Best cycling leg warmers and knee warmers 2023 reviewed and rated

Leg warmers and knee warmers are among the most versatile pieces of kit in the road cyclist's locker. Here's our guide to the best

Canyon-SRAM kit Rapha knee warmers
(Image credit: Future)

As road and gravel cyclists we're all too often reminded of the fickle nature of the weather. Being out on the bike for a few hours at a time can mean having to deal with rapidly changing conditions. How well we adapt mid-ride can often depend on our kit choices. After all, there no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing.

Versatility is often the key. And the best cycling leg warmers and knee warmers provide just this.

While a pair of the best bib tights (opens in new tab) will keep you warm from the get-go, what happens if after a couple of hours the weather heats up? Equally a pair of the best bib shorts may seem like a great idea when setting out under blue skies but as the day wears on and the sky clouds over, less so. A set of leg warmers or knee warmers allow you to adapt to these changing conditions.

Being able to take them on and off with relative ease, as well as their small size when packed away, makes them a 'must-have' for any road cyclist. Much like a gilet or vest this essential piece of kit will see you through three seasons and also specific riding situations. Heading for a trip to the mountains? Armed with a pair of the best cycling leg warmers and you'll be ready for any chilly descent you face, without having to cook when riding in the valleys. 

Below we've listed our favourite products from those we've tested. After that we answer some of the key questions regarding the best cycling leg warmers and knee warmers.

Best Cycling Leg Warmers and Knee Warmers Reviewed

Best Cycling Leg Warmers: Altura Thermal DWR leg warmers

(Image credit: Altura)
Best leg warmers for additional length

Specifications

Material: Thermal brushed fabric
Waterproof?: DWR coating
Weight: 69g (each)

Reasons to buy

+
High design reduces gripper compression
+
Warm
+
Quick drying

Reasons to avoid

-
Still use a silicone gripper 

We like the Altura Thermal DWR leg warmers for a number of reasons. Firstly, they finish nice and high up the leg, avoiding mid-thigh compression while providing additional warmth. Paired with some thermal bib shorts, or at least not summer-weight ones, they'll see you further into the colder months.

They also boast some great reflective details on the lower leg and have a decent level of breathability. Again, a feature that only increases their versatility.

The DWR coating does its job and when the leg warmers did get wet during a heavy downpour they were quick to dry out.

best leg knee warmers cycling: Castelli Nanoflex

Best leg warmers for riding in the wet

Specifications

Material: NanoFlex 3G
Waterproof?: DWR coating
Weight: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Water repellant coating
+
Grippers work well
+
Look smart

Reasons to avoid

-
Fit not quite as ergonomic as other brands

A market leader, the NanoFlex warmers are renowned for providing comfort, warmth and protection from the rain thanks to a water repellent coating. The grippers hold them up without digging in and the fit is close-to-skin. We did find that the water repellent coating didn't last as long as we'd like, though.

Castelli is now on its third generation Nano Flex 3G, with improvements like enhancements to the Nano Flex fabric coating and a single flatlocked seam to up ride comfort. There's a knee warmer version available too, if you want less coverage.

best leg knee warmers cycling

Sportful No-Rain Knee Warmers
(Image credit: Picasa)

Sportful Fiandre Knee Warmers

Best knee warmers for wet-weather riding

Specifications

Material: Thermal fleece with no-rain technology
Waterproof?: Water repellant treated fabric
Weight: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Nanotechnology water repellent surface treatment
+
Added reflectives for visibility
+
Stay in place well

Reasons to avoid

-
Like the Castellis, water repellency can wear off over time

Using very similar fabric to Castelli's offering, the Fiandre warmers boast nanotechnology which keeps the rain water out without keeping too much heat in. They're soft, stretchy, and the silicone gripper at the top keeps them in place.

There's a full-leg version too if you're after additional warmth and protection. Both include reflective elements to up your visibility in poor weather.

best leg knee warmers cycling: GripGrab Classic leg warmers

Best leg warmers for fit

Specifications

Material: Brushed fleece
Waterproof?: No
Weight: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Great fit
+
Warm
+
Good top gripper
+
No zips
+
Seams aren't abrasive
+
Good value for money when compared against some rival brands

Reasons to avoid

-
The inseam label could be better positioned
-
Might not cope with the coldest winter days

Effectively like two seamless tubes of material, these stretchy leg warmers come with no zips to cause irritation.

Not ideal for the coldest of days (though the range now consists of various levels of weight for a range of conditions), we found them great in mild conditions and enjoyed the breathability offered by the light material in the less insulated version which we tested.

best leg knee warmers for cycling: Assos Legwarmer Evo7

The best leg warmers tested

Specifications

Material: RXQ fabric
Waterproof?: DWR coating
Weight: 135g

Reasons to buy

+
Great fit
+
High durability
+
Good weather proofing

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive (but worth it)

The Assos leg warmers take a different route when compared to most. Rather than using a gripper to hold them in place at the thigh, these travel right up to your hip, and rely upon the lycra in your shorts to hold them in place.

