I'm looking for new pants to wear this winter while biking. I'm curious for suggestions for what to wear especially if you don't want to look like you were just on a bike (re: stretchy pants).

I've biked with a pair of Novara Headwind (http://www.rei.com/product/815145/novar ... pants-mens) pants for the last many years and really enjoy them for biking in anything below freezing all the way down to -30, but they aren't really what I want to wear to a meeting. Not as bad as tights but still not preferable.

If it's in the 20s, I'll throw a pair of jeans on and call it a day...maybe with long johns on.

I know some of you have recommended Carhartt stuff that contractors wear but I'd think that those would be too hot, at least if you got the flannel ones.

Thoughts on what you like to wear below the belt?

Jeans w/ stretch or Dickies.

Levis now has the 511 Commuter jean (and jean jacket, if you're into that sort of thing)
Chrome knickers are great.
If you're buying Dickies, be sure to check Kaplan Bros first.

I wear overpants. I take them off when I get where I'm going and hang them with my coat. Sometimes I bring nice shoes to change into because my boots can shed snow-melt.

For winter, I wear Amfib tights (Pearl Izumi) with windproofing in front only,
and over those, wool old-man pants from Savers. Toasty without overheating!

I generally wear some soft shell pants with variable layering underneath. If it's just brutal, I've got a pair of windproof fleece cargo pants that when worn with another fleece underneath have not failed me.

I layer the bottom half pretty much the same way I do the top half.

I wear jeans, cause I work in them, with REI waterproof/windproof rain pants on top. When it gets colder, I add a pair of polartec pants in between. Just take the outer layers off when I get to work.
Bill.

depending on the temp 1-2 pair of thin non cotton long underwear under jeans has done it for me. Boot cut jeans one size larger are the key. plenty of room.

Soft shell pants. Any colder than ~20 degrees and I'll wear some Target C9 base layer pants underneath. I have some thicker wool\synthetic work wear style long underwear for when it's sub-zero. Last year I wore standard Dickies pants and they were OK. The soft shell pants are more comfortable though.

Kaplan brothers has thinsulate lined jeans. Good price as well. (Or at least they had them last year). Far warmer than fleece-lined jeans.

If you roll the top of your sock over the cuffs, it keeps you warmer.

Then, try shell pants if needed, and if it's really cold, some decent polypro long underwear.

I generally wear stretchy jeans with smart wool long johns underneath most of the winter.

On super windy/sub zero days I wear snow pants w/ nothing, or thin long johns underneath.

on days above 25 I'll wear skirts with wool long johns.

On wet nasty warm days I wear tights and bring clothes.

On snowy nasty cold days I wear the snow pants.

Thermal tights and Dickies. Down to about 5 degrees. When it gets below 5 I throw on some wind pants.