pant suggestions
#1
Thread Starter
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
pant suggestions
Haven't been commuting for over a year now and it's been like losing a friend. It's great to be back.
I'm looking for some ideas for pants that work as casual pants but have some cycling features. Levi's has a skinny commuter jeans which I was about to try until the wife said I wouldn't like skinny jeans and she's probably right.
How many of you just commute in your regular Dockers, Levi's, Columbia's, etc?
I'm looking for some ideas for pants that work as casual pants but have some cycling features. Levi's has a skinny commuter jeans which I was about to try until the wife said I wouldn't like skinny jeans and she's probably right.
How many of you just commute in your regular Dockers, Levi's, Columbia's, etc?
__________________
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
Last edited by daredevil; 09-29-11 at 08:21 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Bikes: 2011 Felt F5, 2013 Kona Jake (stolen)
I commute in the same pants I wear to work. Slacks or suit pants depending on what I have going on. I don't own any pants with cycling features. Just tie a rubber band around your right ankle to keep your cuff out of the gears. Or, if you wear jeans or don't care about creases, just roll it up.
What cycling features are you looking for?
What cycling features are you looking for?
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
regular dickies are nice. not the ones with doubled knees, but just the regular work pants. they can be stiff early on, but give it a wash with some softener and it'll feel just fine. you can roll them up as needed as well. It's worked for me nicely so far.
https://www.dickies.com/product/produ...45524441761639
https://www.dickies.com/product/produ...45524441761639
#4
Thread Starter
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
Nothing in particular. Those Levi's sound nice in that among other things they are waterproof, reinforced in certain areas and a little stretchy.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
#5
I ride with running pants from Target. They sort of resemble loose bike pants as they have a narrow leg. Polyester... but comfortable enough that I often wear them around the house.
I can't handle riding with jeans. I think I'd rather wear Dockers.
I can't handle riding with jeans. I think I'd rather wear Dockers.
#6
Thread Starter
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
regular dickies are nice. not the ones with doubled knees, but just the regular work pants. they can be stiff early on, but give it a wash with some softener and it'll feel just fine. you can roll them up as needed as well. It's worked for me nicely so far.
https://www.dickies.com/product/produ...45524441761639
https://www.dickies.com/product/produ...45524441761639
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Bikes: Novear Buzz V. I also have a 'B' cycle city borrow a bike, only I own it. It's 3 speed, slow, heavy and rugged.
I just wear cheap blue jeans and I tie a bandanna just above my ankle to keep that pantleg out of the chain. I've been told the bandanna looks cool when I'm off the bike and in a store.
#8
Senior Member

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Burnaby, BC
I have a pair of the Levi's commuter jeans. There's some stretch to them. I was told they would shrink a little, so I bought a size up. Quite comfortable. Water-resistance is good for moderate rain and for a short duration (15-20 minutes). Dries quickly, though! I'll be getting another pair.
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 12,948
Likes: 9
From: England
Polyester/cotton hiking/travel pants are fine for riding a bike. You can get fancy brand name ones or from discount hiking stores. Some are too baggy, some dry more quickly than others. I think the cargo-pant look is a bit too casual for some use so I have some plain , more formal-looking ones (from UK supplier Rohan)
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa
Bikes: Kona Dew Drop, Specialized Expedition Sport
Stretch jeans, chinos or cargo pants are nice commuting pants. These are the ones with just a small percentage of spandex, so they move freely and comfortably, but still look like "normal" clothes. My favorites are some zip-leg hiking pants from Costco. They have multiple secure pockets, repel water, dry fast, and cost a mere $20.
#11
Thread Starter
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
I have a pair of the Levi's commuter jeans. There's some stretch to them. I was told they would shrink a little, so I bought a size up. Quite comfortable. Water-resistance is good for moderate rain and for a short duration (15-20 minutes). Dries quickly, though! I'll be getting another pair.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
#12
Full Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Bikes: Salsa Fargo, One-One Inbred 29er, Blue Norcross
How long of a ride? For anything longer than 4-5 miles, I find jeans to be pretty uncomfortable. I often bike in athletic shorts (tights underneath in the winter) and change at my destination. I have found lightweight "hiking" pants to be more comfortable than jeans, and some khakis work well too. I think it's due to the thinner fabrics, which make for thinner seams, so less material to cause chaffing.
#13
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 159
From: Kalamazoo, Mi.
