Context - 5'7, 145 lbs, Female - Cruiser, Club Rider - size M
I came back to Ride Rich after having ordered a pair of riding pants (black water proof joggers) and a hoodie (not armoured) back in 2020. Both of those items were so impressive and have held up so well for 6 years, that coming back to Ride Rich was a no brainer. Plus, I'm a proud Canadian, and love supporting local!
I decided on these pants, because they are "jeans," and primarily because of the CUFFS and the aesthetic I was going for as a Cruiser, Touring Club rider who wears a Club Leather Cut. (It's just different from riding a sport bike, right?!) The option to have them easily fit OVER my riding high top shoes was a huge pull in picking these ones - thanks for doing this, RR! Joggers are cool and all, but it's a different "look," and honestly, in the years of using my waterproof pair, through all sorts of weather, my only "issue" was the fact that if I was just wearing high top shoes vs my moto style boots (that go up my calf a fair distance) and I got caught in the rain, my riding shoes would fill with water! haha. Not ideal! These new pants, while not claiming to be water proof, should assist with that issue.
We need to talk about what else is going on with these pants though! F*ck, am I impressed! First of all - they look bad a$$ as hell!! Even before the armour is put in, they are heavy duty in the way they feel. The quality of the materials used is apparent. The ventilation zippers are top notch, and the way they fit into the protector pouches is brilliant and should ensure I don't scratch up my bike. The RR logo on the one back pocket is cool, while being understated, and I LOVE that you didn't put a zipper or even velcro on those pockets, so that shoving my phone back there when I'm off the bike is easy!
I mentioned that the pants feel "heavy duty" before you put them on, especially with the armour in them, and yeah, they do, but what's amazing is that when you put them on, you really discover how much stretch they have in them. These things couldn't be more comfortable! Obviously, they're heavier than a normal pair of jeans, but that's the point!
The ability to adjust the height of the knee protection is brilliant (If I'm not mistaken, this is an upgrade from my first pair) I'm able to put that padding exactly where it needs to be for me. What's also different from my first pair is the cargo pockets. LOVING these! Great spot for my phone while I'm on the move, plus whatever else I may need to quickly stash. When they're not full, they collapse back down, so they don't always look full/bulky.
Love that, even though these are joggers with a draw string, you've given us belt loops! You know how we bikers like our belts for our knives and chains. ;)
The ONLY thing I may have appreciated was the same ventilation material in the crotch that my first pair has, but this is a very minor gripe. People should also be aware that this raw indigo colour does bleed onto your hands and, presumably, whatever else it touches. Again, not a big deal - riding isn't a clean hobby, just be aware of it. (I'm sure it'll stop in time)
BOTTOM LINE - these pants are amazing. I'm super impressed with them and think that with this cuff option, you're really catering to the cruiser community who want and need a proper pair of riding pants that "look the part." IYKYK.
