If you were going to buy one pair of pants...

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ummbnb

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Portis

www.foxwear.net

Machka

Tights aren't in the 100+ range!! Not a pair of my tights was anywhere remotely close to that.

Here you go ... $19.99
http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?subcategory=60001209&category=6000137&browse=&storetype=&estoreid=&brand=&searchbox=&start=1&orderby=price1&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Tights%20%26%20Pants

Polypro is a good material for keeping warm. There are several polypro tights on that list.

I wear a pair of tights as a baselayer, and then I wear a light pair of sweatpants or something (from Walmart) over them. If it is particularly cool, I wear a couple pair of sweatpants. And if it is really cold, I throw a pair of windpants (also from Walmart) over it all.

You can dress to -40° conditions fairly inexpensively.

Bekologist

the Bill Koch XC tights are good, also Hind winter weight, non cycling specific tights. Ibex makes some great wool tights.

the Pearl Izumi windproof front tights (forgot the style name) are exemplary, they set a standard for winter cycling tights.

but if I had to choose ONE pair of pants for winter cycling, it would be a pair of pants made out of Schoeller Dryskin.

scoatw

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,18681_SportHill-XC-Pants-3SP-For-Men.html

Cosmoline

I actually only own one pair of pants, so this is topical. They're REI polartech. Good for any temp as you can just add longjohns underneath when it gets deep cold.

cyccommute

I live in Denver so we truly don't have that many super cold snowy days in the winter...last winter being an exception. I'm certain I can get by with just one pair of good cold weather tights for both biking and running on those extra cold days but I'm having a hard time choosing fabrics, brands, etc. Since these things are in the $100+ range I don't want to go wrong.

So, if you were just going to buy one pair of warm tights, what would they be?

Pearl Izumi bibs. These (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?AFC-googlebase&productId=39338253&engine=googlebase&keyword=53496) are about the best dry weather tights I've ever used. They are a little warm for 40 to 50 F riding but below freezing, the bib traps air around my chest and keeps me warm down to the teens.

Hezz

I live in Denver so we truly don't have that many super cold snowy days in the winter...last winter being an exception. I'm certain I can get by with just one pair of good cold weather tights for both biking and running on those extra cold days but I'm having a hard time choosing fabrics, brands, etc. Since these things are in the $100+ range I don't want to go wrong.

So, if you were just going to buy one pair of warm tights, what would they be?

I think cycling winter tights will work better for running than running tights will work for cycling. Running gear is usually not as wind resistant which is more important on the bike. I recommend Sugoi Firewalls. And an inexpensive pair of general purpose tights for days that are not so cold. Or on really colder days you may need both pair to stay warm. Denver has enough cold days that your cycling pants should be a high priority for winter.

jimmibudd

i use these pants from MEC.ca
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442622318&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692411&bmUID=1193227362284
i've used them at all temp ranges and they are great...
i bike in manitoba and it gets fricken cold... i've biked some days into -40c windchill... here it gets on average -20c over the winter months and these are good... on real cold days i put another pair of tights or long underwear underneath... i bought them a little loos because i don't like the look/feel of super tight... plus it gives me the ability to fit extra layer on the coldest days... i also wear some blck shorts over the tights for extra windprotection....

2cents

jB

hairlessbill

I think cycling winter tights will work better for running than running tights will work for cycling. Running gear is usually not as wind resistant which is more important on the bike. I recommend Sugoi Firewalls. And an inexpensive pair of general purpose tights for days that are not so cold. Or on really colder days you may need both pair to stay warm. Denver has enough cold days that your cycling pants should be a high priority for winter.

I used the Firewall tights all last winter and they were plenty warm even on the coldest day we had. Fairly windproof on their own so I didn't need to put a shell type pant on top of them unless it was snowing. They run a little small -at least for my butt- so you might want to go up one size if you between sizes.

ummbnb

Thanks everyone! This definitely gives me a good start. Hoping I can find some in stores, and assume I'll be able to. I'm a shorty and have a heck of a time finding pants that fit well.

pj7

My 300wt polartech power-stretch tights have been "good" down to -20DEGF with no liners (other than a midweight brief). They cost about $40 and are fairly wind resistant and water repellant without much bulk at all considering their weight.
I bet you could probably get by with a 200wt which are much much less bulky (as if the 300wt are bulky in the first place). I have a pair of them that I use for snowshoeing and they are quite nice.
I have several pair of tights, 100wt, 200 wt, 250wt, and 300wt. All of which come from foxwear.net and cost about $40-$50.
You $100 bucks for tights alone? That's twice what you really need IMO.

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