Touring - long pants suitable for biking and jogging. Crazy quest(ion)

I don't usually run, but I volunteered to run a short 'race' tonight to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Checking the forecast, Chicago is in for 20mph north winds tonight, so that may make a windchill factor of in the low 30's.

So, I have no sweat pants, and I'm thinking instead of buying some (at the local sportmart) I should just buy myself some biking pants from the LBS -- as I'll get much more use out of them. I currently have only biking shorts, so I could use a long pair.

Any recommendations of what to look for?

At 44F and 20 mph winds, I would still be in shorts and short sleeves, but... If you need to wear more for those conditions I would suggest thin bike tights under your shorts. On top the most I would consider is a thin windbreaker over a thin short sleeved tech shirt.

BTW, for me at least a hat and gloves go on long before tights or long pants, but I probably wouldn't wear them either for those temps though.

Oh and one other thing, tights that are slightly fuzzy inside are much warmer than ones that are silky inside and out. Windproof ones are warmer yet. I can get by (in comfort) down to about 20F in the silky ones, 0F in the slightly fuzzy ones, and the windproof ones I have never been cold in at any temperature.

I wouldn't consider running in sweat pants at any temperature. The only thing they are good IMO for is maybe to put on after a race or run.

BTW, have a great run.

For cool and dry temperatures, I prefer a good pair of sweat pants over my bike shorts. If the weather becomes cool and wet, I'll just add my rain pants over that layer. I've also heard about something called river pants, available from Mountain Equipment Co-op. These are a nylon fabric which will dry quickly. I can't comment on them from experience since I haven't yet used them, but I've read good reviews about them.

Dont get padded tights, Use unpadded ones over bike shorts then you can use them for jogging. I use some general purpose polyester running tracksters (http://specials.ronhill.com/tracksters/tracksters.htm) .

+1 sweat pants/track suit bottoms, I have some 2 types of material,
Russell brand .. I bought in the local Big Box Store.
slick finish compound knit polyester, fleeced liner . actual sewing done in Egypt,
and a 50/50 cotton /poly, sewing done in El Salvador .

100% cotton wears out in the crotch and knees first.. poly blend lasts longer..

Being Knit. neither are a solid windbreak,
I wear my rain gear pants over stuff, in a cold windy situation.

Check out Road Runner Sports for some nice not too tight "tights"

Sporthill XC pants are terrific.

Campmoor sells thin, nylon pants that convert into shorts. They have cargo pockets and a velcro tab on the cuffs so you can tighten them around your ankles. I have a couple of pairs and they are very nice. There are no big seams in the sit area so they work well for riding. I wear padded shorts or whatever underneath.

Sporthill XC pants are terrific.
+1

I use them all winter for x-c skiing and snowshoeing, then in fall and spring they are my biking pants. they breath very well, block the wind, and provide warmth. I've had mine for many years and they show no signs of wearing out.

I've really come to rely on Rivendell Musa pants, they're not the least expensive solution but are made with biking in mind.

http://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com/2010/12/musa-pants-and-splats.html

Marc

I don't usually run, but I volunteered to run a short 'race' tonight to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Checking the forecast, Chicago is in for 20mph north winds tonight, so that may make a windchill factor of in the low 30's.

So, I have no sweat pants, and I'm thinking instead of buying some (at the local sportmart) I should just buy myself some biking pants from the LBS -- as I'll get much more use out of them. I currently have only biking shorts, so I could use a long pair.

Any recommendations of what to look for?

What did you wind up wearing and how did it go? I am guessing it was the Chase Corporate Challenge 5k. If so it sounds like you had plenty of company with 23,374 participants.