Bikes: Sam, The Hunq and that Old Guy, Soma Buena Vista, Giant Talon 2, Brompton
I have rwally learned to love the Rivendell Musa pants.There are no seams in the crotch,really deep pockets and built in reflectors. I've been using them all year and the fabric seems really durable. They look ok as casual pants also. I'm buying more.
The Boy Scouts of America also have an interesting pair of convertible cargo pants,the fabric is great for cycling.
Marc
The Boy Scouts of America also have an interesting pair of convertible cargo pants,the fabric is great for cycling.
Marc
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
When the levis' jeans came out, I emailed the company to ask them to make a version for their Docker's casual pants. Since most places seem to have jeans day once a week or so, making dockers with commuter features would give them a larger chance at the commuter market. Never heard anything back, but here's hoping. Even at $78, I'd buy every color they cvame out with if the dockers had the same features as the jeans.
I ride 8 miles each way in my Dockers when it's cool enough. Mountain HArdwear used to sell some work(ish0 pants that were made for bike commuters (reinforced seat, reflective band under the pants cuff, etc IIRC, but I haven't really seen any other commuter specific pants that were less than $100 each.
I ride 8 miles each way in my Dockers when it's cool enough. Mountain HArdwear used to sell some work(ish0 pants that were made for bike commuters (reinforced seat, reflective band under the pants cuff, etc IIRC, but I haven't really seen any other commuter specific pants that were less than $100 each.
#15
Mostly harmless ™
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,462
Likes: 243
From: Novi Sad
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
These are just perfect - not too hot, but keep wind and cold out. They dry in 2-4 hours, which means I can put them on for the ride home if I go to work and it is raining.
https://www.mckinley.eu/products/ingham-men_987
Some 15-20 euros on discount, 30-40 euros full price.
https://www.mckinley.eu/products/ingham-men_987
Some 15-20 euros on discount, 30-40 euros full price.
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,454
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From: Virginia/DC
Bikes: quite a few
I sweat easily so I'm the same. I don't want to sit at work with sweaty trousers/jeans.
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 6
From: Falls City, OR
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Fargo 2, Rocky Mountain Fusion, circa '93
It has to be pretty cold before I'll ride in my work pants, which are usually just cheap Costco jeans. If it's that cold it's probably raining, so I'll have my Gore or my O2 rain pants on over the jeans to keep dry, and they make the lower part stay snug so it doesn't get caught by the chain.
#20
Thread Starter
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
When I googled them, women's came up first....no kidding.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
#21
I used the sport hill dc running pants for a year they are a bit pricey at 100 dollars. I lost mine in a fire along with all my other paragoni clothing was a huge lost. But I just picked up the Columbia bagaboo pants they are warm and rain proff but I miss my sporthill pants they were super warm and made no nosie while I was on my bike. The bugaboo's noise is really annoying the crap out of me and I just bought them. There goes 80 bucks. Sporthill site is on Google just type it in.
#22
Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Bikes: RANS Alterra, Jamis Coda, Surly LHT
#23
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Sweat-pants, here .. knit fabric gives and stretches, woven ones do not.
I got a pair made of a compound type , smooth on the outside fleece on the inside , nylon polyester.
and find 50/50 cotton /poly blends are durable , more so than all cotton.
I got a pair made of a compound type , smooth on the outside fleece on the inside , nylon polyester.
and find 50/50 cotton /poly blends are durable , more so than all cotton.
#24
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 0
I have a pair of the Levi's commuter jeans. There's some stretch to them. I was told they would shrink a little, so I bought a size up. Quite comfortable. Water-resistance is good for moderate rain and for a short duration (15-20 minutes). Dries quickly, though! I'll be getting another pair.
#25
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,067
Likes: 73
From: USA
Bikes: 84 Pinarello Trevisio, 86 Guerciotti SLX, 96 Specialized Stumpjumper, 2010 Surly Cross Check, 88 Centurion Prestige, 73 Raleigh Sports, GT Force, Bridgestone MB4
On the few occasions I get to commute, I wear my standard work cloths which usually are Dockers or EB type slacks, Sperry Topsiders and a polo or button down shirt. Sorry, I do not wear the cycling uniform anymore than I would dress in a NASCAR fire resistant leather racing outfit to drive my auto in to work. I ride my Surly CC and flip my dual sided pedals over to the non cleated side.




