Commuting - Riding pants

Does anyone know of good cycling pants to wear that aren't tights and are warm enough for the Winter? Perhaps non cycling specific pants? I just don't like the tights look and feel awkward walking around in them when I am not on my bike.

Thanks.

I've started wearing carpenter jeans made by Wrangler. They're loose enough to work fine on a bike as long as I roll the right leg up. Being 100% cotton, I don't expect them to be so good in the rain.

I've started wearing carpenter jeans made by Wrangler. They're loose enough to work fine on a bike as long as I roll the right leg up. Being 100% cotton, I don't expect them to be so good in the rain.

I did a search on carpeter jeans and they seem to just be....well jeans. Is there a reason why you prefer them? Do they protect you from the cold and wind?

I wear a pair of bike shorts as a base layer because I like the padding (I don't own any tights. If I did, I'd probably wear them instead, but they're so expensive). Then I wear a pair of sweat pants and then a pair of waterproof/windproof rain pants on top. It seems to work really well for weather in the 30-40 deg range. As it gets colder, I'll maybe add a layer of long underwear to that.
I would prefer to wear jeans because I hate walking around in sweat pants, but biking is so unkind to pants that I can't justify spending a lot of money on a pair of pants whose butt will be worn off within a couple of months...

wool pants are nice and can be found cheap if you have access to a thrift store.

i usually just go with spandex shorts with tights over the top then some baggy bike shorts over the top of all that.

I have a pair of adidas running pants. They cut the wind great and they have a mesh liner, so they're pretty warm down to 40ish I'd say. It was mid 40s today, and I wore and extra layer under them and I was way too warm. I would think any nylon wind pant with layering underneath would be perfect.

I compromise with tights under some 3/4 length shorts. Gives me the cold and wind protection I need without having to walk across the office in lycra... everything else I've tried snagged in my chain.

Not quite the answer you were hoping for I know but it may be useful if you haven't considered it.

My advice would be to try some tights. You will like them so much that you won't care what they look like. You can also by thicker cycling pants with pockets. I used to feel awkward about wearing lycra shorts and jerseys, but after I started wearing them I immediately realized all of the advantages and quit worrying about the appearance.

I just got some long running pants from Target. They're loose and made of a stretchy microfiber material. Warm and breathable. I have to tie the legs, but they're very comfortable if I wear bike shorts under them. Best of all, I can add layers underneath them for super cold days (in NorCal, that means around 30F).

BTW, I have the same issue with tights. They might be fine to wear in public at the Davis Farmers Market, but on West Capitol Avenue they scream "I wanna get my ass kicked." Also, as a teacher, I don't like arriving at school in outerwear that looks like underwear, especially if I'm running late like the other day when I flatted and the kids were lined up outside my classroom door as I pedaled up to the school.

I just got some long running pants...

I did the same thing. Last year for cold weather I rode in shorts and knee warmers with a pair of tights over the top. My tights weren't the best tights out there, so I ended up feeling cold a lot of the time. This year I am trying new things. I wasn't sure what would be warmer, AmFIB tights or GORE pants. Both are pretty expensive, so I went ahead and got some $20 running pants to see how far they'll take me.

I haven't been too cold yet, but the temps haven't gotten very low. Yesterday morning it was ~34 degrees when I left, which has been the coldest morning so far. I was wearing shorts, knee warmers, and pants and I was sweating a little bit by the end of the ride (~50 minutes). The pants I got don't breathe very well at all, but they do trap in the body heat that I produce. For $20 that's a trade off I'm willing to make. YMMV.

If these pants don't work when it gets colder I think I'll try GORE pants. They're expensive, but I have a pair of GORE gloves that I absolutely love. I'm sure GORE pants would breathe much better.

Bib shorts with tights over them.

I found some polyester pants at a bargain outlet store called "Factory2-U." They were $5.99 a pair IIRC. I bought a size smaller than my actual size (they have plenty of stretch, even in the waist), so they fit like something between a pair of slacks and tights.

Why don't you get some of those horse riding pants? Get the whip too.

underwear with chamois + any pants you want = solution

Bib shorts with tights over them.

