
Yeah, I know they are men's pants but they were a great price and do fit except for a slight showing of the pocket liners at the hip pockets
I came to the Olympia Recons after wearing a pair of black dirt bike style motorcycle pants. Though those had been fully armored, they had been designed to be tight and without any pockets. Maybe there were good for the track, but for daily riding they were annoying.
I would say the first thing I loved was the relaxed fit of the Olympia’s but that would be lying. The first thing I loved is that they were tan. What a thought to break out of the world of black motorcycle gear! It was a moment akin to Apple coming out with colored laptops.
The second thing I loved was the pockets. These come with a plethora of pockets: Zippered, snapped, hip, rear, and thigh. I could save receipts in one, chapstick in another, my wallet in a third, my customary pocket knife if a fourth and still have room for more. A multitude of pockets are essential when you refuse to carry a purse (or pack) and have a small tank bag.
Then the third thing I loved was the fit. At a size 32, they are loose enough that I can wear pants underneath for cooler riding, but snug enough I can wear them on their own for the summer. The knee armor velcros into smooth pockets and as long as you are careful about installation nothing is scratchy. Otherwise, it only takes a moment to notice not all the velcro is lining up and needs to be fixed.
I didn’t appreciate the functionality of zip off pants until the 16 day motorcycle trip through Canada. We would arrive at a destination to tour the town. I could drop the motorcycle boots and coat, zip off the pant legs, put on sandals and look something akin to an average tourist. Pretty cool. Not to mention pulling into a campground on a warm day. Off with the shoes and pant legs, and I could set up the tent in shorts without having to take half an hour to change. The best was walking to the beach at Meat Cove. How often can you go from full gear to knee deep in the ocean in under three minutes and then back again in five?
It was on the same trip that I found how highly disadvantageous zip off pant legs are during the rain. Not only do the zippers leak, there is a one inch gap where the convertible zippers don’t meet. Rain is forced up under the hem which conceals the zippers and soaks through to bare legs very quickly if you aren’t carrying rain gear (which I wasn’t). Eight hours in a downpour and I was soaked through to my underwear. Shorter showers left me chilled as a small rivulet would form from the leaking gap/zipper, run down my leg and soak my socks.
Returning from that trip, I found the last thing that really annoyed me. My fully armored, Cordura pants were hand wash only. Something that was supposed to protect me in the event of an accident could not handle a washing machine. That is a little worrisome. I tried to hand wash them . . . once. After daily wear on a 3100 mile motorcycle trip the grime was a little ground in. I resorted to the washing machine. It did not even get out the stains. Oh well, I guess it is motorcycle gear after all.
The Bottom Line:
These are fantastic motorcycle pants. They are very comfortable and incredibly multi-use assuming you have real bad weather gear. Don’t expect them to keep you dry, but do expect them to be comfortable, reasonably cool, and (knock on wood) give you adequate protection in case of an accident. I have gone over while wearing them at low speeds and not suffered any scrapes or bruises. Nicely, the pants have only suffered stains and no lost stitches or wear spots even after two years and tumbles. Lighter coolers will stain and the hand wash requirement is ridiculous. It is like making combat clothing for soldiers and telling them to wash them in the delicate cycle. It doesn’t seem right.
A Note for Women:
I wear these as my primary pants even though they are men’s. I simply haven’t found a woman’s equivalent that I like. They fit reasonably well, but being men’s they do pull at the front pockets over my hip bones. The pocket liners do show a bit. And remember, these are cargo pants designed for men. They fall just above my upper knees. These are not mid-thigh cut safari shorts! You probably won’t be wearing these for looks, but more for practicality. But boy are they practical.