Levi’s have been making men’s commuter clothing for a few years now. There is some choice in cycling specific jeans for men, but very few for women. Therefore, it was with some happiness that I heard the news that Levi’s finally realised that women ride bikes too and wear jeans while doing it.
The jeans actually attempt to solve one of my personal problems with wearing jeans to cycle in: skinny jeans are damned uncomfortable. I see people cycling around in them all the time and am generally pretty envious.
When Levi’s brought out the women’s jeans, I was pleased to see that they were skinny jeans. I feel like this style of jean is currently the best for dressing up or down and therefore gives the most flexibility in a city like London.
Features
For women, the jeans come in blue and black denim skinny fit as well as some chino style ones in several colours. The cycling specific features focus on trying to provide more comfort on the bike. They also aim for you to arrive at destination a little dryer in bad weather and dry off quicker once there as the fabric is treated with a DRW coating. Finally, they have reflective tape on the inside seams so that when you roll the cuff a little there is some enhanced visibility. As the reflective elements are on the ankles they are quite eye-catching as this part of your body moves more frequently when a car or something is behind you.
The men’s jeans have a u-lock holder strap on the waist-band. The women’s is lacking this, but with the cut it would not be very comfortable. It would also add extra fabric to the waist which might not look as good. The women’s are quite high-waisted, which helps with coverage when on the bike, and is also quite flattering off it.
In Use
This was the first pair of cycling specific jeans I have tried. The jeans are pretty comfortable on the bike, certainly more comfortable than other regular skinny jeans I have tried. When I first tried them on I felt that they were a little tight on the calves but this has proven to not be a problem when riding. I found the fit to be variable between the colours of denim – the black felt stretchier while the blue had a more traditional jeans feel.
The raised waist is certainly comfortable, although adding a belt would make them bulky at the front when stretched out on the drops of a road bike. As it is without the belt I only feel like I benefit from the high waist and don’t find it uncomfortable. In terms of the reflectivity on the cuffs, I do like that it is there. I usually roll my jeans anyway so it certainly does no harm to have it there and I don’t think it makes them look less acceptable in the pub.
Negatives?
The water repellent coating does not really do much to shed the rain after the first wash. This is not entirely unexpected but still disappointing although they do seem to dry quicker than regular jeans.
They do not hold their shape for as long as I would like. They don’t bag out at the knees as badly as regular skinny jeans on a bike, however, they do get stretched out a bit. It means that if you were riding around all day and then wanted them to be super fitted in the evening then you might be out of luck.
Conclusions
I find jeans hard to buy, and was fully expecting these to not fit at all. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised when these fit better than a lot of other jeans out there. This was in part what motivated me to buy them. The cycling features are nice and make riding in them more comfortable, even if they are not extensive. That said, the jeans are no more expensive than other high end jeans (£80), in fact they are pretty good value for Levi’s.
The commuter jeans could do with a little more refinement and maybe a little more variety in terms of fit offerings. It would be nice to have more of a boot cut version available as well made of a thicker, more robust denim, perhaps with a gusseted crotch. This would enhance longevity and make them great for cycling the city in cold weather.
All in all though, I have found that these jeans are a good buy if they fit you and I think it is worth adding them to your wardrobe. The jeans can be brought from Levi’s for £80-85
Do you have some favourite cycling jeans that are great on the bike and about town? Have you found that one pair to rule them all?
The most of important part of any cycle trouser is whether it has a crotch seam suitable for cycling, the article doesnt mention this.
These have a normal seam – only the mens ones have the special seamless bit. So I struggle to see how they are much different from standard ladies Levi skinny high waisted jeans, apart from the reflective bit on the leg. I love the concept, but they need to try harder.
I do, however, love the Levi commuter trucker ladies jacket I have, so crotch seam improvements on the jeans, and I’d buy them.
I have a pair, and I do find they look and feel bulky around the waist even without a belt. They also somehow ride up around the knees, so for me, they’re not such a great fit. I agree with Sue, Levi’s need to try harder with these!
I agree, a gusseted crotch is essential in a cycling trouser. I’m planning to try out the Vulpine women’s cycling trousers.
The original men’s 511 Commuters were brilliant but then Levi changed the stying, the material, the fly and the new iteration is frankly rubbish. The women’s seem more like the latter than the originals. A real shame as I preferred the Levi’s to my (considerably more expensive ones from cycling’ R emporia!
I wear vulpine womens cycling trousers. Really comfy with a cycling crotch. Dry quickly too. I can do 28 miles on my road bike with no chammy cream – no problems
I do about 300 miles a week round town, and have been through many types of jeans. The levis will wear out unbelievably fast on the arse, they are simply not durable – and there’s actually not that much give in the denim – plus if your legs are more Chris Hoy than Chris Froome they’ll constrict you. This is the same for many other ‘cycling’ jeans – it’s simply a marketing ruse to get you to pay extra – the reflective seam on levis is on the side – pointless at least the rapha jeans have it at the back but they aren’t so tough either. The best by far – and used by other pals are Wrangler Texas stretch – tough version – which also have a gusset. They last about 5 times longer than Levis – have more elastic and are a better cut – and are cheaper. Someone once told me that Wranglers are used by cowboys (who ride) and Levis by ranch hands who don’t. Equally applicable to cycling.