First of all I am not an avid bicycle commuter but would SO like to be. I have commuted a number of times but always in fair weather sometimes cooler but still fair summer weather. I usually would wear a jersey with a underarmor long sleeve base layer and then gloves, pearl izumi pants and a pair of cycling shorts.

After getting to school I would go to the gym take a shower and put my cycling clothing in a locker. Then at the end of the day I'd put the ensemble back on for my ride home.

Now it is winter and a lot cooler out and I don't have a locker at the gym anymore. I really would like to commute in semi ordinary clothing and just go right to class and skip the whole shower/strip down process. So I was wondering if any of you have found semi regular clothing good for cycling in cold/poor weather. I live in Boise, ID so weather isn't really to bad but right now it is raining, but that isn't too common. I think I just need to be protected from the cold but also not work up a sweat to wear I feel like I would need a shower.

Any Ideas or suggestions would be great. And just remember I am kind of trying to get away from the actual cyclist clothing and move towards more casual clothing, similar what Keen has done with one of their shoes and made it bicycle clip friendly. I was thinking like car hart type stuff might be good for keep elements off but I worry about the flexibility in the legs. I typically wear jeans that have elastic in it for comfort but they are no where as strong and sturdy at keeping elements off and out as other type of clothing.

Thanks in advance!

You may want to look at a pair of soft shell pants, I personally wear a pair of marmot tarn soft shell pants with a pair of riding shorts underneath or a pair of sugoi tights underneath when the weather is cold or really wet. The pants would be fine for wearing to class.

Ive bought a lot of stuff from Swrve. https://www.swrve.us/. Super nice people. Owner personally delivered pair of pants to my house after they were hemmed. Also had zero issues replacing a pair of jeans that had minor defect and let me keep the defect ones too. Lot of the stuff is made in US here in Los Angeles. Of course not cheap, but happy with what I have. The knickers would be a good choice for you probably.

I like the stuff swrve has but you're right they are expensive. Does anyone know of anything like this that might be more affordable? (I am a student of course).

What's your distance? I had about a 3.5 mile ride when I was in school. When the weather got chilly I wore a fitting sweater/hoodie with a full neck zipper and some nice full finger Pearl Izumi gloves. Very comfortable. I rolled a spare tee and socks in my bag and swapped out if I was a bit too sweaty. As for bottoms, maybe stick with baggy cargo shorts with a cheap base layer underwear. Even if cold, your lower legs will be warm due to the activity. Wear nice socks they make a ton of difference. I have a skully type beanie that I wear under my helmet.

It's all about keeping your feet, hands and head warm and preventing wind from creeping in.

Get a pair of nasty mountain bike platform pedals. Wellgo provide some good options. They provide insane grip, are pretty cheap and you can wear normal street shoes while riding and around campus.

Brings back some good memories.

You don't need special cycling gear for everyday riding around town.
I ditched my jeans in favour of polycotton hiking pants, they are lighter, more windproof, quicker drying and have thin seams.
In winter, you don't sweat so much, so a wicking base layer may not be essential, but I prefer to use a simple T-shirt style, either polyester, polycotton or my favourite, merino wool. In very cold weather, a long-sleeved version works well.
On top of that I just wear normal, comfortable midlayer clothes inc polo neck jerseys, wool sweaters and padded or fleece gillets. Top it off with a windproof shell.
In rain you can wear waterproof overpants.
Waterproof trail shoes or lightweight hiking boots work well.

There some good "own brand" outdoor retailers, much cheaper than the big name brands. My local warehouse-style outdoor shop sells wicking T shirts and lightweight pants at 1/4 the price of fancy brand names.

How long/hard a ride are we talking? How much of a "sweater" are you?

Can't you simply wear your normal clothes and take it easy on the ride in so that you don't get sweaty?

I ride to work in my normal clothes. Mountain bike shoes that take clips but are fine to walk around in and look pretty normal (Shimano MT22). Rain pants, booties, rain jacket over it all.

