There’s no shortage of apparel brands pumping out pants and claiming they’ll do it all. And there’s no shortage of brands falling short. Turns out, making a pair of slacks that can convincingly take you from bouldering to brunch isn’t the most straightforward thing to do.
But amidst the claims of unmitigated versatility, there are a few brands that can actually walk the walk. One of these brands — one that we already happen to be big fans of at Luxe Digital — is Western Rise.
With their modern Evolution® fabric, Western Rise is created by travelers for travelers at the intersection of fit and function. I tried out their Evolution Pants to report back with the good, the bad, and how successfully these pants navigate the all-purpose category.
Curious to know if Western Rise’s Evolution pants are right for you? Let’s dive in! This is my hands-on review of my favorite pants.
| Material | Evolution® fabric (90% Nylon, 10% Elastane) |
| Fabric weight | 107 GSM |
| Fit | Available in Classic and Slim fit |
| Inseam | 30” and 32” Extendable to 34” |
| Sizes | 28-40 |
| Available colors | Black, Navy, Blue Grey, Sand, Canyon, Olive, Dune, Fog |
Pros:
- Versatile to dress up or down
- Easy to fold and pack thanks to wrinkle-free fabric
- Smart and technical without that hiking pant look
- Phone and zippered pockets for extra security
- Stain-resistant fabric
Cons:
- Lightweight fabric shows the outline of everything in your pockets
- Not appropriate for cold weather
Our verdict:
Western Rise’s Evolution Pants are exactly what I’m looking for in an everyday pair of pants. These pants have been meticulously engineered for versatility, and it shows. From the fit to the comfort and durability, the Western Rise Evolution Pants will get you from A to B in comfort and style.
Why you can trust Luxe Digital? We’ve done our fair share of traveling, and we’ve experienced the best and worst of clothing along the way. Sweaty legs after running to the gate, changing out of shiny nylon hiking pants in the bathroom before cocktails in the city — we walk the walk, and we’re always on the hunt for clothing brands that do too.
I’ve worn three pairs of Western Rise Evolution Pants over the past year in navy blue, sand, and sage. I’ve also tried the Western Rise Evolution Chinos in black. These are pretty much the only pants I’ve worn ever since getting my hands on them, so I’m confident that I have the experience and expertise to help you decide if this is a pair worth fitting into your capsule wardrobe.
See how we test products and learn more about our HAPPY philosophy (read: Honorable Craftsmanship, Aesthetic Design, Positive Impact—on People and the Planet, Purpose, and Function, and Yielding Value) for buying luxuries. You can also check our round-up of the best pants for men to see other models that we’ve reviewed.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Western Rise Evolution Pants Review: Comfort and versatility all the way
You’ve heard it all before — claims of futuristic material that can do it all but end up being wrinkly, cheap-looking, flimsy, and just plain uncomfortable. Western Rise makes similar claims, but with my hands-on experience with the brand, I know they can back these claims up with room to spare.
Ready to dive into my review of the Evolution Pants? Hold onto your britches.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Unboxing: It all starts from here
I love that Western Rise has put some effort into their packaging. The Evolution Pants are shipped in a clear envelope sachet featuring GPS coordinates and the text “Apparel Elevated.” With less paper and packing material, this packaging creates less waste — something that we’re big fans of at Luxe Digital.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Materials & craftsmanship: Crafted with care
The material of the Western Rise Evolution Pants is their biggest differentiating factor. The proprietary Evolution® fabric used to craft these pants offers breathability, durability, stain resistance and a slew of other benefits. I’m also a fan of the fabric’s wrinkle-free quality — many of the other pants in the utility category end up a wrinkled mess if the utmost care isn’t taken to keep them flat. And you shouldn’t have to baby a pair of pants made for adventuring.
Several details set these pants apart from others in the category. I love the dedicated phone pocket and zippered rear pocket. And because of the lightweight material, it packs down to less than the size of a t-shirt when you’re ready to move on to your next destination.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Aesthetic & design: Style for days
The Western Rise Evolution Pants bridge the gap between activewear and casualwear. They offer all the stretch and resilience of activewear without the shiny, wrinkle-prone fabrics often used in clothing designed to handle an active lifestyle. This, along with their modern cut, allows these pants to fit seamlessly into your wardrobe. Throw these on instead of chinos or jeans for more comfort and stretch throughout the day.
