A wide shot of a cyclist wearing black Borah gear, and riding a black fat bike, riding on a snowy trail through the woods.

OTW XC Pant & OTW Thermal Cycling Jacket Review for Winter Fat Biking

Winter cyclist riding through the snow on a black fat bike wearing black Custom Borah Teamwear apparel. Snow and woodlands in the background.

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.

– Josh Rizzo, The Nxrth

Learn more about Borah OTW XC Pants and OTW Thermal Cycling Jacket.

Borah Teamwear handmakes 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 produces 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.

OTW XC Pant Review & 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 wore 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.

Winter cyclist riding on a snowy trail on a black fat bike wearing black Custom Borah Teamwear apparel.

4-Way Stretch for Mobility

The knees feature 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 pants cut out the wind in the front while remaining breathable.

A close up shot of a person leg wearing Borah's OTW XC Pant legs detailing the full length zipper and custom graphics. Snowy landscape in the background.

Long Pant Leg Zippers

A lot of pants have ankle zippers, but these ones are long. They go on easily, and when you’re finished biking and overheat indoors, they slip off super fast. These zippers make layering with tights, warm socks, and boots really simple.

OTW Thermal Cycling Jacket Review & My Favorite Features

A cyclist looking down at the zipper on his custom OTW Thermal Cycling Jacket by Borah Teamwear. Woods and snow in the background.

A closeup detail shot of a man pulling on the zipper of a black jacket.

Top & Bottom Zippers

Even in the freezing cold, I usually overheat when riding long enough. I use the bottom zipper to ventilate. It lets me loosen the jersey tension and gain 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 performance and comfort. A raglan sleeve runs from the collar to the under armpit, giving a better fit designed 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. The fabric stretches, retains warmth, and breathes, helping you stay warm in freezing temps while ventilating when you start to cook.

A person facing away from the camera, wearing a custom OTW Thermal Cycling Jacket by Borah Teamwear. A fatbike leans against a tree in the background.

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

We found the Borah OTW XC Pants and OTW Thermal Cycling Jacket pants to be 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.

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