Cold Weather and Wind Pant for Cycling: REI Acme with Schoeller Dryskin Fabric

When the weather is cool, cold, or windy, or some combination thereof, I have found REI's Acme Pant an excellent choice for commuting, just taking a ride, and for many other activities, outside and in. I fear they might be discontinuing this item; however, the upside is that they are on sale, so hurry if you are interested.

These pants were designed for hiking, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, and mountaineering. The front and leg pockets as well as the two back pockets have reverse-coil welded zippers, which is great for storing things while riding, but limits the work-wear applications, since they simply cannot shed an outdoor wear look; I usually change upon arrival at work, but in casual dress environments they wear well all day, and I have done so. The gusseted crotch and articulated knees combined with the fabric provide great flexibility.

The ankle zippers are also gusseted and have velcro tabs for adjusting; the downside is that they do not drape as well as most casual or dress pants. On the other hand, REI offers them in several inseam lengths (or did, when I ordered them), which is really welcome, for these are not pants one can shorten to fit. 

Overall the waist and inseam sizes are spot on. For cold weather I add a baselayer, and for freezing temperatures, a padded short as well, and find no need for a rain or snow type layer over them (assuming no heavy rain falling or expected). They look like they have not been worn even after several trips; remarkable fabric and tailoring, which brings me to the most exciting element of these technical trousers: 

These pants are made with Schoeller Dryskin fabric. This textile combines a water repellent (hydrophobic) function on the outside with a water absorption (hydrophilic) function on the inside. Perspiration is thus absorbed into and throughout the fabric so that it can evaporate quickly, thus helping one stay cool in warm activities. At the same time, water and other elements that stain from the outside are resisted; moisture beads up and can be wiped away. Moreover, the fabric feels great to the touch, not tough or stiff, although at the same time the texture is solid, not delicate (if that makes any sense). I am pretty sure that these pants will not snag or tear or even wear out under anything but the most extreme circumstances. This choice of technical textile adds to the cost, for sure, but it is really neat stuff, and these are really neat pants that will likely last a lifetime. When and if no longer available, look for alternatives made with this fabric. In a post to come I will discuss another pair I enjoy that are designed for business or casual dress as well as commuting rather than hiking per se, also made with Schoeller Dryskin: the OG pant by Outlier.