Best leg warmers for cycling: 12 options for all budgets tested and rated

For deep winter conditions, many riders reach for a set of the best winter bib tights. My preference though is to use a set of the best winter cycling shorts combined with a good quality pair of leg warmers. It means I can tailor things to the conditions much more easily, choosing lighter options when it's not so cool, or more durable, water repellent models when riding off road. Even if you've only got a set of summer bib shorts, adding a set of leg warmers underneath will massively extend their range of useability, keeping you riding for longer before having to splash out on bigger ticket winter gear.

Quick list

The best leg warmers for cycling available today

Best overall

It's always telling when doing a grouptest which products I reach for when I'm not actually testing. In the case of leg warmers the Endura Pro SL Leg Warmers are the best of the bunch, and they're what I tend to wear if they're not in the wash.

The length provides good coverage, and the grippers are comfortable. The fit is compressive, especially on the lower leg, though this does make them harder to get on and off. On the back of each calf is a properly reflective patch, rather than a token strip of material sewn into a seam.

The fit is also articulated, with a more windproof front and a more fleecy hamstring area. Finally, the lower hem is raw edge, so you don't have any pressure points around your ankles if you're also layering up with socks, and a pair of the best cycling overshoes.

Best for smaller budgets

The dhb Regulate Thermal Leg Warmers are the most basic option in this list, but that doesn't mean they should be discounted (though, they regularly are, price wise). A basic, non-articulated tube construction made from the same roubaix fabric as the brand's thermal bib shorts and bib tights. As a jumping-off point, they're hard to beat, and I've owned a pair for years. 

They do come in a little short, much like the dhb Aeron option, sitting mid-thigh, but don't be tempted to size up or you'll lose the fit and it'll end up bunching. They're as fleecy in terms of loft as the luxurious Velocio, but the pile is less dense so the wind resistance isn't as good as others. For dipping your feet into colder riding, they're a fine starting point, or as I often used them, a perfect cheap pair you're willing to trash warming up or racing cyclocross in. 

Best classic style

If you want a classic style leg warmer, by which I mean a non-articulated tube of fleece-backed lycra, then your best bet beyond the budget-friendly dhb Regulate is a set of these if you want grippers, or the Velocio option if you don't. 

The material Rapha uses is slightly thinner than the Velocio leg warmers, and the fit is a little more compressive. The length here is good, even in a size small, giving good coverage, and the leg grippers at the top are tenacious, bordering on aggressive; they'll not fall down, that's for sure.

Comfy, stylish, and well-executed.

Most comfortable

If you want absolute comfort then these are the pair to choose. The simple merino tubes feel great next to the skin and, despite looking quite airy, are very good at keeping you warm. They aren't what I'd choose for a wet or a very windy ride though, but for a cold but dry bike tour where they can be happily worn in a sleeping bag they'd be perfect. 

They also pack down smaller than lycra options, further bolstering their bike touring credentials. They are more fragile though, so watch out for snagging and don't tug on them too hard when pulling them on/off or you may put your finger through the weave!

The grippers aren't the usual for Rapha either and are much less aggressive. They do stay up, but if you want that locked-in feeling then maybe go elsewhere. Likewise, as per merino base layers, they do stretch a little with use and spring back after a wash.

Best for gravel

Another gravel specific product to consider? I'm afraid so, and I do really like the Rapha Explore Leg Warmers, in the right context. They are made from a thinner, more windproof ripstop material, with a more insulated rear hamstring as you'd find on the Endura Pro SL, but they lack the bulky fleece backing of every other option here. There is a slight softness, but they aim to keep you warm by keeping the wind and rain off, rather than through insulation.

This has the effect of making them extremely light and much more packable than the other options, ideal if you're tight on cargo space. The fabric is also noticeably more sturdy and abrasion resistant than the rest, perfect if you're spending time off the bike, or scrambling about in the undergrowth. 

The grippers, as per the Rapha Thermal Leg Warmers, are tenacious, meaning even if you're wearing baggies you could slip these on to insulate your lower legs without needing the grip of a pair of bib shorts to hold them in place.

Most water repellent

In much the same way as the Sportful Fiandre NoRain Pro bib shorts, these won me over with the great water repellency that the durable water repellent offers. They're a little basic in terms of construction compared to the similarly showerproof Castelli Nano-Flex, but the lack of abundant seams does mean fewer places for water to seep in.

