Cold weather commuter pants?
 

I posted this in the winter forum and didn't get much response, thought the commuters might have more to say on the topic -

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I'm a commuter so I don't want to arrive at work and everyone can tell how its hanging. I've discovered that my Cutter Knickerbocker shorts are good to about 40F and past that I should cover my calves. - http://www.realcyclist.com/roadbike/.../CUT0029M.html

For serious cold I wear the Endura Tech-Pant with wool or fleece tights - http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx...133&prod_id=31

I'm looking for a midweight pant to cover approximately from 40F - 20F. Any favorites?

I could also be convinced that warmer tights aren't the nut huggers that other cycling shorts and pants can be.

i wear snow pant. i found them nice and comfy. and can u wear work pant underneath it too. u can find some good snow pant at a decent price...they start around $30 and go up from there.

I wear Cannondale midweight bib tights and jeans over that. So I look pretty casual and it is warm yet breathable and don't have to spend much on bike specific pants. I rode in yesterday, 23F and 14mph winds and was very comfortable.

I like: http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/pr...&cs=0&siteId=1

I wear poloycotton hiking pants, they are windproof and quick drying and good down to below freezing in the dry.
Ive also got some polyester tracksters (running panst) that are good, not windproof but warm enough .
For wet or really cold winds I add waterproof pants.

I had the Endura tech pants and found that my knees got really cold from wind going right through the stretch panels. Have you found this to be a problem?

As for the temps you describe, I simply use the same Gore-Tex over-pants I use during the winter, only I unzip the sides a bit for a little extra ventilation.

I got some Power Shield pants (lightweight) in late October and have worn them for every commute since (I commute every day), from temperatures as high as 60F down to 26F last week. They are a little warm for temps above 60F but not intolerably so. I have not yet found the point at which the temperature is so cold that I will have to add a layer underneath them, but I'm guessing that will happen around 20F.

They also repel water fairly well though they are not waterproof since they are breathable. i.e. they will keep you dry for a pretty long time in a drizzle but in a downpour expect to get soaked. Two or three times it's rained on me when the temperature was 45F or lower and those times I got pretty cold.

The guy who made them for me is Lou Binik. His website is foxwear.net, and you should expect to pay for these. Mine were $110 with shipping -- a lot more than I normally spend on clothing but IMO well worth not having to buy and carry several different types of pants. Besides they are custom fit for me.

For warmth. Can't beat fleece lined tights. Unlike most sweat pants , most fleece lined bibs breath..

Lou is great to work with, and actually his goods are quite low priced for what they are. Add to that they are custom made, and it's an even better value.

So far in 32 degree weather a cheap pair of Old Navy long underwear and some wool pants I got on sale for $15 at the gap seem to do the trick. I slide some Novarra rain pants over them if it is wet.

Check out the Sporthill 3SP pants. 3SP is incredible material but expensive. I have the ATV II pant and ride regularly in teens but get to single digits and below often. They are wind resistant to 35 mph, are not cycling specific but I love mine. If you get lucky the REI outlet might have some. I also have a pair of their pants made with Swift material and they also are quite effective.

Sporthill rates them good from 0-40. Generally I think they are used for running or ski pants.

I ride ~6 miles RT in Madison, WI with a pair of REI rainpants (~$50 when I got them ~4-5 years ago) that I wear over my usual work pants (cotton, rarely wool). I will usually ride till it's -10deg F, and haven't had cold legs -- at least not that really bothered me.

They have no chamois, so I wear some shorts underneath. No one sees how it's "hanging"... it's cold out remember?

http://www.rei.com/product/744304

Have you considered wearing calf-length wool socks with the knickers you already have? I don't have fancy knickers, but I roll up my pant legs to about the same length and rock some wool socks. This works for me down to low thirties. Colder than that, I don't roll my pants and tie up the cuffs with velcro.

Grab some mid or heavy weight poly-pro long underwear. Carhartt work dry have flat seams and are snug. They don't ride up, or down for me. I was out in 30F weather with those (midweight) and a pair of cotton cargo pants and was plenty warm. If you're wearing cut-offs, grab some calf length wool socks (like lambo said) and tuck them under the tights.

Thermals with an uninsulated powder/rain pant over the top, which is sufficient for me down to about 20F. Anything lower and I'd opt for some insulated snow pants. Bring some work pants to change into. I find that wearing work pants over thermals are just too bulky for good leg movement on the bike. A quick trip to the bathroom to change is worth it IMHO.

Thermals under jeans kept me warm all of last winter. It's not difficult keeping the lower body warm, but doing that and being comfortable on your ride are tricky. After switching to bibs, denim is torture. I've been spoiled.

I'm ordering some 300 weight thermal tights from Foxwear this winter. Actually, I should have ordered them two weeks ago. I'll wear those over normal summer weight bibs.

I wear Sugoi tights, their winter tights are sufficiently insulated, with a water-repellant front layer, that you won't have to worry about people seeing how it's hanging.

REI: Sugoi Zap Bike Tights

http://www.rei.com/product/786461

These are good down from 50 to the mid 30's alone, and good to 20 or less with a good base layer underneath. They fit more like snug sweat pants than like tights. Mine are on their 4th year commuting.

Pearl Izumi Amfibs. These tights are a bargain compared to PI Thermafleece tights but are much warmer and water resistant. Get the bibs because the tights aren't cut high enough. The only rap against Amfibs is that they are too warm if temps get much above 50 F.

I'm using the same pants down to -20 F with xmart wicking tights (like cheap UA stuff) under them.

Ive been wearing wool pants long johns underneath, works great. When it got colder I picked up some bib ski pants at the thrift store with my wool socks seem ok so far.

Oorah, duly noted.
We don't get them negative digits down here. I hope I never have to try them out in those conditions.

I've been wearing PI Gavia Plus tights for cold weather to about 30 degrees. Today it was 13F when I left the house, and I was wearing some wool socks, microfleece long johns, knee warmers, then the Gavia Plus tights. Also had 2 mid-weight smartwool tops under my winter jersey. Lotsa layers to don, but I wasn't cold.

On really cold days. Long Johns and and Wind resistant pants with the zippers on the bottom of the legs. I have reflective velcro straps to keep the pant legs from getting caught in the chains.