Winter Cycling Gear Review: Gore Bike Wear Paclite Ultra Pant

If you have read my winter bike gear reviews for Gore-Tex's cycling gloves and cycling overshoes, you'll already know that I am a pretty big fan of the Gore Bike Wear line by Gore-Tex.

As I mentioned in these reviews, living in Florida I was accustomed to being able to cycle year-round without too much worry of winter cycling apparel. Maybe in January I would break out my long-sleeve Livestrong cycling jersey. And come mid-February, I would really be bundled up with my Canari Microlyte Shell over top of the long-sleeve jersey.

Oh, my cycling life was good. Care-free and simple. Day after day. Like an endless summer.

Then, late one summer, I moved to Maryland. Goodbye endless summer, as soon it was fall. And shortly thereafter, as often happens, winter came.

They say that you often don't appreciate something until it is taken away from you. Oh, how I appreciated those 75-degree winter days in Florida.

Thankfully, prior to winter's arrival, in late October, I was at an expo for a century ride and I came across a pair of Gore-Tex winter cycling pants. My rides were already starting to get chilly, and so I said to myself, "I'll bet you I'm going to need something like this come winter."

Sometimes, on a rare occasion here and there, I surprise myself with my wisdom. This was one of those times

Even at 50 percent off, they still seemed pretty pricey for a pair of biking pants, but something told me to go ahead and get them. Knowing what I know now, if I had paid full price, it still would have been the best money I ever spent on any piece of cycling gear.

Gore Bike Wear's Paclite Ultra Pants are, in a word, phenomenal. I can't think of any other bike gear, or anything else I own for that matter, that I feel I get more value out of than these cycling pants.

The coldest ride I've been on while wearing them has been a 40-miler with a temperature of 22 degrees Fahreneit and light winds of about 10-15 mph. The only thing I wore during the ride (below the waist, these pants aren't so amazing that you can ride bare-chested, unless you are really hardcore) were the Gore-Tex pants, which can't weigh more than a few ounces, my biking shorts, and a pair of Patagonia lightweight long underwear.

I didn't feel the slightest chill below the waist at any time during the ride. I almost wanted the winds to pick up because I felt so invincible with these pants on. I don't know how much colder of a day these pants can take, but I would say considerably colder. Absolutely no wind gets in and your body heat doesn't escape, keeping your legs warm and comfortable. It's as if you are back in Florida for a nice summer ride. Well, almost.

Bottom line, I really am amazed every time I go out for a ride with these pants. Some of the features include a very large, mesh zip-pocket in the back, drawstring waist, reflective stripes and logos, seat reinforcement, and terrific Velcro ankle and calf adjusters to keep the legs wrapped tight and your right pant leg protected from the chain.

Whether you are training for a century ride, a springtime sprint triathlon, a summertime Half-Ironman, or you're just trying to maintain and keep any extra pounds from building up over the winter months, the Gore-Tex Paclite Shell Ultra Pant will enable you to keep up with your training all winter long.

Happy Trails!

And don't forget that your body burns more calories when exercising in the cold to keep itself warm. Give yourself a great-tasting protein shake following those hard workouts, and start your winter mornings off right with a delicious fruit and vegetable smoothie.

For information on Bento Boxes, check out this hub.