TGR Tested: Ripton & Co. Overalls

Selling point number one on these jovies? Front pocket with a snap. Liza Barnes photo.

If you’ve been paying attention to trends in the outdoor industry, you might have noticed that denim has actually made a comeback in things like biking and skiing. We know what you’re thinking: really? Denim? But it’s not waterproof or breathable or anything? Well, yeah we thought the same. But there’s one ultra-hip company that found this niche in the market and decided to make what they’re calling “technical denim.” They’re called Ripton & Co and were created in 2019 by a bunch of ski bums in Aspen. Their vibes are super up our alley and also, we have to do something here at TGR to stay on top of the trends, so we figured we’d give some of their stuff a little test.

Buuuuuuut there was a bit of a hiccup along the way. If you live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming you know that sometimes getting things shipped here can be a royal pain in the booty. USPS only delivers to certain places and if you forget to put your PO Box number on something, the odds of it getting lost are kind of high. Naturally, we forgot to give our PO Box number to Ripton and by the time our stuff got here it was already the dreaded “mud season.” So here we were with this pair of amazing denim overalls, affectionately named “jovies,” and were about to put them through the most rigorous test of all: off-season activities.

For the first task at hand, I put on my jovies first thing in the morning for a long day of photo editing and organizing on my couch. The kids (who are we kidding, I’m 23) these days are calling it “WFH,” and after many hours of plugging in metadata keywords, my jovies proved to still be comfortable. Yeah that’s right, instead of opting for sweatpants or leggings, I actually sat on my couch in my jovies for HOURS and was so comfy. The technical denim means they’re stretchy and buttery soft and I would 10/10 WFH in them again.

The luxurious indulgence of an occasional WFH day- jovies edition. Izzy Lidsky photo.

For the second piece of the quintessential off-season gear test, I took my jovies to a setting I knew would push them to their limits: a ski film premiere. I have this amazing ability to lose my wallet repeatedly when I go out. The only solution I’ve found is wearing overalls that have a closure pocket in the front and keeping my wallet in there at all times. The jovies were a perfect solution. They carried me and my wallet safely to a brewery for a short film festival, beers, and even a quick shot ski. They kept me comfortable while viewing the films. They lightly wicked any beer I spilled on myself away. They kept me warm and cozy on my bike ride back home. Most importantly? They kept my wallet safe in their front pocket.

These overalls are certifiably good for drinking beers in. Liza Barnes photo.

My affinity for the jovies grew with each endeavour I took them on. On a sunny afternoon, I figured I’d take the jovies out for what they were intended for - a bike ride. I saddled up my gravel bike, jovies and all, and rode out into the Elk Refuge. 10.6 miles later, I arrived back home, my jovies still providing me with comfort, warmth, and protection from the elements. I was impressed to say the least.

It wouldn't be off-season if we didn't go gravel biking and look good while doing it. Izzy Lidsky photo.

The takeaway from my careful off season analysis of the jovies was that they are awesome. While I don’t know if I’d wear them skiing given my affinity for Gore-Tex, I’d almost definitely wear them biking the pass or the bike park. They’re stretchy and comfortable enough to throw some knee pads on under and durable enough that if I crashed, I wouldn’t be worried. They also seamlessly transition to a post-ride beer at the Stagecoach Bar. They fall in my favorite category of clothing: things that don’t look like sweatpants but are just as comfortable, making them a top contender for a number of adventures as well as a staple in daily life. Beyond just looking super cool, it seems Ripton has really tapped into a market of ski bums and dirtbags who are calling for apparel that looks great. 

If you too, want to look extra steezy, check out their site here.

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stash member Izzy Lidsky