littleal

A quick question about winter commuting. Last winter I started commuting a 15 mile RT to work and back.
I wore jeans or khakis but they weren't really comfy. Are there any long pants made for commuting?
I don't want to wear tights. Looking tor something that won't break the budget. Any links as all my shopping is done on-line.

blickblocks

If you're going to wear jeans because it's getting cold maybe you should look at some long underwear? If I'm not mistaken the long underwear should make wearing jeans a lot nicer since there won't be as much rubbing.

cooperwx

I'm trying to decide between using the sweats I have vs. buying insulated wind pants. It's getting cooler here, too. Good thread, thanks for starting it...

phillybill

I went for teh windpants for about 40 degrees and then below that I use a loose mid-weight tight that looks more like running pants. That works to freezing with little wind. If it any cooler than than I'll break out the heavy winter tights.

Falkon 

Pearl Izumi makes pants for riding, but they're not padded. It's getting cold here. It was 47 F this morning [HEY, THAT'S COLD TO ME] and I wore my jeans over bike shorts. I didn't freeze, yay!

*new*guy

You could always wear tights w/ some baggy shorts over the top (assuming your modesty is the reason you don't want to wear tights). Otherwise, there are some great shants to be found, though none of them are cheap

here are a few examples

https://www.under-the-weather.ca/clothingSit.html
https://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=169

I think your most cost effective and useful bet will be to go w/ some quality tights w/ cutoffs or something over the top.

I-Like-To-Bike

Sweat pants work fine for commuting; with additional layers of shorts/underwear/whatever as needed depending upon temperature. Only time they wouldn't work is if you had no opportunity to change at work and had to arrive in a business/work clothes at your destination. But then tights and other bicycle specificgarb as outerware are no better.

lpw71

I don't know what your office is quite like and what type of dress you normally wear, but I just picked up a pair of these from macy's:

https://www.macys.com/catalog/product...ognc?ID=192795

They are fairly light weight and I haven't had a problem yet with rubbing (granted I've only worn them twice and have a fairly short commute). They are light enough that you could wear tights underneath or just a pair of cycling briefs if you want. I liked the fact that there is a button up side, so you don't get chain grease on everything, works nicely.

ryanparrish

Well I will break the budget with these because I want them my self



*Link*

jyossarian

Undersilks under jeans or khakis. Or windpants & undersilks.

jeff-o

Go to a jogging/running store. They should be getting their winter stock now. You'll find all sorts of pants that are suitable for outdoor activity.

DogBoy

I wear sweats for 30-60 F, below that tights + sweats down to 15F, below that tights + lined wind pants down to -5 F. If it got much below that I'd go with tights+sweats+lined wind pants.

Mr_H

I second the running store idea. I don't have the money to afford those fancy pants, although I may spring for some underarmor tights.

This morning with it being 40 degres, I wore a pair of older windbreakers I had for running. It had a small liner inside, but the windbreaking was it's main focus. These will work fine in my opinon but two things I noted:

1) You have to make sure to strap down the cuffs

2) Give yourself a lil room on the leg that you cuff up. The pants aren't designed for the motions of biking. If your ankle gets really cold, wear a long sock.

It worked well enough for me. Granted, I do have a place to store clothes and shower here.

ItsJustMe

I wear bike shorts, then cheap running tights, then cheap nylon lined running pants. I've worn this down to about -5*F, but this year I think I'm going to get a fleece base layer to go under the pants; my legs got a little chilly last year.

Agree about running stores. Stuff will be cheaper there. Bike specific stuff = multiply price by 3 for no good reason.

CliftonGK1

The Chrome messenger shants are really nice, but holy cow are they ever charging a truckload for them! I'd get a pair, but it's getting to be chilly/rainy season up here so I'm sticking with the full rain gear until about next May.

truman

These, cut off below the knee and hemmed;

https://tinyurl.com/h954k

Dickies has a good line of pants with a high polyester/nylon content and good fit at a low price.

ducati

I wear Old Navy windpants right now, they are fine for >45 degree commutes.

I have a few pairs of outdoor-specific pants; some climbing pants from Mountain Hardwear, and some ski pants from Sierra Designs. Those are for the colder commutes.

I don't wear tights

cooperwx

Would these be a good idea? sierratradingpost.com

They say water-resistant, which should be good for light rain, but I don't think they're lined. They're cheap, but may not be warm enough...

truman

they look perfect, only smalls and XXL's left, though...

ducati

I am not familiar with that brand, but I take three precautions when engaging in winter activities: 1) break the wind, 2) protect against water, 3) insulate

I tend to wear base layers like Patagonia's Capilene, and then a waterproof windbreaking layer over top. If it is truly windproof, and you're participating in something like cycling where your body will create warmth, that is usually enough.

HardyWeinberg

These are not really tights, need a strap on the cuff to keep them out of the chain:

https://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...p&feat=8249-tn

Artkansas 

I wear loose long denim slacks pretty much all the time. Then I use the velcro straps to keep them tight at the bottom so they don't get caught in the chain. It works for me. I do my clothes shopping locally and haven't bought pants since I moved, so I can't help on locations. I think my ex-wife bought the pants I have on now at a Macy's sale table.

dobber

I've been tempted to bust out some of my old football referee gear and use the knickers. Problem is I can't find em, they're all white (ok, dingy grey) and they always were a bit small.

https://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/...roduct_Count=1

littleal

Thanks for all the info!
I think I will have to go with some shants and maybe the
wind pants idea.Unfortunately no running stores exist here
that carry my size. I'm a Gulliver living in Lilliput. When I
do manage to find my size they double charge me because
#1 I'm American and #2 they are considered a novelty size.
(38 waist 34 length)
Last year I tried the long underwear a few times when it got below
10-20 degrees F. It just felt too bulky. But it worked. Still have a month to
go before I need them though. It's still in the 70's here.
Cheers for the info.

egonlou

I've been wearing shorts w/ Marmot Driclime pants over them. They are baggy and I put a reflective velcro strap around the ankles to cuff them in. I've been happy with those for about 2 years now when the weather gets below 60F. I just bought my second pair. I think though the cut has changed I don't like them as much. I am going to take the plunge and go with tights. Going with the Performance Tri flex.