The 5 Best Jeans for Men

First invented over 150 years ago, jeans have become a staple of modern life and can be found in every corner of the world. If you're in the market for a new pair, you've come to the right place. We know that every man needs at least one pair of well-fitting jeans in his wardrobe, whether for casual Friday or for daily use. That's why we've scoured the options and found the best of the best. Here, we've whittled down the list to five of our favorites, with picks ranging from the inexpensive to the premium pair.

Levi’s Men’s 511 Slim Fit Stretch Jean

Levi's invented blue jeans... literally

With a vast range of sizes and color options, Levi's 511 line of jeans keeps the crown for the most comfortable and well-fitting denim pants that money can buy.

Best Overall

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Is it any wonder that Levi’s made it to the top of our list? In fact, Levi Strauss basically invented blue jeans, and first began manufacturing denim pants over 160 years ago. Through the decades, Levi’s has maintained its reputation for making comfortable, quality, long-lasting jeans. Though they offer many great options, Levi’s 511 line of jeans takes the crown for its affordable price and long-lasting durability. Not only are they true-to-size, but they might just be the last pair of jeans you ever have to buy. With consistent quality control and high-quality materials, the 511 line of jeans can be worn to the barn or to the office and endure decades of wear.

Pros

Available in different styles and colors
Made from 99-percent cotton
Not too baggy, not too skinny
Great value for the price

Cons

May shrink a little the first time you wash them

Carhartt Men’s Relaxed Fit Tapered Leg Jean (Regular and Big and Tall Sizes)

It doesn't get more rugged than Carhartt

These relaxed fit jeans are a great option for those looking for a pair of slacks that can handle the rigors of manual labor.

Best Pants for Work

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Even if you’re not a cowboy, we recommend this relaxed fit pair of jeans to anyone that needs something with a little extra ruggedness. This pair from Carhartt is a great example of the original vision of denim clothing. Their thick, cotton material is warm-yet-breathable, tough-yet-comfortable, and stylish-yet-functional. Those that work in construction or outside will appreciate a pair of jeans that won’t show signs of wear even after a day of bending, kneeling, lifting, and loading. Plus, they clean up easily and look good with a button-down shirt. If you’re on the hunt for a reasonably-priced pair of jeans that work as hard as you do, this is it.

Pros

All-cotton
Trusted company
Reinforced belt loops

Cons

Leg runs long

Amazon Essentials Men’s Straight-Fit Stretch Jean

Amazon makes jeans?!

This line of jeans from Amazon Essentials proves that cheap doesn't always mean low-quality.

Best Budget

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Although we’re skeptical of any jeans in this price range, Amazon Essentials defied our expectations. The price depends on the size and style of your choosing, but most options are twenty bucks or less. We don’t know what kind of witchcraft was employed to get such low prices, but these jeans are surprisingly high-quality and long-lasting. Made out of 98-percent cotton, they’re comfortable and stylish. They have a bit of stretch to them, so any variability in size usually isn’t a problem. That being said, although they’re advertised as “straight leg,” they’re pretty roomy. So, if you do go with these pants based on the price, consider getting a size slightly thinner than you normally would.

Pros

Slight stretch
Best value for the price
Classy enough to be worn in an office

Cons

Slightly baggy

Amazon Essentials Men’s Slim-Fit Stretch Jean

Slim guys have slim thighs

Another win for Amazon Essentials, this option is the ideal pick for those in the market for a slim-fitting pair that won't chafe or squeeze.

Best Slim-Fitting

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Amazon Essentials, you did it again. This line of slim-fitting jeans is a great option for guys with thinner frames or anybody looking for a more form-fitting pair of pants. They’re not skinny jeans, so they won’t squeeze your manhood or cut off circulation. Although you may still need to wear a belt to prevent them from sagging, these jeans fit snugly with a little stretch. Best of all, Amazon Essentials seems to have nailed the sizing, and with a huge range of options available for men of all heights and girths, you’re almost guaranteed to find the perfect size. Thus, it’s a great pick for those with peculiar dimensions. Heck, it’s a great pick for anyone.

Pros

Accurate sizing
98-percent cotton
High quality control

Cons

Color may run first couple washes

Lee Men’s Modern Series Extreme Motion Straight Fit Tapered Leg Jean

Jog, jump, or drive

Lee is another great source for jeans, and offers this stretchy option for men that lead active lives.

Best for Active Men

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Not all those who wander are lost. For men apt to wandering, you may want to consider this option from Lee. These jeans will flex and stretch, so you won’t feel confined by the rigidness of traditional materials. Though they’re still mostly cotton, Lee’s Modern Series jeans are constructed out of 20-percent polyester and 3-percent spandex. Designed to maximize your freedom of movement, they won’t chafe or feel heavy the next time you go hiking in jeans. Plus, they look just as suave as their all-cotton denim brethern, so no one will suspect that you’re ready to hit the trail at the drop of a hat.

Pros

True-to-size
Great value for the price
Wide range of colors to choose from

Cons

May be loose at the waist, so a belt is required

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my new jeans bleed their color in the wash?

It isn’t uncommon for the dye in new jeans to run a little upon the first and second washing. This usually isn’t a sign that you bought a defective pair of jeans. Instead, loose dyes are just a byproduct of the nature of denim. Composed of extremely-dense cotton, it can take a long time for denim to absorb the dyes. We recommend washing all pairs of jeans by themselves when you first buy them. Then, you can throw them into a mixed load of colored clothing for a second washing. They may also shrink a little, which is why they may seem to fit a little too widely when you first purchase them. After a second or third washing, they should neither shrink nor bleed any further.

What are the different styles of jeans and which should I get?

There are five different types of jean fits, from the most form-fitting, thinnest size to the largest, baggiest-fitting size: skinny, slim, regular, relaxed, and loose. Skinny is generally recommended for men with thinner-than-usual legs that want a snug pair of pants. A well-fitted pair of skinny jeans won’t need a belt, while most other styles do require a belt to avoid the “plumber’s crack”. Slim jeans fit men of average sizes, though they are a little slimmer than regular and usually taper at the ankle. Regular jeans are the traditional style of jeans and are called “straight” when they don’t taper at the ankle. Finally, relaxed and loose jeans run a little looser and are preferred by working men that want a hardy denim pant leg that can handle stooping, crouching, and climbing.