Finding the perfect pair of skate pants is crucial for comfort, durability, and style. While tricks and technique are essential, your choice of pants can significantly impact your performance and overall look on the board. This guide compiles insights from top skaters, highlighting their favorite pants and why they work, offering you a comprehensive look at the best options out there. From classic chinos to unique vintage finds, we’ve got you covered.
A skateboarder wearing baggy pants
Justin Henry’s Top Picks
Justin Henry, known for his smooth style, has a few go-to pants that prioritize comfort and function.
Vans Authentic Chino Glide Pro: These classic chino skate pants are a staple for a reason. They’re lightweight, easy to wash, and incredibly durable. According to Justin, the khaki colorway is a winner. At $70, they offer great value for a reliable skate pant.
QUASI Fatigue Pant: Justin raves about the tapered leg fit and the unique stretch moleskin material of these pants. He wore them daily for a month, highlighting their comfort for both skating and casual wear. Priced at $92, they’re versatile enough for a skate session or a night out.
HENRY’S Rounded Jean: These high-quality denim jeans, handmade by Keith Henry in Toronto, are a premium choice at $275. While the price is higher, Justin swears by the quality and the way they make him feel – “a little stronger and taller.”
Justin Henry's pant picks
Ryan Lay’s Thrifted Treasures
Ryan Lay, who often skates with a knee brace, focuses on affordability and durability. He prefers thrifting, discovering unique and budget-friendly pants.
Club Room Cords: Ryan appreciates corduroy for its durability, looser fit, and diverse color shades. He recommends sizing up and avoiding pleats or stitched cuffs. These pants have a classic look reminiscent of vintage workwear.
Prana Breathe Climbing Pants: Found in a second-hand outdoor gear shop, these are the lightest and loosest pants Ryan owns. They are similar to the Polar Surf Pant, providing the feel of shorts while offering the coverage needed for his knee brace. With a drawstring cinch waist and no back pockets, these pants cost him only $12.
Levi’s Silvertabs: These durable jeans offer clearance in the thigh and knee, though they can be a bit tapered at times. Ryan notes that you don’t need to size up for these. They’re a great find if you can spot a pair second hand.
Ryan Lay's thrifted skate pants
Stephen Lawyer’s Bold Statements
Stephen Lawyer’s style is all about making a statement. His picks showcase his bold personality and love for unique designs.
Gnarcotic Triple Camo Cargos: Stephen loves these vibrant, wild pants, despite some calling them “clown pants”. He proudly embraces them, stating that they make him happy and they are a classic for him.
Polar x Iggy 93 Denim: These baggy blue jeans are a top pick for skateboarding due to their comfort, quality, and stretch. They’re considered a must-have for anyone wanting good baggy skate jeans. They are also suitable for fashion.
RAGE CLUB Cargos: As a sponsored skater, Stephen has been wearing RAGE CLUB pants for over three years. He highlights the variety of sizes and colors, with his pink camo cargos holding a special place in his heart.
Stephen Lawyer's bold skate pants
Trevor Thompson’s Mix of High and Low
Trevor Thompson blends budget-friendly finds with high-end fashion.
Levis 560: Trevor prefers the 560 over the more popular Silvertabs or 550s, describing them as the ideal “Steezy little Jeans.” While they can fit differently depending on their manufacturing, they offer great value. Trevor recommends buying used to find the best fit.
Evan Kinori Elastic Pant: These expensive pants are Trevor’s favorite, citing comfort, function, and fashion. Their wide, loose, cropped fit with an elastic waist makes them perfect for skating. Despite the higher price tag, he wears them six days a week.
Honorable Mentions: Trevor also recommends the Evisen Easy Pants, Theories Lounge Pant, and Polo Corduroy ‘Andrew Pant.’
Trevor Thompson's skate pant selection
Gilbert Crockett’s Classic Choices
Gilbert Crockett favors reliable and functional skate pants.
