"I have to wonder out loud if there is anyone on this board who has purchased and ridden in higher-end gear has GONE BACK to stuff like jeans because of comfort issues"
This is by farrrr not my first bike or winter of cold riding son, and I am just amazed by the deficit of people who are in riding just to ride. That wont look outside and say "Its minus 40 out there, I'm not riding if I don't have my *insert race specific gear here* even though there are all the things that they need to go for a winter ride sitting around the house. I should mention that I am really hard on clothing and I havent found any biking clothing that lasts more than a couple seasons anyway, so that is also why I choose to be frugal.