I've seen this come up on a few other sites/blogs I frequent, and I'm wondering what the feeling is here.
How much would you pay for a pair of pants that you could ride in?
A recent NY Times article about cycle commuting pants has me thinking about what I'm willing to spend on gear. ITTET, is $180 USD + S/H for a pair of Outlier OG pants too much to pay?
For me, it depends on the value [perceived or otherwise] that I get out of it. For example, I used to buy MEC Gore-Tex jackets and pants for snowsports. They offered great fabrics, but bad fit and weird colour combos [red + purple?]. Then I stumbled upon the Patagonia outlet store in Nelson. ["What? This fits, is made from quality fabrics and isn't red + purple? Incroyable!"]
The realization that you get what you pay for spread to other areas, but I still have a hard time thinking that $180 for a set of pants I ride in is a good idea. I have biked around in jeans a couple of times, and they are simply not comfortable. I usually wear a pair of shorts for riding around town, but they aren't really that attractive anymore [400+ wears will do that]. Also, I'd like to not have to worry about changing into something a bit more refined if I decide to ride my bike to a lunch meeting or something.
Then again, I already spend a sizable portion of my income on bike stuff, so why would fancy-pants bother me? What's your limit for stuff like this? Would you hem in your pant expenditure at $50? $100? $300?
multi-use
Submitted by umgray on
I try to justify buying gear that can be used for multiple sports and activities - patagonia seems to always fit the bill for me as it is very expensive but a) it lasts forever and b) when it does not it can be replaced free of charge no questions asked. That works for me!
And besides the company has a great environmental record
But hey you are talking to a patagonia snob so.....
I have seen some interesting biking gear over the years and for people who LIVE on a bike some designs are bike-centric and can be useful - cordarounds made these neat pants a hile back with reflectors
http://cordarounds.com/bike-to-work/
so it all depends - however most stuff I find is out of the USA.
Pinkrobe - want to go to the patagonia outlet store in Santa Cruz - maybe a side surfing trip?????
$180 bike pants
Submitted by clunkerider on
Personally I don't have the means to purchase such an expensive pair of pants. But If I were in the saddle for long "training rides" and a competetive cyclist or touring long distances, perhaps they would be a good investment. I get by on my commute in regular short most of the year and sweats with wind pants if its colder out. Ski pants if its frigid, but they can be bulky.
Don't forget we all come from different backgrounds and all make different wages and live different lifestyles. What I consider expensive others may not.
If I had a job where I had to look good, I would pack my clean pants with me, leave them at the office and then I could just change when required.
Lets face it, the sky's the limit when it comes to equiping yourself for biking. If you're willing to spend the $$$$, the stuff is out there for you to spend it on...
It's only money but...
Submitted by theorangejacket on
I suppose it's all relative. I've been bike commuting since April 09 and so I save roughly $75 a month by not driving (parking costs and petrol, not sure how to quantify the reduced "wear and tear" on car) I still have the car, goodness knows in Calgary one needs one so I'm not saving any money on no insurance or upkeep etc.
On the other hand, I've spend a chunk of money on some clothes for commuting though I might have spent some of that anyway but for sure, I bought a $250 MEC jacket that I wouldn't have if not for bike commuting. I also paid for an overhaul on my bike and new tires etc.
However, I'm pretty sure that financially I am farther ahead because of the bike commute.
Naturally I don't just do it for the financial gain. Its a quick and dirty way to put some more exercise in my life as well as less traffic stress (for the most part). And I really enjoy it too!
Anyway, I'd buy the pants probably - if it were in the budget that month. You can't really put a price on comfort and convenience. Anything that makes one's life easier is usually worth it.
And they are nice looking pants.
If they did the job.
Submitted by BCDon on
I'm at a point in my career where cost (within reason) isn't a real big issue. Of more concern to me is whether the pants will do the job. How do they fit? Will they keep me warm? Do they breath? What's the water repellancy with them? How much space do they take up when packed?
The other component is when can I wear them? If they are suitable for cold temperatures and wet cool days as well then they are more purposeful.
I can tell you that it definitely has NOT been a lower cost for me to commute by bicycle. But, I have lost a bit of weight (or kept some off) and my Blood Sugars, when I cycle 3 or 4 times a week to work are better so I know there are health benefits. And, I forgot to mention, I really do like cycling - just not so much in the dark.
So, I'm really doing it more for the exercise and mental benefits (I hate sitting in traffic jams).
does $180 = real value?
