Say it with me: pants are boring. Why wear two pieces when you can roll your whole outfit into one? I鈥檒l admit I was once an overall skeptic鈥擨 don鈥檛 love the way workwear has become trendy lately. But what may present as an obnoxious lifestyle trend can be surprisingly practical (not to mention make life more fun). Ranging from impressively capable mountain bike overalls to stretchy and stylish campsite get-ups, here are the picks that put the biggest smiles on our faces.
Ripton Diesel Overalls ($149)
It鈥檚 hard to deny the role Ripton has played in bringing jorts and denim overalls back to center stage. In fact, sometimes it鈥檚 hard to remember a life before jort-clad skiers ripped around on the slopes. Ripton鈥檚 performance denim overalls now come in a myriad of different denim tones, the Diesel being my current favorite for its dirt-erasing black design and fun pink straps. Moisture-wicking stretch denim makes these perfectly reasonable to bike, ski, or dance your face off in, and the brushed interior means they鈥檙e comfy enough to rock without anything underneath. They鈥檙e not as technical as full synthetic materials may be, but compared to thrift store denim, these may as well be yoga pants.
Wild Rye Elorie Technical Overalls ($169)
In typical Wild Rye fashion, the Elorie overalls are both versatile and cute, made with a nylon and spandex blend that鈥檚 ready for anything you throw at it. We love these overalls for weekend house projects, trailhead tailgates, desert bike rides, and on the weekend they sometimes transition seamlessly between all three. The stretchy material feels soft to the touch, but they鈥檙e also durable enough to rough up around camp. Chest, back, and hand pockets stash all your goods, and brass buttons tie the whole look together.
Kavu San Blas Overalls ($95)
It鈥檚 impossible not to smile while wearing this colorful pair. It’s both eye-catching and stretchy, built with polyester and spandex for maximum mobility. There are two side pockets, but other than those, features are pretty minimal鈥攖he pattern does all the talking. These are a top choice for warmer weather festivities like music festivals, farmer鈥檚 markets, and mountain bike races, but they can be winterized with some warmer layers underneath for year-round giggling. Bopping around town in these will make your day better, period.
Peppermint Cycling MTB Overall ($184)
While we鈥檝e certainly mountain-biked in plenty of denim overalls, it鈥檚 always fun to rock a technical pair that were intentionally made for flying downhill on two wheels. Built with DWR-treated nylon and spandex, Peppermint鈥檚 MTB Overalls are breathable, stretchy, and decently abrasion-resistant. Paired with a long sleeve jersey, they鈥檙e ideal for cold, dry fall days when you鈥檙e looking for a little more protection. There鈥檚 extra room in the legs for knee pads, and the side zipper and stretchy straps actually make it possible to squat and pee without having to fully remove them鈥攁 major win.
Flylow Life Bib ($110)
Flylow already proved themselves to be the master of ski bibs, so it only made sense for them to make a summer-oriented jumper for off-snow shenanigans. The Life Bib is one of those put-it-on-and-leave-it-on pieces for a day that鈥檚 packed full of activities鈥攔eady for road trips, tailgates, extreme disc golf, and mountain town dinner parties. A blend of nylon and spandex make them both durable and stretchy enough to move around in, though they鈥檙e a little stiffer than some of the other overalls on this list. Chop wood, take a hike, ski a few sunny April laps, and you鈥檒l find a solid companion in these bibs.
Cotopaxi Fuego Down Overall ($285)
Take one look at these overalls and tell me you wouldn鈥檛 love posting up in the parking lot after an all-time ski day in them. This puffy bib is the hero of winter tailgating, ideal for frigid December apres sessions or late fall camping trips thanks to toasty 800鈥揻ill down and a water-resistant DWR coating. Yes, you might look like the Michelin Man, but peeling off your ski layers and hopping into this cozy down suit is just about the best feeling after the lifts stop spinning.