Casual riding gear has been on a steady rise, with Indian manufacturers taking notice of this space and deciding to cater to it. The Downtown Pro is Rynox’s first attempt at a pair of riding jeans, which seemed promising from the moment I tried them on at a Rynox store.
On the surface, they seem like regular denims (albeit not the most stylish-looking pair, given the current denim trends). But unlike an ordinary pair, they weigh a lot more, all thanks to their unconventional construction, which consists primarily of polyester, nylon and Cordura denim. Additionally, the impact zones are lined with Kevlar for better abrasion resistance. Rynox currently sells two versions of the Downtown Pro, one featuring its in-house Rheon armour and the other featuring Level 2 D3O Ghost armour. We’re currently testing the D3O version, which costs a significant Rs 2,800 more. The extra money goes towards the flexible and super-low profile nature of this armour, and it’s worth the difference for the sleek, low-profile look.
I found the size chart to be fairly accurate, but Dinshaw, who also uses these, didn’t. These denims fit well, and I could stretch comfortably in them. What I love is that they fit over just about any riding boot and don’t get pulled up at the ankle when in a more aggressive riding position. Rynox has also integrated some reflective tape at the bottom inseam, which can be accessed by folding up the jeans. I haven’t been using the reflector at all, and over time, it has started to show wear by rubbing up against my boot. This isn’t a dealbreaker for me since I don’t rely on it, but for those who do, it can easily be avoided by folding up the end of the pants. The front pockets are deep enough to carry items like your wallet and phone. Additionally, Rynox has also included a concealed pocket along the thigh, which is deep enough to store large items like a power bank.
One issue I’ve faced is that these jeans don’t feel as plush on your skin as the regular ones. This is especially prominent in our hot, humid environment. To mitigate this, you can wear base layers, but that feels counterintuitive to the purpose of these everyday pants.
Practicality aside, they can feel a little stuffy, given the thick material and their heavy-duty construction compared to regular jeans. Again, that’s the price to pay for added protection, and it’s certainly not a dealbreaker—it just takes a little getting used to. Another minor gripe I have is with the lack of colour options, given that these denims are meant to integrate themselves more seamlessly into your casual attire. I would have liked more choices here, or maybe even a baggier fit. However, I’m just nitpicking; these denims are definitely of good quality (especially for the price) and give you a premium fit overall.
Where: rynoxgear.com
Price: Rs 6,950 (with Rheon armour), Rs 9,750 (with D3O armour).
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