---
title: Review - Western Rise
date: 2025-01-27
draft: "false"
tags:
  - travel
  - reviews
---
**Disclaimer**

I was sent these products by Western Rise for free, however my impressions and thoughts are completely independant and my own.

## Diversion Pant

**Introduction**

The Diversion pant comes with a lot of promise, it is primarily aimed at onebaggers and travellers with it being an option for people to use as their only pair of pants. And this is what I used it for, I've used it almost everyday for around 6 months in total at the time of writing. It has quite a few features of note such as a 4-way stretch fabric, apparent breathability, water and stain resistance with a DWR coating and a gusset to allow for additional movement. It also has a two layer construction with the outside being like a smooth canvas, almost similar to chinos while the inside is very similar to the comfort of joggers.

**Sizing**

Okay, so I got these in slim, Size 34W / 30L. When they first arrived and I tried them I was shocked at just how big they felt. These pants do not at all feel like they are a slim fit, there is almost no taper, I found myself double checking the labels and packaging to make sure I was sent the right version, but indeed they were supposed to be slim fit. I was really disappointed with the size and fit of these pants and there is a lot of improvement that can be done here. This along with the colouring is my main problem with these pants.

**Look & Feel**

The look of these pants is quite nice, it has quite a nice texture on the outside and they generally look like chinos. They are very comfortable to wear and thanks to the four way stretch they provide a very nice fit for excercise or activities. The gusseted groin area is one of my favourite features, I feel like my groin area has much more brething room than usual. However one thing of note is that these were supposed to be in navy, but I find that it's more of a blue-grey and I wouldn't dare to call it navy at all. In terms of the breathability of the pants I would say it's really good, I wore these in up to 38C while on a trip and they were still not too uncomfortable. When I first got them it was the winter and they still seem to provide acceptable warmth, so I'd say these are a pants that you can wear all year round.

**Durability**

I've found that the durability of these pants is exceptional. They almost look as good as new to this day and there are no flaws in the fabric. I even got into a motorbike accident as a pedestrian where I skidded accross the road, grazed my arms because of it and I would have grazed my knees if not for these pants, and after the accident there were not even any scuffs on my knees, just a little dirt which was easily washed off. Also, I found that if you need to quickly clean some dirt or a stain off these pants you can just grab a wetwipe and any dirt will just wipe straight off instantly and they will look good as new. My one issue is that there is a little pilling on these pants, mostly in the areas where it streches a lot but I've found that you can just carefully take a razor to it and shave it like you are shaving your legs and it looks good as new.

## StrongCore Merino Tee

**Introduction**

Similar to above, this is an extra shirt I got sent along with the pants. I didn't really have high expectations but honestly, this shirt is quite amazing.

**Sizing**

So I stupidly chose size L for this sample, even though I usually wear M, so I can't give an exact idea of how it would compare to other mediums, but I feel that even in large it is a little longer than I have seen from other brands. but other than that the feet seems pretty similar to others.

**Look & Feel**

This shirt is made from a mix of Wool and nylon, it is an extremely comfortable and soft shirt I'd say the styling of it is quite nice. It is just like a normal t-shirt but is merino! The color on it is on point and accurate to what I was expecting.

**Durability**

I have worn this almost every day since I got it. I have had a little bit of tearing along the inside of the collar on the red "accent" stitched on piece, but other than that this shirt has held up extremely well. It still looks as good as new when worn.

## Limitless Merino Polo

**Introduction**

When I was getting sent samples, I was given the option to choose some shirts aswell, so I decided to go with a t-shirt and a polo. This is the polo option and I didn't really have high expectations for it, given that I was mostly interested in the pants and I hadn't really heard much about their shirts. But this polo has exceeded my expectations, and it is now part of my minimal clothing wardrobe.

**Sizing**

So I stupidly chose size L for this sample, even though I usually wear M, so I can't give an exact idea of how it would compare to other mediums, but I feel that even in large it is a little longer than I have seen from other brands. but other than that the feet seems pretty similar to others.

**Look & Feel**

This polo is made from a mix of Wool and nylon, but considering it's wool it's a bit more coarse than usual, but this is due to the polo weave. It's still pretty comfortable and I'd say the styling of it is quite nice. However I did find it odd that it has so many seams on the back. It has a top stich and then to further stiches running vertical down on the left and right side. I find that this is more of a "technical" style rather than a "normal" polo style, so this was a little disappointing. Other than that I would say it's a very well made shirt. The color on it is on point and accurate to what I was expecting.

**Durability**

While I have warn this a lot less than my StrongCore Merino Tee, it is obvious that it seems much more durable than it. With its extra seems and coarser, thicker material, this shirt seems like it could take a good beating. And after a few months of use it still looks as good as new.