Alpinestars Oscar Barton Riding Cargo Pants

We measured a sampling of these jeans of different waist sizes and find they fit larger than expected by about one full size. I measured a size 34” pant and found the waist to measure a solid 36” and possibly bigger due to the stretch component in the denim. Across the size run, the actual measured waist was about 2” to 3” larger than the stated waist size (typical vanity sizing is about 1” or maybe 2”). So my primary advice would be to buy one size smaller in this pant than you normally wear in jeans. If you want to measure your waist to help choose a size, subtract 2 or 3 inches from your measured size to choose a pant size.

The inseam length is right about 33” inseam in the mid-size ranges. The smaller jeans measure just a touch shorter at around 32” and the biggest waist sizes are about 34”. The fit of this pant is roomy like a typical cargo. The ends of the jeans taper just a bit. If you are concerned about how big the leg end opening is, you can measure jeans you have and compare. The size 34 we used in our photos measures about 7.5” across when laid flat.

Need help measuring? Get it here.

The Alpinestars Oscar Barton Riding Cargo Pants are cut like a cargo rather than a jean. The pants are fitted with a pair of knee armor inserts and hip armor is optional. Some reinforcement is provided in the knee and seat areas.

These cargo pants feel and look like standard denim fabric. They have just a bit of stretch to them with the inclusion of about 2% Elastane along with 98% cotton. The pants have a circular patch in the seat area (you can see in the photos), that includes a layer of abrasion resistant material to beef things up in case you hit the pavement on your butt. The pockets that hold the knee armor are similarly reinforced.

Alpinestars includes a pair of Bio-Flex armor for the knees. Hip armor can be purchased separately and installed in the cloth pockets provided. Bio-Flex armor is relatively thin and extremely flexible and is perfect for riding jeans in my opinion. Many of our top brands have a similar type of armor and all are gravitating toward using it. It is thin and flexible enough to use in a jean without it throwing off the fit or being visible through the fabric. If you want to add hip armor, take the link below.

I like the overall look and feel of this pant. If a cargo is your thing, then you’ll like them too. But frankly, I’m a little disappointed the pant only has slight reinforcements for abrasion protection (as I described above). Being nearly 100% percent cotton, they aren’t going to hold up as well as other jean designs that either has more significant reinforcement and/or are made with Kevlar infused denim. For example, I just reviewed the Diesel Shiro Tech Denim Jeans which have Kevlar woven into the cotton for added slide protection. And these Barton pants are only $30 less. What the heck Alpinestars? :: Paul, 05-29-20

Alpinestars says: A casually-styled cargo-fit pants constructed with knitted fabric for superior protection against abrasion and cuts, the Barton Riding Cargo Pants are equipped with Bio Flex knee and hip armor for optimal impact protection. These pants are rider-friendly too, with an inner liner for high levels of comfort and four pockets for real-world practicality; perfect for urban riding.