Men's Top Performance Jeans: Fit for life
There’s a time to run through the forest, survival knife clenched between unflossed teeth. For the rest – or most – of life, Active Junky’s up for jeans that move right through the urban jungle, in transit, on the bike and for casual gatherings. Try these three tester-approved pairs on for size.
Patagonia Performance Straight Fit Jeans: Wonder while you walk
How Patagonia gets so many categories of gear right is a puzzle. Or a conundrum wrapped in an anomaly. Or the wonderment of smooth-fitting jeans built from a fabric that defies conventional manufacturing to shed massive water and chemical usage. None of that would matter if the end product wasn’t worth wearing. But this one is, with dirt and stain-fighting properties than keep the jeans fresher, longer. And the ability to fight wrinkles (when suspended on a proper hanger or chair back) for a crisper look even between launderings. Testers appreciated the multiple fit options from Patagonia, going for a regular rise, slim fit, straight leg model tuned to all-around comfort. Never sloppy, always moving easily without binding or bulging, these jeans put designer offerings to shame with an earth-wise approach to life. Well beyond snow-peaked summits.
Best For: All-year, everyday use with a responsible approach to fashion with function
swrve Indigo CORDURA Slim Jeans: It’s about time
Really. Turning a slim profile into actual, hard-wearing jeans didn’t seem to warrant a Nobel Prize. Yet few brands took the challenge seriously and we’re thankful swvre is among the select. Not for toothpick-legged wearers but those with more meat on their bones, this one’s gritty fabric is only the start. Testers appreciated the sizing options, including pushing up to an uncommon 36” inseam, with denim that kept the faith at 250,000 abrasion cycles (and had plenty left at that). Roll the cuffs up for reflective trim as you ride in comfort with a low-rise, higher-back fit in tandem with easy-moving knees. Zones with higher stress get triple chain stitching while rivet and zipper details mirror those on jeans costing $200 or more. Active Junky sees this one as something between a runway-worthy styled jean and the perennial uniform for Frisbee golf along with cruise nights. And did the $100 price point sink in yet?
Best For: Active, urban living that has little to do with standing still
Club Ride Shift Jean: Life in any lane
Looking to charge hard in protected green bike lanes? Fixie to French-made Focus road bike, Shift takes the town with a remarkable cotton-polyester blend. Ready to own the local pub’s trivia night? Coast in with supreme confidence thanks to this pant (and selective binge TV watching). With a look that’s geared even for casual work environments, the pant’s stretch capability keeps even abundant quads contained without sacrificing mobility. Active Junky testers simply enjoyed the hand (the “feel” of the fabric) while applauding the 10oz weight for extended, wash-cycle durability. Club Ride calls the rear construction a NoCrackBack. Testers concur as the on-bike credibility of the brand’s been proven in over four years of team testing in the U.S. and South America. Pockets fit an off-bike look excepting the relatively stealth side-zippered leg compartment sized for an iPhone6-equivalent. The “relaxed fit” is trimmer and more athletic than the name suggests so order spot-on, size-wise. Next, spin through Club Ride’s flannel, western-inspired and performance tops to build a long-lasting combo. Or grab a Pokemon Go tee and roll.
Best For: Frequent wear as a wardrobe essential, adventure and destination travel where some rental bike rides are probable
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