Touring - cant find the proper touring pants

hi folk's,just woundering have you guy's got any recommen'dations on cycling pant's (not bib tights )for touring.i was thinking more pants that i can wear over cycling short's and can be worn for casual wear as well.oh and im not the tallest of men / 5/5in thank's,and if you feel like it im in the market for a nice touring jacket as well

thing to worry about is how bloody dirty the pants are gonna get when you're on the bike - you'll probably wanna get off the bike and shower and then put your "casual" pants on right?
fwiw i've got a pair of uber lightweight, fold-down-to-nothing khaki sort of things made by an aussie brand called gondwana what have zip-off legs so they double as shorts. cost me about AUD 50. good for off the bike. on the bike i've got two pairs of shy shorts - ride in one pair and then, if shorts are needed for the night, chuck the other pair on then ride in them the next day. rinse, wash, repeat.

clipperton thank's i never thought of that ,maby i should stick with the bib's and use light pants at the end of the day

thing to worry about is how bloody dirty the pants are gonna get when you're on the bike - you'll probably wanna get off the bike and shower and then put your "casual" pants on right?
fwiw i've got a pair of uber lightweight, fold-down-to-nothing khaki sort of things made by an aussie brand called gondwana what have zip-off legs so they double as shorts. cost me about AUD 50. good for off the bike. on the bike i've got two pairs of shy shorts - ride in one pair and then, if shorts are needed for the night, chuck the other pair on then ride in them the next day. rinse, wash, repeat.
I do similarly with cheap zip off leg pants from Bass Pro Shops. The brand is World Wide Sportsman, and the model is Boca they are $19.95 and are sometimes on sale cheaper. The wrinkles shake out pretty well and they have a mesh brief built in like swimming trunks. I really liked them and the low price helps too.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_89153_600004002_600000000_600004000_600-4-2

Edit: I forgot to mention that they are light weight and pack small, but aren't very warm. I wear tights under them when it is cold.

My guy friend who I toured with wore regular bike shorts, and carried a pair of very lightweight basketball-style shorts to put over the lycra when he was walking around town - made him less self-conscious. Then any pants you like for in camp/off bike - how warm would depend on when/where you are going & what sort of overnight temps you are expecting.

I just wear the bike shorts during the day, and at night I wear yoga pants. I have taken extra long-john type tights too, for if it's cold. These might do cross-duty as on-bike tights, but then if it rains your one pair of warm tights is wet... logic like this is what makes me end up carrying too much clothes.

I have found that going into Goodwill or any second hand shop I can always find a pair of baggy, light weight khaki pants that work. I need them baggy because I like to wear them over my bike shorts and roll up the legs to my knees. I can get usually these pants for $3.00 and the last for a month or two on the road. I like this kind of pants because I like pockets which bike short never have and when I roll down the legs I can walk into a coffee shop without people giving me funny looks.

Nylon or nylon blend zip-off pants work for me.

greayt stuff guy's keep it comming,so beside's getting dirt'y ,or wearing baggies over cycling short's,or just change 'n when you hit camp does anybody wear quality pant's when touring.i wear assos bib tights and roubaix assos top when im on the road bike, it's just that i think it's a bit over kill for the touring bike
i could be wrong any thought's

I'm looking for a pair of denim tennis shorts, that John McEnroe's sponsor tried to get him to wear or maybe some golf knickers.

For my "bottoms" ... I bring a couple pair of inexpensive cycling shorts and a pair of leg warmers. These I wear on days when I'm doing a long ride (although I'll wear the leg warmers any time it's cool out). I've got a couple pair of light basketball shorts to go over my cycling shorts when I stop at a shop or something, or to wear on their own (without the cycling shorts) on days when my ride will be a bit shorter, or days when it is hot. I also bring a couple pair of zip-off pants which I can wear on cooler days (or warmer days if I zip the legs off) with or without cycling shorts on the bike, or I sometimes save a pair for wearing after the riding portion of my trip. Then I bring a sarong to sling over it all, or wear alone as a skirt, after the cycling portion of my trip.

On top, I go for light wicking "T"-shirts, nylon-blend sleeveless tops (which can be used on their own or as a base layer), a merino wool long-sleeved top, and a fleece jacket. I often also bring a vest, and of course, a rain jacket.

