cartesian

Hey all,

I'm looking to replace a pair of Chrome Industries 5 Pocket Madrona Pants. These are the best pants I've ever owned. Unfortunately, Chrome is either sold out or not making them anymore. They just have the Brannan Pants now.

Looking for suggestions. Thanks!

13velos

I don’t know if they are the “best”, but I really like the SWRVE trousers. They come in three different weights and a couple of different cuts - regular fit and slim fit. I’ve been really happy with mine along with the other SWRVE products I’ve tried. They seem well made and hold up really well from my experience.

79pmooney

I wish Dockers would return and make their 1990s pants again. Trim at the waist, a little bag around the crotch and becoming trim again for the lower leg. Heavy enough cotton to hold up well on a bike but not the hot prisons of jeans. Best decent looking pants for the bike I've ever had. And they made them for a good, long run. (Good thing too. I wear 32-34s and I never saw more than one pair for sale in one place. Often none. Probably my fault. I just look when I happen to be in the store. Never researched when they put out new stock or awaited the morning opening of the doors.)

Lambkin55

I have 2 pair of "winter" bike pants that I got at a GOODWILL that I like. I never gave thought to the style of the pants until read 79pmooney's post. I just checked. YES both pair of pants are black 1990 Dockers.

SO I suggest checking out your local Goodwill.

cartesian

Appreciate the suggestions, thanks!

SWRVE trousers are probably closest. The Chrome pants are stretchy and have a zipper pocket in the back that fits a wallet, which I like.

Colorado Kid

I agree with the Goodwill pants. Riding is tough on clothes. Get what you can afford and ride on.

brooklyn

I totally agree. I have both pants and the SWRVE's are better.

cartesian

Nice. I'm interested in pants made for cycling that can double as everyday pants.

Any referral codes for SWRVE?

ScottCommutes

My pants of choice are actually Carhardtt factory seconds. Affordable. Very, very tough. Excellent range of available sizes. Great pockets. I don't change my pants at work. When they get ratty, I have a reliable source of pants to get dirty in.

MattoftheRocks

I have a few Lucky 410’s with different specific fabrics and they all have been comfy, just breathable enough, surprisingly seem to wick sweat a fair degree, and totally saddleproof over 20k miles.

Some of their cuts are weird & tight on the thighs. The fabric is so good that I don’t care. They aren’t made for biking, but they’re darn good for it from 70°F down to longjohns weather.

irwin7638

I think the Brannon pants are excellent. I tried one pair after I wore out my Madrones, and immediately ordered a second pair.

Marc

Cdubs

I have had both Mckinley and Rockbros pants and for general cycling I like the Mckinley pants but for MTB I like the Rockbros pants.

13velos

Sorry to say, but SWRVE is closing down! I’ve used their trousers and shorts for a number of years and always liked their products. Sad to see them go.

cartesian

That is unfortunate.

cartesian

I love Chrome. I just prefer the styling on the Madrones. :-/

JayNed

Is Levi's still making their 511 commuter jeans, heard a lot of good things when they came out...otherwise I'd just stick to buying second hand/cheap jeans or pants just for cycling purposes, it avoids saddle shaped wear on your "serious adult job pants" :-)

Garthr

The "best" is any pants that fit comfortable and non-restricting while riding in whatever position you ride without a plumbers butt display.

C.I.

Pants is not comfortable at all. I always used sport tight (wool or synthetic depends of the season).

Dfreeman617 

I have found the Wrangler All Terrain Gear pants to be inexpensive (less than $30), comfortable, and durable (96% Nylon, 4% Spandex) for cycle commuting. I really appreciate the narrow cuffs to ensure that they don't get caught in the chain.

Pantah

Carhartt all day. My specific flavor of choice is the double knee work pant because that's just what I wear as my standard everyday pant. Roll them up in the summer, leave them down in the winter and put a velcro strap around the ankle to keep it out of the chain. Bonus points for being thick enough to provide protection in the off chance that you take a dive off the bike in an accident. I've tested that too, at about 20mph.

jaxy357

For your consideration. I LOVE these pants and they're water resistant. Ostroy Podium Pants with patch that says, "Pretty Okay at Bikes".
https://ostroy.com/products/podium-p...waAt_vEALw_wcB

seat_boy

Another vote on these. These are becoming my go-to biking pants. They also look completely normal off the bike, because they're not made as bike pants.

Korina

Have you guys tried Rivendell's MUSA pants? I've heard good things.

seat_boy

I have a pair of MUSA pants, and I like the aforementioned Wrangler ATG pants better, mostly due to fit: the MUSA pants are quite baggy, and the newer versions are shorter and even baggier. Not great for tall and skinny me. The ATG pants fit much better for 32x34 me.

The front pockets on the MUSA pants are better, super deep so my phone is super secure but still easy to get to. The Wrangler's pockets are a bit tighter.

The Wrangler pants look more normal--I could pack them as travel pants, for instance. The Riv pants looks... less ordinary.

Smaug1

I don't know about "best", as who really tries them all?

For me, the ones that work out great are breathable, waterproof overpants. When I get to work and they're dirty, it doesn't matter. I just take them off. Wash them once a week or two. If you get the cheap ones, you'll need to use a broccoli rubber band around the right cuff to keep it off of the chain.

They're too hot of course for summer, but in summer, I just wear whatever pants I'll wear at work and tuck the right cuff into the sock.

I will point out that not having fenders on your commuter bike is a non-starter, if you want your pants to look decent at work.