recommend some winter workout wear?

Costco sells excellent base layer tights and shirts.

I run in Under Armor stuff. Not waterproof at all, but comfy. If you add the base layer, it's really warm. (Often, too warm for running. You need to play around with it to get it right.)

I haven't been able to find the ideal winter cycling pants.

So you're really looking for a shell that's relatively wind/water proof and a baselayer that's moisture wicking.

My uniform gear is perfect that way, as the shell is wind/water resistant, but not so heavy that it's hot, so it's got to go over a base layer that provides additional warmth. Theoretically it's good from about 50 degrees down to well below freezing with the right base/layers. The problem is that that material is "loud", but on a bike that wouldn't be as big an issue as when running... almost nobody wears the trousers because they "Sqwish"

Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »

NorthCascades wrote: »

I haven't been able to find the ideal winter cycling pants.

That's because there is no perfect solution for cycling in very cold (below freezing) conditions. Whatever is warm enough at the start always gets way too hot. If you go out in light gear, God help you if you have a breakdown. Probably the best solution is a Goretex shell (pants and jacket) over cold-weather cycling gear plus a base layer. When you're warm, you take off the shell and carry it. Your head and face are an issue too. A ski helmet, balaklava, and goggles work better than a bike helmet (which has too much ventilation). Ski gloves or mittens are OK as well, so long as you can manipulate the shifters.

Having done it many times I can say that it's not my favorite winter activity! I seek alternative activities below about 50 degF.

This brings up an important point. You have to dress for the conditions, but also for the amount of exertion you have planned. Dressing the way you described would be ideal for a social ride, but uncomfortably warm and then clammy for hill repeats.

7elizamae wrote: »

I'm laughing now at how vague my original post was. Thanks, y'all for your patience.

I bike to work (19 miles roundtrip) in Seattle. It is often raining/windy/cold. I need to be dry when I get to work, but I don't want to be all sweaty -- no time or place to do much tidying up.

So, by "warm" I mean warm enough to bike in in 30-40 degree weather, but not so warm that I'm a sweaty mess after a 30-40 min ride. I have the right coat/s, but not the right pants.

my go-to rain pants for cycling are from taiga. i think they might have been this. they're not suave, but they're tough as hell - haven't worn through at the seat yet and i think they're three or four years old at the least. roomy enough to fit all the extra layers i might need, and the size zippers go the whole way from ankle to hip. ymmv but that's a big deal for me since i don't ride clipless and calf zippers don't usually give enough play to get the pants on and off over my regular shoes. i started buying rain pants and muddy buddies the first year i rode and these have trickled up to the top.

feet . . . bleh. i've spent money over the years on those zip-on overbootie things, but to me they're just 80 bucks blown on a buttload of suck. they may be less of a pain if you do ride clipless, but they're just not cut to go over regular runner-type shoes. you can pull a teres muscle trying to get them zipped up, and they are just gross and discouraging as well as difficult, when you come back to them at the end of the day and they're muddy and wet from your morning commute. i also find that if you're someone who does ever put your feet down - at lights, to run errands, etc - then the underfoot straps wear through fast, and the bootie itself just acts as a water scoop instead of a barrier.

so at present, i focus my money and effort on finding boots that are waterproof in their own right, and then all i need is a gaiter type thing that hooks onto your laces and covers the top of your foot and front of your ankle. ime, that's where most of the water gets in anyway.

jackets are iffiest, actually. i think i always have had some wetness but this year i'm using a backpack instead of panniers so i add a poncho over it. i feel like the giant pumpkin but i'm visible and the laptop has so far stayed dry. and if i were spoiling myself i think i would have these gloves at the top of my list