Credit:
Reviewed / Tanner Saunders
Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.
My sense of style has changed a lot in the last few years. Thanks to a job that lets me work from home, I can dress more casually and for comfort. And due to the rise of many new direct-to-consumer brands, fashion has become more accessible(bye, bye malls!). Over time, I’ve realized that I want my clothes to be more functional to take up less space in my NYC apartment (not to mention lessening the impact my clothes have on the environment).
Recently I was introduced the the brand Roark, a company that makes clothes that, I found, check all of my boxes: Comfortable, functional, stylish, laidback, and affordable. A brand with a sense of adventure and full-on California vibes (think: models posing on rocky vistas, in front of retro vans, or on hiking trails), I found the clothing Roark offers to be versatile, and wanted to see how the items could translate into my everyday life, where the only I hike I usually take is to the Bedford subway stop.
Over the course of a few weeks, I tried out the Layover 2.0 pants ($95), the HWY 128 Straight Fit jeans ($99), the Gonzo Camp Collar Shirt ($79), the Roark Scholar Long Sleeve Shirt ($69), and the simple-but-mighty Well Worn Midweight Organic Tee ($45). And while it’s safe to say I loved it all, I also might have found my new go-to company for pants and denim.
What is Roark?
For the traveler in your life, Roark offers men’s and women’s clothing made for the great outdoors.
Founded in 2009, Roark is a company that offers men’s and women’s clothing it coins as “purpose-built gear with styling details fit to accommodate needs from the trail to the bar.” With a focus on travel and utility, Roark’s products are inspired by popular travel destinations and designed to be worn in everyday settings as well as in the great outdoors. With that comes an emphasis on durability and sustainability, with the company claiming to have a 12 percent increase in sustainable products released each year.
Though you can shop online, Roark has a handful of brick-and-mortar stores in California, Colorado, and Utah, and their products can be found at various retailers around the country, including REI.
Roark Apparel is comfortable, functional, and stylish.
What I like about Roark
I immediately fell in love with the Layover 2.0 Pants
The Layover 2.0 Pants are my new go-to style, with functionality built right in.
Buying new pants and jeans is one of my least favorite things in the world, mostly due to the fact that I’m a short, slender guy and figuring out what size I need to wear is tricky business. On the hunt for some new pants and jeans for fall and winter, I was excited to see that Roark had a wide variety of denim as well as pants that seemed to offer a lot of function.
When I got my package, the first item I tried on—and basically never took off—was the pair of Layover 2.0 pants in Deep Blue. Before even trying them on I noticed that the fabric was lightweight and soft to the touch and the cut felt casual yet easily dressed up.But I didn’t truly fall in love with them until I slipped them on.
With a 32-inch inseam, I was worried they’d be too long, but with slightly tapered legs, the length was just right. As for the waist, I was shocked when I realized that there was no button closure, but rather a drawstring waistband. But unlike a pair of joggers or sweatpants, they have a full zipper. You do have to make sure you tie them up well to be fully secure, but I loved the idea of a drawstring waist, because I could easily adjust how tight they sat on my waist depending on how I felt (or, let’s be real, how much I’d had to eat that day).
My favorite part of these pants are the highly functional pockets. The front two pockets are deep and spacious and can be zipped all the way up for security. The back pockets close with button flaps, and there’s also an additional fake-out pocket behind one of the button-flap pockets where I could easily put my wallet without having to mess with the buttons. All-in-all, I have to say these are now some of favorite pants I own, and my only complaint is that my dog’s white hair sticks to them like a magnet — but that’s a me problem.
The HWY 128 Straight Fit Jean is just as spectacular
As for the HWY 128 Straight Fit Jeans, I didn’t find secret pockets or an unexpected way to fasten them, but I did find a solid pair of jeans that I’ve are pretty much the only pants I’m wearing these days outside of the Layover 2.0s. Overall, I found this light-washed pair of jeans to be one of the most comfortable pairs of denim I have ever worn. They’re just roomy enough through the thighs and knee that your legs can breath, there’s just enough stretch and elasticity to move with you, and the pocket lining is strong and durable. I’m already obsessed and plan to order a darker pair for my closet.
Everything seems like it can serve multiple purposes
Clicking around on the Roark website, you might find that the brand’s styling of most products leans into the adventure lifestyle — and that’s a core part of the brand’s identity. But the reality of my experience is that pretty much everything I tested can be dressed up or dressed down.
The Scholar Long Sleeve Shirt I tried is the perfect example. On the hanger, it looks like a dress shirt and I was ready to wear it to meetings, but worn open with a t-shirt, it read casual. And, since it’s made of a blend of 60% organic cotton and 40% recycled repreve polyester, it was lightweight and breathable, perfect for layering.
What I didn’t like about Roark
There could be more sizing options
Despite having limited sizing for me, these are still great pants.
Truthfully, there wasn’t much about Roark that I didn’t like. If I did have one complaint, I’d say that I wish the brand made smaller sizes in some products, just to really get the fit perfect, especially considering that a lot of Roark’s products have stretch to them. While the t-shirt I tried in a small fit perfectly, my small frame would’ve been slightly happier in the button-up Scholar Long Sleeve Shirt if I could’ve had an x-small.
Same with the pants. While I’d usually try my best to avoid an inseam longer than 30 inches, that wasn’t an option with Roark. Their jeans (which I’m wearing while writing this) will likely need a roll or hemming for shorter guys like myself, but I do think a 30-inch inseam would have made them absolutely perfect out of the package.
Is Roark worth it?
Quick answer: Absolutely.
I’ve worn my Roark apparel everywhere, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.
When I say I can’t stop wearing my new Roark pants, I’m not kidding. I’ve worn them on airplanes, on subways, at home, and even to a fancy dinner. Their clothes have universal appeal, and when you factor in the price point (solid denim for less than $100), it’s truly a winning combination. I’ve been lucky enough to find new brands with products I love here and there, but Roark is the first brand in a long time that’s left me excited about what I’ll purchase next.
Roark Apparel is comfortable, functional, and stylish.
feature
