Winter cycling trousers - recommendation

[volvos60s60]

Can anyone please recommend some winter cycling trousers for a 12 mile each way commute that meet the following criteria:

1. Ease of movement
2. Warm in winter, but without completely roasting you
3. Water resistant/waterproof - need to protect from rain but not make you feel drenched anyway due to sweat
4. Windproof & breathable
5. Reasonable priced
6. Not overtrousers

It seems like absolutely everything on Amazon these days has a 4.5 star rating, so I think you can't take their review scores seriously any more, so any suggestions based on actual personal experience in wet winter weather welcomed please as I want to get away from wearing cycling tights & long johns when it's cold

Edited by volvos60s60 on Thursday 10th October 14:14

[Julian Scott]

volvos60s60 said:

Can anyone please recommend some winter cycling trousers for a 12 mile each way commute that meet the following criteria:

1. Ease of movement
2. Warm in winter, but without completely roasting you
3. Water resistant/waterproof - need to protect from rain but not make you feel drenched anyway due to sweat
4. Windproof & breathable
5. Reasonable priced
6. Not overtrousers

It seems like absolutely everything on Amazon these days has a 4.5 star rating, so I think you can't take their review scores seriously any more, so any suggestions based on actual personal experience in wet winter weather welcomed please as I want to get away from wearing cycling tights & long johns when it's cold

Edited by volvos60s60 on Thursday 10th October 14:14

I suspect what you are looking for is not really available.
Anything fully waterproof will not really be breathable, anything fully breathable will not be fully waterproof. You either get wet from the outside or wet from the inside.

The only exception to this is if you are riding very slowly 'Amsterdam' style - 10-15kph, not generating heat, but at that speed, your 12 miles commute is an hour, and rain will get through eventually.

I've spent years trying to find the perfect wet weather gear. Some Winter Jerseys/jackets get close, for an hour or so. but most will lead to you overheating if giving it anything like an effort.

Lower half, I just accept I'm going to get wet. Winter tights with Spatz overshoes (worn UNDER the tights) is as good as it gets. You get wet, and eventually the Spatz will allow the water to seep down, but it'll keep you warm.

[OutInTheShed]

volvos60s60 said:

Can anyone please recommend some winter cycling trousers for a 12 mile each way commute that meet the following criteria:

1. Ease of movement
2. Warm in winter, but without completely roasting you
3. Water resistant/waterproof - need to protect from rain but not make you feel drenched anyway due to sweat
4. Windproof & breathable
5. Reasonable priced
6. Not overtrousers

It seems like absolutely everything on Amazon these days has a 4.5 star rating, so I think you can't take their review scores seriously any more, so any suggestions based on actual personal experience in wet winter weather welcomed please as I want to get away from wearing cycling tights & long johns when it's cold

Edited by volvos60s60 on Thursday 10th October 14:14

I could add 'thorn resistant' to the spec!

[irc]

My winter commuting solution was full mudguards and front mudflap. All that was required 95% of the time in rainy Glasgow. If it was pelting down I added rainlegs.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rainlegs-Black-Waterproof...

[Tall_martin]

I don't think anything will cover all that.

I ride with a pair of endura commuting trousers with a pair of RAF goretex over trousers in my panniers. I just accept the weight for the days when it's tipping it down.

[thepritch]

First off, mudguards. The first line of defense to prevent getting wet.

All my autumn and winter rides, commute or not, would be wearing a pair of Castelli leg warmers and regular bib shorts, and de-feet over shoes. More than warm enough on the colder days, but any temps lower than 2/3 degrees I’d not ride due to ice risk anyway. And any torrential rain I’d also not ride. So I was rarely out in extreme conditions unless I got caught out.

For the commute I’d always had a spare pair of bib shorts and over shoes stored at the office just in case I got very wet on the way in and clothes weren’t dry by the time I went home.

Having separate leg warmers meant on the warmer days or the days when I made some efforts on the hills to work, I could easily take them off and they weigh nothing in my backpack.

On wet days, water would seep through but it wasn’t uncomfortable, but would feel dry very quickly after the rain stopped.

I had Castelli full winter bibs which were really good for long cold rides but just found them too heavy when the temps were around 8 degrees or more. Being thicker I didn’t notice the rain, unless it became really heavy by which time your legs are the least of your issues.

My commute was 11 miles / 35mins, so too short to get really wet / cold.

Interested to know why you (the op) doesn’t like cycling tights - and what are the long John’s?

Edited by thepritch on Monday 14th October 07:51

[mie1972]

Galibier are my go to winter choice for bike kit.

Mistral Bibs are their warmest/most waterproof option.
They don't stretch a huge amount so if between sizes then size up. Good for about 0 to 8 degrees C.

https://www.galibier.cc/product/mistral-winter-bib...

[Mars]

I'm still using the same two pairs of cheap Aldi winter trousers that I bought from their centre aisle deals some 15 years ago. I am surprised they have lasted this long but there's still no need to replace them.

[klootzak]

If you haven't already seen it, Road.cc has just posted a buying guide for waterproof cycling trousers ...

https://road.cc/buyers-guide/best-waterproof-cycli...

k

[dontlookdown]

Another vote for mudguards first. Make a huge difference to how wet you get rising in the rain.

Also, your headset will thank you. I went through two headsets in two winters on my commuter bike before I fitted mudguards. Now still on the same one 5 yes later.

[oddman]

+1 for mudguards, also a recommendation for some kind of overshoe or boot as wet feet are much more miserable than wet legs.

Never a fan of long trousers and did most of my commuting through winter in roubaix tights, accepted a bit of sogginess and hung them up to dry during the day.

I got these Rapha mountain bike pants for winter mountain biking which is wet even when the weather's dry. The full price is ridiculous but I got them in a stupid colour (sort of raspberry) for IIRC £56 in a sale.

They are really comfortable and well cut. Not totally waterproof but reasonable at keeping you dry. Need shorts - ideally bibs underneath but there is a clever closure system that keeps them up.

[volvos60s60]

Hi, OP here

I ended up going with some Rock Bros fleece lined winter cycling trousers, having sent back another pair that seemed too restrictive on the thighs/knees.

It's been too warm so far to test the new aquisition but they do look like they could be quite good without being too hot, and hopefully breathable - will let you know once they've been tested.

For autumn//spring I also bought some lighter weight Rock Bros unlined trousers which are windproof/breathable, they are god but pretty useless in the rain.

Both pairs were less than £40 each on Amazon

Someone asked why I don't like cycling tights, I have some & they are ok but seem a bit inappropriate if I want to stop off somewhere en route, or even walking through the office before I've changed into office clothing

[thepritch]

volvos60s60 said:

Someone asked why I don't like cycling tights, I have some & they are ok but seem a bit inappropriate if I want to stop off somewhere en route, or even walking through the office before I've changed into office clothing

Yep, that was me. I get that!

When I used to get changed I’d be asked if I was changing into my wrestlers outfit! Eventually I learnt to ignore the ‘exposure’ in cafe shops by shielding with clothes or helmet when I felt I needed to, but you’re right, more than a few mins standing around and you do feel on show.