I've been testing the Borah cross country ski pants in combination with the thermal cycling jacket this winter. Both pieces are full of performance features that keep you comfortable in freezing temperatures. Here are our thoughts on this winter combo for biking.
Learn more about Borah XC ski pants and thermal cycling jacket.
Borah Teamwear makes handmade custom team cycling and ski apparel in Coon Valley, Wisconsin. 100% of their apparel is made in house at their solar-powered facility.
Every year, Borah makes The Nxrth's summer cycling jerseys and winter long sleeve jerseys. But for the first time, we're testing out their XC ski pants in combination with their thermal OTW long sleeve cycling jerseys for our fat bike rides.
Curious about the idea of using ski pants for fat biking, I've had fun rambling through the woods with this unique performance combo. Let's dive into the ski pants and then the bike jacket.
Thermal XC Ski Pants & My Favorite Features
When I first got these pants, I wondered if cross country ski pants are really the best idea for winter fat biking. I normally wear some kind of thermal tights or an over pant that's a little more baggy. Using pants that are purpose built for cross country skiing ended up being a perfect option (and now my go-to option) for fat biking. The crossover from xc skiing to fat biking is a natural fit with similar thermal, mobility, and access needs in both skiing and fat biking.
Here were my favorite features.
Designed for Super Cold Weather
These pants are marked as being ideal for 0 - 40 degree weather. Skiers obviously spend hours on end skiing deep into the northwoods frigid temps. I used them in below zero windchill with ~15mph winds and never felt cold wearing them with both tights and bare skin underneath and never got cold while riding.
4-Way Stretch for Mobility
The knees are made from 4-stretch fabric and feel great riding. Again, like skiing, the motion isn't that different and these pants have a great fit that also flexes with your motion while riding.
Blocks Wind in the Front, Breathes Freely in the Back
I've had a hard time dialing in my pants in the cold and I can get a little numb in my sensitive region. Windproof options keep all the wind out but the cost is that they're not breathable when you work up a sweat. But fully breathable pants are freezing when it's cold and windy. These cut out the wind in the front and are breathable in the back.
Long Pant Leg Zippers
A lot of pants have ankle zippers but these ones are long. They go on easy and then when you're done biking and overheating indoors they slip off super fast. These make layering with tights, warm socks, and boots really simple.
Thermal Cycling Jacket & My Favorite Features
Top & Bottom Zippers
Even in the freezing cold, I usually end up overheating when riding long enough. The bottom zipper is my favorite way to ventilate. The bottom zipper lets you loosen the jersey tension and get some ventilation without opening all the way and flapping all over the place.
Raglan Sleeve Design (And What the Heck is a Raglan Sleeve?)
Again, these are not just cold-weather jerseys, they're built for all-day peformance and comfort. A raglan sleeve is a sleeve made from a single piece of fabric all the way from the collar to under the armpit. This gives a better fit that's made for movement.
Light But Warm
Layering can be such a gamble. Warm layers end up overheating and cold layers are...well...cold. This is a lightweight fabric with a brushed inner lining. So the fabric has some stretch, warmth, and breathability which helps you stay warm in freezing temps but ventilate when you start to cook.
Triple Rear Pockets
Not too much needs to be said here but it's easy to just look for a warm jacket and forgo the cargo needs of long bike rides. Toss your gels, liner gloves, and cellphone in your winter jersey pockets just like you're used to shoving stuff in your summer jersey pockets.
Bottom Line: Ski Pants & Bike Jacket Combo
The Borah XC ski pants and thermal cycling jacket are a winning combination for winter fat biking. With thoughtful features like wind-blocking fabrics, 4-way stretch, and ventilating zippers, these pieces deliver comfort, warmth, and performance in freezing temperatures. Whether you're tackling icy trails or cruising snowy paths, this gear is built to handle it all.
