Jeans or casual pants w/ plenty of crotch space
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 597
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From: Milwaukee
Bikes: Fred cycles
Jeans or casual pants w/ plenty of crotch space
I'd like to wear jeans while out riding my bike, because I'm often heading somewhere (e.g., a meeting with a service professional like a dr. or dentist, a sports event, the grocery store, etc.) where I don't want to be wearing tights and changing isn't really convenient.
I normally wear Levi's 550 (Relaxed fit) jeans & I'm a bit fat, with fat thighs, and wear a big waist. I'm not big in the dongle. I've found the crotch space is more than okay for normal activities (sitting still, walking), but has nowhere near enough room for riding, the pointy part gets rubbed and mashed very uncomfortably. If I wear a size too large, so it looks like I'm a kid gangster, the cycling is a lot easier, but I don't want to do that. Who if anyone makes jeans (or another casual-style pant) that have generous crotch space suitable for cycling? I mean, much better than Levi's 550.
I normally wear Levi's 550 (Relaxed fit) jeans & I'm a bit fat, with fat thighs, and wear a big waist. I'm not big in the dongle. I've found the crotch space is more than okay for normal activities (sitting still, walking), but has nowhere near enough room for riding, the pointy part gets rubbed and mashed very uncomfortably. If I wear a size too large, so it looks like I'm a kid gangster, the cycling is a lot easier, but I don't want to do that. Who if anyone makes jeans (or another casual-style pant) that have generous crotch space suitable for cycling? I mean, much better than Levi's 550.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 527
Likes: 480
From: Illinois
I'd like to wear jeans while out riding my bike, because I'm often heading somewhere (e.g., a meeting with a service professional like a dr. or dentist, a sports event, the grocery store, etc.) where I don't want to be wearing tights and changing isn't really convenient.
I normally wear Levi's 550 (Relaxed fit) jeans & I'm a bit fat, with fat thighs, and wear a big waist. I'm not big in the dongle. I've found the crotch space is more than okay for normal activities (sitting still, walking), but has nowhere near enough room for riding, the pointy part gets rubbed and mashed very uncomfortably. If I wear a size too large, so it looks like I'm a kid gangster, the cycling is a lot easier, but I don't want to do that. Who if anyone makes jeans (or another casual-style pant) that have generous crotch space suitable for cycling? I mean, much better than Levi's 550.
I normally wear Levi's 550 (Relaxed fit) jeans & I'm a bit fat, with fat thighs, and wear a big waist. I'm not big in the dongle. I've found the crotch space is more than okay for normal activities (sitting still, walking), but has nowhere near enough room for riding, the pointy part gets rubbed and mashed very uncomfortably. If I wear a size too large, so it looks like I'm a kid gangster, the cycling is a lot easier, but I don't want to do that. Who if anyone makes jeans (or another casual-style pant) that have generous crotch space suitable for cycling? I mean, much better than Levi's 550.
You want a "gusseted crotch". Arborists wear them. Riggs, by Wrangler has some.
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 654
Likes: 192
From: Dublin, OH
Bikes: Serial bike flipper
Commuter cut pants by Dearborn Denim (made in the US for a decent price, and lots of sizes)
https://dearborndenim.us/collections...uter-dark-wash
https://dearborndenim.us/collections...uter-dark-wash
#6
An alternative to jeans, since many people find jeans uncomfortable to ride in: black polyester loose-fitting synthetic sport pants.
I wear thin sport pants in warm weather and fleece in cold weather. Much more durable than jeans, too. I have pairs that are close to 10 years old and still looking good. I think they look a little dressier than jeans, too.
To keep them from riding down in back, I use suspenders, but I move the front clips to just a few inches in front of the back clips, so they're holding up the back of the pants. The front doesn't need to be held up. (That would probably work with jeans, too.)
I wear thin sport pants in warm weather and fleece in cold weather. Much more durable than jeans, too. I have pairs that are close to 10 years old and still looking good. I think they look a little dressier than jeans, too.
To keep them from riding down in back, I use suspenders, but I move the front clips to just a few inches in front of the back clips, so they're holding up the back of the pants. The front doesn't need to be held up. (That would probably work with jeans, too.)
#8
Full Member

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 60
From: georgia
Bikes: Caloi MTB, Raleigh heritage international
Kuhl makes pants with guzzets. Some of the styles are very slick looking as well. You can hike right off the Appalachian trail, into a decent restaurant. I live where it gets hot, I like the styles made of thin material. It's strong, yet has room and gives where needed.
#9
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 68
Likes: 59
From: Tinui, New Zealand
Bikes: 90s Fisher Celerity mtb, Reid 1x7 utility, Viva 45x18 fg, 93 Avanti rb, 70s pac-rim 46x17 ss
My go to are New Balance sport pants. They're cut nicely for cycling though they're not cycling specific. They have a cuff zipper, string tie/elastic wb. For errands, health visits, marketing, etc. I wear them with Leatt spd shoes. Leatts are great because there's sufficient clearance for the cleats. A casual, yet pressed look. Sometime, I'll wear a nice Nike non-specific jacket as well. Most of the time I wear padded cycling trunks. They've got a thinner pad and are more comfortable walking around.
#10
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,180
Likes: 5,312
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Get Levi(?) to bring the Dockers back. Excellent regular pants to ride in. I rode in them for years.
#13
Senior Member


Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 872
From: Vermont
Bikes: Bruce Gordon Rock and Road
Kuhl makes shorts I wear on the bike, Carharrt does as well. They are synthetic and quick drying and have a call phone pocket on the right leg. I'm sure they make long pants with the same features.
#14
Newbie

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, WA
Bikes: Independent Fabrication's Independent, IF Club Racer, IF Crown Jewel, Waterford Custom, Lemond, Trek 520.
Not jeans... but I am retired and I live Mack Weldon Ace Sweatpants. They do not look like baggy sweatpants... they are tighter, pockets and zippered pocket in back. Really soft and I wear them everywhere. I walk out to the garage and hop on my bike. Ride to the grocery store three times a week. They do not get in the chain, or have my crotch catch on my saddle and does not squeeze my junk. Highly recommended... actually all there clothing is great.
#15
Commuter, roadie



Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 2,349
From: SE Wisconsin, USA
Bikes: Trek: Domane AL3, Checkpoint SL7; Priority Apollo 11, ZiZZO Forte + eBikes
Whatever jeans you go with, consider wearing padded biker shorts underneath.
Jeans in general though, are about the worst choice for cycling.
Jeans in general though, are about the worst choice for cycling.
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