If you are too young to remember the original TV series ‘Fame’ and too old to have seen its big screen return, you may well just laugh out loud at the thought of cycling legwarmers. Truth be told, you might chuckle even if you DID pay homage to Olivia Newton John. For these Knee Warmers from Dashing Tweeds are not technical knee warmers, made from clever moisture wicking, quick drying thermal fabrics. These are proper, disco diva legwarmers and I don't doubt there's a gap in the market for them.
Made primarily from wool, they are designed to bridge the gap between tights and shoes, whether those tights are technical thermal cycling ones, or 50 denier smart work ones. Available in either plain grey or striped, they look casually stylish in a quirky vintage way, and they actually do a great job of keeping your ankles warm and work well as a trouser retainer and protector too.
The secret weapon that stops these legwarmers merely being an overpriced excursion into retro-land is that, as they’re made by Dashing Tweeds, they incorporate clever reflective yarns in the wool mix. These yarns looks just like the grey wool in daylight, but put them under car headlights and they reflect beautifully. They’re not quite as reflective as say Scotchlite, but as a safety ‘extra’ on cold dark evenings, they are certainly far better than nothing.
I was skeptical on first receiving these – partly because I am old enough to remember wearing legwarmers the first time around, but I’ve popped them on quite a few times now, partly for their cosiness, partly for their reflectivity, and in truth, partly because they’re just a little bit bonkers.
Verdict
Cosy, practical, quirky, reflective and just a little mad. Excellent gift material.
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Dashing Tweeds Leg warmers
Size tested: Grey, blue, green stripes
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Aimed at the style conscious cyclist looking for added reflectivity for safety without compromising looks.
Nice niche. Surprisingly it works.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
5/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
8/10
Rate the product for value:
8/10
Did you enjoy using the product? A lot.
Would you consider buying the product? Definitely. I might buy some for friends too.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes. But I'd prefer to keep them to myself.
Age: 37 Height: 1.65m Weight: 67kg
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,
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5 comments
Sadly, now that I'm starting christmas shopping, these don't seem to be available. :o(
Actually it doesn't rub on the chain at all
And the fellahs in 'Fame' wore legwarmers too!
The one worn on the right leg will keep the chain nice and clean as it drops down to the ankle.
you do what you feel is right, BD
These are immense. As a style matter, presumably this is a bridge too far for the gentleman cyclist, who would be better advised to stick to socks, no?