Pacific Northwest - Fall and winter in PNW

This will be my first fall/winter with a road bike in Oregon. I have summer shorts and jerseys but not cool/cold weather clothes. Last winter I had a hybrid and wore jeans and sweats. This year I have a "good" road bike and a "winter" road bike. I ride all year long.
I did not enjoy the wet cotton feel last year. So I am looking to winter up my closet. What kind of pants do you wear? Spandex, wool and/or base layers? Full length or 3/4? Long sleeve jersey or a baselayer and short sleeve? How about arm and leg warmers?

Last year I got some Craft long leg tights which I wore over my regular bike shorts http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Mens-Clothing.html, a thermal long sleeve base layer and a regular jersey and a long sleeve fleece lined jersey.

You might also look a getting a rain jacket and shoe covers.

PI Gavia Plus tights and a wicking baselayer under a wool jersey.

PI Gavia Plus tights and a wicking baselayer under a wool jersey.
Who's wool jersey? I really like the look of wool. Do you have any Pics.

In the winter for base layers and warmth layers I've had good luck mixing and matching stuff that I get on sale at a variety of places (TJ Maxx, REI, etc. etc.). You don't necessarily need to restrict yourself to looking at bike stores if you are looking at synthetic base layers, warm layers on top to wear under a rain jacket, or even tights (like jogging tights or exercise pants) to wear over biking shorts.

You don't necessarily need to restrict yourself to looking at bike stores if you are looking at synthetic base layers, warm layers on top to wear under a rain jacket, or even tights (like jogging tights or exercise pants) to wear over biking shorts.

That brings up a better question where do you get clothes that work for cycling other then bike stores. I have heard climbing pants can work. When you ride every day it can be $$$ to buy everything through bike stores.

If I were you, I'd just go to the Performance Bike Store in Beaverton and stock up on these things. They'll have several different wool jersey selections, arm and leg warmers, and rain/wind jackets to choose from at good prices. I agree with base layers, get them at REI or other places.

While at Performance also get some waterproof shoe covers, you'll need those and the Performance brand are a good value.

Look in the thrift stores for merino wool baselayers. I got two tops last year for 2 dollars each and they usually aren't more than 10 bucks if that. Not sure if I want thrift stores items to wear on the bottom its that who's boys have been in here before mine issue.

layers. wool. more layers. more wool.

and a nice dose of HTFU never hurts!

check out sealskinz gloves, they seem promising.

btw you can use plastic grocery bags under basic shoe covers to make them more or less waterproof!

In the past year I've bought cold-weather gear for riding at :

- ski store outlet sales (spring)
- eBay (Nike closed its bike-gear division a year ago...there are wool Nike jerseys still trickling out on eBay. I bought several at an average price of $30 each).
- REI.com outlet
- Sierra trading
- TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack (closeout synthetic Nike base layers; $8 each).

As for pants, there are tapered/tights like clothing that you can get at REI or any sporting goods store. They can be called workout pants, jogging pants, rock-climbing pants, etc. As long as they're not too baggy they work well over biking shorts and you can wear them for other stuff, too.

Layers---that's been said. I wear what I have: a lightweight Patagonia capilene short-sleeve shirt, over which I layer a Patagonia long-sleeve midweight capilene zip mock turtleneck shirt or a 150 weight fleece, plus a very light-weight yellow outer rain/wind jacket. I use the capilene for hiking and cross-country skiing, too.

Booties (outside shoe) or goretex socks (inside shoe), something for the hands, rain coat, rain pants optional, wool socks.

I've worn goretex socks and liked them alot; my feet stay warm and dry. Had to switch to neoprene booties (per bike fit, I now need to put a 0.25" lift in the shoe to lengthen my leg, leaving no room for goretex socks). Neoprene also works well for me, but, your feet can get wet with neoprene. Never had wet feet with goretex socks.

I rarely wear rainpants, but always have them with me October to June, just in case of a downpour. A pair of thick tights is more comfortable, kept me warm enough even though I got wet in the rain. Only in heavy downpours did I wear rainpants.

I wear my specially-designed-for-bicycling hand-knitted wool mittens in all cool weather; the thicker ones for winter, the thinner ones for spring and fall. The wool kept me warm even though it's wet. They dried out enough during the day to wear home. If heavy downpours are forecasted, I'll have an extra pair of socks and mittens with me. Gloves don't keep my fingers warm, others do fine with gloves.

I wear wool ankle-socks year around, switching to heavier socks, the next step up being lightweight hiking socks, in freezing (30s) weather.

it's all about the smartwool (http://www.amazingsocks.com/search.asp?searchquery=smartwool&searchtype=brand&x=24&y=9)for me. Plus a burley raincoat they don't make anymore. And a neoprene facemask for the 1-2 really cold weeks.

Don't forget fenders. Fenders are very important in managing the moisture.

I've been very happy with Foxwear rain pants (http://foxwear.net/products_pants.html).

You might also look a getting ... shoe covers.

+100

I rode for years without shoe covers and couldn't believe how big a difference they made when I finally got some. I eventually figured out that layering your tights OVER the top of the shoe covers keeps rain hitting your legs from running down into your shoes. This obviates the need for the plastic bags inside for all but the longest rides.

[I find the plastic bags clammy and uncomfortable. My feet get as wet from sweat as they would have gotten from rain - but at least they're warm. Price is right, too...]

I agree with HardyWeinberg above. I've got a base layer of SmartWool (tights, jersey, and socks). Over that all I ever need wear is rain gear. I've got a pair of pants and a jacket that I got from J&G in Beaverton (I think -- they're somewhere in Oregon, I know), and a pair of shoe covers I got from MEC in Vancouver, BC. I've also got a skullcap that I wear under my helmet.

I might be a little cool starting out, but by the time I've gone a mile or two I'm warm and toasty the rest of the way.

My biggest problem used to be wet gloves, but I've solved that by having glove dryers both at home and at the office. In addition to getting my gloves dry, I get the added bonus of that nice toasty feel right when I put them on.

Who's wool jersey? I really like the look of wool. Do you have any Pics.

Vintage Velos (http://www.vintagevelos.com/team-jerseys-viewall.html)

Ibex (http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/Products.php?Cat=1076&SubCat=40&Gender=Mens)

Pearl Izumi Woolie Mammoth (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=24291&item=10-0094&slitrk=search&slisearch=true)

Is there a perfect PNW pant out there?

1) 35-50 degrees
2) rain resistant/proof
3) breathable

Is there a perfect PNW pant out there?

1) 35-50 degrees
2) rain resistant/proof
3) breathable

I like the Showers pass waterproof breatheable pants. Be advised they run small in the waist

I got one of those spandex C9 workout shirts from Target for like $10. Works well as a base layer and is a nice cheap alternative to the $50 base layers at your LBS

My local Costco has a $12 long sleeve polyester T's that make a pretty good base layer.

For my winter pant I finally bought Endura Tech pants. They are waterproof and breathable. More breathable then waterproof.The twin waterproof zip pockets are nice for venting and also give access to pant pockets underneath. So far they seem about the right weight with just cycling shorts on underneath.