RAL PANTS From Local

Everyday wear, for wherever you go.

Whether it's riding, camping, hiking, working, or just daily life... because we tend to live without much of a line between play and work, we often find ourselves heading out to all kinds of places in our everyday clothes.

In those situations, sportswear can feel like overkill, while casual wear often falls short in terms of functionality.

Pants, in particular, have many issues that become apparent when pedaling, and I’ve been looking for something simple with few gimmicks, but despite trying this and that, nothing ever quite felt right.

I wanted a pair of pants that were just right—pants that performed well. I’ve always felt this way, so following our cap, I decided to design a pair of pants. These were my design requirements:

• Fabric that allows for comfortable pedaling
• A silhouette that isn't too slim
• Pockets that don't interfere while sitting
• Reinforced details to handle saddle friction
• Made in the Neighborhood

The RAL PANTS are the result of packing all our desires into one pair.

RAL PANTS

Fabric that allows for comfortable pedaling

More than anything, I didn't want pedaling to be hindered. With that goal in mind, I ordered samples from countless fabric suppliers, debating and testing them back and forth. In the end, we went with a fabric from Masuda, a long-established textile house in Nagoya, because it was truly perfect.

It is 100% polyester, but it has a matte finish without any strange sheen. It features excellent stretch, but what I particularly liked was its texture and how well it wicks sweat.

You can pedal comfortably without any annoying snagging, and it keeps that dry, non-sticky feeling between the fabric and your skin even as you work up a sweat.

I might be biased, but I think we made a great choice with this fabric.

A silhouette that isn't too slim

Don't you find that most "cycling pants" are just a bit too slim?

I’ve always felt that way and could never find anything good, so I was very particular about the silhouette and pattern when designing these.

The rise is deep so you’re covered even when leaning forward while riding.

The thigh area has a little extra room, and the legs have a natural taper down to the hem.

If you wear your true size, you get a clean silhouette that really highlights the beauty of the pattern, but honestly, they also look great worn oversized. Just remember to use a belt if you do!

Depending on your size, your build, and your bike, the hem might interfere with the chain. However, we prioritized the silhouette for when you’re off the bike, so please fold the hem, tuck it into your socks, or use a hem band while riding.

Back pockets that don't interfere while sitting

We designed them so that having items in your pockets won't get in your way while you're in the saddle.

Also, I'm sure you know how frantic it can get when you need to pull something out while on the saddle.

The pockets have large openings for easy access, but because of the high positioning of the pocket opening, they are designed so that items won't fall out while you're riding.

For small wallets or smartphones, you can just shift them to the side inside the pocket to ride comfortably without them interfering with the saddle.

They have a large capacity, so they’re also useful when you don't want to carry a bag.

If you have anything important, you can keep it in the pocket with the button for peace of mind.

By the way, this is how the front pockets look.

Reinforced details to handle saddle friction

The main thing I thought about when designing these was the "seat."

It’s the part that always gives out first when you're riding a bike.

While nothing lasts forever, as a designer, my sincere wish is for you to wear them for as long as possible.

So, we used the pocket parts as a way to reinforce the hip area by doubling the fabric.

The exact area that interferes with the saddle is entirely double-layered.

The somewhat unique pocket style was adopted with this hip reinforcement in mind.

About Sizing

Made in the Neighborhood

The RAL series aims to "manufacture as close to home as possible, where we can meet face-to-face."

For these, we worked with a factory in Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture (they are so popular in the fashion world that we can't disclose their name).

The manufacturing landscape has changed drastically over the last 30 years, and the number of production sites in Japan has dwindled significantly. However, in our region, centered around Gifu Prefecture, clothing manufacturing facilities still remain within a one-hour drive.

Bicycles are the best way to move through a local area, and bike shops are crucial hubs that contribute to local infrastructure. We see them as "local support shops." Having grown up in that culture, we want to continue our manufacturing with a "local-first" spirit.