Submitted by critninja on
IMO - at the end of it all, that is the simple equation that we all default too. as many have mentioned we all have different comfort levels when it comes to spending money and $180 can seem like a lot of money for some, and a drop in the bucket for others.
for me, i would spend that kind of money on a pair of pants if they are great fitting, great looking, and do what they are suppose to do.
i mean, i spent $150 on a blazer yesterday that i will wear very rarely (needed it though). my Chrome backpack cost me $150. the last pair of road racing shoes i bought were $200+ (couple yrs ago).
its all relative.
when i see an adult on a bicycle, i do not despair for the future of the human race.
- h.g. wells
http://critninja.blogspot.com
blazer!
Submitted by umgray on
You bought a blazer! Pictures please. This I have to see!
hehehehehe :)
very dashing!
Submitted by critninja on
just for you mike i will post some pics - however, you'll have to wait till next week.
maybe i can also wear it for cycling if calgary ever gets a "tweed ride" going???
when i see an adult on a bicycle, i do not despair for the future of the human race.
- h.g. wells
http://critninja.blogspot.com
Patches?
Submitted by pinkrobe on
Does the blazer have elbow patches? That would make it tweed ride worthy for sure...
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Who causes accidents?
not a chance! :)
Submitted by critninja on
need to hit Value Village for one of those!
when i see an adult on a bicycle, i do not despair for the future of the human race.
- h.g. wells
http://critninja.blogspot.com
I like to consider myself a bit of a ...
Submitted by NW_Tri_and_Bike on
NOS (New Old Stock) aficionado. I bought by current road shoes at the end of last year and they were 1-2 seasons in the box and they cost me under $100, not bad for Sidi T1 (carbon soles, my 3rd pair of the same model since 1998. My P2 frame has a similar story. My last 3 new bikes (complwere end of season or 1 year on the shop floor. Great way to save cash.
http://ridecalgary.blogspot.com/
That's like 10 cases of
Submitted by scottmeyers on
That's like 10 cases of Steamwhistle WHoo-woo!!! Bar-a-nomics - to justify all purchases ;)
The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart. ~Iris Murdoch, The Red and the Green
I remember calculating
Submitted by pinkrobe on
I remember calculating things in pitchers of beer. So, these pants would be worth 40 pitchers of nasty, skanky beer [+tip]. I'm fairly certain that these pants would not make me hurl or forget where I lived, so that's a value-add.
It is about relative value. There was a time a few years back where I would have scoffed at the suggestion of a garment like this. There was no point - any place that I went to had no dress code [implied or otherwise], so I didn't have to think about what I was wearing. Now that more time has passed, I want to at least appear respectable. Regardless, these wouldn't be my most expensive pants, and don't even come close to what my wife spends on jeans... Hmmm...
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Who causes accidents?
interesting
Submitted by vonbergm on
Interesting that these are marketed as cycling pants that can be just used as casual pants. Does that indicate a new direction of North American cycling? My impression is that most people ride in special cycling clothing and then change into normal clothing once they get to their destination. In Europe people mostly wear their normal clothes when riding their bike. Are cycling pants that look like regular pants the first step in the direction of taking cycling out of the "sport" stigma (that some weird people also use for transportation, but still dressed up in their "sport" outfit) into the mainstream? First cycling pants that look like the one Lance Armstrong wears, then cycling pants that look casual, and then casual pants that are also comfortable for cycling?
I hope that is the case. In
Submitted by pinkrobe on
I hope that is the case. In the last few years I have gone out of my way to buy cycling clothes that don't scream CYCLIST when I'm off the bike. That means subtle colours, discreet reflective piping, no giant tail flaps on jackets, etc. I have noticed that more bike clothes for women are designed to look good off the bike, especially jackets and jerseys. My wife buys all sorts of Sugoi tops, wearing them for both sports and casual situations. The men's lines from Swrve are quite nice as well, without being "racy".
As cycling becomes more "mainstream", we should see more clothes that can do double-duty. As more companies start making these garments, the price should come down.
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Who causes accidents?
they look like nice pants
Submitted by matt on
like stylishly cut softshell pants made of Schoeller Dryskin Extreme. That's a great fabric for soft shell stuff and at $180 they are not much more than a pair of MEC pants made from the same stuff (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524...).
I backcountry ski in softshell pants and have since I first tried a pair - they are much nicer to ski in than goretex pants IMO however I have friends that disagree. Mine are Arc'teryx and are probably worth a couple hundred bucks. I don't have to change them before apres ski at the pub.
I wouldn't get these however, because after a bike commute to work I would change the rest of my outfit so these wouldn't really provide me a benefit.
:)
Submitted by meandmybikes on
Those look pretty dang practical, and like all MEC clothing they are made to fit every possible shape of people
practical, maybe
Submitted by critninja on
are they made for cycling? meaning, are there seems in the crotch? high back? dropped waist? if not, they are impractical for longer distances.
not to mention stunningly drab.
when i see an adult on a bicycle, i do not despair for the future of the human race.
