The lightest, most comfortable, warmest option is merino long-johns. If you think you would feel self-conscious wearing just these is a bothy with strangers, a pair of lightweight running shorts over the top solves that.
I've been reading the Crane brothers book 'running the Himalayas' and at one stop over at a town all their usual kit was in the wash so they went into town in a tee shirt and goretex over-trousers, on a sunny afternoon
So if you had say some merino boxers to wear instead of your bibs/shorts and you had over-trousers with you this would be an option? I've not tried this but I do carry a pair of lightweight Alpkit waterproof trousers in case of very bad weather so I could do this if I needed to to get out of my cycling shorts.
+1 for ron hill type things, i personally use Altura cruisers as the legs are a bit longer. I use them as pub wear, sleep wear and if its unexpectedly cold them i can cycle in them.
Depending on the season and space requirements l would either go for merino long johns and light running/ bike shorts.
Also use Montane Featherlite Trail Pants (120g, size of a medium avocado/orange). Great to take the wind chill off, often pair with 3/4 merino bottoms for post ride/sleep kit.
Why? Can't think of anything less pleasant to sleep in.
I had to share a bothy last year in my birthday suit. Fortunately the light was poor, and I was mostly in my bag, but, ahem, 'lubing-up' in the morning might have been embarrassing, if I was a more sensitive creature...
I've got some Rab Vertex that i got a really good deal on, they're fine for doing some walking in too. Think Rab also make a lighter pair called the Longitude.
Whilst looking i noticed that there's usually loads of cheap pairs in the sale-rails of outdoor shops, some branded.
I have some light-ish, packable-ish walking trousers fir when I want to be posh. Ron Hills are a great, multi-use option but a bit bulky. The lightest option would be to use that stuff for baldies to thicken up your leg hair, maybe paired with a cuben loin cloth.
I have been using the Karrimor Aspen zip off trousers, lightweight and versatile, dry quickly and comfortable, best bit only £20 from Sports Direct often with a 2fer offer on.
Simon K
There is only one God.......GODZILLA! And he rides a fat bike.
Fat cyclist, fat bike rider, bike packer, photographer, coffee junkie. Brain tumour survivor.
I often carry my Montane Prism Pants for apres bike wear. They're a bit more bulky that the Featherlights but can be used to boost my sleeping bag a bit too.
In the past it's been long johns (my sleeping baselayer) or waterproof trousers. Multi use items you would have anyway or need for riding seems like a better use of weight and space
I got some 'tights' from Planet X. Pack small and don't weigh much - generally, I don't bother but will take them if I think they may prevent 'offence'.
I've also got some shorts (same as above but obviously shorter). It transpires that these do not work in helping combat 'offence' and actually make the potential far greater
windjammer wrote:western mountaineering down trousers pack up smaller than my xxl merino longjons
I love mine, there expensive and make you look ridiculous, but the plus is you can take a lighter sleeping bag as essential you are wearing half a sleeping bag on your legs
Montane featherweights are great for summer, also double as reasonable overtrousers during the day - there not sealed and will wet out but they keep the wind off and dry out fast.