Several years ago (actually back in the 80s) I did a nice tour from Colorado to KC and made a huge mistake and wore spandex (I'm not sure they even had Lycra in the 80s) shorts through some really small towns. Bad idea. I created a new rule: Never wear spandex in small towns :D.

I know a lot of cyclist/tourists wear lycra. That's ok. I prefer some really ratty, holy, camo shorts (over my lycra riding shorts!).

Just about any light weight pant can work if all of the seams don't come together in a big knot where you sit. I personally can't ride in jeans. Buttons, snaps, or velcro at the ankle is good. My .02.

Jerry H

I do similarly with cheap zip off leg pants from Bass Pro Shops. The brand is World Wide Sportsman, and the model is Boca they are $19.95 and are sometimes on sale cheaper. The wrinkles shake out pretty well and they have a mesh brief built in like swimming trunks. I really liked them and the low price helps too.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_89153_600004002_600000000_600004000_600-4-2

Edit: I forgot to mention that they are light weight and pack small, but aren't very warm. I wear tights under them when it is cold.

yeah, mine aren't very warm either so i've got thermal leggings for if it gets too cold. still, i'm the type who handles cold pretty well (and heat really poorly) so it takes me about 2 hours to cool down after riding by which time the sun has usually given up the fight.

I did a 50 mile day ride last year pulling into a very rural mountain gas station for a drink during lunch hour where the unwritten dress code was overalls with a pack of Redman in your back pocket.
The combo of lycra and siver carbon road shoes made it hard for me to blend in and talk about the dry weather.

1-track-mind that's what i mean you stand out like a sore thumb in out of the way places ,i think i'll hunt around for a nice pair of casual slack's ,i really dont like baggy short's there ok if your 6 foot tall im not .
thank'a for all the comment's

Quality of shorts on tour... We found that good shorts were worth the money. By good I am talking Pearl Izumi Ultrasensor, not $200+ bibs. The fabric is especially nice and the pad was OK too. I found them to keep me pretty dry when sweating profusely and to be comfy if caught in the rain or if they were washed and not dried. They were much nicer especially with regard to sweaty or wet conditions than others I have tried.

It would seem like bibs would be a big nuisance on tour. It seems like disrobing for a nature call would be a major hassle, but I am not a bib wearer, so I can't say for sure.

I never found the need to cover my lycra shorts with anything during the day. On the TransAmerica we traveled in places where the folks would consider themselves to be rednecks (rural Missouri, Kentucky, etc). There was only one place (a restaurant) where we felt unwelcome (not threatened or anything just unwelcome), but the folks there just seemed to hate cyclists and I don't think clothing would have mattered.

FWIW: The one person we met who seemed to have trouble with the locals being hostile was a guy who wore clothes that you would not spot as being bike clothes. He repeatedly had problems, but they had to do with the fact that he expected folks to be hostile and they obliged. We were open and friendly and were pretty much universally treated with kindness and generosity to an extent that was hard to believe.

I am finding this discussion mysterious and surreal. I have toured for years wearing cycling shorts, a Lycra top, and bicycle shoes that make clicking sounds when I walk. I have walked into hundreds of restaurants, stores, homes, and businesses, and the only preparation I make before entering is that I remove my gloves, helmet and cycling goggles. I can't remember an incident of being made to feel unwelcome. People are either blasé, polite, or interested that a cyclist has entered. And this range of responses has been pretty much universal anywhere I have been in Canada, the USA, England, France, Switzerland, and Italy.

In the 1940s Alice Geer Kelsey wrote a wonderful book called "Once the Hodja." It was a book of stories about Nasr-ed-Din Hodja, a Turkish folk hero who had a knack for appearing foolish while being wise, and appearing wise while being foolish. One of the more delightful stories concerns the Hodja's clothing and people's reactions to them. This story, along with the others in this out-of-print book, is now on the web:


Once the Hodja - A Guest for Halil (http://www.cs.biu.ac.il/~schiff/Once/rst5.html)

Enjoy!

and the only preparation I make before entering is that I remove my gloves, helmet and cycling goggles.
This brings up something I forgot to mention. When you speak to local folks absolutely ALWAYS take off your sunglasses even if it means being blind. This is a good general rule to follow, but is especially important in rural areas. If you have to put them back on to read a map or whatever apologize for doing so. Letting folks see your eyes makes more difference than any other piece of clothing or gear.

