Curious Creatures Ankle Cuff Snaps are Game Changer | Photo Griffin Kerwin Mountain Weekly News
Having never heard of Curious Creatures company before trying their Sun Dog Pant, I didn’t have any idea of what to expect. Curious Creatures based out of Bozeman, Montana is a small sustainable soft goods company. Specifically, they craft bike apparel, that’s it and they do an exceptional job at it. In their own words “We are looking to explore, appreciate and enjoy the world for a brief moment in time, with the hopes of leaving it better than we found it. Well that sure seems like a company to get behind and support their code of conduct. The fact that the garment can be recycled had me sold out of the gate.
Bozeman Stoke
Having never heard of let alone tried any of CC’s gear, I went into this gear test with zero expectations. Mike said he had an item from a smaller boutique sustainable company for me to try and since he never steers me wrong I figured why not take the opportunity to be introduced to a newer brand that actually happens to be somewhat local to where we reside in Jackson, WY. as Bozeman is only a short regional road trip away. My first impression of the Sun Dog Pant was positive. The feel, style and fit were spot on.
Sun Dog Pant Fit
Some folks in the mountain biking world prefer to ride in shorts and not pants. That being said, the Sun Dog pant fits so well and is lightweight enough that I believe even the staunchest mountain biking in shorts riders can be swayed by this offering from Curious Creatures. I almost exclusively ride in pants and having tested many options including in my view some of the best pants on the market in Patagonia’s Dirt Roamer Pant as well as Dharco’s Gravity Pant, the Sun Dog pant is superior to all competitors.
Curious Creatures Steez
I give the Sun Dog Pant the edge of these other two preferred options due to them being more lightweight but not compromising on performance, dialed in fit, button-less waist is pinch free and the drawstring ensures they stay right where you need them to. The waistband being four way stretch and not having any buckles, snaps or clips this allows one to move with utmost freedom which produces a level of comfort that allows one a truly seamless fit.
The ankle cuff snaps accommodate one with the ability to slide knee pads on at the trailhead which for me is a game changer. Typically, on longer climbs I tend to strap my knee pads on my bars and then have to drop trough before the drop in which works but sometimes isn’t the most ideal or appropriate, dare I say. The snaps design produces an air channel for greater breathability which is a welcomed asset on hotter days and long pedals. I must say that this feature is very intuitive and I have never seen it utilized by other companies making similar offerings.
On the chain side leg pant, CC thoughtfully put a panel of additional fabric to protect against chain rub which is not only functionally superior but also provides a bit of steez to the clean wearing garment. As someone that prefers to ride in pants, all features work great but a suggestion to sell some folks that do not prefer to bike in pants would be to add a button in the middle of the snap to keep riders warm enough on descents.
Pockets
As far as the pockets are concerned on the Sun Dog Pant in my opinion they again hit the nail on the head. The pants are offered with three pockets: two zippered pockets in front about mid thigh on both legs and one zippered one in back on the right quarter panel. Both front pockets can accommodate a phone, small SAT device or camera and the design seems solid. Knowing that even if the pants fail at some stage in their lifetime that CC recycles all their garments back into the supply chain leaves one feeling good about their commitment to a brand that values sustainability.
Who Are These For?
These pants blur the lines between mountain biking, hiking/trekking, yoga/training, travel and even just lounging around the house or running errands around town. They are formidable and up for any task in my view. I’ve noticed after rides I am not rushing to get out of these pants and into something more comfortable which is very telling in how seamless the fit feels.
Curious Creatures is taking a stand against fast fashion which is a trend that is ruining the mountain bike industry. They do their utmost effort to do what they can to offset the rampant consumerism in the industry. This is evidenced by their commitment to sourcing materials from Bluesign approved fabric mills. Also, they have partnered with a Montana based repair shop to ensure repair or if past the point of a fix that the garment can be up cycled into a future garment. In a world of rampant consumerism, this facet alone makes me want to support CC in their quest to change the narrative and create more sustainable less invasive practices.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
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Exceptional Comfort & Versatility: The Sun Dog Pant is highly praised for its dialed-in fit, lightweight feel, and four-way stretch waistband, offering unparalleled comfort for mountain biking, hiking, yoga, and casual wear. Riders reported no urge to change out of them post-ride, highlighting their seamless fit.
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Innovative Features & Sustainability Focus: The pants include unique and practical features like ankle cuff snaps for easy knee pad application at the trailhead, a chain rub protection panel, and thoughtfully placed zippered pockets. Curious Creatures’ strong commitment to sustainability, including using recycled materials, Bluesign approved fabrics, and offering repair/upcycling services, is a significant advantage.
Cons:
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Premium Price Point: At $180, the Sun Dog Pant is noted as being on the “high end for a product in this class.” While the review justifies this cost by referencing quality, fair wages, and sustainability efforts, it might be a barrier for budget-conscious consumers.
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Ankle Cuff Snap Design (Minor Suggestion): The review suggests that adding a button in the middle of the ankle cuff snaps could help keep riders warmer on descents. While the current snap design is praised for breathability, this indicates a potential minor limitation for some users in colder downhill conditions.
Overall Impression
Granted the Sun Dog Pant comes in at $180 which is on the high end for a product in this class it is warranted when you take into account not only how much quality is there but also that the price reflects a fair wage paid to the individuals cutting and sewing these items with the utmost precision.
I couldn’t be more happy with the Sun Dog Pant and would recommend it to literally anyone due to the versatility. Thank you Curious Creatures for doing the work that you do and getting us all out on our bikes in all our weirdness! Bravo on a job well done!
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