This versatile fabric brings joy to bike commuters, hipster hikers, impromptu rock climbers, and me.
Yes, you can even scramble up a boulder wearing performance denim jeans. (Photo: Courtesy Lisa Jhung)
Published October 6, 2026 11:29AM
What to know: After testing performance denim everywhere from the rock-climbing gym to hot summer trail runs, our outdoor gear columnist names the best overall performance jeans as the Ripton Superlight Jean. She also highly recommends Duer’s Performance Denim Harbour Shorts as the most comfortable, casual-looking shorts. For hikers and runners looking for maximum mobility in a shorter inseam, she loves the Ripton Trail Daemon Jorts.
I don’t have much tolerance for uncomfortable clothing, especially pants. I want to be able to move freely whenever I want, in whatever I’m wearing, whether that means taking a work break to pull hundreds of weeds from my garden or going on a quick hike with my dog at lunch. And since I sometimes go out among the public for social functions and athletic events, I’m always looking for comfortable, functional gear disguised as regular clothing that makes me look like I’m adulting.
Some would suggest denim jeans as a possibility for that role. Jeans have a reputation for being both comfortable and functional—an undeserved reputation, in my opinion. True, made from 100% heavyweight cotton yarns woven into a tight-knit twill, traditional denim can be soft, durable, and functional for things like riding horses and shoveling what comes out of that horse. Denim jeans also resist snags when scrambling on rocks or pushing through abrasive brush on a trail. And they provide resistance from wind and cold for bike commuting or shoulder-season hiking.
But they aren’t truly functional compared to modern outdoor gear: they’re too stiff to allow for flexible rock-climbing moves, restrict knee bend for comfortably pushing bike pedals or stepping uphill on a hike, and could cause hypothermia if you get wet…because they stay wet.
And comfortable? C’mon. Do you want to wear jeans with their unforgiving waistband and button closure at the Thanksgiving dinner table? Or on a plane for seven hours? Or during any outdoor activity that requires full movement and makes you sweat? Jeans do become stretchier as the fibers relax, flex, and adapt to the wearer, but not enough to be truly active.
That said, there are jeans that successfully blend casual fashion and athletic function. A couple of decades ago, I practically lived in a pair of thin, lightweight, super-stretchy Prana jeans because they were breathable and flexible. I could wear them out on the town at night, but they were also my top pick for rock climbing and camping. They had a funny print that I overlooked because they were so dang comfortable and functional. They were my do-it-all pants. It’s been years since I found another pair of denim pants that I don’t dread pulling on—pants that have that classic denim look but can be worn hiking, rock climbing, camping, traveling, and around town.
In recent years, however, several brands have brought back what they are now calling performance denim—cotton fibers woven with synthetic threads like stretchy elastane and cooling, sweat-wicking recycled polyester. Duer and Ripton are two performance denim brands that have impressed me. Duer launched in Canada 11 years ago when its founder saw a need for stretchy jeans for cycling. Ripton introduced performance denim jorts for mountain biking in late 2019. Both brands have expanded their performance denim lines and are creeping into the outdoor space. Here are some of their jeans and shorts I’ve worn and recommend.
Ripton Superlight Jean
I’ve been wearing the Ripton Superlight Jean for over a year and love them for their light weight, mobility, and breathability—they’re the only jeans I’ll consider wearing in temps above 60 degrees. A blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex makes them stretchy and quicker-drying than straight-up cotton denim. I’ve worn them comfortably on a long plane ride, on a scramble mid-hike, and even to the rock-climbing gym for a session with the hubs.
Ripton Trail Daemon Jorts
I’ve also run—yes, run—in Ripton’s Trail Daemon Jorts. While I prefer a lighter-weight short for most runs, these performance denim jorts with a whopping 12 percent Lycra spandex and four-inch inseam allow full mobility and are more than adequate for impromptu explorations. I keep them in the rotation for hiking, camping, lounging, and trail runs when I want to look and feel cool (cooler than I actually am).
Duer’s Performance Denim Harbour Shorts
Duer’s Performance Denim Harbour Shorts’ baggy fit, stretchy waistband, and fiber blend (70% cotton, 28% Coolmax polyester, and 2% Lycra spandex) make them the most comfortable, functional, casual-looking shorts I own. They have stretched with me on hikes and made me feel like I’m wearing sweatshorts around town, all while looking like a responsible mom on her way to the grocery store (when in fact, I’m heading to a trail).
