Review: Levis Women’s Commuter Windbreaker and Skinny Jean
By Hannah Üstel
The new Levis Women’s Commuter Range is the ultimate urban clothing collection for style conscious riders who don’t want to rock up to work looking like they’re wearing cycling gear.
Following the same simple style of the iconic denim brand but with adaptations for cyclists, the collection focuses on style, comfort and climate-control for city commuters.
Levis Commuter Windbreaker (£110)
You know something’s really special when you get complimented on it every time you wear it. Levis have absolutely nailed the style of this Commuter Windbreaker, I really can’t see this jacket looking unflattering on anyone. Its parka style and relaxed fit adds an element of sophistication to any outfit, there are even adjustable toggles to allow the waist to cinch in, for a more tailored fit.
The jacket gives me all the movement I need and is an ideal length to ride in as it covers my lower back completely. I tested a size medium, which is true to size, with enough room for a thick jumper to be worn underneath.
I was really surprised with the Thermo COOL Fabric technology in this jacket, it has literally blown my mind. I have never felt so cool and ventilated on the bike in a jacket before, this fabric, along with the underarm vents, ensure that it feels as if a constant breeze is flowing over my skin. This is obviously an excellent quality to have when riding but I must warn you that it can be incredibly chilly wearing it off the bike with bare arms underneath!
Another key feature of the Levis Commuter Windbreaker is its rather nifty Ecropel finish. This ensures that any inevitable mud and dirt that gets on the jacket can simply be brushed off the surface of the stiff fabric. Levis weren’t at all fibbing here, and even after being very weary of the colour of this jacket, I am still surprised to find that it is still completely stain free. Even after a good month of wearing it almost every day!
One thing I was disappointed with was the jacket’s ability to keep me dry on my commute. It survives in light rain but as soon as the drops get heavier, the jacket soaks up all the water, which you can instantly feel against your skin.
All in all, this is the most practical and stylish jacket I’ve ever worn both on and off the bike but definitely not ideal for those wet weather days.
Levis Commuter Skinny Jean (£80)
With very few women’s specific cycling jeans available here in the UK, I was absolutely thrilled about the arrival of the Levis Commuter Skinny Jean.
First things first, these jeans personally tick all the boxes for me appearance wise as they are slim fitting and high rise. This is down to this style of jeans being the most flattering for my body shape. They elongate my legs and tuck in my tummy, giving me a much more defined waistline. This high rise feature is great for giving me much more coverage on the bike and prevents them from falling down whilst riding.
The Levis Commuter Skinny Jeans are incredibly comfortable to cycle in and if you’ve ever cycled in a pair of jeans before, you will know it can be quite the challenge. Made from a stretch mid weight denim, they really do allow your legs to move freely and stay nice and snug on your back in all riding positions.
Again, I was a little disappointed with the water resistant feature. A few drops of water fall straight off the fabric, but the rain gets to these straight away.
Added bike value is also found in the jeans deeper back pockets and reflective seams on the inside of the ankles, giving urban riders added visibility in the night. They even feature anti-microbial technology to keep them smelling fresh which is a really practical feature as jeans aren’t something you tend to wash regularly.
One thing that lets these dream jeans down for cyclists is the fact that the crotch isn’t reinforced, so I’m quite skeptical that the material will start to weaken in this area after months of riding.
I tested a size 28 (UK 10) which fit me perfectly apart from being a little baggy in the crotch area.
For the price, I think that they are totally worth every penny!
Available in blue, black and grey.
Verdict: For me, The Levis Commuter Windbreaker and Commuter Skinny Jean combo are the two essentials any style conscious cyclist should invest in. Although they don’t look like technical pieces of cycling clothing, they hide some very magical features for urban riders.
Available from Levis.