Some brands are born in meetings. Destroyer was born on the bike.
Johannes von Klebelsberg was never the type of rider who fit perfectly into a box. A two-time Italian downhill champion, strong World Cup qualifiers, fast runs – but also someone who went his own way. Without much fanfare. Without an artificial image. And at some point: in jeans.
No staging. Just riding.
The idea of riding in jeans wasn't a marketing concept at first. It was practical, spontaneous, and somehow exactly what defined Johannes. At the 2019 World Cup opener in Maribor, he rode in stretch denim – not to stand out, but because it felt right.
The run was fast enough for the scene to take notice. Johannes von Klebelsberg became the "Denim Destroyer." A nickname that stuck because it was more than just an outfit. It stood for an attitude: you don't have to look like everyone else to be fast.
Privateer mentality at World Cup level
Johannes rode as a privateer, worked during the week, and was at the start line on weekends. No huge safety net, no perfect background structure – but talent, composure, and the will to deliver when it mattered.
Exactly this mix still defines Destroyer today. The jeans aren't supposed to look like race wear, but to function in real life: on the trail, when wrenching, on the way to work, in the bar in the evening.
Why it became a brand
Normal jeans looked good, but weren't durable enough on the bike. Classic MTB pants worked on the trail, but often felt out of place in everyday life. In between, there was room for something better.
Destroyer precisely connects these two worlds: denim look, stretch, freedom of movement, and robust details for use on the bike. No costume. No pure racewear. But pants for people who ride – and don't immediately want to look like they just came from the paddock afterward.
Born on the trail
Destroyer is therefore not a fashion project with an MTB sticker. The brand comes from real racing, from real trails, and from a story that wasn't planned. That's exactly what makes it credible.
Jeans that not only look good but can ride.
Discover the Destroyer collection and find your MTB jeans for trail, everyday life, and everything in between.