For some of us, cycling is an integral part of life. We wake up for the dawn patrol, we socialise with other cyclists, we ride to work, some of us even work with bikes. It’s only natural that our very wardrobes begin to be assimilated into our biking lifestyle. The Commuter™ collection by Levi’s® blur the line between riding gear and casual wear.
Some items from the Levi’s® Commuter™ collection have been a staple part of my wardrobe for the past few years, and I’ve been fascinated by the evolution of the range, which has obviously been driven by its popularity and feedback from real-world riders. One the headlining pieces is the Trucker jacket.
The Trucker is a handy bit of kit, and its many features have come in handy on numerous occasions. From the outside, it’s a standard denim jacket (that also comes in ‘Cougar’ brown canvas and black canvas), but on the inside it’s a rugged, multi-condition shell that will protect you from inclement conditions, barring a torrential downpour.
Being able to seal off your entire upper body with the steadfast buttons comes in handy when you’re riding through winter streets. Light rain is repelled, thanks to a “water-resistant and dirt-repellent EcoRepel® protective finish”. It’s enough to make water bead, but if it really starts coming down, well, you should’ve packed your waterproof jacket.
Whether you’re riding or not, the Trucker can be a valuable investment. On many occasions I’ve been thankful of the concealed hood inside the collar, which is barely noticeable when stowed away. The copper zip and toggles are details consistent with the rest of the range, including the Commuter™ Backpack.
An abundance of pockets comes in handy for your everyday carry items. There’s two hip pockets, two breast pockets, one easy access pocket on the left breast, a large zippered back pocket on the left, and a back pocket on the right that’s closed by a press stud, for a bit of variation. The back hem has extra length to keep you covered while riding.
Reflective tabs aid visibility when riding through the city; there’s two on the shoulders — enough to be effective and subtle enough to not look like you belong on a construction site. Under those tabs is a vent to allow airflow. I’m not really sure how much air flows through there, perhaps some zippered seams under the arms would allow more.
There’s extra length on the Trucker’s arm cuffs, which keep the wrists covered when stretched over the handlebars, and gussets in the shoulders to allow free movement of the arms. For a jacket with so many details and features, it still feels slim and concise on the body, even when wearing a backpack.
The designs on the Levi’s® Commuter™ T-shirt are a vast improvement on those of previous seasons. The first T simply had the international symbol for ‘bicycle’ emblazoned on the front, so it’s refreshing to see the new designs feature some sort of message, although the new shirts are still safely generic.
It’s a pity, because these are great shirts for cyclists. They’re made from a crease-free 65% Cotton, 35% Polyester “Coolmax™ All Season Fabric for moisture management”. Levi’s® would do well to commission a couple of relevant artists who ride to create designs for each new season. This color is ‘Rosin’, and there’s a white shirt in the collection too.
The back, which is cut low, has more reflective details.
The Commuter™ shorts have been my daily go-to pair since it started to get warmer in Sydney. One morning, while wearing another pair of shorts, I threw my leg over the bike, only to rip them straight up the crotch. I ran back upstairs and threw on the Commuter™ shorts, repeated the action, and was pleased to discover their elastic nature.
They’re made from a 67% Cotton, 33% Elastomultiester canvas mix, and have reflective 3M™ Scotchlite™ tape on the inside cuffs. The tailoring is well fitted, and they also repel water, just like the Slim Fit Trousers, Jeans and Cargo pants, which are other pieces in the collection. Like everything made by Levi’s®, they’re rugged and made to last.
The Levi’s® Commuter™ collection also includes a hooded Windbreaker and Lace Up Sneakers, as well as the jeans, trousers and cargo pants. It’s a well-thought out range with considered details that, for the daily rider, will prove to be worthwhile additions to your wardrobe.
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Shot on location at the Palisade Hotel. Special thanks to the staff at Levi’s® Store Miranda and Calum MacAulay for the photography.
