Wrangler Enhances Women’s Riding Jeans with Dyneema

Why It Matters

Introducing Dyneema positions Wrangler at the forefront of performance denim, appealing to equestrian and active‑wear consumers seeking durability without sacrificing comfort. The move signals broader industry adoption of high‑tech fibers in mainstream apparel.

Key Takeaways

• Wrangler adds Dyneema to women's riding jeans
• Denim mix: 90% cotton, 5% Dyneema, 4% T‑400, 1% elastane
• Dyneema is 15x stronger than steel weight‑for‑weight
• Jeans priced at $89.99, available online and retail
• High‑rise styles designed for saddle comfort, boot compatibility

Pulse Analysis

Performance fibers like Dyneema, originally developed for ballistic and industrial uses, are reshaping traditional apparel categories. The material’s polyethylene composition offers a strength‑to‑weight ratio that far exceeds steel, enabling garments that resist tears while maintaining a lightweight feel. Avient’s acquisition of DSM Protective Materials in 2022 accelerated commercial availability, prompting brands such as Levi’s, Patagonia, and niche motorcycle jean makers to experiment with the fiber. As consumers prioritize durability and sustainability, Dyneema’s recyclable nature and reduced material usage align with emerging eco‑conscious expectations.

Wrangler’s decision to embed Dyneema in its women’s riding jeans reflects a strategic push into the high‑performance denim segment. By blending the fiber with cotton and elastane, the label delivers a product that meets the functional demands of equestrians—enhanced abrasion resistance, flexible movement, and a contoured waistband that prevents gapping in the saddle. At $89.99, the price point undercuts many specialty performance jeans, broadening market accessibility. This launch also differentiates Wrangler from competitors still relying on conventional denim, potentially capturing a share of the growing active‑wear and outdoor‑apparel market.

The broader apparel industry is watching as legacy brands adopt advanced materials traditionally reserved for niche markets. Dyneema’s integration signals a shift toward hybrid fabrics that combine comfort, durability, and sustainability, encouraging further R&D investment in lightweight high‑strength fibers. As supply chains mature and production costs decline, we can expect similar innovations to permeate casual, workwear, and even luxury segments, redefining consumer expectations for everyday clothing performance.

Wrangler Enhances Women’s Riding Jeans with Dyneema

By Alexandra Harrell · February 20, 2026 12:25 pm

Wrangler is enhancing the durability of its women’s riding jeans with Dyneema.

The Kontoor Brands‑owned label expanded its women’s performance denim range with two high‑rise riding styles built with the ultra‑high‑strength fiber better known for ballistic and industrial applications than barn aisles.

The jeans are Wrangler’s first styles with Dyneema. Both jeans are made from 12 oz. denim composed of 90 % cotton, 5 % Dyneema, 4 % T‑400 and 1 % elastane.

Dyneema is owned by Avient Corporation and trademarked as “15 times stronger than steel on a weight‑for‑weight basis,” per the specialized and sustainable material solutions provider. The polyethylene material is designed to increase tear resistance and longevity while maintaining softness and flexibility.

The fiber has been used in denim collections by Levi’s and Patagonia, and is popular with motorcycle jean brands like Saint, Spidi and Brando.

Avient acquired the DSM Protective Materials business for $1.485 billion in April 2022.

“Collaborating with Wrangler on its first denim featuring Dyneema demonstrates how high‑performance materials can redefine traditional apparel categories,” said Chiharu Pidgeon, global business manager, fabrics and composites, Dyneema, Avient. “Dyneema fibers deliver exceptional strength at an incredibly low weight, allowing Wrangler to create riding denim that moves naturally with the wearer while offering durability built for real‑world performance.”

Wrangler’s collection includes the High Rise Rodeo Bootcut, a style that is fitted through the seat and thigh and has a leg opening that allows the hem to stack over riding boots, and the Skylar High Rise Relaxed Riding Jean, a jean with a roomier silhouette through the seat, thigh and knee for a greater range of motion.

Deeply rooted in cowboy culture, the styles retain the official jean for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) brand’s traditional five‑pocket construction and classic Western detailing. Both jeans feature a contoured waistband intended to prevent gapping in the saddle while riding.

The jeans are available now on Wrangler’s website and retail for $89.99.