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TECH NEWS

Levi’s Commuter series launched in UK

Bike-specific clothing comes to Europe for the first time

Levi’s Commuter series of clothing for cyclists is now available in the UK.

The range, which has been available in the US for several months, comprises Commuter 511 jeans and slacks (Levi’s word, not ours), Commuter Trucker jackets and a Commuter Shirt.

Levi’s describe the commuter series as, “A multi-functional performance product designed for cyclists all over the world.”

The Commuter 511 Slim Slacks are based on the existing 511 slim cut jeans. Elastane in the cotton twill fabric adds a degree or stretch that will come in useful when you’re on the bike.

Turning up the leg reveals 3M reflective stripes for extra nighttime visibility and a utility waistband allows you to carry a U-lock easily. The crotch is reinforced to avoid ripping. These are available in black, kangaroo (khaki), sceptor (blue) and red ochre at £80.

The Commuter 511s will soon be available in a non-stretch denim version too for £85.

The Commuter Trucker jacket is based on the classic Levi’s Trucker jacket, slim cut with a slightly extended back to keep you covered up when you’re stretching forward on the bike. You get pockets in the lower back too, which is always the best place to keep stuff when you’re riding, 3M reflective tape on the waistband adjusters, and accordion sleeves – additional fabric that’s designed to expand for extra mobility when you’re riding.

The Commuter Trucker jacket will be available from May in stretch denim for £135 and in a stretch twill version for £145.

The Commuter shirt will be available in May too. It’s cotton with a pocket on the right hand side of the back and another in the sleeve. It’ll retail at £80.

The Commuter products feature what’s called a NanoSphere treatment from Swiss-based Schoeller Technologies which adds water resistance and repels dirt.

They also feature Sanitized hygiene function from technology expert Clariant, which is a treatment to protect against odours.

When the Commuter line was introduced into the US last year, Erik Joule, senior vice president of Levi’s Men’s Merchandising and Design said, “This product was born from innovation, classic American style and a personal passion for cycling – it’s about designing product for people who ride bikes, by people who ride bikes.

“We knew that our jeans were already being worn by urban cyclists across the country, including our own designers. We listened to what they wanted and created a product with performance traits for biking that also functions as daily street wear.”

For all the details go along to Levi’s website.  

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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21 comments

Avatar
Ghedebrav | 11 years ago
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Just throwing this on here in case anyone happens upon the article. I picked up a pair back in August and I lhave to say... they're great. I have a half-hour-each-way commute to work and they've been really good - comfy, (slightly) water-resistant, quick drying and stylish.

I have a similar problem suggested by above commentors (big legs, essentially) and can't normally get into skinny jeans; somehow these are fine. Anyway, these days the term 'skinny' seems to cover a fairly broad range of fits. The reflective seam is, if we're honest, a bit of a gimmick; the high waistline, on the other hand, is a boon (particularly for those behind me). Also handy is the wee D-lock strap.

And for all those hipster/fixie haters, I'm not really anyone's idea of a hipster (and I have a touring bike, y'know, with gears) - but face facts: regardless of tribe, the more cyclists the better.

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WolfieSmith | 11 years ago
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I agree with The_Kaner, I'm not going to easel fit my Cancellara honed thighs and ham like calves into skinny fit jeans either. Never liked that spindly roadie look anyway.

If Levi do a pair of decent boot cut jeans with a reflective stripe I'd buy them straight away.

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jervais replied to WolfieSmith | 11 years ago
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I hope you're kidding.

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The _Kaner | 11 years ago
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Yeah well me and Levi's don't get on since 1977 (last time a pair of their jeans fitted me). Small in stature and a set of thighs that can only be described as disproportionate for my body shape...and short legs...nearly had to call for an assistant in Next to help peel off the last pair of 'slim fit' trousies I tried on....and Next jeans are usually my best bet these days

...so the Levi's...NOT! Max Wall yep...hairline is receding fast these days, just need a penguin jacket and white shirt...and a pair of 511...and I'd be making money as Max's stunt man...(if he was still here today).  1

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hirsthirst | 11 years ago
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I bought two pairs of these jeans in the US in October - they've worn well, very comfortable with some stretch, but they *are* very slim relative to the waist size.

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advcyclist | 11 years ago
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dammit... just when I was hoping the hipster trend would fade into forgotten obscurity, Levi's has to go and revive it over the pond. You Roadie Brits keep fighting the good fight and get rid of the fixie-hipster trend...

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carl j | 11 years ago
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I'm with the 'slim fit??' brigade .... Did Levi do *any* market research on this one? Not to mention the pumpkin coloured keks that even Max Wall would have difficulty getting in to... Those, on a drizzly muddy day? Ho, ho, ho  1

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Marauder | 11 years ago
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When I read the title of this I thought Levi Leipheimer was bringing his new brand of bikes out  32

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Paulo replied to Marauder | 11 years ago
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Brian Nichol wrote:

When I read the title of this I thought Levi Leipheimer was bringing his new brand of bikes out  32

LOL  4
At least they're not Rapha prices ehh?

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zzgavin | 11 years ago
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Well they seem nice enough when I saw them last night, but not so nice as i'd rush out and buy them, the denim felt a bit soft for my liking. the trousers looked better.

Rollapaluza on the other hand is great fun

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Doctor Fegg | 11 years ago
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Seriously, guys who wear "tights" are taking the piss out of the word "slacks"?

*shakes head*

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Mat Brett replied to Doctor Fegg | 11 years ago
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Doctor Fegg wrote:

Seriously, guys who wear "tights" are taking the piss out of the word "slacks"?

*shakes head*

Haha! Fair point. But slacks is a funny word. It just is.

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pwake | 11 years ago
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Oh dear! Rip-off Britain...
Same price or less in dollars over here in the US. And made in the far-east for a bowl of rice or two anyway. I'm taking orders now!

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Addy TT replied to pwake | 11 years ago
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I don't think US retail prices quote VAT as each state is different. So not quite ripp off.

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zzgavin | 11 years ago
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I'm going to pop along to look mum no hands for the launch event, as it's a ten minute walk away and I'll comment back on what I see of the jeans etc

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steff | 11 years ago
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Looking at their models, I doubt my thighs/glutes will fit without clown-trouser waist sizes, as per. Boo.

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Ting replied to steff | 11 years ago
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Slim fit? You've got to be kidding! If I can squeeze my legs into these, there's no way I'm pedalling unless, as you say steff you go large on the waist.

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wild man | 11 years ago
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I prefer the Partridgesque term, 'sports casual.'

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Tony Farrelly | 11 years ago
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It's alls slacks and casual lounging wear round here Coleman

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notfastenough | 11 years ago
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"The range..." you can say that again(?)

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Coleman replied to notfastenough | 11 years ago
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notfastenough wrote:

"The range..." you can say that again(?)

Beat me to it. I think that secretly they like the term 'slacks' so couldn't resist repeating it.

Much better than 'pants'.

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