Softshell pants

[1-track-mind]

Any recommendations on a not-too-pricey pair of all purpose "backcountry" pants. These look ideal for winter biking. Schoeller or climawool prefered. Looking at Marmot,MEC and Ibex.

[lala]

They always seem $$$.

[Hezz]

I have given up on softshell pants for temps below 35 degree F. They just don't keep me warm unless I have too many layers on.

I have found a cheap solution that in fact works better and is more comfortable even though it seems to go agains't standard cookie cutter wisdom.

I use an inexpensive pair of snowboard pants that I have modified the bottoms for a more form fit. They are just breathable nylon supplex shell with .250 inch thick Thinsulate insulation and a nylon tafetta lining. I am amazed at both how warm these are and cool at the same time. I wear only my lycra cycling shorts under them. Having no tights on underneath lets your legs cool yet they are completely protected from the cold air movement and are lightly insulated.

My legs do not sweat in them as much as when I wear tights under a windshell and even when they have gotten slightly damp they are still warm.

I got them for 39 bucks at a local recreation discounter. And less than one hour to fix them on a sewing machine. I just stiched up the inside seam on an angle to take up material to they are not so baggy and then cut off the excess material and zig-zag the edge so it doesn't fray.

[CastIron]

REI Mistral pants.

[Thomill]

Any recommendations on a not-too-pricey pair of all purpose "backcountry" pants. These look ideal for winter biking. Schoeller or climawool prefered. Looking at Marmot,MEC and Ibex.

It is a tough call, in my opinion. When I first began commuting during the winter months a few years ago, the first outfit I tried included some old insulated ski pants (I think purchased from REI) and my usual biking shorts. I found them the pants a bit bulky and that after a while, they tended to bunch up behind my knee. I am sure there are thinner varieties out there, but those are probably much more expensive. Just my $0.02. ;)

T

[chipcom]

Pair of Klondike tights with a pair of Nashbar Crossroad pants over the top keeps my legs plenty warm down to single digits.

[af895]

...I have found a cheap solution that in fact works better and is more comfortable even though it seems to go agains't standard cookie cutter wisdom.

I use an inexpensive pair of snowboard pants that I have modified the bottoms for a more form fit...


BINGO!

The sporting goods industry markets to whoever they'll make the most return from.
Comparatively few people bike in winter but there are a lot of snowboarders.

Found a helmet that has ear-muffs built in, a strap holder for a pair of goggles, vents that close - ostensibly for boarders but great for winter biking.

:)

[Joe Dog]

I got a relatively cheap pair of softshell pants from EMS. They are the EMS house brand and similar to the REI Mistral's but fit me better. They were about $90 - which is a lot more than any other pants I wear, by the way.

[slvoid]

I got a pair that's sized down by 1 size so they don't flap around in the wind. I love em. You can walk around and look normal in them.

[1-track-mind]

What about pants with Pertex Equilibrium ? Are the advantages of soft shell technology limited to jackets?

[joejack951]

Sporthill XC ski pants. Very warm and form fitting and a little cheaper than soft shell pants (but not much). I forget who gave me this recommendation but I got mine from Peter White Cycles although you might find them cheaper at Reliable Racing.

[balto charlie]

Sporthill XC ski pants. Very warm and form fitting and a little cheaper than soft shell pants (but not much). I forget who gave me this recommendation but I got mine from Peter White Cycles although you might find them cheaper at Reliable Racing.

I second the man from Wilmington De. Sporthill XC for the brutal temps and sporthill voyaguers for the rest of winter. I bought my XC off a lady on ebay for 15.00(usually 90.00ish) They are an XL womans size,I wear a mans L. They voyaguers were from REI at 40.00 but I had a coupon that brought the price to 30.00. I usually wear these. The XC are too warm but when the temps are low enough, they ROCK!! The temps have to be below 32F/0C to wear them and you don't need thermal lowers. Both pairs have pockets which I love. Commuters NEED pockets. They fit like loose tights. I wear them all day at work(not the XC too hot). Take a look at them. Charlie
PS If you don't mind the stigma, womens outdoor clothes are always cheaper than mens. Size one up.

[Boudicca]

Another vote for the sporthill. Fitting enough to work on a bike, can be worn over bike shorts, or over shorts and long underwear. I suppose you could go three layers too -- bike shorts, long underwear, bike tights and sporthill, but I don't ride when it gets that cold.

[Guest]

Performance rain pants. I use them, and I never have problems with keeping myself warm. Sometimes I even wear shorts underneath them if it's over 30 degrees.

Koffee

[Drakonchik]

For subzero weather I highly recommend Weatherby wool camo hunting pants, which are made of three layers: wool, windblock, and poly lining. These just by themselves get me comfortably down to 19F on fast commutes. When I also wore Sugoi Subzeros tights as a base-layer, I was totally comfy down to 10F
I'm still waiting for colder weather! Bring it ON!

I might add that they create very little friction over the knee, due to the lining.

BTW I can also vouch for Sporthill and Ibex, both excellent, but nowhere near as warm.

[DCCommuter]

I've lately been wearing Supplex hiking pants. They're better than any cycling-specific pants I've ever had.

[1-track-mind]

Anyone tried Sierra Designs Black Ice or the Showerpass rain pants ? The black ice uses a material that I am not familiar with called barricade. They are the only softshell pant I've seen umder $90.00. The showerpass pants have vents to aid the breathability.

[Bekologist]

the best way to find softshell pants for a good price is to scour the discount sections or outlet stores... sierratradingpost usually has stuff for good prices.

looking for a specific fabric is a better hedge to ensure you get the softshell you want at a good price. A lot of manufacturers are trying 'proprietory' softshell fabrics that will be cheaper than some of the 'tagbrand' fabrics like windstopper or schoeller.

I scored some brand new, Schoeller Dryskin tights for 25 bucks at a store once.closeout Sierra Designs softshell pants I made into knickers for $40...

I also like 'softshell' Filson water resistant shelter cloth pants for city commuting. They dry quick!

[1-track-mind]

the best way to find softshell pants for a good price is to scour the discount sections or outlet stores...

Agreed. I bought the Ibex Backcountry pant for one of my sons for half price as a Christmas present.
Ooh-la-la. It's a good thing they are too small for me or else I'd be borrowing them all the time. First time I've ever spent over $100.00 on pants, but they are definitely worth it ! The pants that I really covet are the Fall Line with climawool cirrus. Same material that is in my Pingo jacket which I wear all the time. Incredible material. You would not believe anything so thin and not laminated could block the wind like this stuff. I think it's gonna be really durable too.
Sierra trading post has some nice Marmot soft shell pants in their catalog, but the website shows them as being out. I'm still looking...