I am most comfortable riding in bike shorts but i don't want to pack extra clothes when i start commuting next week.

I gave up an hour drive and now will have a nice 7 mi each way bike commute winning.

Anyway. Here's the problem. Can't do bike shorts, don't want to do rain pants every day, and jeans make me feel like i spent the night in prison.

Commuting conditions will be a mix of rain and sun with average temperature ranging from 45-75 degrees.

What sort of casual wear do you find comfortable for a decent commute?

https://www.rei.com/product/794383

I started using cycle boxers. Perfect for your 7 mile commute.
I needed something that provided flexibility. You can put shorts over these, or a warmer long pant.
Sometimes I don't want to wear cycle shorts and I cannot tolerate a case of undie-bunch. These are the best of both worlds. However I woudn't recommend them for a longer ride.
You say you don't want to pack extra clothes. All you gotta do is stick some reg. undies in your pocket.

I commute 7 miles in that kind of weather, I find I really can't ride in work clothes, so I change when I get there. But I would try cotton cargo pants (ll bean 'tropic weight') but they would not be great in the rain. Really, when it's rainy, there's so much glop, fenders notwithstanding, I wouldn't want to ride in work clothes, comfort-while-biking issues come in second to that.

I just commute in my work clothes, which is usually cargo shorts and polo/bowling kind of shirt. Fortunately I don't sweat much at all, so that's not an issue.

When I do feel the need to wear long pants I use Champion G9 sport pants from Target. They're comfortable and keep my legs warm and just wear them over the shorts. I usually plan around rain but occasionally get caught in it and just deal with drying out at work.

Not much you can do if you don't want to wear rain pants. Just keep some extra clothes at work in case you get soaked.

The last time I wore casual work clothes during my commute was when I lived < 2 miles from home. That was in Norcal where the year round weather was mild. If I had a longer commute I'd wear cycling clothes as I tend to sweat no matter the temperature. My commute now is 9km one way and I carry work clothes in panniers.

My recommendation: wear Dockers-type pants and roll up the cuff. Other option: get those convertible hiking pants where they convert to shorts via zipper. Wear them in shorts mode on the ride, zip on the legs when you get to work.

On a related note: it took you an hour to drive to work and it's only 7 miles?

I thought the same thing but i think he means he got a new job but maybe not.

I find that thin, loose, billowy dress pants are the most comfortable. Anything tight gives me saddle sores and restricts my range of motion. A downside is that you have to wrap the pant leg to avoid it getting stuck in the chain, but that's to be expected.

If you want to avoid rain paints, I can recommend RainLegs. Basically an apron that wraps around your thighs (only part that gets wet, really). looks goofy but you stay dry.

Lol.

Yes, i could have explained that better.

I quit working as an E.R. tech and will be going to school for Nursing close to my home.
Hospital was 45 miles away. School is 7.5. Love it.

I've missed riding so much.

I'll try the dockers etc. I typically don't wear that style but can see it being more comfortable than jeans and more casual than cycling gear.

I just use running pants by reebok. I also like that they have zippers on the bottom, key slot in the waist and slim reflectors on the pockets and cuffs.

I wear Tek Gear pants from Kohls. I like athletic pants because they are roomy and comfortable. You can also find the "buy one get one free" deal every now and then.

When they become available again in July get some REI Headwinds pant for those in between times when its below 50 degrees I've worn them in temps down to 32 degrees and they are great, which explains why the are out of stock till July and then change when you get to class. During our week of summer will use convertable pants with the cycling underwear REI they are light and padded enough for my use which is about the same distance as your commute. I find that any pants with a gusseted crotch are fine and just use a dork band to keep the leg out of the chain.

not sure i would work in these but I love these cycling pants. they aren't tights. they are form fitting but not not tight. they are made for cycling and flattering. they stretch where they are supposed to and dignified while walking upright. like I said you might want to store some work pants because these do look like cycling pants. I wear my cyclign shorts or cycling liner under while riding but you can wear any underwear, of course. they have a nice thick spongy feel.

Novara Headwind Pants
https://www.rei.com/product/786461

I don't get it. Wear what's best for the bike and change into whatever you want to wear at school once you get there. That way, if your riding clothes are wet, you are dry once you change. Am I missing something?

have cash, namely $157.00 ? https://clevercycles.com/products/app...th-pantaloons/

Maybe these?
https://www.duluthtrading.com/store/c...ture=product_8

You can probably get pants in other styles made from similar materials at a Dick's Sporting Goods, Gander Mountain, etc.

I don't want to pack extra clothes because pannier space is limited.

Hey String,

Is that your Volare i've been seeing on craigslist?

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)

I don't know how you feel about thrift stores, but I've found the best trousers for cycling to be wool dress slacks... I can pick 'em up in many colours and whatnot for under 10$ usually. New ones are likely to be had in all sorts of costs and places too. I rode most of the winter with them and just cyling shorts instead of underpants... splash pants that I already have in heavy rains or winds, but anything warmer than -15C was just the slacks. I've found lighter ones to wear in warmer weather too. They didn't acquire any funky odours with reasonable use though they do need to be ironed but that's not really all that difficult. They also look really sharp I tend to wear linen in the summer but that isn't as easy to find on the cheap. I've done 10-50km rides with this slacks and bike shorts combo. When I worked in an office many years ago, I would just duck into the washroom and change out the shorts and stash them away in my bag.

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.

Any polyester/polycotton hiking pants will do. A narrower cut is better with less flappy material at the knee.

I just figured he had to cross the I-90 bridge at rush hour.

Not mine, I checked it must have sold, Dang it. If it were close to my size I would have bought it. Where was it? North Seattle?

Just make sure your pants aren't too tight.