Just Convertible Pants for your legs?
Raginghamster, for down to 0 deg. do you just have your convertible pants, or am I missing something?
Lightweight rain pants are a great multi-use item, useful for extra warmth, a windshell, as rainpants, and as "wear while you're doing laundry pants."
Waterproof Breathable Shells
I disagree with using non-breathable materials in cold weather.
Breathability issues can be divided into two cases: below 32F and above. I completely agree that above 32F, whether a material will actually be useful is problematic. Hot sweaty hiker, warm rain, hot day, little moisture transport. But if you are below 32, and it’s snowing or sleeting, moisture will transfer across breathable materials. If you are experienced, you will be sweating as little as possible by regulating your clothing. But steep climbs may make this unavoidable. With a breathable material, body heat will transfer the moisture out when activity slows. Breathable materials are at their best in the coldest conditions. If you have a non-breathable material sweat will have a very difficult time getting out. As some have mentioned, they have been able to dry a shirt by slowing down some, a wise course of action.
Personally, I use my shell top and pants as a layer in cold temps while hiking. This means they need to be tough. Falling in icy conditions, on hard snow and ice, can easily rip weak materials. An intact shell is critically important. I am very reluctant to bring my Frogg Toggs for these reasons on winter hikes (even to hike in them in warmer conditions).
With breathable materials, I have the added safety of having relatively dry hiking clothes available as emergency clothing, should I remember to slow down some before reaching camp.
For temps upwards of 32, I think the main concern would simply be durability. I hike fairly warm and will only put on my shell if it's raining and I am also too cold. I generally don't get much moisture transfer because as soon as I'm into a long sleeve (at these temps) I'm hot enough to start sweating and end up wet anyway. Usually, the only time my Frogg Toggs come out is in camp.