I was not aware of what a difference it made and sometimes left the glasses on. I quickly realized what a huge difference it made in how I was received.

I've tried the nylon zip-off's and just don't like them. They don't feel like pants and make swishy noises. I found some Wrangler cotton duck-like zip-offs at the WallyWorld (ugh!) and like them much better. A little heavier, yes, but far more comfortable. One of the few weight trade-offs that I'm willing to make and it's not that much. A Polynesian style sarong or whatever the men's version is called (it escapes me now) is a piece of camp clothing that I've been considering. Anyone go that route, too weird?

Good advice about the sunglasses, staehpj1.

I've tried the nylon zip-off's and just don't like them. They don't feel like pants and make swishy noises. I found some Wrangler cotton duck-like zip-offs at the WallyWorld (ugh!) and like them much better. A little heavier, yes, but far more comfortable. One of the few weight trade-offs that I'm willing to make and it's not that much. A Polynesian style sarong or whatever the men's version is called (it escapes me now) is a piece of camp clothing that I've been considering. Anyone go that route, too weird?

Good advice about the sunglasses, staehpj1.

I wear lycra without being the least bit self conscious, but am not sure I have the guts to wear a sarong :)

BTW, the pants that I linked above might still be worth a look. They are nylon, but don't feel like nylon to me, no swishing sounds, and they feel almost like very thin cotton.

Not knocking it if it works for you, but I avoid cotton like the plague on tour. It drys too slowly and is uncomfortable when wet. I wear Under Armor Heat Gear teeshirts and briefs along with a synthetic kayaking sweater (Immersion Research) if it is cold when I want civilian clothes off bike. I don't think I generally have a bit of cotton along except a washcloth.

I wear pajamas on tour,Square Bob Sponge Pants pajamas to be exact....

A year ago I got a pair of the Rapha knickers as a present. It wasn't until I looked them up on the website that I realized what a really NICE present they were.

http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=169

Anyway that are very comfortable and have become my default cycling wear. They are soft with a bit of stretch and some light padding in the rear. I wear them with padded cycling briefs.

When I tour I take them along with some cheap nylon shorts that double as swimming trucks and a pair of light weight convertible pants

I've tried the nylon zip-off's and just don't like them. They don't feel like pants and make swishy noises. I found some Wrangler cotton duck-like zip-offs at the WallyWorld (ugh!) and like them much better. A little heavier, yes, but far more comfortable. One of the few weight trade-offs that I'm willing to make and it's not that much. A Polynesian style sarong or whatever the men's version is called (it escapes me now) is a piece of camp clothing that I've been considering. Anyone go that route, too weird?



My nylon zip-offs feel like a very light cotton ... they aren't like splash pants or anything like that.

And I use a sarong on all my tours ... I don't leave home without it!

Small and lightweight stubbies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhVqVYUsoVs), just the thing for summer touring.
Handy key pocket, comfortable for any social occasion. :D

Otherwise, woollen underwear and long pants that pack small. I usually bring thermal underwear too, so the pants don't need to be warm at all.

A couple of observations:

Taslon and other microfibre derivitives appear to be particularly durable fabrics... polyester, yes, but it can come in a variety of textures. Its slippery surface is great for wearing over bike shorts. The overshorts help preserve the more expensive bike shorts -- from things such as snags on and off the bike, overspray from DEET insect repellant, rubbing on the saddle, and spilled foods. The close weave also is a great wind barrier (to the point that I think the same material is used to make non-Windstopper jackets).

I have found that the cheap outlets (in Australia, places like Target, Best and Less and BigW) often have long pants and shorts in the casual and surf wear sections that are ideal and made of materials like those I mention... and at cheaper prices than those gouged by the wildnerness and outdoor wear companies. However, the problem in recent times is the insistence of manufacturers in putting huge swatches of awful contrasting colour into the pants, often including hideous brand names. I keep looking for plain unadulterated pants/shorts, and get lucky from time to time. I bought four pairs of Taslon shorts from BigW four years ago for AUD$8.00 each, and they are all still going strong.

