The Best Cold Weather Cycling Pants

While some may be itching for warm weather so they can hop on their bikes and take a ride, others are riding their bikes through the frigid winter season. If you are part of this second group, it is important to dress appropriately to protect yourself from hypothermia, frostbite and general cold weather discomfort. The best pants for cycling in the winter are actually referred to as cycling tights and are sold by many different companies. Head to a specialty store or sports store, as opposed to commercial places, for the top-quality selection.

  1. Performance Winter Tights

    • According to IceBike.org, a website devoted to winter cycling, Performance winter tights are one of the best pairs of cycling pants you can find for the wintertime. These durable pants will keep your legs warm in temperatures as low as negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit and are almost completely windproof. They are made of nylon and Spandex and contain a cozy, fleece-lined inside, although they should be worn with long johns underneath for extra protection.

      They come in multiple styles and sizes and are available for both men and women. These winter tights can be found on Perfomancebike.com and range from $40 to $120, as of May 2011.

    Perfomance Triflex Tights

    • Made by the same company as the Winter tights, Perfomance Triflex tights are also recommended by IceBike.com and can withstand temperatures as low as zero degrees Fahrenheit. The Triflex tights feature a reinforced layer in front so that they are doubly thick, which helps sustain strong winds. The back contains only a single layer to keep the flexibility and comfortable feel that cyclists need.

      IceBike.com found that the zipper tends to wear out if the pants are worn often, but works well at the beginning. These tights can be found on Performancebike.com and cost $60.

    Col D'Lizard

    • The Col D'Lizard cycling tights are another top pick recommended by cycling experts, IceBike.com, and contain a few special features that make them desirable. Aside from their ability to withstand temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the Col D'Lizard tights are extremely light weight. While most cold weather tights are thicker than average cycling pants in order to provide extra warmth, these light weight tights are the ideal texture for cycling, yet still offer an impressive amount of wind and cold protection.

      The Col D'Lizard tights also come in a few models and styles so you can pick your favorite look. Prices range around $60 per pair as of May 2011.

    REI Windblock Pants

    • As the name implies, these pants do a great job protecting against wind and can even be worn without long johns underneath, according to IceBike.com. The middle layer of these pants is a Windbloc membrane barrier, which stops the strong gusts of winter wind from reaching the body. They contain zippers on both sides to allow for breathability, ideal for days when the weather warms up or for when you need a little air to cool off. These Windblock pants are recommended for weather as low as zero degrees Fahrenheit and contain a mesh lining to wick sweat away from the body.

      The REI cycling pants cost $98 as of May 2011 and are available from REI.com.