The length is good, even for long legged folk, and while the grippers are a little basic the compressive fit overall keeps them locked in place and makes them feel good and supportive. 

The red flash on the left leg may not be for everyone, but if you've got the matching shorts then it all ties in nicely together. 

Also tested

The Le Col Leg Warmers sit as something of a halfway house between the classic, tube style leg warmers, and more technical, panelled options.  The material is the same throughout, but darts have been put around the knee and a seam across the back of the knee to take in material where it tends to bunch. Personally I'm not a fan of having a seam in the back of the knee, but it does elevate them above more basic options.

They're a good length, and the fleece is super soft. Where they really shine for me though is in the grippers, which are effectively the inverse of that you find at the end of the brand's bib shorts; a nice, wide, silicon backed gripper that's low profile and doesn't cause any undue pressure. They're the best grippers of the bunch. 

Considering the price, especially if discounted, you get a lot of bang for your buck with the dhb Aeron Rain Defense leg warmers. For starters, they're the cheapest option to feature a DWR (durable water repellent) coating to stave off showers. Not only that, but they have an articulated cut to avoid bunching, and a more windproof front face material, with a softer more fleecy-backed area for your hamstrings. All things you tend to find on more premium offerings.

That being said, they aren't perfect. They're the shortest of the bunch, so don't offer quite the coverage you'd want for really cold days out, and the seam on the back of the knee is something I'm not a huge fan of. The grippers are better than the dhb Regulate, but are still rather narrow. If you're looking for a budget offering for higher tempo riding though, you could do an awful lot worse

The Assos RS Leg Warmers Targa do things a little differently. The material for a start is a more open fabric with a light compression. It's less fleecy and more breathable, and definitely better suited to higher output riding. There are zippers at the base for easy on/off, bucking the trend of the rest of the bunch. I'm indifferent to zippers, and rarely have I ever been annoyed by their presence.

The main selling point of these is the coverage; they extend far higher up the outer thigh and hug the crotch. What's more, the upper ends are raw-edges, so there's no additional pressure at all. Gripping is taken care of by an array of silicone dots on the outer thigh, but you'll need tight shorts to have the best time with them. 

The lower hem is also low profile but reinforced for longevity. All in all, these are a very premium offering, but not one for the coldest days. Absolute comfort though, if you've the shorts to hold them steady. 

Sportful and Castelli both come under a single parent company, and Nano Flex is the same tech as the NoRain DWR used on the Fiandre leg warmers. While they offer similar water repellency, the Castelli offering has more comfortable, but less aggressive upper grippers, and a zip at the bottom, which is definitely of benefit if you're the sort of rider who likes to take warmers off mid-ride.

The panelling is more complex, too, with a sinuous pair of stitches down either side that aims to reduce bunching behind the knees - something it achieves pretty well. The fit is marginally less compressive than the sportful option, but the silicon-ised Castelli wordmark on the grippers here keep them firmly attached to your bib shorts. They're a touch shorter too, so a better option if you've got shorter legs. 

In much the same way as the Rapha Pro Team Winter bib shorts, the Pro Team leg warmers feel very much at home when riding hard. As per the bib shorts, they offer a supportive, compressive fit, with a thicker, more windproof (and slightly stiffer) fabric on the shin and the thigh, and a thinner, more breathable pair of panels on the back of the leg to help dump heat.

They're not as long as some, and the leg grippers are a touch aggressive, but they won't shift and shrug off a shower too. The articulated fit also means they avoid annoying bunching well. 

A final, very neat touch is the neoprene ankle cuff. Not only does it keep it absolutely flush in comfort, but also acts to some degree as a barrier to seepage down into your shoes if the leg warmers wet through in a downpour. 

These leg warmers are definitely more for spring and autumn than they are for winter use. The materials used are thinner, only a little thicker than what you'd find a pair of summer bib shorts made of, so if it's in single figures you're going to find them too cold. The lightweight fabric also struggles if there's a lot of road spray, as they wet through easily.

On the flip side they are perfect for those high effort rides where it's too cold to wear just shorts, but too warm for proper thermals. The low weight means they're super breathable and they do just enough to keep the wind off without feeling clammy when you really push it.

They're a more specialist purchase, but if you like to have the perfect kit for all conditions then they're a great idea.

How to choose the best leg warmers for you