I generally choose dark blue as the colour of choice because it looks smart, but also hides the inevitable grime from brake dust, chain lube and sitting on the grass/gravel or just restaurant seats. I have several pairs of khaki and cream zip-off trousers, and they always look grubby after a relatively short time. Incidentally, the cream pair is from Columbia, and even though I bought them on special, I was disappointed with how they pilled badly around the crotch and other wear spots almost immediately I wore them. I would have hated to have paid full price for them.

I am not sure about zip-offs. I think I prefer either/or -- in other words, I'll take a pair or two of overshorts for wearing while riding, and one pair of longs for after-ride wear for (a) warmth (b) presentation and (c) protection from nasties such as mosquitoes.

I find that for longs (as well as shorts) baggy is good because it allows air circulation, and that can be good in the heat for cooling and good in the cold, because if you block off the bottoms by tucking them into your socks, you have warming air around you legs, which close-fitting legwarmers and other garments don't provide.

If getting your longs caught in the chain is a predicament, either fit a plastic guard on the outside of the largest chainring, or just tuck your pant cuffs into your socks. I do it every morning with my jeans when I commute to work. On the fixie, I have a large outer chainring with the teeth removed to act as my chainguard, and I can wear longs at any time.

I reserve wearing just padded bike shorts only for randonnees these days. On tours, I wear overshorts for several reasons. I often wear unpadded bike shorts underneath and they seem to add to the lower "profile", and I figure people really don't need to see a next-to-nude version of me. In addition, I am at an age where no matter how much shakin' and twiddlin'I do at the urinal, that last drop always seems to find its way out right after I've pulled the shorts back up... and lycra, even in black, is not renowned for covering up moist spots. A pair of overshorts helps disguise this... ummmm... thing.

Shorts and pants, particularly those with button or Velcro closures on the pockets, provide a readily accessible place to keep my wallet, too. I can keep it slid down my hip when just wearing lycra shorts, but sweat can make paper documents illegible in no time at all.

I think that's about it... for the moment.

thank's all everybody seem's to do there own thing and rightly so, dont think i would fancy spong bob outfit. if rapha made those knickers full lenght (but then they would not be knickers)they would be perfect expensive but perfect.

but I avoid cotton like the plague on tour. It drys too slowly and is uncomfortable when wet.

Ah, the pants are strictly hotel/bar/relaxing wear. On the road it's strictly lycra bike shorts with or without a thin nylon short (depending on where I'm at). If I need legs on the road I wear leg warmer things.

Ah, the pants are strictly hotel/bar/relaxing wear. On the road it's strictly lycra bike shorts with or without a thin nylon short (depending on where I'm at). If I need legs on the road I wear leg warmer things.
OK. Makes sense.

I take nothing for that exact purpose. The only times I went in a bar on my summer tour were at lunch time (in bike shorts) and we only stayed in a place where we should have dressed nicer once. So mine are more for lounging around camp or evening restaurant meals on the few occasions that we didn't cook in the evening and were in camp before going out to eat. Their primary purposes were:
1. To keep the mosquitoes off.
2. To have a change of pace from the bike shorts in the evening.
3. To be a bit warmer on cool evenings.

I wear cotton sweats, though they are increasingly hard to find at local stores, where even the Kmarts now have designer sports apparel blah blah. I get the lightest I can find. I recut the legs to be a little less baggy (just run a row of stitching inboard of existing seam) if required. Then I add two layers of bunting in the contact area. Super comfy. If It rains I stick with the cotton if the wet doesn't build. If it is really wet I switch to shorts and rainpants. I can wear the same pair for weeks at a time, just wash off the inside of the bunting as required and deploy the usual salves for the skin.

The rules for cycling wear are not the same as for normal hygene. It is mostly about keeping the contact skin happy. Mormally I shower every day, whether I need it or not :) As is the modern norm. When I was recovering from a plane crash I wasn't allowed a bath or shower for 3 months. First of all it's less awful than one would imagine, but more importantly that was the hygenic alternative, where a bath could have penetrated a wound and eventually led to an amputation or death in the worst imaginable circumstance. One guy in the same accident did loose a leg to infection. The point being what we think of as clean is driven by fashion as much as the requirements of the local situation.

