Norse Projects vs Reigning Champ: which chino wins?
Both land in the premium tier — the Norse Projects Aros Slim Stretch Chino at $150, the Reigning Champ Reigning Champ Cotton Twill Trouser at $150. Here's how they stack up, head to head.
| Norse Projects | Reigning Champ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $150 |
| Material | Good-quality stretch cotton twill, mid-weight, with elastane. | Substantial cotton twill with body and a clean dry hand, chosen for durability and a structured drape rather than stretch comfort. |
| Fit | Clean, slightly slim cut, true to size; design-led and modern. | Mid rise in relaxed and tapered cuts with a clean, modern leg; cut easy but considered, reflecting the brand's elevated-casual sensibility. |
| Quality | Premium — better cloth and finishing than mainstream chinos, with considered details. | Cleanly constructed with the brand's signature attention to fabric and finishing; the heavier twill holds shape and wears durably. |
| Best for | Scandinavian-minimalist and design-led outfits, quality cloth, and a clean modern chino. | Those who want an elevated, fabric-forward cotton trouser bridging clean athletic-leisure and everyday wear. |
| Care | Cold wash and hang to dry; the quality twill holds shape and presses cleanly. | Machine wash cold and hang or tumble dry low to protect the heavier cotton and shape. |
Norse Projects' Aros and Reigning Champ's trouser both land at $150 with opposite fabric philosophies. The Aros is a slim, stretch-elastane twill cut design-led and modern; the Reigning Champ is a substantial no-stretch twill in relaxed and tapered cuts built for structured drape.
Elastane stretch comfort, slim modern cut, Scandinavian design details, quality mid-weight twill
Heavier substantial twill, structured durable drape, relaxed and tapered cuts, smart-casual sensibility
Which should you buy?
Same $150, so it's slim-and-stretchy versus heavy-and-relaxed. Get the Norse Projects Aros if you want a clean, slim chino with stretch and quiet design, and buy it on sale where it's strongest. Get the Reigning Champ trouser if you want a substantial, structured twill with an easy relaxed leg that holds shape and bridges athletic-leisure into everyday wear. Skip the Reigning Champ if you need stretch or a genuinely slim line.
We may earn a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you.