Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Utility Cycling
Reload this Page >

Jeans or casual pants w/ plenty of crotch space

Search
Notices
Utility Cycling Want to haul groceries, beer, maybe even your kids? You don't have to live car free to put your bike to use as a workhorse. Here's the place to share and learn about the bicycle as a utility vehicle.

Jeans or casual pants w/ plenty of crotch space

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-18-23 | 08:51 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 597
Likes: 18
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.
duffer1960 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-18-23 | 08:55 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 604
Likes: 590
From: SE Wyoming

Bikes: 1995 Specialized Rockhopper,1989 Specialized Rock Combo, 2013 Specialized Tarmac Elite

511 cargo pants. Duluth Trading Ballroom Pants.
Inusuit is offline  
Reply
Old 09-18-23 | 09:37 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 527
Likes: 480
From: Illinois
Originally Posted by duffer1960
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.

You want a "gusseted crotch". Arborists wear them. Riggs, by Wrangler has some.
streetsurfer is offline  
Reply
Old 09-22-23 | 11:10 AM
  #4  
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 19
Likes: 20
+1 on the "gusseted crotch"

I wear Riggs (by Wrangler) cargo pants for work. Plenty of room and comfort for biking, although I need to get elastic bands for my pant legs.
woodyj21 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-23-23 | 03:43 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
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
seat_boy is offline  
Reply
Old 09-23-23 | 03:53 PM
  #6  
Trakhak's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,118
Likes: 6,023
From: Baltimore, MD
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.)
Trakhak is offline  
Reply
Old 09-23-23 | 04:00 PM
  #7  
MaxKatt's Avatar
Full Member
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 300
Likes: 302
From: Everywhere, All the time.

Bikes: Several

Originally Posted by Inusuit
511 cargo pants. Duluth Trading Ballroom Pants.

yep. I wear Duluth ballroom with double stretch fabric.
MaxKatt is offline  
Reply
Old 11-16-23 | 09:51 PM
  #8  
Full Member
20 Anniversary
 
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.
margoC is offline  
Reply
Old 06-10-24 | 03:42 PM
  #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.
Kiwisaver is offline  
Reply
Old 06-10-24 | 06:03 PM
  #10  
79pmooney's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
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.
79pmooney is offline  
Reply
Old 06-03-25 | 08:03 AM
  #11  
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 15
Likes: 8
You can get denim looking jeans but made of Cordura nylon. I have swrve jeans but there are others out there
JohnY2K is offline  
Reply
Old 06-07-25 | 08:29 PM
  #12  
50PlusCycling's Avatar
Senior Member
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 1,963
I like Lucky Brand jeans. They come in a variety of cuts and sizes. I like them for their stretchy denim, though they look like ordinary jeans. I’ve done some 100km rides in these jeans with no comfort issues.
50PlusCycling is offline  
Reply
Old 08-26-25 | 06:29 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
5 Anniversary
 
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.
Pratt is offline  
Reply
Old 12-16-25 | 08:01 PM
  #14  
JDFLood's Avatar
Newbie
15 Anniversary
 
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.
JDFLood is offline  
Reply
Old 12-18-25 | 09:30 AM
  #15  
Smaug1's Avatar
Commuter, roadie
Titanium Club Membership
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
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.
__________________
-Jeremy
Smaug1 is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.