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Original poster

Which type of bottoms do you find coolest?

23 replies

nappyaddict · 09/10/2011 15:22

loose jersey capris

tight capri leggings

Both are made of breathable, wicking fabric although the leggings have a mesh panel as well.

OP posts:
StrangewaysHereICome · 10/10/2011 13:32

I prefer tight capri's for running, looser trousers just annoy me. Gore is a good make and they will be good at wicking away the sweat.

BikeRunSki · 10/10/2011 13:34

3/4 length tight capris. Gore, Pearl Izumi, Sugoi. Have a look on She Active and Wiggle.

Original poster
nappyaddict · 10/10/2011 13:59

What annoys you about looser trousers Strangeways? I am looking for something to wear to the gym, so will be doing a mixture of things like exercise bike, cross trainer, treadmill etc.

OP posts:
Rosa · 10/10/2011 13:59

looser capris but not flappy ones!!!!

Sleepwhenidie · 10/10/2011 14:08

for me, tight capris most comfortable, not necessarily coolest though, but I never really feel hot on my bottom half Confused even if pouring with sweat. Much more important to have a cool, moisture wicking vest top if you are worried about overheating.

ibbydibby · 10/10/2011 14:21

I would go for the tighter capris for 2 reasons:

The looser capris have a large proportion of cotton in them, so will retain a lot of sweat (not good). The greater the proportion of synthetic material, the quicker it will dry - think the tighter ones have larger propn of synthetics.

If the trousers do get wet (sweat/rain) it is more comfortable to have the fabric tight against your body, where it may dry from your body heat, than flapping wetly against you (speaking from experience). So tighter capris better

Original poster
nappyaddict · 10/10/2011 15:08

Ah see I was thinking cotton is more breathable but actually the least amount of cotton the better? I saw some that were 100% polyester but thought they would be too hot but is polyester actually something I should be looking for?

OP posts:
Jacksterbear · 10/10/2011 15:13

I find the Nike dri-fit ones very good.

ibbydibby · 10/10/2011 15:26

Quote from Paula Radcliffe's book (How to Run) - "Unless you're still living in the dark ages, I dobt very much that you're running or exercising in cotton fabrics. But in case you still are, here's a fact to make you think again: cotton absorbs and then holds 8% of its weight in moisture; polyester..retains just 0.4% of it's weight..

So look for Nike dri-fit as suggested, or the Gore ones, or Ronhill (my fave). You could try sweat shop (on line) they often have good offers.

StrangewaysHereICome · 10/10/2011 21:23

Top advice here nappy. It's the flapping of loose trousers that annoys me. I run mostly but I also like tighter capri's for cycling. I'm a fan of Nike dry-fit and Ronhill too.

smartyparts · 10/10/2011 21:26

I can't bear anything flapping, so always go for dri-fit capri leggings. I think they are very flattering too.

Original poster
nappyaddict · 10/10/2011 23:52

Those 3/4 length loose capris are 89% cotton and 11% elastane, so there not going to be very good are they?

OP posts:
Original poster
nappyaddict · 10/10/2011 23:53

OK I've seen some others that are 65% polyester, 35% cotton - is that still too much cotton?

OP posts:
Original poster
nappyaddict · 11/10/2011 00:08

These are 100% polyester.

Is it better to have some with a bit of elastane or spandex in them or does it not really matter?

OP posts:
Original poster
nappyaddict · 11/10/2011 00:19

Another question -

Is it the body or the lining that is important when it comes to polyester v cotton or is it best to have both predominantly polyester based?

These have a 100% polyester body but a 65% Polyester / 35% Cotton lining.

These have a 100% polyester lining but 92% polyester / 8% elastane body
and the mesh is 80% polyester / 20% elastane.

Who knew gym clothes could be so complicated!!

OP posts:
fortyplus · 11/10/2011 00:22

OMG I seriously thought that this thread was about which sort of people's bottoms were coolest Grin You know... small tight ones or something rounder??? Grin Must be my age... and I still looked at the thread! Blush

vanimal · 11/10/2011 09:44

I bought these ones online and wore them today to go running in.

The were good - no flapping, and I was neither hot nor cold in them (even though it was raining/windy, and I was pink/sweaty!)

Free delivery too :)

ibbydibby · 11/10/2011 14:07

Nappy, the second Nike pair you posted look better. The first pair look as if they could be "flappy". The fibre content suggests they are not figure hugging (no lycra/elastane). The ones on the Wiggle website look good (but pricey). The ones that *Vanimal" suggests also look good (though perhaps less leg-hugging than second nike pair or wiggle pair.

If you are looking for something for the gym have you considered shorts?

Lots (usually) on sweatshop website.

Original poster
nappyaddict · 11/10/2011 16:27

Does lycra/elastane/spandex absorb and hold more, less or the same of it's weight than polyester?

OP posts:
ibbydibby · 12/10/2011 08:48

ummm...will have to pass on that one (but lycra/elastane/spandex containing leggings will probably be more tight fitting than simply polyester ones that don't contain any mention of the above fabrics)

what about these

though the Nike pair you posted about latterly also look good.

Sleepwhenidie · 12/10/2011 22:51

Do you think that you could maybe be over thinking this nappy Hmm? Just get some capris (or anything!) on and get to the gym!

Original poster
nappyaddict · 12/10/2011 23:22

I just don't like to be wet through with sweat Grin

OP posts:
brighthair · 13/10/2011 11:34

I have heat induced urticaria and I sweat a lot in the gym. I wear baggy Capris, any that are wicking
It's only usually my top half that is dripping

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