The Chinos

WHY CHINOS?
A few years ago, we stepped out of the baselayer category. Since then, we've developed a wider range of tops and jackets. Now, we've turned our attention to the lower part of the wardrobe and created a versatile option that can be used both for outdoor activities and everyday life: a chino.

The reason we chose chinos is simply their versatility. If there’s one pair of pants you should be able to wear for any situation in daily life, it's this one. With chinos, you can feel both casual and well-dressed, ready for anything from a wedding to tree climbing.

FIT
The Chinos are designed with multifunctionality in mind, and we want the pants to be suitable for everything you do. That’s why the fit is spacious, with plenty of room around the thighs, knees, and calves. A new feature with this product is the option to choose between two different leg lengths, regardless of waist size. Waist sizes (for men) range from S to XXL, while the leg length can be either 32 or 34. See the size guide for more information on exact measurements.

DURABILITY
As always, durability is key to our design philosophy. No matter the pants, it's important to consider wear and longevity. This is especially crucial when creating a pair of pants meant to be worn for most occasions, possibly every single day.

We have chosen a thick material made from organic GOTS-certified cotton that withstands washing, wear, and movement, while maintaining its shape. The color will be affected by frequent use (and washing), but patina is a natural development in cotton fabrics, giving the garment character and uniqueness.

Read our entire design philosophy here.

REINFORCEMENTS
Through extensive testing and trial and error, we have identified the most vulnerable areas for wear on pants. That’s why The Chinos are equipped with reinforcements in these areas to extend the product’s lifespan and withstand frequent use.

POCKETS: The pocket bags are made from the same material as the main fabric. Additionally, the bottom of the pockets is reinforced with extra durable fabric to prevent sharp objects from causing holes. However, we still recommend using a separate case for keys or other small items to protect the pocket lining. The pocket opening is also fitted with a material that can be easily repaired or replaced if it becomes completely worn out.

BACK POCKETS: These are also made from the same material as the main fabric, with the edges reinforced with extra stitching to resist friction from surfaces you sit on.

LEG OPENING: This part of the pants experiences the most wear and comes into contact with everything from curbs to sharp heather, branches, and stones. Therefore, the back of the leg opening is reinforced with extra thick cotton material, which can also be replaced when fully worn out.

THE CROTCH area is often the part that wears out the fastest. This can be due to friction when walking, spending a lot of time on the bike seat, or doing the splits regularly. This area is reinforced with a gusset, which is simply extra material designed to prevent the pants from tearing between the legs.

HISTORY
With their military roots, chinos can be traced back to the American occupation of the Philippines in 1898, during the Spanish-American war. Instead of importing pants from the US, simple cotton pants were imported from China to save a buck. The soldiers dubbed them "pantalones chinos" (Chinese pants), and they quickly became part of the standard uniform of the US Army.

After World War II, soldiers brought took chinos into civilian life, and they quickly became a classic among everyone from preppy collecge students to non-conformists like Steve McQueen and James Dean. With their no-frills, vintage look, chinos have withstood the test of time and still have a firm place in all kinds of modern wardrobes.

USE MORE +
This product is made from a durable natural material with a timeless design. Natural materials are not as strong as plastic materials, but we believe it's more likely that you'll love a nature-based product for many, many years. The lifespan also depends entirely on how you treat the garment. If you take good care of it and repair it when needed, you will be able to enjoy it for a very, very long time. We're here to help with that through Use More +, a service that gives you help on fixing and caring for your product, and one free repair of this product. Read more about Use More + here.

STORE AND MICROFACTORY
Our store is not your typical shop. Sure, we sell clothes and make money from it, but can we do everything the opposite of what typical clothing stores do? Our goal is just as much about opening minds and showing that it's possible to do things in a completely different way, with a totally different footprint.

Visit us at Grünerløkka in Oslo (where Markveien crosses Korsgata) to try on clothes, share your input on new products, repair worn garments, see how your products are made, or just have a chat with one of us. More information about the store here. Read more about our store concept here.