So im gearing up to commute this winter for the first time. Im on a budget so I've had to pick and choose which items to spend more money on and compromise on others. So far I bought a set of Innova Ice Huskies from biketiresdirect for $60. The reviews seem ok. I figure they are much better than going studless and Nokians, etc aren't an option now. Ill review the Ice Huskies after this season.

My other equipment concern is my rock shock dart 3 fork in freezing temps. A bike mechanic friend told me to just lock it out for the winter then change the oil in the spring like I should anyways. Sound like good advice?

As far as clothing I have decent synthetic thermal long underwear, wool sweater, red ledge h2o proof breathable jacket, a carhartt wool balaclava, waterproof insulated hiking boots with nice wool socks. But im stumped when it comes to pants. I left about $70 in the budget for pants. I want something waterproof or very resistant, not bulky, and comfortable to ride in. What are my options? Thanks!

For your budget I'd suggest rain pants (I use REI cycling style) because they do a good job with wind, that are cut right for cycling, and of course shed precip. I add insulating layers underneath the thickness of which is determined by the temp. None, Very thin (poly), medium (wool) heavy thermal PI AMfib tights will get me well below zero. I've got soft shell pants too and other combinations I use, but I recommend rain pants because they usually aren't too spendy. The breathablilty (or lack of) factor of the less expensive pants is not as much of an issue in the winter if you layer right.

Sort of like these, right in your price range.

https://www.rei.com/product/819018/no...ike-pants-mens

Does Spokane get that cold and wet? (I used to live in Seattle and while I made it over to Wenatchee & Ephrata a lot, it was in spring/summer/fall, not winter. I assume Seattle is usually much warmer than Spokane.). I usually use leg warmers down to upper-mid 30s, and windproof tights below that. My legs are generating enough heat that wet hasn't been a problem, as long as I keep core, head, and extremities warm. So waterproof gloves and shoe covers or waterproof socks (Sealskinz) have been more important - the gloves in particluar. I scrounged newspaper or kept a spare set at work in case they didn't dry out from the morning's ride. I do have rain pants (REI, watch for a return/outlet sale) but use them more as a wind-blocking layer when it's mid 20s or below. This was for a nominal 20 minute/5 mile commute through last winter. Current ride is 40-50 min with stop lights, and I discovered last March I needed less insulated clothes because I became warmed up faster and better on the longer ride.

edit - looks like 2 votes for the REI pants! They have a very long zipper, which makes it easier to get the on/off without removing cycling shoes.

I've had good results for base layers at Target, their Champion line is a reasonable knock-off of more expensive name brands. There may be something sold to runners that would work well enough on a bike.

As always I'm a fan of the thrift store. All my winter and rain pants are from there. Look for a lightly used pair of waterproof nylon pants with an elastic waist and elastic around the ankles. I've found the kind that don't have any lining inside except for a light mesh. These effectively keep the rain out, block the wind, and keep the warm in (sometimes a bad thing if it isn't too cold out). Although I don't really think any rain pant really breathes that well.

I locked out my Dart 3 fork for the first winter and then left it unlocked for tha second winter but added rubber gaitor, and that is the way they stayed. No reason to handicap your suspension, just protect the stancions and seals. They will respond more stiffly due to increased viscosity unless you use a thinner oil, but why spend 4-5 months without suspension?

Also, Pearl Izumi AMfib tights with normal cycling rain pants will work way better than synthetic thermal long underwear and loose fitting multi-use rain/snow pants and neoprene shoe covers, both your hands will get colder than your feet. Polypropolene glove liners and water proofed winter glove (waterproofed regularly with silicone spray) are a minimum.

Sweet! Good to know they can handle the weather. Where did you buy the rubber gators? Im assuming that is a fork boot? Thanks! What bike are you running with the dart 3's?

I roll with my Rainmates all winter long. I wear them over my Carhartt work pants w/wool blend long underwear. It works for me down to about ten to twenty below.
I like the Rainmates because they act as a windbreaker for my legs. They don't have the condensation issues that you would get with full coverage rain pants for winter use.

The innovas have plain steel studs, will wear quickly. The nokians have carbide studs, could get at 5 years from them.

I got 3 winters out of my Innovas. Sure, the studs get a bit rusty and they wear quicker than carbide and I lost a few from poor seating, but they still worked fine even with 2 or 3 missing from each wheel. I got mine from Nashbar, because their house brand studdies are either Kendas or Innovas (depending on what they get cheaper.)

Clifton, do you often need studded tires in the Seattle area? I did go down on a small patch of ice last winter, but it doesn't seem that there is ice on the roads often enough to warrant studs. Just curious.

One more recommendation - Sporthill XC pants. I bought a pair of these a couple years ago they are wonderful for winter. They are slightly higher than your price range at around $100 - but I think well worth it. You can find them on sale in the off season. I did.

Anyway the say they are windproof to 35 mph, and they are. The fabric 3SP is amazing they breath well, and regulate your temp, yet still provide a thermal and wind barrier. They are loose enough to wear a base layer underneath, and with that I can go down well below zero F. They are not hard rain worthy, so it's that's an important to you they may not be the best choice. But they are great for snow, I've also used them for down hill skiing, cross country and snow shoeing, they totally rock. Considering how well they perform and how much the competition charges for high tech soft-shell pants they are an absolute bargain.

I discovered them on Peter Whites site.
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/sporthill.asp
https://www.sporthill.com/index.php

I had a somewhat similar experience, but the 3rd winter really didn't give me much comfort. I got some Nokian M&G and this will be my 2nd winter on them. They still look new after the first winter. If its a budget concern, I wouldn't worry about going with the cheaper tires. When you need to replace them, maybe consider an upgrade, but they'll do you fine for quite some time based on my experience also.

Glad the Innova ice huskies sound like they hold up ok. I didn't want to drop $150 on nokians to find out I hate winter biking. If the innovas last a season ill be happy. Sounds like I may get two out of them. I figure ill be commuting about 800 miles during snow/ice season so I hope they last...they should. Thanks for the answers guys! Im going to hit my local REI this weekend and see what they have for pants. I also ordered some lizard skin fork boots for my rock shox dart 3.