Better on TOP(s)

Wild Rye has made a name for themselves with bottoms that fit, perform, and flatter like no one else. My Wild Rye fangirl era started, for example, when I saw a prototype Freyah pant on my friend Kaia at Red Bull Formation back in 2021. The design caught my eye in the morning as she headed out the door because MY LORT her butt looked good in them; the pop of color on the back panel and the cuffs really did everyBODY a favor.

But it was when she returned VERY dusty (and a little bloody) after accidentally pinballing down a loose Utah chute, with no actual damage done to the pants, I knew I needed a pair for myself. No one else was making anything else like it: they were ACTUALLY functional, ACTUALLY comfortable, and ABSOLUTELY able to handle chaos — which, as an Aries with a proclivity for falling, is my literal life. 

Fast forward to today, and while I’m still in love with how good Wild Rye is on bottom (ANd I mean WOOF they are GOOD), the best part of our relationship is that I’ve discovered they’re just as good (if not better?!) on top. Which isn’t surprising: like most of us who #playwild, Wild Rye is multifaceted and multi talented — not to mention able to make getting a little dirty look and feel really good.

But, like, they’re SO good on top(s), that if each were a profile, I would 100% swipe right. 

The Technical Tops

Wouldn't blink if I asked them out on a 40 mile gravel grind for a first date. And even though they’re all about performance, they wouldn’t show up looking like they’re ready to ride the Tour de France: they have way more panache . (A bit like Gen Z in *those* sunglasses. You know the ones…) They’d keep up and maybe even nudge me to go a bit further or faster no matter how hot (or steamy, wink wink) things got. They’d bring extra snacks to share because they have tons of functional pockets, they’d come alive when things got a bit Type-2 adventurous, and they’d make me look good no matter how spicy things got. Above all, though, they’d make me feel super comfortable the entire time, which is just *SWOON.*

Sound like your dream date? Then your Top Type is the Gem, Salida, Sloane, Holly Jerseys and/or Sawyer Sunshirt. 

SHOP TECHY TOPS 

The Versatile Tops

Would suggest something a little more casual, even if it was still kinda covertly athletic. Our date would probably start with a hike or mountain bike ride to find wildflowers or a swimming hole, because we can definitely handle a little sweat, but we’d have such a good time together that we’d end up heading straight into town afterwards for a beer, not stopping to change because, well, why? The vibe is fun, colorful, and we look good together, so the transition from trail to table is easy. And, as it turns out, they have a noticeable soft side, even if they got pretty damn sendy earlier in the day. They’re the mullet of tops: a bit of party, a bit of pro-pro, and plenty of charisma. 

Are you salivating too? Then your Top Type is the Mackay, Keller, Lola, Lil Party, and/or the Remi.

SHOP SWITCH HITTERS 

The Graphic Tees

I tell you what. They’re confident, comfortable, expressive, and a little rebellious. Odds are high we’d head to a protest on town square or flirt our way through the farmer’s market for our date, talking about the best book we’ve read so far this year and what big backcountry trip we have planned for next month. We’d end up on a tailgate at sunset with a little picnic and wine, and everything would just feel easy and relaxed — a feeling that would only get better each time we hung out, which would be again, and again, and again. What can I say? We just fit. 

Do you also tend to find yourself working to dismantle the patriarchy on your rest days? Then your Top Type is any one of the Graphic and/or Fundraiser Tees!

MAKE A STATEMENT 

But like I said, I’d swipe on any of them - and, oops, already have. They’re all just that good on top. ;)

Written by Wild Rye team rider: Ariel Kazunas