+1 Embrace the tight. A windblock panel tight (Bellwether and Pearl AmFib) keeps me warm down to 25 degrees F. My toes are the only thing I haven't been able to keep warm under 30 for my hour and 15 minute commute.

Look for a looser tight like this:

http://tinyurl.com/35ufbp

Not skin tight, they look like yoga or workout pants that will not get you weird looks in the office, and yet they are slim enough that you don't have to worry about snagging, cuffs in the chain, etc. I have a pair from addidas (an Ebay find) that I wear over bike shorts. That way I can wear them every day, and wash them over the weekend. I swap out the shorts every couple days.

These REI pants (http://www.rei.com/product/724365) have worked well over bike shorts for the 25 mile commute on those mornings in the 30-40 degree range. I think they'll be good down into the 20's when temps get that low.

I've been asking myself this question. Here's what I've come up with for my needs -
Athletic type pants to get that wicking and wind resistant material with one of those Velcro bands around the ankle to peg the pants.

any general outdoor sports softshell pant (stretch woven, unalminated, bi-component weave construction), from Marmot, Patagonia, Columbia, Arxteryx, Mammut, The North Face, etc etc are most excellent cold weather bicycling pants.

I commute in these synthetic pants from NAU. Water resistant softshell with a lean cut. I love them and I can wear it to the office. I just roll up the hem when I ride.

https://www.nau.com/homepage/index.jsp#xml/shopnau/products/107M510&4

Another vote for jogging pants. I wear Zoic bicycling underwear with the padding (although your regular bicycling shorts would work too), with the joggers over that, and if it's still too cold for that I add wind pants.

Last night I got home from work right before dusk, and just hopped on the bike for a quick few miles while it was still light enough just wearing jeans. But I ride a Brooks saddle.

I wear REI hiking pants that way if it warms up in the afternoon I can zip the legs off.

Just picked up a pair of prana mens knickers on sale from mountaingear.com: http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/product/product.asp/imanf/prAna/idesc/Mantis+Knicker+%2D+Men%27s/Store/MG/item/111207/N/4294966871. They dry fast and work well with a pair of bike shorts and windproof mid-weight tights worn underneath. $39 isn't a bad price considering chrome knickers retail for around $130.

Just picked up a pair of prana mens knickers on sale from mountaingear.com: http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/product/product.asp/imanf/prAna/idesc/Mantis+Knicker+%2D+Men%27s/Store/MG/item/111207/N/4294966871. They dry fast and work well with a pair of bike shorts and windproof mid-weight tights worn underneath. $39 isn't a bad price considering chrome knickers retail for around $130.

Wow good price.

I dress like a snowboarder, get my stuff at a thrift shop. Repels wind rain and snow, slides over regular clothes. Loose but tight enough.

If you're OK with knickers, a lot of us just buy khakis/cargos at the thrift store, cut the necessary length off, and re-sew with a straight hem. Cheap knickers for less than $10 and an hour's worth of work. :D

I didn't suggest "manpris" originally because if you're self-conscious walking around in tights, knickers might not be that much of a step up...

I did a search on carpeter jeans and they seem to just be....well jeans. Is there a reason why you prefer them? Do they protect you from the cold and wind?

They are, sorta'. The thing I like about them over regular bluejeans (which, in my opinion, are the absolute worst for cycling) is the loose fit. Loose enough to pedal freely in and I can layer up underneath for cooler weather. They protect from cold and wind a lot better than wearing shorts. Of course if I lived somewhere it got really cold I might go with something else. The coldest I've ever ridden was mid-twenties fahrenheit, which is a lightweight compared to riding in, say, Chicago.:)

I wear black $4 sweat pants in any weather under 45. My legs stay warm and in this weather, they don't sweat.

I know sweat pants aren't "cool" but they work wonderfully. If they ride up a little on your shins, that's even better.

UPDATE

I tried some tights on today at the LBS and they felt pretty good but I just don't like the look. Especially since I ride a folding bike instead of a road bike. Tried on some weather proof nylon pants at a sports store and hated them. They are advertised and breathable nylon and that they wick away moisture blah blah but they felt horribly clammy within like 2 minutes. I think I will just buy some long john type underpants and see how that goes.

If you don't like the look of tights, do what I did: wear them underneath rain pants. The tights keep me warm and wick away the sweat, and the rain pants keep out the wind and rain.

