Wool pants For commuting?
 

A co-worker is a big fan of Wool pants that he use for cool weather commuting. (From the local Good Will or other such stores.) Does anyone use Wool pants for the cool weather riding that is soon here?

In a word, no.


Part of my commuting arsenal is a series of polypro tights. No worries about the crotch abrading, or sweat making them heavy, or the cuff getting caught in something.

I use wool tights. Today, 38F and pea soup fog, but w/ residual summer metabolism, I am just wearing shorts though (also wool)

I have a nice set of wool knickers that I wear when temps are below 20 deg F. Nice and toasty.

I use an old pair of wool trousers that I used to wear to work to ride in and they're wonderful. These have a nylon liner in the front down to the knees and keep my legs warm to below freezing. They've got pockets and look like regular pants (because that's what they are).

I've been touting Salvation Army wool for years here. I don't wear my $100 wool pieces, cause they cost too much.

I went down and tore up my $5 wool jersy the other day. For $5 I'm not crying too much. wook is great for commuting.

Me too. Best time to get them is spring when people toss out old winter gear. Right about now, October, isn't the best time for wool shopping, IME.

I've purchased military surplus wool pants from the internet before...usually E. European stuff. The sizing takes thought to get right, but the product was generally good. Inexpensive.

I use a pair of surplus wool leg wraps. Like olive green wool ace bandages. They keep my lower legs warm and keep pants out of the sprocket.

Yes, though not as much now as before. They're pretty good in that wool is good for cycling. It can get hot, but there is a limit to how hot it gets, unlike other materials. It also keeps most of its warmth when it gets wet. But some wool pants are delicate, and coupled with the higher cost, that can be a problem. Stretchy tights are less vulnerable to being torn. They used to make cycling tights out of stretchy wool, and they were nice. Stretchy synthetic tights are also nice. You can get wool pants fairly cheap at Costco, at about $50 a pair, and they look nice enough. Also check yard sales and church rummage sales and thrift shops.

Corduroy pants that are styled like jeans are surprisingly good for cycling, even though jeans are lousy. They're also cheap.

I have a pair of pants that go on over my pants for winter. I got them cheap on Amazon, from a recommendation here. I used them only once, because they are very hot. I don't regret buying them, because they'll come in handy again when it's very cold, but I can't use them every day. They're too hot. I can dig up the link if needed.

Ass of polyester pants wont wear out like natural fabrics will ...

No. While wool is a fantastic material for breathability, it's a terrible material for abrasion resistance. I wear a wool shirt no problem as it's not rubbing on anything. I wear a wool base layer when cycling in the winter, but the point between the thighs tends to rub a hole - I can deal with it because it's under another layer and not visible.

I love wool, but it does not hold up to being rubbed against the bike saddle while you're pedalling in my experience.

I like merino wool base layers and Schoeller softshell outerwear. Great temperature regulation and breathability .

I looked at my merino bike shorts and see they do have a polyester ass. They wear less than the carhart shorts I otherwise wear, for sure. Carhartts are only good for a couple months of cycling.

I have wool socks, gloves, a wool cap, and a wool jersey - all great. But my experiments with wool pants and knicks haven't been positive, they tend to wear out quickly at the seat and I've found that they retain too much heat for the typical wintertime temperatures here. Above 10° or so they make my lower half sweat too much, below that they're useful, but unless it's below zero I find that cotton slacks under rain pants is a more comfortable combination for commuting. For recreational riding I use tights, sometimes with a pair of shorts for an extra outer layer, or leg warmers or longer socks, but never long pants.

+1 on the merino base layer. I found one for cheap on Gander Mountain a few years back... I believe the brand is Terramar, it's a wool/polyester mix and I wear it under whatever is comfortable at the time for the commute. They're warm down to the 30's.

I commute in Denver daily throughout the year and use wool whenever I'm not in shorts. Just regular dress pants I get at the thrift store, supplement them with long johns if it's below freezing. If it's between 60F and 50F, I'll use my Ibex El Fito wool 3/4 length

Exactly. Commuting is a good way to ruin a nice pair of wool dress pants.