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review

Swrve Cycling Jeans

8
£80.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Gusset-tastic. Comfy, well-made riding jeans that really work on the bike
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 

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Gusset. Go on, say it with me. It is not, let's face it, the most inviting word in the English language. But for cyclists who want to wear jeans (which includes most of us at one time or another), it's a very welcome concept. Normal jeans don't have one, you see; specially tailored cycling jeans like these from Swrve do. And a gusset (say it again) transforms a usually restrictive item of clothing into one that moves and performs much better.

Swrve was, if I'm correct, the first manufacturer on to the UK market with cycling jeans, and this winter they're offering both a regular cut and a new skinny fit. Both are now made with a new denim from tough-as-old-boots material manufacturer Cordura, which the company claims is hard-wearing, abrasion resistant and contains some stretch. In the month or so I've been testing them, the first two are difficult to gauge - but Cordura are better known for their bag canvases, which last for ever, so I'll give them that. All the important seams are triple-stitched, too, so it's fair to say these jeans are pretty robust. As for the stretch, that's more obvious. Yes, they do stretch a bit, while still feeling and looking like a lightweight denim. Which means that, combined with the gusset (Wikipedia: "A triangular or rhomboid piece of fabric inserted into a seam to add breadth or reduce stress from tight-fitting clothing"), they give you glorious freedom of movement to swing your legs in any direction you care to choose. Or indeed, pedal.

It's the skinny jeans we have here, by the way. And skinny they are. Not spray-on, hipster skinny, but definitely a slim cut. Useful, around town at this time of year, as the material is tight enough around the leg not to bother the chain and chainring when pedalling - so no letting chill breezes in. But, if you do roll the leg up, then there's a reflective strip running vertically down the back of the jeans. A nice little touch for dark nights - as are the reflective belt loops. The back pockets take a mini D-lock, as advertised, and the other bike-specific feature, the articulated knees, also worked well. Riding in them was, even for long distances, pretty effortless. Looks-wise, I wasn't so keen on the 'darts' of material at the knee that achieve this, but they function so well you can't really complain. The low-ish waist and high-ish back, also stopped the jeans cutting in to the tummy, and kept cold air off the back.

As for the other pen pockets and things, I wasn't particularly impressed - they seemed a bit superfluous, and what was (I think) meant to be a phone pocket on the back didn't fit an iPhone. But for a fuss-free riding jean, in a nice dark denim, these fit the bill nicely. They're also significantly cheaper than many other specialist riding jeans now around.

Verdict

Gusset-tastic. Comfy, well-made riding jeans that really work on the bike.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Swrve Cycling Jeans

Size tested: 30 x 32

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Jeans for city and leisure riding. The website says:

"For ease of movement these jeans come with the same bike-friendly features as found on the shorts; seamless gusseted crotch, articulated knees, lower front and a slight rise in the back and back pockets that fit a mini U-lock.

Features:

- low waist in front to prevent your belt from digging into your gut

- higher waist in back to stay respectable and to keep you warm

- articulated knees for a better fit on a bike or barstool

- seamless gusseted crotch for comfort

- back pockets fit a mini U-lock

- mobile-phone pocket on side to stay connected

- reflective strip on inside right leg - exposed when you turn up the chain-side leg

- high quality YKK zipper

- rivets to make them more durable

- stylish trim fit for everyday use"

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

the new skinny fit jeans are made with a stretch Cordura denim. The fabric is hard-working and lasts longer. It has the look and feel of 100% cotton denim but with added abrasion resistance and strength and there is no compramise on comfort or style. If you would like to know more about the fabric please have a look at the cordura website.

lots of bike-friendly features:

- seamless gusseted crotch

- rticulated knees

- lower front and a slight rise in the back

- reflective details on the rear left and right belt loops

- the back pockets have been reshaped

- two pen pockets have been added to the front.

-a reflective stripe that's revealed when you roll your drive-side leg up.