I also carry some of those pants made of swimsuit nylon, very light, comfortable and good for all the stuff the sweats aren't good for.

a plain crash my god you survived i dont know what to say except im glad your here to tell the tale.
i think i'll go and make me a nice cup of coffee

Wow. As a former Airport Crash Crewman (airport firefighter) I sure would be interested in hearing your story.

Back on topic. I am reading this thread voraciously as I am starting my long tour this summer.

I just wore out a pair of Walmart pants that had the zip off leg thing. They did not last long and I won't try them again. Of course I ride a bent bike so most of the biker short don't work for me, I just use plain old shorts.

I bought three large lycra jerseys(?) at walmart and they are way to small for me so they sit in my closet. So becareful of walmart stuff, I think they make their clothes smaller than advertised. ;) It can't be me.

Steven

hi folk's,just woundering have you guy's got any recommen'dations on cycling pant's (not bib tights )for touring.i was thinking more pants that i can wear over cycling short's and can be worn for casual wear as well.oh and im not the tallest of men / 5/5in thank's,and if you feel like it im in the market for a nice touring jacket as well

These aren't pants, but if they are as good as the knickers they'll be worth the steep price.
Scroll down to the "Touring shorts"

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/rapha-launch-2008-springsummer-range-14650

great stuff nun you get what you pay for with rapha excellent gear.
so any thought's on the jacket,light, waterproof,breathable,affordable,one that's going to make me look like lance armstrong, god if only.

great stuff nun you get what you pay for with rapha excellent gear.
so any thought's on the jacket,light, waterproof,breathable,affordable,one that's going to make me look like lance armstrong, god if only.

Pearl Izumi Vagabond convertible Jacket/Vest. Not waterproof, but quite water repellent.

great stuff nun you get what you pay for with rapha excellent gear.
so any thought's on the jacket,light, waterproof,breathable,affordable,one that's going to make me look like lance armstrong, god if only.
I would question that you get what you pay for. I find that often to not be the case. :)

On the Jacket... For me breathable fabric seems to be mostly hype. I sweat enough in any waterproof or even water resistant jacket to be wetter with than without. They just don't pass enough moisture to really help much and the bit of moisture makes it trough makes them feel cold and clammy. Others find that they work well for them so YMMV. Maybe I just sweat more than most or something.

Things like pit zips and a vent in the back do work very well for letting some moisture out, but in the rain I usually just go with a low tech coated nylon jacket and consider it a wind and vapor barrier with no pretense of being dry.

I am sure that when and where you tour, how hard you ride, and a number of other factors come to play in what works well.

i was looking through the carradice website they have a waterproof jacket and pants(duxback rain) they look good but could be a bit on the heavy side,im not sure about that. does anyone have this gear if so what's the verdict.
so does anybody like the rapha short's nun recommended i do.

This is what I like. I have a pair of really well worn cargo shorts to wear around camp or hiking. A pair of basketball shorts can be worn over bike shorts, good when you want to throw them on fast to run in a store.

Then I have a really nice pair of those pants from North Face they zip up into their own pouch. They work well for rain pants, or when I need to be warm on those cold wet mornings. But I also have worn them to church on the road before.... I looked long and hard before I bought them. They have been worth every cent of the $100 I paid for them. BTW the difference between these and cheap ones is the fabric breaths. I have a zip up to a small size rain jacket, my wife bought. It was like $24.00 but it doesn't breath and gets very hot and moist very quick.

If you can swing the price, Prana yoga-style pants are great. Quick drying, long-lasting, and made for movement...like yoga. Which means they're well-suited for turning the ol' bicycle crank.

Lots of pockets on some of 'em, too.

great stuff nun you get what you pay for with rapha excellent gear.
so any thought's on the jacket,light, waterproof,breathable,affordable,one that's going to make me look like lance armstrong, god if only.

