Daddy Long Legs

Serious cold weather protection for backcountry epics and campfire legends. 4-way stretch Hot Shot™ Merino tights with a double layer of fabric at your knees beat polar winds. There's no pad so you can pull them on over your shorts or whip them off if it gets too hot.

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• • HighRise™ rear ensures a generous overlap with your cycle top.
  • Flat seams for a contour-fit.
  • Fast-drying, 4-way stretch Hot Shot™ Merino with a double layer at knees.
  • Internal pocket with double layer of fabric warms your kidneys.
  • Hazard!™ reflective logos on each calf for increased nocturnal presence.
  • Calf zips make it a cinch to pull on and off over your cycling shoes. Moo!
  • XS size option (approx. women's small).

• ▹

  4-way stretch winter luxury uniquely combines superfine NZ merino against your skin with a tightly woven, hardwearing nylon outer and lycra to stretch and move with your body. Warm as pie. Developed by Ground Effect and knitted for us in New Zealand.

  • Composition: 45% nylon; 39% merino; 16% lycra.

  ▹ HighRise™

  A stretch lumbar panel and HighRise™ rear overlap with your cycle top to keep you covered. No bare skin or lewd exposure.

  ▹ Hazard!™

  Night travel is a spooky experience. Many Ground Effect garments feature our Hazard!™ reflective logo and piping to help remind traffic that we're on the road too.

  ▹ More than Kiwi Made

  Ground Effect clothing is crafted right here in New Zealand. Has been ever since we started back in 1994. Manufacturing locally works for us. We operate a quick-response system - holding minimal stock of any one item, but churning out a few more quick-smart when the pile gets low. The upshot is that we are seldom caught with our shelves empty, so orders get despatched the same day you place them.

  ▹ Weight

  Garment Weight: 260 gm

• 	Daddy Long Legs	Black Mambas
  Fabric
  Pad	No
  Calf Zips	Yes	No
  Bandolier™ Cuffs	No	Yes
  Sizes	XS - XL	S - XL

• ▹ Should I wear underwear with these shorts?

  Hell no. You want to have as smooth an interface as possible between your bum and the saddle. The seams on your underwear will inevitably be in the wrong place - causing rubbing and saddle sores. Also underwear is generally cotton - nice for everyday use but damp skin below is more susceptible to chaffing.

  ▹ Hitching up ya britches?

  • The challenge in fitting 3/4 length shorts and tights is the inherent tension of the fabric between your hips and knees. Even with stretch fabrics this can encourage your pants to creep down off your hips so the pad no longer fits snugly against your bum. It's more likely if you're lucky enough to have a longer-than-average femur.
  • The trick is to inch up the fabric below your knees so there is less tension along your thighs. If you are a girl, think about how you pull on your fishnet stockings. If you are a boy, think about something else.

• • All Ground Effect clothing enjoys a warm 40ºC machine wash. Try to avoid cold-water detergents and those with bleach, 'oxygen whitener' or fabric softener.
  • The cold-water varieties have little enzymes that are super-charged to brave the cold but can damage technical fabrics and cause skin irritation. 
  • Bleach rots natural fibres like merino, strips the dye, attacks laminates of waterproof fabrics and can also cause skin irritation.
  • Sodium Percarbonate (the main ingredient in oxygen whitener) can make colours run.
  • Fabric softener and stuff containing it like wool wash destroys the water repellent finish on waterproof and water resistant fabrics, and can cause colours to run. 
  • As a rule of thumb, a product that is easy on the planet is also easy on your body. Select a mild plant-based soap like Ecover, Ecostore, Earthwise or Aware.
  • Hand washing is sometimes the only option on tour, but a washing machine rinses more thoroughly and is preferable if you have the choice.
  • Most Ground Effect gear dries super-fast so hanging on the line or drooping over the bedpost is generally the best option. High heat can damage some fabrics so if you do take your threads for a spin, set the device on 'medium' or 'warm' rather than hot. A lap in the dryer is recommended for your rain jacket, after it has dried on the line, as it helps recharge its water repellent finish. 
  • Wash colours separately.