Cold Weather Gear..... Pants and Gloves

[10-Ring]

I need some recommendations for pants and gloves. I don't want to spend a fortune on the electric gear as I mostly ride to get to work and back. A twenty minute ride each way.

Here in central Ca., I'm looking at riding in temps down into the low 20's. Plus riding in very heavy fog and rain. I like the features of the Joe Rocket Alter Ego pants, but have heard that they have quality issues.

I have a Tourmaster Transition 2 jacket that has served me well but wish it was a little warmer. I'm very happy with the Tourmaster quality and am thinking about their Winter Elite or Winter Scarab gloves. Does anyone have experience with either of these?

[mugwump58]

Not what you mentioned but I'm a fan of First Gear Overpants. Good for rain and cold. I use them instead of my rain pants often. Higher end gloves: Held Icebreakers. I know the gloves are bulky. But if your hands are numb it's a safety issue.

[10-Ring]

I was leaning torwards the Firstgear Escape pants. They seem to get good reviews at Motorcycle SuperStore. The gloves would have to be better than what I used last winter, uninsulated Frank Thomas gloves with Thinsulate liners from a different pair of gloves(purchased at grocery store). When the temps dropped into the low 30's, I put a pair of Army arctic issue mittens over that glove combo. Not a whole lot of dexterity there.

[marc11]

 Held Icebreakers. I know the gloves are bulky. But if your hands are numb it's a safety issue.

How bulk are these, say compared to the standard heated cloves from Gerbing?  What sort of temps have you used them in and how did they hold up?  I love may Held Profi gloves and would be interested in the same quality in a cold weather glove, but hate too much bulk...

[mugwump58]

They are bulkyier than the Gerbings Classics that I wear as well, but I love the wiper on the left index finger. I also have a set of Hippo Hands. I stopped using them when I got the Gerbings. They can make a huge difference. If you don't mind the stares you can use those and wear your not so winter gloves much later into the season and light winter gloves till the end of the season.

[Fourstring]

Cortech Caliber pants.  I used mine down to -10 and stayed warm with just jeans under 'em.  They crash pretty well too.