Like mentioned above, if your commute is not too long, just take it easy and go in your regular street clothes just as if you were to walk to school. You will not sweat if you don't make it a workout. Riding a bike in regular clothes can easily be done. It's only when you have some distance involved like up to 10 miles with hills etc. and you have to keep a regular pace to get somewhere on time, then you have to get specialized cycling clothes to be comfortable.

BDUs & fatigue pants are great. I used to just wear jeans until I noticed that saddle rub was starting to wear out the seat & the insides of the thighs; BDUs, Carhardts, and good quality cycling pants have reinforced circular seats that don't wear out so quickly. The other nice thing about BDUs is that they tie in at the ankles, which means they don't get caught in your chain.

Also, wool is FABULOUS. Wool sweaters, wool caps, wool scarves, wool socks. I used to live in Utah and on really cold days I wore a pair of surplus Swedish army woolen fatigue pants; all of the above + extra pockets & ankle gussets: toasty warm.

I got these shorts a year ago and love them:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o02_s01_i00

they were cheaper then, $25 a pair or so. These and a number of shirts as required do it for me.

I commute on a regular basis. I had an epiphany last year and ditched all my bicycle-specific clothing. I now commute only in "regular" clothes, or, at the least, clothing that is multi-purpose. What you need though, really depends on where you live. I'm in New England, so we may have different definitions of cold.

That said, two things are your friends: 1) layering, and 2) merino wool.

Down to about 38 degrees F, I find I can get away just wearing either my Showers Pass Portland jacket (bicycle jacket, yes, but looks like a regular jacket so you can wear it anywhere) or my Columbia Wax Cotton jacket. I also own some Brooks Brother merino wool polos and some Sir Pendleton merino button-downs that help insulate down to the lower end of this spectrum.

Between 30 and 40, I switch to an Ibex Europa with a Columbia windproof shell with pit-zips.

Below 30 doesn't change the jacket, but I add Under Armour tights under the pants and switch to Patagonia Das Boots.

None of those things are exactly cheap, retail, but bargains can be had on the 'Bay. For example, I just bought a B/B merino polo for $12, shipped. I paid $100 for the Ibex Europa as opposed to $295 retail. The Showers Pass jacket was last year's model for half-price (no returns). Look for deals, they're out there.

And definitely read Grant Peterson's "Just Ride."

Summertime, I'll wear capris, and since I've got a decent hill on my way to school, I'll probably change my shirt.

Wintertime, if I can't change I'll wear long johns under jeans down to about -10 C. However, I prefer cycling tights - as DIMcyclist said, jeans wear out pretty quickly. On top I'll wear a long sleeve merino shirt + a few layers of jackets.

I would check Goodwill/your local thrift shop for clothes. Sometimes you can luck out and get some technical clothing, but if not, it's a good cheap source of jeans that you are probably going to destroy.

Finally: get full fenders. Not only will they protect your clothes, but they'll also help to protect your bike.

I have about a 3 mile commute which is now down hill on the way there. Coming home will be more of an effort but really only 1 hill where I'll have to work but no biggy on sweating on the way home.

The reason I seem to sweat is because if someone passes me I can't help but try to catch them and draft off them for the remaining distance. I guess I can change that and easily go in regular clothes. I liked what swrve had to offer for their wet weather jeans and I can put it together with some wool uppers with a good cycling jacket like C1nko was talking about I think I should be good.

The initial costs will be high for the proper clothing, to look good in that is. I have many BDU's and DCU's but I couldn't bring myself to wear those to school for some reason. It is a good thought though.

The weekly forecast highs is as follows : W- 57 Th - 48 F - 45 Sa- 35 Su - 35 M - 40

So today is nice but as the week and season gets on it is going to get a lot cooler. I definitely will need to invest in fenders and some sort of gortex shoes or something to keep the muck off.

Thanks for all your thoughts, I really appreciate it. I just need to grow a pair and start commuting in the winter no matter what but the fear of being uncomfortable is the main reason why I haven't tried it yet. If I work it out and start doing it I think I am in for a drastic wardrobe change which my life will enjoy except for the added costs.

Russel track suit trousers, black, work for me.. now, sewn of a compound knit fabric, smooth outside, fleeced inside.
Polyester for durability.. quick dry..

I thought you said it was getting cold?