Arm and Leg Warmers
Used arm and leg warmers on Cranxs come from private sellers across the UK, new and second-hand. They are the unsung heroes of a road kit bag, covering the in-between days when it is too warm for full layers but too chilly to go without. Buying used means you can ride comfortably without breaking the bank.
When do you actually need arm and leg warmers?
They earn their place on rides that start cold and finish warm. Because they roll off and stow in a rear pocket, you can adapt to changing temperatures on the fly instead of committing to a full winter kit at the front door, which is why they stay in most riders' bags from autumn through spring.
What should I check buying used warmers?
The silicone gripper at the top is what keeps a warmer from sliding down your arm or thigh, so check it is still tacky and has not cracked or lifted away from the fabric. Look at the elastic at both ends for perishing, and at the fabric behind the knee and inside the elbow, where the constant flexing thins it first.
Lightweight or thermal?
Lightweight warmers are the ones for cool mornings that will burn off by mid-ride, adding a little coverage without cooking you when the sun arrives. Thermal fleece-backed versions are for those brisk winter rides, and they are warm enough that you will keep them on all day rather than peeling them off. Many riders own both and pick by forecast.
How should they sit with the rest of your kit?
Arm warmers should tuck under the sleeve of your jersey with a decent overlap so no gap opens up when you reach for the bars, and leg warmers should do the same under the leg grippers of your bib shorts. Get the overlap right and they read as one layer rather than separate pieces.
How do I get the size right second-hand?
Warmers work by staying under tension, so a pair that is too large slips down and a pair that is too small cuts in. Sizing usually follows your normal kit size, but ask the seller for the flat length and the width at the widest point, and compare it against a pair you already ride in.