2012-04-12 - Levi's Commuter Series launch @ LMNH

They were going to send me a box of this shite, read my post and subsequently changed their mind. I simply don’t need a denim cycling jacket or seriously lame features on a pair of jeans (neither do you) and I will not be bought by a big brand muscling in on our passion and competing with rider owned companies like SWRVE.

Bit of a blue on blue / friendly fire thing here. You say your post was attacking the Levi's brand, rather than reviewing the particular pair of jeans. Did you forget that Swrve, Muxu and Rapha jeans all have a number of those same features?

These have finally come to Japan as well - been waiting a while! Went to try them on today and despite hardly being built for skinny jeans (thighs of 'steel'...) they were pretty comfy.

I tried on regular 511s previously and hated them. These were much better, I guess because of the stretch. I had to go up a size in the waist (33" from 32") - the waist was then a little loose, and needed a belt probably, but the thighs were better. Going up another size didn't really help much but the fit elsewhere was much worse.

Oh and look around. I tried on ones with button fly, zippered fly, different fit in the same size, different fit in different colours... all sorts. They have 3/4 length ones here which I didn't even know existed. Red ones too (horrid). I found Khakis to fit loosest (well, best) - the classic blue denim was definitely snugger in the same size. The red ones fit terribly.

Maybe Japan has a wider range to cater to its more 'eccentric' tastes, but they were all labeled '511 COMMUTER', so make sure you're getting what you want!

I liked them and I will consider buying a pair at the end of summer. I wish they made a straight cut version, though, as well as the skinnies. Then again I may just order some from SWRVE, but I wish I could try them on first!

A few people have asked me what I think of my commuters so here's a quick revew.

These are the model that I have.

Fabric (98% cotton, 2% elastine) - I've tried a few different denim fabric mixtures over the past few years and decided long before the commuter jeans emerged that this was the best combo so no surprise there. Perfect amount of stretch whilst remaining very much denim like.

Utility Waistband - I usually just wack my mini-evo through my belt so thought this was a pointless gimmick at first. When I used it though I realised it's marginally better than the belt option. A problem with the belt option is that it puts the lock inside the waistband which presses the lock against you. Assuming you wear the jeans beltless then the utility waistband moves the lock outside of the waistband so it makes it a little more comfortable.

Higher back rise - Very noticeable difference to normal jeans. Less drafty, more comfortable.

Nanosphere - Not sure what to make of this. I've ridden in the rain and they're definitely more water repellent than your average jeans. Wouldn't get too excited though, I didn't expect much and neither should you.

3M Reflectivity - Feel pretty indifferent about this.

Sanitised - Protects against odours apparently. Not much of a selling point for me. Maybe if after 2 months of daily use I still haven't felt the need to wash them I'll feel differently.

Reinforced features - There's a double layer of denim on the seat/crotch area. The jeans generally seem tough as nails.

Conclusion - Ignore all the fancy features. I like them as the cycling specific cut is superb and the fabric is the right choice for a pair of cycling jeans. For me that's what they're all about. Other positives I could include are that the pockets are deep/well positioned and the reinforcements are a nice addition.

^ - thanks

any other reviews?

I found this review pretty helpful...
http://www.thefootdown.co.uk/2012/03/12/levis-commuter-jeans/

this one?

Question is, did sumo pay £80 for his pair?

Oh yeah, and I've had some ace swrve garments and some quite poor ones too.

Question is, did sumo pay £80 for his pair?

I paid trade+vat

Henry's rough trade.

Utility Waistband - I usually just wack my mini-evo through my belt so thought this was a pointless gimmick at first. When I used it though I realised it's marginally better than the belt option. A problem with the belt option is that it puts the lock inside the waistband which presses the lock against you. Assuming you wear the jeans beltless then the utility waistband moves the lock outside of the waistband so it makes it a little more comfortable.

Or get this.

Much much better.

Does anyone know where you can pick up a pair of these at a decent price? How skinny are they?! Drainpipes or slim/tailored fitting?

