yamcha

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.

CommuterRun

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.

yamcha

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?

madfiNch

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...

max-a-mill

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.

rankin116

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.

Orbital57

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.

tarwheel 

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.

MrCjolsen

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.

DXchulo

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.

SDRider

Bib shorts with tights over them.

GCRyder

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.

gear

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

NeezyDeezy

underwear with chamois + any pants you want = solution

wanders

+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.

ontheroadid

Look for a looser tight like this:

https://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.

gman

These REI pants (https://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.

rollinghills

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.

Bekologist

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.

MIN 

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.j...ucts/107M510&4

tpelle

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.

bikebuddha 

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

rohmen

Just picked up a pair of prana mens knickers on sale from mountaingear.com: https://www.mountaingear.com/pages/pr...7/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.

MIN 

Wow good price.

skyrider

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.