castelli leg warmers: how tight / which size?

[zeb]

Hi,

I have recently bought Castelli Nanoflex leg warmers. They are fantastic in cold weather. I chose the medium size, which are perfect in length, but I feel they are particularly tight. During riding, I do not feel them being too tight, but was wondering : should they feel tight and compress muscles a bit? If I change them for large, does that change only the length, or does that change the diameter too?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[henshaw11]

'fraid I can't remember exactly which size combination I plumped for (I think large legs, med arms - opposite to castelli's normal fit on me) - but I *think* medium was about 1/2 way up my thigh, and large further up near my groin, so I went for the latter since they weren't quite straying into where the shorts pad sat - and I wasn't sure if the shorter ones might drift down a bit. They do seem to compress a bit, but it's only more noticeable when I've got the nanoflex shorts (Claudio?) on too - doesn't seem excessive tho'. I don't really remember must difference in diameter, tho' there may have been one..

I must admit I find the seam at the back of the knee a bit of a nuisance - I can usually get one side comfy but not both..mebbe stitching the thing a little flatter might help.

 

[zeb]

Thank you for your insights. Did large and medium only differ in length? I use large bib short, but ordered leg warmers in medium only based on the length (and they arrive 2/3 way up my thigh). If compression is the same for large, then I would have no reason exchanging them for large, because the length of the medium is fine for me.

 

[Edge705]

There is a way of getting round this Ive done it with my addidas Its not ideal but it works great - basicaly you snip the band around the thigh at both sides you then stitch just underneath the band line (double stich) this will stop the cut becoming a tear Like I say its not ideal but its better than having tyour circulation affected. Im afraid manufacturers need to consider some thighs are thicker than others and adapt the leg warmers to account for this similar to what they do for trousers.

 

[henshaw11]

Thank you for your insights. Did large and medium only differ in length? I use large bib short, but ordered leg warmers in medium only based on the length (and they arrive 2/3 way up my thigh). If compression is the same for large, then I would have no reason exchanging them for large, because the length of the medium is fine for me.

Unfortunately I really don't remember - tightness didn't seem a significant issue in either case, I was just concerned about getting the length right. I'd also previously tried some on in a LBS but couldn't quite decide which to get - having been tried on before those seemed to have a little more give too.
If you can hang on a few days, mine are waiting to be lobbed in the wash, and I'll measure them afterwards (I could measure them beforehand too but they might have stretched a bit having been worn). Best drop me a PM as a reminder if I haven't reposted by the end of the weekend !

 

[zeb]

Many thanks

 

[amaferanga]

If they're not causing a problem then I wouldn't got for the bigger size. They need to be tight so they don't slip down. The Nora Batty look with leg warmers is not a good one

 

[zeb]

Thanks for the advice.
Just a comment: they are very well done, very high quality. And there are silicon bands that prevent them to slide along the thigh. Highly recommended. Evans has a good discount on them at the moment.

 

[henshaw11]

Many apologies - it turns out they *were* mediums I'd bought (though I *had* been comparing them with the large) - and the mediums come about 6cm from my groin, so I'd guess the large are about mebbe 3-4 cm longer. So I'm not much help, I'm afraid ( For comparison my thighs are about the 54(r)/58(l)cm diameter at about the 3/4 point, plus mebbe 1cm more at the largest point a little higher)

For the sake of completeness/anyone else searching the forum, the medium measurements are (measured flat inside-out, and to the inside of the seam):
length:71.5 cm
widest point of calf 12.5cm @ ~24.5cm from ankle cuff
narrowest point of knee 12cm @ ~33cm from ankle cuff
thigh: 16.5cm @50cm from ankle cuff
18cm @ 60cm from ankle cuff
gripper elastic 22cm

FWIW the arms *were* large, so that does, after all, tie up with castelli fit in my case.

 

[zeb]

Hi henshow11,

Many thanks. No need to apologise, you have been very helpful. I had another ride with these leg warmers and think they do fit well and consider keeping them. I don't want to exchange them for leg warmers that would slide along my thigh! I guess the tight fit is on purpose, as amaferanga wrote above. They are very efficient in the chilly April we hve here!

Many thanks.