Winter Cycling - Help Me Find Some Pants For 20F and Below

Hey everyone,

I currently have these http://www.rei.com/product/786463 (http://www.rei.com/product/786463), Novara Stratos Bike Rain Pants, and these, http://www.rei.com/product/755379, REI OXT Power Stretch Sport Pants, and I wear them together (with the Novarras on the outside) between 20 and 50 (F). They work well in this range, but for anything colder, my legs are getting too cold. Ideally I'd like to swap one of them out for a warmer pant when the temperature gets to be about 20. Can anyone point me to a good pant for this? If I can stay with only two layers that would be preferred. The other day I wore the two pairs above and long underwear - but as expected, it was too stiff, and I felt like an astronaut.

Looking for something that will at least be good down to 0 degrees F (with lower windchills, say down to -20). We do have an occasional day under 0 so if they'll work in even colder temps than that, all the better, but I could handle wearing the long underwear I already have for those rare occasions.

7-mile one-way commute.

If it's not realistic to get by with 2 layers and using one of my existing pairs, then suggestions are welcome. Thank you!

I suggest you have a look at x-country skiing and winter running equipment. I have a pair of Sport Hill x-country ski pants and love them. They're rated down to zero degrees F. Paired up with some capilene base layer--and when it's really cold, to keep the crotch from freezing, some lycra riding shorts underneath--they're my winter riding get-up. Not cheap ($105) but in my estimation, well worth the investment. See them here: http://www.sporthill.com/product.php?TypeID=2100&gender=m

I wear these http://www.rei.com/product/755379 (womens version) on cold days and am fine. I can't really speak for the 0 degrees because the coldest it has been here so far is 44 degrees yet the pants passed the test.

Thanks to both of you, though I just noticed that I posted this in the wrong forum!

Should I re-post in Winter Cycling or wait for a mod to move it? (Mods, feel free to do so... thank you.)

Just get a thicker polartec or other poly fleece skiing pant. I have a range of them I use.

A combination of Ibex clothing (http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/products/2/56/mens-bottoms): merino wool boxers, merino wool long underwear, and one of their merino wool-lined softshell pants might do it. Excellent temperature regulation and product quality, but their prices ain't cheap. Also, maybe some Swrve winter Schoeller softshell pants (http://www.swrvestore.com/servlet/Detail?no=81) or winter softshell pants (http://www.swrvestore.com/servlet/Detail?no=102). I bought a pair of the Swrve Schoeller pants once -- they seemed to be great quality and were thicker than I expected, though I had to return them due to fit so I never rode with them.

Once upon a time, I lived where I could go snowshoeing in the winter, and I found some (foreign) military surplus wool pants at a local store for pretty cheap. Main drawback is that armies don't let you be fat, so sizes are in the thinner ranges.

I suggest you have a look at x-country skiing and winter running equipment. I have a pair of Sport Hill x-country ski pants and love them. They're rated down to zero degrees F. Paired up with some capilene base layer--and when it's really cold, to keep the crotch from freezing, some lycra riding shorts underneath--they're my winter riding get-up. Not cheap ($105) but in my estimation, well worth the investment. See them here: http://www.sporthill.com/product.php?TypeID=2100&gender=m

ftw! I've got a pair of those as well as a pair of their pants made with Swift fabric, a little bit cheaper. The 3SP stuff is incredible though.

OP, you hit the right idea with rain pants. They serve as great windchill eliminators.

Craft of Sweden makes some nice cool and cold weather tights, with pads. May-June offers great end-of-season deals. Craft o started with nordic-skiing gear. They do a good job with cold-condition high-aerobics gear.

A lot of people like Lou Fox, very reasonably priced , and it's custom fit to you. Lots of wind-blocking, water-resistant, cold-ranges fabric choices.

When I was at the Forums -> Bike Forums menu, the post title was truncated to read 'Help Me Find Some Pants...". Seemed totally apropos for New Year's eve.

When I was at the Forums -> Bike Forums menu, the post title was truncated to read 'Help Me Find Some Pants...". Seemed totally apropos for New Year's eve.

I originally bought the REI Mistral pants which were very nice, but a found a less expensive alternative, Marmot Scree pants I got on sale for $70 USD at Altrec http://www.altrec.com/marmot/mens-scree-pant

I wear these over some polypro base layers I got at a sporting goods store. Seems to work well.

Riding in cold is an individual experiment or or set thereof. Rides under 1 hour are a lot easier, with wider-range options, than long 3- hour rides Temps above 3O F have a lot more bike-designed-wear than single digits and lower.

At 20F, you are in experiment-for-yourself territory.