When I tell people I ride my bike almost everywhere, they assume I either only wear leggings or that I have an E-bike. When I tell them I do it in jeans, they usually don’t believe me.
Why Jeans Are Great For Cycling
Jeans Have Pockets
Traditional jeans have five pockets, two in the back and three in the front. The front ones are a tight fit while biking but if they’re deep, a wallet can usually hang out on your thigh while you ride. Back pockets are usually deep enough to put a phone or keys in. Most of the Duer jeans have an extra bit of fabric in the back pocket that helps hold longer items like a phone by tucking them in.
Jeans are Durable
Jeans are great for cycling because they’re durable. They’re more abrasion resistant than a lot of fabrics (don’t forget they were originally made for manual labour jobs), including linen and cheaper spandex that aren’t intended for cycling or tough training.
No Need to Change on Arrival
When you bike in jeans, you don’t need to bring a change of clothes with you. Meeting a friend for dinner? You can ride right in! If you get sweaty, like in the summer months or if your destination is at the top of a hill, just bring a spare shirt. It’s a lot less to pack an extra outfit.
Wearing Jeans Means Less Laundry
Jeans only need to be washed when they start to smell, which for most people is about every 10 wears. To prolong washes, let your jeans air out instead of folding them up in a drawer right after you wear them.
When you do eventually need to wash them, because they’re mainly cotton with few synthetic fibres, the chance of micro-plastics going down the drain in the wash is a lot lower.
Tips for Cycling in Jeans
- Get jeans with a bit of stretch, this allows a bit more to give in the fabric as your thighs flex and move up and down.
- Stay away from wide and flared jeans. Tapered and skinny jeans are best as they won’t get caught in the chain, but there’s nothing a pin roll can’t fix with a straight leg.
- Look for jeans with a gusset. The extra fabric gives stretch in the rise (from the crotch up to the waistband) and removes the bulky seams that can be uncomfortable on a saddle. Another bonus is that if you happen to tear the gusset (jeans aren’t made to ride for 365 days straight) the gusset can be replaced, extending the life of your jeans. Yay for less waste!
- Opt for jeans with moisture wicking fibres like COOLMAX™. These will be more breathable than traditional jeans, keeping you cool while you’re riding and helping your jeans air out for less frequent washing.
Once you get used to biking in jeans, unless the weather is really crappy (read: raining or snowing), you can bike almost anywhere. It’s faster than the bus and during rush hour it’s often faster than driving. Also, parking is a breeze! It also opens up most of your wardrobe to cycling, making it more multipurpose so you can own fewer, better-made items!
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