Tough, good-looking denim that moves with you? It exists, and it's awesome. Presenting our five favorite pairs of high-performance jeans.听
Levi鈥檚 511 Commuter ($88)
The purpose-made include smart features like reflective tape along the seams that鈥檚 visible only when you roll up the cuffs. But the main reason these became our go-to ride-to-work pants is the extra-tough gusseted crotch, which shows no sign of wear even after four months of stress-颅testing.
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Patagonia Straight ($89)
With the , Patagonia updated the cut of its pants from dad jeans to a trim but not-too-tight fit. And it did so without sacrificing commitment to function. A tiny bit of spandex blended into the organic cotton means they鈥檙e stretchy enough to wear to the climbing gym but won鈥檛 stand out at the pub afterward.
Outdoor Research Goldrush ($99)
Crafted from a mix of cotton, nylon, and denim, and reinforced with Cordura, the are, according to Outdoor Research, four times more durable than standard denim jeans. We couldn鈥檛 verify that claim, but the pair we tried certainly didn鈥檛 flinch during a bushwhack in Colorado鈥檚 Indian Peaks wilderness.
Mountain Hardwear Stretchstone ($95)
Cut from a blend of cotton, polyester, and Lycra, then coated with a water-repellent DWR finish, are tough enough to handle rainy commutes and stylish enough to wear to work. Though not as stretchy as the Goldrushes, they鈥檙e still plenty comfortable for everything from sitting to cycling to hiking. Note: We liked the straight cut of the Stretchstones but found them a bit snug in the waist, crotch, and thighs. If you have larger legs, size up.
Toad and Co.Drover Denim ($89)
Like Goldilocks, Toad and Co. sought to get everything just right with the . These jeans are slim without being skinny, and they鈥檙e sufficiently stretchy for a quick rock scramble. The one exaggerated element: enormous front pockets, which can easily swallow an iPhone 6 Plus or a bag of trail mix.