Originally Posted by
cyclist5
what about cold/freezing rain pants? I've got everything else waterproofed and am dry except for my legs which are frozen when it rains cold. Hell, it's snowing now but melting just before it hits the ground and it'll be like that for my morning commute tomorrow. sigh. The only rain-resistant pants I see at my lbs are about $120. I don't need specific brands but what are the kind of pants I need called? (i.e for rain/wind you need a waterproof outer shell)
Buy army surplus goretex pants/over-trousers on ebay and cut them down to 3/4 length if preferred. Unused ones in the UK cost me £20, so $35 in the US? They'll keep out the rain and the wind. If you need an insulating layer beneath then wear cycling tights or a hiking baselayer.
Alternatively, if you find a pair of combat trousers made out of a nice dense ripstop that will stop the wind you can wash them with Nikwax - they'll then keep out most of the rain while still breathing well.