Vans Authentic Chino Glide Pro: Like Justin Henry, Gilbert values these for their relaxed fit, tapered leg, and gusset for added movement and durability. He notes that Justin’s consistent use of this chino speaks to its quality.
Vans V96 Relaxed Rowan Zorilla Denim: These classic workwear jeans with a relaxed fit, slightly tapered leg, and double knee reinforcements are ideal for skating. Made with heavy 13.3 oz denim, they are better suited for colder months.
Cee Blues Leigh Chino: These pants are a personal design by Gilbert, made with selvedge denim in the USA, drawing inspiration from 1930s/1940s denim chinos. They have a very loose fit with a wide leg opening. These are significantly more expensive, but he emphasizes the quality.
Gilbert Crockett's classic skate pant choices
CK’s Forward-Thinking Approach
CK emphasizes practicality, sustainability, and unique style.
Patagonia Baggies Long: CK advocates for destigmatizing shorts in skateboarding, highlighting the practicality of these versatile, durable bathing suit shorts for hot weather. He also appreciates Patagonia’s commitment to sustainability and ethical practices.
Poetic Collective Painter’s Pants: These progressive pants from Sweden feature a wide-legged, cropped fit with an elastic waist and a side cell slot. They offer a unique silhouette and are perfect for skaters pushing boundaries.
Upcycled Military Surplus Pants: CK finds value in repurposed military pants, suggesting their affordability and customizability. He mentions his own unique pair with added pockets, showing how you can personalize these finds for skating.
CK's unique skate pant styles
Alexis Castro’s Budget-Friendly Picks
Alexis Castro focuses on affordable yet functional options.
Polo Straight Fit Chino: These roomy, light to medium-weight chinos come in stretch models for added comfort. Alexis recommends thrifting them online, where you can find new pairs at significantly reduced prices.
Red Kap Lightweight Crew Pant: A budget-friendly workwear option, these Red Kap pants are made from a textured ripstop-like material. They are durable and have a unique look, with a relaxed fit and a slight taper below the knee, differentiating them from standard wide-legged workwear options.
Alexis Castro's budget friendly skate pants
Vincent Nava’s Unique Flair
Vincent Nava prioritizes style and performance.
Vyzer pants: Vincent considers Vyzer the “coolest clothes out there,” noting how they look great on camera and make you want to film clips. He describes them as giving him superpowers.
Vincent Nava's stylish Vyzer skate pants
Larry Lanza’s Comfort and Durability
Larry Lanza focuses on practical pants for a range of body types.
Polar Surf Pants: Larry describes these pants as glorified sweatpants, perfect for skaters with beefy thighs. They are durable and hold up well during intense sessions. While pricier, he recommends supporting local skate shops when purchasing these.
Levi’s 550 Relaxed Fit: Larry notes that finding straight-legged, normal jeans can be challenging, especially for shorter and stockier skaters. He recommends these for their affordability, durability, and comfort. He advises against dark blue washes.
Larry Lanza's comfortable and durable skate pants
Breana Geering’s Functional Style
Breana Geering seeks the balance of fit and function.
Vans Authentic Chino Glide Pro: Breana highlights that these are her choice not just because she rides for Vans, but because they offer a balanced fit, neither too baggy nor too tight. She emphasizes that the “pro” version is a must-have.
Levis 501 Women’s Stretch: The only women’s pant Breana has ever really liked, these offer stretch and a perfect straight leg.
Vans AVE V96 Relaxed Carpenter: Breana highlights these pants for meeting the same criteria as her previous two choices, but she would like more color options from Vans.
Breana Geering's functional skate pant choices
Conclusion
The perfect skate pants are a blend of personal style, practicality, and comfort. Whether you prefer classic chinos, durable workwear, or unique vintage finds, this guide offers a variety of options from top skaters to help you find your ideal pair. Experiment with different styles, prioritize what works best for your body and skate style, and don’t be afraid to stand out. Now it’s time to hit the streets, looking great and feeling confident in your perfect pair of skate pants.
