://www.mantel.com/uk/castelli-temp ... 4-trousers.

I think you might be able to find similarly designed MTB waterproof shorts or 3/4 trousers, but they would probably not be as well cut for drop bar road riding, and would probably be a heavier/less breathable fabric. Suggest you do some online searching using terms like 'cycling waterproof 3/4 trousers', and maybe check the websites of Castelli's obvious competitor brands.

[pjclinch]

OMM's Kamleika bottoms are stretchy and waterproof and designed to go over tights. Aimed at fell running types, but combined with suitable under-layers might do what you're after?

https://theomm.com/product/kamleika-pants-2/

Pete.

[sukuinage]

I use Castelli Sorpasso RoS bib-tights in winter. Not waterproof but enough water and wind resistance to keep the legs warm. I didn't pay anything like RRP for them

https://www.castelli-cycling.com/GB/en/ ... 010_52_3XL

[L+1]

I can recommend Montane as another good brand for water resistant or waterproof leg wear, some styles with a range of leg lengths in each size. Although none are specific for cycling, many are tight fitting (sport/running tights) or slim fitting and only slightly elasticated (not at all flappy) and almost all styles I’ve seen have a gusset design at the crotch to avoid too many seams in the saddle area.
One problem of sport tights with really good waterproofing, is that water ends up running down into shoes, which become sodden and cold…..