Made from a warm RXQ fabric, with a DWR coating, the fact that they go right up to the hips also adds to their longevity as they provide almost the same coverage as a pair of winter bib tights.

best leg knee warmers cycling

Best knee warmers on a budget

Specifications

Material: Non-fleece lined fabric
Waterproof?: No
Weight: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Good length
+
Comfortable
+
Effective inner and outer top grippers

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as warm as some other options

You don't want to pay too much for a set of warmers which are mainly designed for the small window between summer and winter - and you won't have to with this value option from dhb.

We tested the knee warmers which are not currently available, but the leg warmers should be just right for the in-between months. They're a good length and we found the grippers kept them in place well without being uncomfortable.

Best Cycling Leg Warmers and Knee Warmers Buyers Guide

What are leg warmers and knee warmers?

Leg warmers and knee warmers are designed to be worn with bib shorts when cycling. They are intended to be worn underneath your shorts, with leg warmers typically stretching from the mid point of the thigh to the ankle. They'll include lyrca for stretch, and generally feature silicone grippers to hold them in place.

Knee warmers are a shorter version of leg warmers, and you guessed it, cover the knee joint, effectively transforming your bib shorts into a 3/4 length short. Although less popular than leg warmers, they can be very useful in certain conditions.

If you ride in a temperate climate with changeable weather, it can often be chilly in the mornings or evenings. Leg warmers give you the option to set out in cold weather while keeping warm. Arm warmers do a similar job for your upper limbs.

Once you warm up and the mercury rises, leg warmers can be peeled off and stuffed in your jersey pocket (or team car!). Another popular use is to put a pair of warmers on ahead of a chilly mountain descent.

Why wear leg warmers?

Why not just wear a pair of cycling bib tights you may be asking? While a pair of tights may do a similar job in chilly conditions, they are nowhere near as versatile.

In many places, like the UK, the weather can be very changeable. Often you start a ride first thing, feeling a little chilly with the temperature around 8ºC, only for it to rise later in the day. You're likely to warm up by generating your own body heat as you get riding too.

Having a pair of leg warmers you can peel off and stuff in a jersey pocket is a great option. They are also really useful for riding in the mountains. Ahead of a long, chilly descent a pair of leg warmers can be a godsend. You will often see professional riders warming up in leg warmers, only to take them off before they take to the start line.

It's worth bearing in mind too that you can buy insulated bib shorts, which paired with leg warmers give you a bit of extra insulation on colder days.

What should I look for in the best leg and knee warmers?

Quality pairs of cycling leg warmers are often ergonomically shaped to accommodate a bent knee, allowing for good freedom of movement and maximising comfort. With regards to size, we would suggest you opt for the same size you would normally wear for shorts.

More expensive pairs often have a multiple panel construction, with single piece warmers typically being cheaper. Some will feature a zip opening on the ankle to aid taking them off over shoes. 

Warmers such as Castelli's NanoFlex have a water repellant coating, although this does wear off over time. Bear in mind that you can apply your own hydrophobic coating to most leg warmers.

Merino wool is also a great option for both leg warmers and knee warmers. It works across a range of temperatures and is very packable, so the warmers can easily be folded into a jersey pocket or handlebar bag when not in use. 

How have we tested the best cycling leg and knee warmers?

We have been testing these leg warmers on rides of various lengths in different weather conditions. This has included rides with changeable weather and stuffing them in a jersey in anticipation of long descents from the tops of chilly cols.

All the warmers tested were judged on the following criteria: fit, comfort, thermal insulation, breathability and other features such as water repellency. We also paid close attention to how well they stayed in place during a ride - a common failing with warmers if they're not well designed.

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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan is a traditional journalist by trade, having begun her career working for a local newspaper, where highlights included interviewing a very irate Freddie Star (and an even more irate theatre owner), as well as 'the one about the stolen chickens'.


Previous to joining the Cycling Weekly team, Michelle was Editor at Total Women's Cycling. She joined CW as an 'SEO Analyst', but couldn't keep her nose out of journalism and in the spreadsheets, eventually taking on the role of Tech Editor before her latest appointment as Digital Editor. 


Michelle is a road racer who also enjoys track riding and the occasional time trial, though dabbles in off-road riding too (either on a mountain bike, or a 'gravel bike'). She is passionate about supporting grassroots women's racing and founded the women's road race team 1904rt.


Michelle is on maternity leave from July 8 2022, until April 2023.