That might be too hot. I'm in Southern California.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/InsulatedSquallPants~112981_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::BLA&CM_MERCH=IDX_00001__0000000054&origin=index

Just roll up some Dickies, yo.

I make knickers (http://www.bicyclefixation.com/shop.html) out of old wool suit pants or if you can find them uniform pants. Available at your local thrift shop for a couple of bucks a pair:D

Aaron:)

I use flannel lined jeans from basspro (http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_86035_600005005_600000000_600005000_600-5-5). Super warm, stil 'stylish' enough to wear in public, and not restrictive at all.

I make knickers (http://www.bicyclefixation.com/shop.html) out of old wool suit pants or if you can find them uniform pants. Available at your local thrift shop for a couple of bucks a pair:D

Aaron:)

Knickers don't look warm enough for winter.

I compromise with tights under some 3/4 length shorts. Gives me the cold and wind protection I need without having to walk across the office in lycra... everything else I've tried snagged in my chain.


That's a good idea...

I just got my first pair of full length tights, and while I hate walking across the office in them they are very comfortable to bike in. So for me, I'd rather look silly for 2 minutes getting to the shower than be uncomfortable for an hour getting to work.

I tried a lot of different kinds of pants before that, and they all ended up getting torn up in the chain.

"Warm-ups" from the thrift store for a couple of bucks keep me toasty in the cold. Nike, Reebok, whatever.

(I sometimes sleep in them, too :) )

They're like bikes, people buy them to start an exercise program, then get rid of them.

For cold and wet conditions I picked up a pair of Goretex pants at Moutain Equipment Co-op (http://www.mec.ca). If it's really cold, I add a base layer too (some long johns or tights... whatever). This set-up eeps me warm and dry.

I have a pair of performance rain/snow pants that I have used for nearly 20 years with minor repairs. Nylon/tafetta with a Goretex layer on the inner surface and a nylon tricot layer under that. Loose enough to allow shorts and a couple of layers under them for near zero riding.

I have Sugoi pants that are not really tights but are close enough on the leg that they dont flap around. They are not padded so I wear the bib shorts underneath, and if it warms up enough in the afternoon I can ride with just the bibs. With my beer belly I gave up worrying how I looked years ago.

What I think I'm going to do is wear wind breaker nylon sweats with elastic at the cuffs and thermal underwear. I'll check out Target and Kohl's tomorrow. I thank all of you for the great suggestions but most of those things are just too expensive. Goretex pants are hundreds of dollars. I don't even spend nearly that much on dress pants!

I found these winter running pants at at Target for $22:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41QcFD85CvL._SS260_.jpg

They are made by Champion and feel very good. Only thing is that they aren't water proof and have no outer pockets.

I like these pants from REI: http://www.rei.com/product/755379 They are not tight, tapered at the lower leg to keep the pant leg out of the chain.

I like these pants from REI: http://www.rei.com/product/755379 They are not tight, tapered at the lower leg to keep the pant leg out of the chain.

Those look just about right and they have a zipper back pocket for my wallet.

Check thrift stores, you can get brand names there for nothing. No risk.

First and foremost...no cotton. I rode this week at 20 degrees with a pair of tights underneath my fleece pants. I was nice and toasty. I also wear the tights under some thin loose fitting exercise pants that are made of a poly fabric.

Leg warmers; if it gets reallycold 'wool' leg warmers.

+1 to the thrift store route. I like to pick up the thicker wool dress pants with a waist size 3-4 inches too large. Take 'em home and drop 'em in the wash on hot, then put 'em in a hot dryer. Shrinks them down to size. Then, I cut them off about 8" below the knee and add a 1.5" cuff with elastic to fit, trim off the belt loops and add elastic through the waist. I used to do it myself, now I just have a local seamstress do it for me. She charges me $10 and does a nicer job (pleated cuff with velcro straps). Found her by asking at my drycleaner. I also use thin-wool dress pant knickers in the summer. I never have understood the Lycra fixation among "roadies." I've decided wearing them is like a secret handshake for member of the roadie cult. Seems to me that most riders I look ridiculous in them, and and not at all like the next Lance Armstrong.

Got a picture?