I actually picked up a pair in 'Coyote' (or something) a couple of days ago. I really like them so far, but I've not managed to get a ride in yet (weather...)! I take a 32 waist but had to size up to 33 for the thighs to fit. They're skinny but not overly so (although the 3 pairs I tried on all fit differently despite being the same size, so beware!) and they've broken in really nicely in 2 days.

That is not a post about jeans, that post is a reaction to the hoards of bloggers that will suck a polar bear’s dick just to get something for free. Levi’s had been going around throwing their money about buying up bloggers left right and centre by giving them free product so seeing as they’re a huge multi national brand (not cyclists trying to make a living) and the products in the range are wack I decided to bash them.

They were going to send me a box of this shite, read my post and subsequently changed their mind. I simply don’t need a denim cycling jacket or seriously lame features on a pair of jeans (neither do you) and I will not be bought by a big brand muscling in on our passion and competing with rider owned companies like SWRVE.

The way blogging works is that one person gets to say whatever the hell they want, thousands of like minded people agree and become regular readers, some disagree and don’t come back and a very small minority (usually from London in my experience at least) bother to bitch and moan and talk shit on forums whilst letting their dog lick their balls because they can’t get a girlfriend.

The vast majority of fixed gear blogs exist simply to repost other peoples content, kiss ass and get freebies. I’m the opposite and a lot of people respect that, if you don’t then don’t read, thats how I like it and posts like the Levi’s one weeds out the people that think differently to me, it’s how the world works. Not everything is great and some people just don’t get on.

Tl;dr (also did not read blog, no-one ever does)

Tried the "Commuted hooded trucker" jacket on today. really nice jacket unfortunately the small is tiny and the medium is huge! spew.

MEH! they don't make up in a size 38, not all cyclists are starved narrow-wasted muthaf##kers.

Just got caught in the thunderstorm to end all thunderstorms (genuinely feared for my life for a few minutes!) wearing mine. Of course I got soaked, but less than half an hour later they're almost bone dry. Pretty impressive!

A few people have asked me what I think of my commuters so here's a quick revew.

These are the model that I have.

From those photos, they don't look terribly skinny at all. Rather baggy by jeans standards.

they're not that baggy. They're the normal 511 fit.

I ended up getting a pair today, as levi very kindly did a swap for a pair of chino-y trousers that ripped through the crotch after riding by bike once,

they seem pretty good, but the size has come up a bit small (34/32), just thought I'd write on here on the off chance that anyone would do a swap for the larger size,

I would have got the bigger size but they had none in stock in any of their stores, so I'll just be keeping them with all labels and whatnot attached till the bigger come into stock with them.

I too found them to come up on the small size. Could of done with an extra inch or so.

I've worn mine most days over the last three weeks and haven't felt the need to wash them.

The elasticated pocket edges are a pretty good idea imo. I find in some of my thicker denim skinnies that getting stuff out my pockets is difficult because the pocket lies tight against my leg. The elastic means I can get my to my phone/ipod/small hard object to throw at a taxi much quicker and easier. especially in gloves.

The pockets are very deep so the endless crap i seem to carry round fits in well and I don't worry about anything falling out after being worked up my leg from the movements of pedalling.

The high back keeps me much warmer from drafts and the doubly thick denim at the seat is very comfortable on longer rides.

The D-Lock holder is very good as to too is slightly elasticated so is snug. Although it is on the wrong side to where I'd usually hold the lock which is annoying.

Overall I don't think they are quite worth the 80 quid retail price but I don't regret buying them. I'd fo sho buy another pair. Luckily with them being so durable, It won't be for a while until I need to!

Have you tried Swrve jeans before?

The D-Lock holder is very good as to too is slightly elasticated so is snug. Although it is on the wrong side to where I'd usually hold the lock which is annoying.

Everyone says this. Such a weird design choice and my biggest beef with them too. Are all hipsters lefties or something (because it's less conformist)?

I think the D lock holder is on the wrong side so the lock doesn't obscure the Levis tab.

I have an old pair of Levis engineered jeans shorts from a charity shop which have the same seamless crotch that swrve shorts have, you can't beat swrve though.

Got mine today, and my fahg doesnt even fit in the holster???

anyone else have this?