The Rapha stuff is really nice, but it's just too pricey. I would never have bought the knickers at the price they charge, but as a present they are great, and they are the nicest bit of clothing I have, so I might be tempted to go for the touring shorts. You might also look at these guys

http://www.swrvestore.com/servlet/Categories?category=-%3E+FOR+MEN%3Aknickers

For rain wear you can't beat the O2 or microporous rain suits.

http://www.rei.com/product/666124

They don't cost much and work as well as anything, although I've found it's almost impossible to stay dry on a bike in the rain. If it rains hard I get off the bike and shelter under my umbrella. For cold days and light rain I like the Marmont windshirt.

http://www.worldclassgear.com/marmot_driclime_windshirt.asp

Its combo of nylon outer and light fleece inside is great, its only draw back is the lack of pockets. I wear a smartwool T-shirt to ride and with the marmot over it I'm good down into the 30Fs

nun your a mind of information,i had a look at the marmot i think ill go for the marmot driclime catalyst jacket if i can figure out the size it looks the perfect jacket ,think ill get those rapha short's in april .
thanks for all the info.

nun your a mind of information,i had a look at the marmot i think ill go for the marmot driclime catalyst jacket if i can figure out the size it looks the perfect jacket ,think ill get those rapha short's in april .
thanks for all the info.

Just passing on what I've found works for me. I'm sure there are lots of other good solutions out there, but glad to help.

"Join Date: Feb 2007 a plain crash my god you survived i dont know what to say except im glad your here to tell the tale.
i think i'll go and make me a nice cup of coffee"

"As a former Airport Crash Crewman (airport firefighter) I sure would be interested in hearing your story."

Thanks.

We were in a commercial jet with about 50 passengers that experienced transient visibility as it came in for landing and tried to pull up to go around, but stalled, and dropped out of the sky going 160 mph, and proceeded to bang from wingtip to wingtip as though it was going to flip over on it's back. This motion settled into violent porpoising, and then the whole of the interior of the plane appeared to come apart as the 6 seats and pasengers ahead of me slammed through me into the rows behind. Now in place, the plane continued for 20 minutes or so under the full thrust of the engines as it was when the pilots attempted go around. Aviation fuel was leaking through the cabin as passengers who had managed to stager outside pulled out cigarettes. It was about -20C in the cabin and it took about 3 hours to rescue us as they had to drive to a local army base to get the Jaws of Life. Suffice to say, complimentary drinks were not served during the ground delay.

so peterpan 1,how do you feel about flying these days my self i would never set foot in an airport let alone a plain again.wow i cant get my head around this give's me the shiver's to think about it,bike touring is a piece of cake after this experience bet you travel by ferry now ,hope your fully recovered and your where you want to be,good luck.

In warm weather, I just wear lycra. I have a couple of pairs of exercise pants I bought at Dick's sporting goods and Sports Authority, to wear over biek shorts. When it's very cold (as in right now), I wear bike shorts, then tights, then long johns (anything but cotton), then jogging pants. Then I throw ankle bands on the keep the pants out of the deraileur and I'm set.

I have a pair of tights called "almost tights" from Runners World. They are not as form fitting as reg. tights fit nicely in a pannier when not needed

Ed

bktourer1 i had a look at that site ,runners world, could not find the tights you recommended but found a great exercise for cureing my shin splint's hope it works thank's

anto, you may want to have a gander at wiggle. www.wiggle.co.uk They have lots of jackets and trousers for biking. Prices in Euro. Maybe even free delivery? (if you spend over £50, free delivery to Eire.)

RonHill Tracksters very popular among the touring crowd here. They are on offer for £12 at the mo.

thank's lolly pop i'll take a look at that

they only seem to have the one(wrong) size lollypop ah well i'll check them out in a couple weeks

I'm very happy with the Rapha stuff I've received. I bought one of their winter packs a couple years ago with a discount. Their Softshell is probably my favorite piece of riding gear, and it has survived multiple accidents unblemished. I really like the short sleeve baselayer I got too, but it is pretty holey now because it is so thin and it has been washed a lot. This Spring I'll probably get a pair of their Fixed Shorts for commuting.

A similar product you may want to check out are the Chrome Shins (http://www.chromebags.com:80/products/apparel/show/44/), which are supposedly excellent for touring.

pity i did not have one of those jacket's when i had my fall (survived multiple accidents)when fund's allow rapha is at the top of my wish list