“What do we want? Pockets! When do we want them? Now!” The shouts of women around the world are being heard, and the response comes in the form of the Chrome Madrona 5 Pocket Pants ($120).
I’ve heard about Chrome’s previous jeans created for folks that wear women’s clothing and I heard varied reviews. Being a curvy woman with hips, thighs, and a booty, I knew I could give these pants a true test.
Features
The Chrome Madrona 5 Pocket Pants, first and foremost, has 5 pockets; one rear pocket has a zipper. It is made of 4-way stretch cotton/nylon blend, it is quick-drying and has water/wind-resistant DWR, a reinforced waist and gusset, and a reflective stripe inseam that is exposed when you roll up the legs of your pants. They aren’t necessarily jeans, but also not pants, and seem as though they could work for a variety of occasions.
The Fit
Before deciding to test these, admittedly, I had it in my mind that the Chrome Madrona 5 Pocket Pants probably wouldn’t fit, nor would they be comfortable. I primarily thought this because I have a booty, wide hips, and thighs, and I normally find that outdoor gear companies do not make clothing for my body type. In addition, I’d heard about Chrome’s previous women’s pants and that they weren’t the best fit.
However, I am elated that I kept an open mind because these pants fit me perfectly! I was astounded! They were sufficiently high on my waist that my cheeks don’t pop out when cycling or bending over and they fit the rest of my body perfectly – even when they were likely a little too tight due to some unwanted COVID-19 pounds.
They felt comfortable and stretchy, so they didn’t limit my movement when biking. They are also true to size, so you don’t need to worry about sizing up or down. Given their stretch, I think they are forgiving for sizing as well.
The Test
Pockets are the most notable here, and yes, they are sufficiently deep. The zip pocket is meant to be for cell phones and mine fit – even with the case (I have en iPhone SE and a wallet case). The front pockets are not as deep as men’s pant pockets but my hand did fit in them. They also feature the pocket watch pocket on the right front side.
I did wear these in the rain one day, and I can attest to Chrome Madrona 5 Pocket Pants’ quick drying material. I didn’t have to sit in wet pants all day. Being that I got these in the fall, I wore them at the beginning of fall and winter. Due to their quick-dry nature, they are a bit thinner material and thus not the warmest. I would suggest they should not be worn below 40 degrees without another layer underneath. As I mentioned previously, the stretch is forgiving but if you don’t want these to be too tight and plan on wearing layers underneath, then you may want to consider sizing up. I tested them in the mid-20s and 30s and they are not sufficiently warm for those temperatures.
The roll-up reflective stripe cuffs are a nice feature for visibility and safety. The reinforced gusseted crotch is also a great attribute. It prevented that constant seam rub on the saddle and I’m hoping this results in a longer-lasting crotch, but I have yet to determine whether or not that is the case. However, it generally does allow for more freedom of movement.
Final Thoughts
All in all, and unexpectedly, I really loved the Chrome Madrona 5 Pocket Pants. They are very comfortable and fit so well! They have fantastic features for cyclists and do not restrict riding movement. These pants would be perfect for the everyday commuter as their style could accommodate many different environments. Personally, I think I will be buying myself an extra pair, and I recommend you get one too!
