Wool-based Warmth and Comfort
Joneswares is a family-based business that focuses on wool-based active outdoor wear. A big emphasis in their product line is on the natural aspects of wool and the advantages it offers over synthetic fabrics. These features (durability, odor resistance, comfort, plus wool's origin with a natural, renewable source) and how they play out in Joneswares products are a big part of the attraction of the items in their catalog.
As to the value of wool as a base material, I am a year-round bike commuter and I know firsthand how important it is to have clothes that keep you warm but which don't make you sweat. And that can be an awfully fine line. I've worn lined nylon windbreaker pants on cold days which kept me warm at first, but which had me drenched with sweat by the middle of the ride. With the Trek Trail pants and the Urban pants, Joneswares has done a nice job incorporating warmth and comfort into a pair of pants with wool's natural insulating properties but that also allow airflow and wicking to come to the rescue if you start getting too hot.
The Product Description
Both the Trek Trail pants and the soon-to-be released Urban pants are a heavy-weight blend (460 gr/meter) of 92% Merino Wool, 6% Nylon, 2% Lycra, and are fitted through the waist and upper hip, with more room through the legs. That means they look trim on you, definitely not baggy like sweatpants. And the waistband is nicely done - no elastic to sag or bunch up, rather Joneswares has incorporated a nice spandex insert to that holds the pants in place without being too tight or chafing.Lengthwise, the Trek Trail pants in particular are cut a little longer in the legs, which at first seemed odd as the pants legs hung low when I traipsed around my house in my socks. But as soon as you put on a pair of hiking boots or climb on your bike, it makes sense. The extra length covers the bottoms of your legs and tops of your feet quite nicely, even in a bent-knee pedaling stance, and I for one appreciated not having my bare ankles out flapping in the breeze.
Non-Specific to Cycling
If you like the thought of getting a pair of pants like these for riding your bike, it's important to keep in mind that the Trek Trail pant is designed for a range of outdoor activities and is non-specific to cycling. That means there is no chamois pad or liner like you find in true cycling pants, if you need that sort of thing for saddle comfort.
Also, the Trek Trail pant has just one small pocket tucked inside the waistband, like where you'd tuck your car key if you go out running. It's not big enough for cell phone or wallet. But that's probably not going to be a deal for you at all because if it's cold enough to wear wool pants, you're probably also going to be wearing a jacket with all the pockets you need.
With the coming Urban pants, though, which Joneswares has been working on with the needs of cyclists specifically in mind, some of these items have been addressed. The small waist pocket has been eliminated and replaced with a larger pocket on the outer thigh that can hold more stuff. And a nifty velcro tab has been added on the inside right leg to use in wrapping the pant leg more tightly so that it stays out of your chain. Both of these improvements will be appreciated by people looking to wear these specifically for bike commuting and casual cool weather riding.
More Details
Sizing:
Women: XS, S, M, L, XL
Men: S, M, L, XL
Custom sizing available by contacting Joneswares
Color: Black
