Eatadonut

My new job is almost exactly 5 miles from my house. Unfortunately, with the heat, I can't get away with cycling even that distance in my dress shirt and slacks, not to mention the underwhelming stiffness of my dress shoes. This means I have to bring a change of clothes, and change in the bathroom. Fine, but not optimal.

Luckily, I can get away with coolmax on top, and I found a pair of solid black, boot-looking SPD shoes that I could wear on the job. However, if I'm going to do this halfway, I might as well go all-out, and find some new pants. Can anyone recommend any plain pants that could pass as slacks in a business casual environment, that also breathe well? I'm GOING to get sweaty, that's just something I have to deal with, but if they'll dry quickly, it's not a big deal.

Of course, cheap and high quality are preferable, but I won't hold my breath for something that satisfies both

jyossarian

Depending on how casual you can get, try synthetic hiking/trekking pants. They usually breathe well and dry quickly, but may have cargo pockets. Otherwise, wool slacks will do the trick since they also breathe well, wick away moisture and don't smell bad after using. Downside is the saddle chafing may wear down the inside thighs fairly quickly. When winter comes, I just wear cotton chinos since I sweat less and cool off quicker.

ken cummings

Give the guy at www.foxwear.net a call. He custom makes bike trousers and other things at a very reasonable price. Tell him your situation and see what he can come up with. Let us know how it turns out, I could use a set of slacks like that.

patc

Brand and model please. I could use something like this.

jyossarian

Diadora bike cop shoes maybe?

o-dog

I could use these... I'm thinking about commuting in regular slacks to save changing time.

Cave

Polyester microfibre trousers over synthetic undershorts (the best ones I've found are mostly mesh, made of polyester/Coolmax; lycra is next best). Work OK, look acceptable, best compromise for me on short commutes.

Eatadonut

nailed on the first try


I'll give foxwear a call, and I'll definitely let you guys know what I figure out!

patc

Ah! Already have a set of those... and a spare set.

Falkon 

Link me to said Diadora shoes.

Also, just bring your clothes into work. It's much easier.

randya

Black levi jeans, 501s or 505s.

ducati

Personally, I "commute my clothing" but I have a bit longer ride.

Try finding some Prana stuff. I think it's made for yoga. I love Prana pants and shorts and wear them almost exclusively while commuting... They are very comfortable, well made, and breathe well.

If you can't find that, go to an outdoor store that specializes in hiking and climbing stuff. Lots of breatheable pants there. Not cheap, but wear like iron (usually).

joejack951

Depending on how casual you can go, there are lots of convertible hiking/cargo pants on the market that you could ride to work in with the legs zipped off then zip them on for the rest of the day. Could be an esy way to go from shorts to pants without needing a bathroom if you can get away with the look. I have some nylon ones that dry very quickly.

et3surge

Check out REI

gbcb

I think it's climbing, not yoga, but your point is still valid. I have some Prana pants that are comfortable and breathe very well. Unfortunately, the ones I have wouldn't pass for business casual.

Bekologist

filson shelter cloth pants, or any cotton chinos work remarkably well for commuting in casual wear.....

the weave of true chino twill is reverse spun, that makes real chinos EXTREMELY wear resistant. a little heavy weight, check the ounce counts if you want a lighter set.

filson shelter cloth pants even work in seattle as year round, in the wet commuting pants- they get wet but dry quick, they are thin but very durable. i have commutted in filson pants and chinos for the last 7-8 years and do NOT wear bike shorts or the like for my bike commuting trips of up to 20 miles.

thdave

I agree that cotton pants are not too bad for commuting. I'm wearing the chinos I rode in this morning on my 6.5 mile trip. My legs don't get too sweaty--its my underwear that's important. I buy athletic synthetic underwear that sweats a lot less.

Lightweight pants (of any kind) are good for the summer. Fenders are needed to keep the dirt off of them.

patc

Go to PerformanceBike.com and search for "Diadora Bike Patrol Shoe". I can't link it, they seem to be having database problems right now.

Riv-Lantis

You could also try the MUSA (Made in the USA) pants that Rivendell sells on their site.

They are a kind of khaki tan/brown color, and they are made of nylon so they dry fast. They have a seamles crotch for comfort in the saddle.

They could pretty easily pass for casual pants.

Eatadonut

That's what I'm doing now - but trying to stop doing by finding an outfit that I can wear to work. If I can find pants that work (I'm in hot pursuit of info on a friend's pair he hikes in all the time), then I don't have to bring any bags with me. Much easier.

ryanparrish

I wish I could not carry any bags with me. What I usually carry into work and school are binders folders laptop or laptops if I am doing computer work papers lunch and some assorted junk

JohnBrooking

If you don't have a chainring, watch out for grease stains on the cuffs. Roll them up, or tuck them into your socks, or wear a leg warmer (or rubber band a rag to your calf) to protect your cuffs.

jfz

When the weather gets cooler I wear Dickie dark blue and or black chino type pants, they passs for work casual and wear like iron, I believe they are a cotton poly blend because they dry fast as well. They are on sale all the time to.

ducati

Or switch to chain wax

Of course, that comes with its own set of negatives.