If you live near a city you may already be familiar with Tucano Urbano as a brand and associate it entirely with scooters and commuting. But oh how mistaken you’d be.
The Italian brand certainly started making kit for the scooter market back in 2000 – everything from aprons and handlebar muffs to chic open face helmets – but they have been constantly expanding and are now even producing adventure overland clothing through their sub-brand T.ur. But whatever they decide to produce, it seems that Italian style is at the heart of it. And some very weird product names…
I have been using these Tucano Urbano Leocargo GAG trousers and urban-chic Marty Sneakers boots all summer and they’ve transformed me into believing I’m the coolest kid on the block. If my own misguided vanity had already achieved that, then I’ve at least had a confidence boost.
The trousers are in green (only slightly darker than the images show) and have become something that I just wear whether I’m on the bike or not. They look like a well-tailored pair of cargos with a strong brushed cotton finish and are supremely comfortable. The outer shell is a stretch cotton and they have a total of 6 pockets, 4 of which are press-stud closing.
Protection is not wholly comprehensive, but there are aramid fibre sections on knees, hips and bum and there’s additional CE level 1 armour in the knees. I admit that I took that out immediately, but I am wearing them as trousers as well as riding gear. There’s the facility to add hip armour, but that doesn’t come with them and is an added extra I haven’t investigated.
I’m no fashion expert so I won’t try to describe the fit and tailoring, but the REFLACTIVE® SYSTEM is great. It’s effectively ‘visibility on demand’. Turn up the bottom of the legs and a reflective material is exposed. There’s also a bit that sits on or in the thigh pocket. It’s a great idea, like the collar and cuffs of most Tucano Urbano jackets, which means you can decide tolook like you ride or not, when off the bike. It’s also a real help when just walking around at night and you’ll know if you’re widely travelled that even urban environments aren’t well lit in most countries.
As a pair of trousers to wear all day off the bike they are splendid, and not as warm as many Kevlar-equipped options. The pockets are plentiful as mentioned, and easy to use. To wear these when on the bike they are comfortable but aren’t of course even slightly waterproof so you’ll need an over-layer if the weather turns.
Point to note, the online size guide makes no sense at all. I have a 32/33 inch waist but the ‘L’ size fits perfectly. According to the size guide I should be wearing a XXS!
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And so to the Marty ‘sneakers’. The first thing to note, commensurate with the ‘Converse’ style, is that there is no separate heel. That’s fine of course when off the bike, but I do like something to locate me on the footpeg and remember my instructor being very insistent back in ’92 when I finally got around to doing my test. The flat sole is rubbery though, so provides a lot of traction.
These ankle boots are a narrow fit, so if you are a 43 normally you may find you want a 44 (though they don’t appear on the website), but they have been loosening up with wear and becoming more comfortable with every day. They are deceptive of course because the mind wants them to be a cool light sneaker, but they are a protective item and are CE Certified, being category 2 compliant with EN13634:2017 directive.
They are leather, there’s extra protection around the ankles and there’s a 100% (so far!) waterproof and breathable membrane. I confess I’ve only tested them in showers because if it’s an exceptionally wet day I wear my normal calf-height riding boots.
Getting these Marty Sneakers on can be a pain when they are new because the laces have to be loosened all the way down, but that too is becoming easier to do and now I realise there isn’t a halfway house. I must loosen all the lace rather than try to squeeze them on, adjust a bit more, try again, and slowly get angry…
So there you have it. I’m wearing this kit much more than I thought I would. Maybe it’s a mid-life crisis, but it’s making me feel so trendy I have even grown a beard. That’s just how shallow I am!
Available in green or brown, the Leocargo GAG trousers come in XXS – 5XL RRP £139.99
In black only, the Marty Sneakers come in 39 – 43 RRP £129.99
For more information see tucanourbano but it’s not an easy site to use. You’ll find the boots in the ‘Equipment’ section…