I particularly love how versatile the Evolution pants are. You can easy dress them up with a shirt and sweater for a smart casual look, or dress them down with a pair of sneakers and a simple T-shirt for a casual outfit.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Variants: A color for every wardrobe
Color options for these pants include Black, Navy, Blue Grey, Sand, Canyon, Olive, Dune, and Fog in the slim fit, and all of these colors except for Fog, Dune, and Olive in the classic fit. This selection of neutrals can work with any other neutrals in your wardrobe, from a grey long-sleeve polo to a nice beige quarter-zip.
Western Rise also releases seasonal colors occasionally, like the gorgeous sage pair I got last year.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Comfort, fit, and sizing: Get them right
Featuring both classic and slim fits, these pants can successfully work into your existing fit rotation. If you like more room throughout the leg and a more relaxed silhouette, the classic fit is great. And if you prefer to keep things more form-fitting with a tailored silhouette, stick to the slims.
One thing to note when choosing between the slim and classic cuts is the fabric’s 4-way stretch. The slim option of these pants won’t be as restrictive as other slim pants out there, and you won’t have to sacrifice freedom of movement for style.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Care: Low maintenance, high function
Wash cold and tumble dry on low — no fancy requirements for these pants. However, one thing to note is that it’s best to avoid grease and oils, as these materials can damage the water-resistant coating and cause discoloration.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Price: All that for what?
The Western Rise Evolution Pants will run you just shy of $130. Which, for the build quality, the cut, and the modern fabric, is a solid deal. There are cheaper pants out there, but in the hybrid/utility pant category, you really do get what you pay for. Western Rise’s lifetime guarantee certainly doesn’t hurt when assessing the overall value of these pants.
Who are the Western Rise Evolution Pants best for?
Always on the go? Live an active lifestyle? The Western Rise Evolution Pants are for you. These pants can pull double, even triple duty, and they’re dang comfortable after hours on a plane. With enough breathability and toughness for hiking and a cut that’s sleek enough for business casual, these may just be the last pair of casual pants you’ll ever need.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Conclusion: My final thoughts on the Western Rise Evolution Pants
As wardrobe minimalism gains traction (rightfully so), we prioritize the idea of “less is more” at Luxe Digital. And part of this is seeking out garments that not only look great, but are also long-lasting and can work well in a variety of different settings.
As I’ve mentioned above, we’re big fans of Western Rise here. We love their authentic brand story and commitment to pushing casualwear innovation. And after trying out their Evolution Pants, I’m keen on those too. As much as I can get into the weeds about GSM and their PFA-free construction; at the end of the day, these are great-looking, comfortable pants that offer all the versatility I look for in a pair of pants and then some.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Where to buy Western Rise Evolution Pants
Looking to pick up a pair of Western Rise Evolution Pants? Western Rise exclusively sells them on their official website, so head over to snag some for yourself. It’s also the best place to look for sales and Western Rise discount codes.
Alternatives to the Western Rise Evolution Pants
These pants occupy a unique space in that it’s tough to compare any other pants directly to them. While there are certainly other pants out there featuring a blend of nylon and elastane or spandex, they typically also feature bulky zippers, reflective patches, knee zips and other hiking-specific attributes that stick out if you try to wear them with a more casual, non-gorpcore fit. And this unique positioning is a big part of why we like the Western Rise Evolution pants.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
That said, we’re also fans of Luca Faloni if you want a brand that offers another take on timeless men’s fashion design and premium materials. Luca Faloni is more expensive but uses heavier fabrics that will be a better fit for colder weather.
Frequently asked questions about Western Rise’s Evolution Pants
We’ve already recommended Western Rise, and we’ll do it again and again. With their modern materials, authentic brand story, great products and lifetime warranty, we can safely declare Western Rise a good brand.
Currently, Western Rise apparel is only available on their online store. That’s the best place to get the best deals and discounts on their clothing collection.
Western Rise is owned by its two founders, husband and wife Will and Kelly Watters.
Western Rise garments fit true to size. However, if you prefer a roomier fit, they recommend to size up. Check my hands-on review of their Evolution pants to see if they’re right for you.