Swrve Durable Cotton 3/4 Skinny Fit

The Swrve Durable Cotton 3/4 Skinny Fit trousers are superbly practical thanks to some tough, abrasion-proof material with a 4-way stretch for exceptional comfort on the bike and around town. Seamless construction at the saddle, articulated knees and well-thought out waistband impress, though they're not as slim as you'd think – and the pockets could be better too.

These have become an essential part of my morning commute: instantly solving three pressing problems.

> Buy the Durable Cotton 3/4 Slim Fit now from Swerve for £72

The super-tough material means I'm not wearing through the gusset of my work trousers and constantly having to patch them up; the 3/4 length means no worries of chain-oil stains; and for the benefit of other road users, the high waist at the back means I never reveal a tantalising glimpse of the top of my buttocks... which may have happened in my leisure-wear slacks. I also avoid any chilly drafts. It is one of life's few win-win situations.

Swrve uses a mix of 55% cotton, 38% nylon and 7% spandex, and it really does have an impressive stretch. Look inside and you'll find that all seams have been triple stitched, which is especially important where flex is vital and abrasion is likely.

The material has a water-repellent coating for some water resistance, and it's pretty impressive for short distances through light showers. It's not going to cope with sustained downpours, and will never replace a set of waterproof over-trousers, but it got me home in relative comfort on a number of soggy evenings.

That DWR coating also gives the material a degree of wind resistance, which means they are still a viable option as autumn sets in and morning rides get ever colder.

Made to last?

There's an obvious focus on durability in the construction as well as the fabric. You get reinforced belt loops, double-welted back pockets, a reinforced pocket entry, solid YKK zippers and a burly-looking button; they are robust, easy to clean and look after.

I must have worn through five or six pairs of trousers over the last eight years of commuting to work. I've become adept at patching with a combination of running and box stitch. I am hoping these trousers are going to put an end to that – they feel like they could.

There's even a bit of reflective detailing on the belt loops for visibility... although for the most part, they're likely to be covered with a t-shirt, jumper and/or rucksack. So perhaps not the best idea.

The belt loops at the rear are shaped to carry a mini U-lock, too, although I'm struggling to work out how I would unlock mine when it's behind my back.

Great comfort

Jump on a bike and the stretch fabric really comes into its own. There's no restriction in movement, whether you're throwing your leg over the saddle, or hauling your way to a hill PB.

The waist is well thought out. It's lower at the front to make sure belts don't dig in, and higher at the back to keep you covered when leant forward.

Comfort in the saddle is very impressive. There's no inner liner or padding but the diamond-panelled seamless gusset ensures that short rides around town are easy on your backside. My daily commute is a 16km round trip, but I've used these on longer rides of up to 35km with no issues at all.

From a practical viewpoint, these deliver exactly what is promised. They feel great against your skin, keep you warm, help you stay dry and stretch with your body to ensure maximum comfort.

Pick your pocket

There are two hip pockets at the front, but they're difficult to access. I can get a set of keys in there and a small wallet, but not a great deal else, and things that might fit just fine while I'm walking can become wedges when I'm sitting on the bike. They're advertised as 'pen pockets,' but I wouldn't want to cycle with a pen stored here.

The two pockets at the rear are also fine for walking, and one of them is zipped for security. However, I wouldn't want to put anything fragile in there when I'm cycling... least of all a mobile phone.

And here's the weird thing: there is nowhere that will fit a phone. Even a fair amount of dedicated lycra can safely take one – phones are practically universal, after all – so why do this casual pair not seem to give it any thought?

I commute with a rucksack and it's no great problem then, but for trips down the pub and short hops around town, I resented having to carry a few small valuables in an extra bag.

Style council

And then there's the aesthetic. For me, these trousers feel a little Beijing 1967 with a hint of Wickes DIY overalls... they also remind me of the grey school trousers I wore in the 80s.

Head to the Swrve website and the models seem to carry off this look far better than I do. But it's the mixture of grey colour, heavy cloth and the way the legs seem to flap around at half mast. I've taken to rolling them up to just under the knee to cinch them in, and that does improve matters considerably. I really didn't get the sense they were skinny.

I'm not claiming to be a style guru, but I wasn't blown away by the look. Given their all-rounder urban nature, that may be a drawback for some.

Value

£72 seems pretty reasonably given the quality and general usefulness of these strides. Siobhan reviewed the Velocity Women's Cycling Capris and, though they're more expensive at £85, they look much slicker than these. Unfortunately they don't do a men's 3/4, though the full-length Velocity Men's Climber Trousers are very good at £90.

The last 3/4 length trousers I owned were Endura Hummvees. I bought them about 14 years ago and for some reason handed them to a friend, who still uses them today. I definitely preferred the cut and aesthetic of those trousers, and wish I'd kept hold of them. They can still be bought today for £72.99, and that includes a liner too.

Overall

These seem to occupy a little niche of their own; tough cycling 3/4s, but with street looks. They're viable urban cycling trousers that don't look out of place in a pub garden or wandering around town, and if you don't mind the not-that-skinny fit, slightly basic looks and perplexing lack of phone-room, they're a winner.

Verdict

Durable, stretchy and brilliantly comfortable, if not really that slim – and the pockets need a rethink