“Nice pants, who makes those?”
Zack was the first in our group to start wearing them this winter as far as I can tell, though Chase notes he’s been wearing these for years. The answer to the question — Wrangler — is just as surprising as the fact that these pants are available at Target stores and online for about $27. Chris got them next, and I had to see what the fuss was about for myself.
Wrangler ATG Synthetic pants
The Wrangler ATG line (All Terrain Gear) includes a number of items, and the synthetic (not canvas) pants are the ones that seem well suited to mountain biking. I chose a pair of Slim Fit Taper Trail Joggers due to a couple specific features I wanted, though friends seem to like the other versions just as well.
Starting at the waist, the Joggers include a sewn-in nylon web belt with a plastic buckle. The belt doesn’t wrap all the way around the waist which limits its functionality, but it does tighten the waist enough to dial in the fit a bit. Ideally I would have chosen a pair with a 32-inch waist, but I could only find 34s in stock at my local store. If I cinch the nylon belt to the max the pants fit fine, though with an awkward bulge at the front. There’s also a set of external belt loops if you want to run your own. Based on my research only the ATG Joggers include a nylon belt, and that’s once of the reasons I chose this style.
The pants feature five pockets total, though none are zipped. The two rear pockets are mostly useless on the bike, and the front ones are only marginally so without zippers. I don’t generally put anything in my pockets when I ride (I once smashed a phone that way) but I do like using the pockets as hand warmers and for holding keys and things when I’m getting ready for the ride.
Moving down the leg, the Wrangler ATG pants feature articulated or “pre-bent” knees which is pretty great, especially for active use on the bike.
At the far end of the legs there are elastic cinchers that are, IMO, pretty much mandatory for bike pants. It seems not everyone agrees however, and there are plenty of bike-specific pants that don’t include any kind of hem cincher or strap. The obvious reason for cinching the right ankle hem is to keep the pants from getting caught in a chainring; on pants that don’t include a strap or cinch, I end up using an external velcro strap which works fine, but it’s just one more thing I have to keep track of in my kit. So, the drawcord hem on these is a big plus for me.
Materials and fit
The Wrangler ATG Slim Flit Taper Joggers are made from 95% nylon, 5% spandex just like many of the bike pants on the market. The material doesn’t feel especially soft; in fact I would say it’s on the rough side, and I can already see that it attracts lint and hair easily. That’s not to say the material is uncomfortable though; I did a 50-mile ride in these pants recently and they felt great the whole time.
Unlike many MTB or bike-specific pants, the Wrangler ATX pants do not seem to be treated with a DWR coating of any kind. Even light rain sprinkles quickly soak right through.
As for the usable temperature range, I found the Joggers are comfortable between about 40°F and 65°. Where I live that makes them a solid winter and shoulder season choice. I wouldn’t characterize the ATG pants as breathable or insulated; as far as thickness goes, they’re basically middle-of-the-road. And since there aren’t any clever vents, what you see is what you get.
Of course mountain bike pants are meant to protect riders from trail abrasion as well, and while I haven’t tested these in a crash they seem like they should be up to the task. Wrangler positions the ATG series as workwear and outdoor wear so they promise to be pretty tough. The material thickness definitely gives me confidence.
I’m really stoked on the fit, despite the fact that the waist is a couple inches too big for me. Oh, and I would have preferred pants with a 34-inch inseam instead of a 32, but luckily the inseams tend to run quite long. Seriously, in Levi jeans I wear a 36-inch inseam, yet somehow these 32s are only short by millimeters. As far as the waist goes, I would say they run true to size.
It seems a big reason these pants caught on so quickly among my friends — aside from the price — is that they look pretty damn good. The colors are on trend for men’s MTB apparel (black, gray) and they aren’t boxy rectangles that flap in the wind. Sadly for the ladies, Wrangler does not offer women’s sizes or styles.
But don’t let that stop anyone. The ATG pants are available in at least four different styles, three colors, waist sizes from 30-40, and three lengths (30, 32, and 34).
Bottom line
It’s not surprising mountain bikers are finding a lot to like in the Wrangler ATG pants. They’re affordable, available, and tick the major boxes when it comes to performance on the trail.
As we stopped to catch our breath and eat a quick snack on Sunday’s ride, Jacob furrowed his brow and pointed toward my legs.
“Hey man, who makes those?”