 

size info: the jeans are pre-shrunk so go for your normal waist size. if you want them very tight (painted on) maybe go down one size

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

Not more than a normal premium pair of jeans, and cheaper than other cycling-specific versions.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The fit, the way they worked when riding.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Found a couple of bits of the styling - darts, pen pockets, a bit fussy

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 1.78m  Weight: 65kg

I usually ride: Cinelli Strato road or fixed commuter hack.  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

 

Add new comment

14 comments

Avatar
andyzoo | 9 years ago
0 likes

they look ok, and i'm on my second pair, but they dont last more than a couple of months, which makes them very very expensive.

I've since emailed them regarding the poor quality, but theyre not the sort that actually give a hoot. I'm now having to get my lawyer onto some court action...... such a pain

I'm going for Mavic next time, a brand to trust!

Avatar
jacknorell replied to andyzoo | 9 years ago
0 likes
andyzoo wrote:

they look ok, and i'm on my second pair, but they dont last more than a couple of months, which makes them very very expensive.

I've since emailed them regarding the poor quality, but theyre not the sort that actually give a hoot. I'm now having to get my lawyer onto some court action...... such a pain

I'm going for Mavic next time, a brand to trust!

Did you join just to grind your axe?

Avatar
Bird On A Bike | 11 years ago
0 likes

I recently bought a pair of these skinny jeans and I love them. They look great in knee high boots to go out and heels for a more dressed up look and I wear them to ride my bikes with my DZR spd baseball boots - though if I could fit spd's to my high heels................  1

So, they are not just for the men!

They are beautifully cut and fit perfectly. To be honest I've spent far more than £80 on designer jeans that don't fit anywhere near as well or look as good. Riding with them is no problem - they do the job well. I love them. Highly recommend them & the online sizing is spot on. I am planning to buy a pair of shorts next, oh, and another skinny pair in black  3

Avatar
sfg | 12 years ago
0 likes

Sadly, I am unable to confirm the durability of the jeans. I bought a pair in November and within a week the seat was showing signs of "shining" and now there is noticeable wear. Shame as I had been using a pair of Berghaus moutain trousers made from cordura (or similar) which showed no signs of wearing.

Avatar
andyzoo replied to sfg | 9 years ago
0 likes

Hi there,

yep, i got the same as Max (above). The quality is actually really poor, theyre one of those 'look good for a day brands'

never again!

AZ

Avatar
Max_Leonard | 12 years ago
1 like

Swrve recently emailed me to say that I was right about the phone pocket - it's the wrong shape - and that this will be rectified in the next batch. Jeans still going strong.

Avatar
ingleti | 12 years ago
0 likes

Great review of Swrve’s jeans made with CORDURA® Denim fabric! Let us know how they do after a while so you can attest to the abrasion resistance and long-lasting durability!
Tina Ingle
INVISTA
CORDURA(R) brand
Account Manager

Avatar
bobinski replied to ingleti | 12 years ago
0 likes

The wear and abrasion resistance are fine. i have 2 pairs which i use most days alternating for freshness  1 No noticeable wear etc. Only thing i would say is they arrived looking rather large. They are the slim fit and in a 34 waist were quite baggy. Now, i have lost weight over the year but the jeans have consistently shrunk and now are a rather comfy fit! They do go in a tumble dryer every now and again when i need them dry quickly and that probably explains the shrinkage. Other than that highly recommend them.

Avatar
andyzoo replied to ingleti | 9 years ago
0 likes

CORDURA is a bit of a myth if you ask me, dragons are less imaginary than this stuff.

Avatar
Dr_Lex | 12 years ago
0 likes

Alpkit did a water-resistant Jean with gusset; snagged a pair for £25 when getting one of their excellent head-torches.

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Cooks | 12 years ago
0 likes

camouflage, and plinth.

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Martin Thomas | 12 years ago
1 like

...and let's not forget that king of words: moist (although I grant you it does bring with it some baggage when you've just used the word gusset).

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gazpacho | 12 years ago
0 likes

...and juxtaposition.

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Rob Simmonds | 12 years ago
0 likes

Gusset is a great word. Right up there with meringue, compost and bassoon.

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