- h.g. wells
http://critninja.blogspot.com
No
Submitted by pinkrobe on
To answer your questions:
No
Yes
No
No
Correct
I'll take drab over purple and insert-name-of-uncomplimentary-colour-here combinations. I've never found the MEC-brand pants to fit well. No room for my mighty buttocks. Also, why are their shorts so bloody short? To the knee, please!
--end rant--
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Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants
fit
Submitted by matt on
fit is a pretty key factor for me and MEC brand pants almost never fit me properly. That was kinda my point - there is no question in my mind that soft shell fabrics are great, and for only about $30 more than the MEC pant, if these ones fit better than I would say they are worth the price.
Agreed
Submitted by pinkrobe on
I like the soft shell fabrics too, and most MEC pants don't fit me. That's why I have ordered some of the Outlier OG 4 Season pants - they're already en route.
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Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants
Yes
Submitted by meandmybikes on
Yes I would buy them. I think what they do for cyclings' image is unimportant, functional clothing that makes you look like a super model is wicked.
Just on a side note I wonder how well it repels chain grease?
-P
It depends
Submitted by wwotl on
I keep most of my bike gear specifically as bike gear. Since I'm in the corporate world, I think I'd have a hard time finding something that would fit both needs. While the Outlier pants try to bridge that gap, they're not really corporatey enough for me.
I've bought some pants for winter cycling that were significantly cheaper than "winter cycling pants". I have a pair of cammo hunting pants that wear better and are warmer than my bike pants I bought at a bike store.
I also have some merino sweaters/hoodies that I wear across all kinds of winter activities. They were also cheaper than the "cycling-specific" merino jerseys.
Brand name also comes into play for pricing (obviously) and while it might make a different sometimes, it doesn't always. I have a fleece Pearl Izumi cycling jacket that cost about five times as much as a "no-name" fleece jacket that I think I bought at Costco. I like the cheapy one better...
well since somebody brought up expensive riding pants
Submitted by enidcoleslaw on
this site has the nicest ones i've seen... i you like "britches" (which i do!!)
Riding Britches - http://store.sheilamoon.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=riding+britches&osCsid=uff0vour3ohgnk47tiij0dh4u1&x=0&y=0
i want these ones!
indeed, they are beuatiful!
Submitted by critninja on
their stuff is really well put together. i sat through their presentation at interbike and was very impressed. super nice stuff!
when i see an adult on a bicycle, i do not despair for the future of the human race.
- h.g. wells
http://critninja.blogspot.com
Sassy!
Submitted by pinkrobe on
One of the reasons I don't wear cotton shorts to bike in is because the crotch wears out. These solve that problem with the ultrasuede patch. Nicely done! The wool houndstooth shants are awesome.
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Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants
First impressions and first ride
Submitted by pinkrobe on
After 11 days, the Pants arrived. I took them out of the wrapper and was nonplussed. "These look like regular pants" I thought to myself. I put them on. They grabbed at my leg hair, and were clingy. Boooooo! The colour was okay, sort of a charcoal grey-blue [think "Blue Steel"]. I wandered around the house in them, trying to like them. They were creased from being all folded up, and looked rumpled. Hmmm. After a couple of hours on the couch I got up to go to bed. Hmmm. No creases from folding. Still clingy though. I dropped them on the floor and went to bed.
I get up in the morning and see that one of the cats has decided to nest in my new Pants. Sigh. I reposition the cat and... no cat hair? Only 1 or 2 strands left behind on the Pants - unexpected. I put them on and... no creasing anywhere? They look like they've been freshly laundered. Cool. It's only -1C out, so I make a snap decision - I'm going to ride to work in these things.
On the bike, right Pant leg strapped out of the way of the chain, I forgot that I had a brand new pair of Pants on. They were more comfortable than my shorts. Stepping off the bike, I see that I've got some salty road grime on the inside of the left leg. By the time I get to my office, the grime has dried into a crust, which I brushed away with my hand. My Pants are clean, unwrinkled and no longer cling to my legs.
I don't think they would be a replacement for "dress pants", but they are ideal for business-casual days, and look a lot dressier than jeans. The fit on these is a lot like that of chinos. They are completely unrestrictive and have tonnes of stretch. They can easily get me to work and then on to the pub or other casual function afterwards. The sizing is a bit generous; I went with a 34W34L and am thinking that a 33W would have been better, although I may wait until after x-mas to see if they become snugger due to Eggnog Gut.
I'll update as I get more time in them.
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Who causes accidents?
Fancy Pants