- MSRP: $26.99
- Available at Target or comparable styles at Amazon
Party laps
- Inexpensive
- Generally available for in-store purchase
- Multiple sizes and styles to choose from
- Good bike performance
Pros and cons of the Wrangler ATG pants for mountain biking.
Dirt naps
- No DWR coating
- Open pockets dump their contents when riding
- Nylon belt doesn’t go all the way around the waist
Share This:
Thanks for this! An entire article about cheap but good clothing for mtb would be great.
Ask and you shall receive: https://www.singletracks.com/mtb-gear/the-guide-to-dirt-cheap-mountain-bike-clothing/
Look in your closet/chest of drawers. Pretty sure you will find pretty much everything you need for MTB garb. Get your glove from a motorcycle dealer for MX. Get your bike shorts from a bike shop. Five tens a great flat pedal shoe.
I bought a similar Wrangler pant from Walmart. They do not have the belt, but they have side zip pockets. Also, the cuffs are non-adjustable, but pretty slim. They work great for riding.
I second that. They’re the only pants I wear, on or off the bike.
I wear these for work for years as well. They last forever, for great, cost nothing and are comfortable.
I use the shorts version of these all the time for MTBing…gotta find these now.
There are a lot of great non-MTB stuff that works great for MTBing. I’ve found that shoes & gloves tend to be the only items I would get that would be considered MTB specific.
A word of caution though – These are made with non-recycled, non-natural materials and imported (China?). That should be considered when purchasing items.
While maybe better for shoulder season/winter, I’m a huge fan of items available at Varusteleka. All my various wool items are from there, as as some outwear items. The Sarma and Sarma TST ranges is what I look at.
Even getting something expensive, higher quality, and with some attempt to offset impacts, like Vaude pants, might be better for everyone in the long run. When you buy things, you are telling the world what you want to see more of. Regardless of the price, getting items made of synthetics, sewn by incarcerated Uyghurs in place not known for human rights shouldn’t be what we want to see more of.
I second Zoso’s comment. The last time I bought any MTB clothing for a price that low was when I purchased a pair of gloves. You can’t touch MTB pants for under a $100.
I got some fox pants on sale for under 100 $ they’re chili red …but luckily it matches both my bikes
I have a pair fromt he same ‘series’ that I bought at Tractor Supply. They don’t have the integrated belt or cinches at the bottom, but have a thigh zipper phone pocket. They are pretty much my go to trail work pants
I’m rather husky and been wearing the Wrangler ATG synthetic shorts for riding and love the fit. I’ve blown through a couple pair (material is a little thin and broke at a seam) but overall very happy.
Two questions about their fit.
The exact two question I have.
Good questions.
No saddle snag for me on the Joggers. I think the slim fit helps.
I didn’t try running knee pads underneath but my guess is that’s a no-go. Again, slim fit. If you’re thinking about running pads the regulars might be your best bet.
Thanks for the inseam review. I was surprised to not see a 32×34 size.
Thanks for the tip, bought the jogger and the regular pants, excited to try them out.
Those atg pants and long sleeve shirts are the best alternative to high priced mtn bike specific clothing!
I’ve had two versions of these for just about 2 years now. One has fleece lining and the other is just a shell type. They have held up well and the fleece ones are good for down to 20°F rides for me. My gripes are that they are not cut for a riding position, so a size up is advised, and the thigh pockets are just slightly too small for most phones these days, at least on the ones I have.
These were great originally. The newer ones (released in the last two years) aren’t nearly as durable. I bought 3 pair 3 years ago, and still have two of them. Bought two pair in the last year, neither lasted 6 months. One pair the zipper got absolutely destroyed in like three times of wearing them. Maybe I just ended up with a few bad ones, but they were so much weaker than the originals that I used for everything. Material wasn’t the same, and neither were the pockets (super deep 5th pocket was AWESOME) Highly disappointed…
Sorry, but I know I am risking condemnation here. DO NOT CARE. BUT…….I do ZERO bu$ine$$ with target over their support of the mental illness that is gender “fluidity”/confusion AKA totally antithetical to Science.
Buy your Wranglers somewhere else is my advice. Stop the insanity.
Yep, you’re an asshole. At least you basically admit it.
I do not admit to being an asshole, at least as regards this. I DO admit to speaking the truth. YOU are a part of the problem, if you are promoting/accepting gender fluidity/confusion. Keep taking your hormones. Maybe then you can go in the girls’ bathroom and live your fantasy.
Great pants. I got 3 pair. Walmart also has them.