The 5 Best Jeans

Cut: Slim Fit | Stretch Material: Yes

The Levi's 511 Slim Fit is our first choice, whether for work, chores, or sharing a drink with friends. Their slim cut is both professional and modern, and they're also surprisingly durable. Amongst the jeans with stretch fabric, this one stands out for its incredible comfort and remarkable range of motion. When subjected to our abrasion test with sandpaper, neither the knee nor hem developed significant wear. All the components are high quality, including the stitching, belt loops, and zipper. This versatile pair was our go-to, and we wore them everywhere from work to hangouts.

Buyers looking for a classic or boot cut may not be satisfied with this slim, modern cut. And, though the stretch fabric is remarkably durable, it won't stand up to the durability of non-stretch denim. The material showed more wear than all other non-stretch options. Still, we find the Levi's 511 Slim Fit to be a great balance of style, functionality, and durability, making them an excellent pair of jeans.

Cut: Classic | Stretch Material: No

The Rustler Classic Regular 5 Pocket present a superb value. Their classic cut is similar to the Levi's 505 Regular Fit, and they're quite durable, with stiff fabric that stands up to abrasion and when performing dirty chores around the house. During our tests, the hem and knees had some color change but showed no signs of weakening. These break in the more you wear them, becoming more and more comfortable over time.

While we appreciate the great price, the fit isn't for everyone. The waist is narrow compared to other models, which may create some discomfort for those with a wider torso, particularly while sitting or squatting. While the fabric itself is strong, the components are not. The belt loops tore early in our durability testing, and the pockets are too small to be practical. Still, if you don't have a lot of cash to drop, the Rustler Classic is an excellent pair for folks looking for a classic, no-frills option made from durable fabric.

Cut: Relaxed, Straight Leg | Stretch Material: No

The Dickies Relaxed Fit Straight Leg Carpenter Duck is an exceptional choice for those seeking a work pant for chores and other tough jobs. They feature a lightweight, duck fabric that is incredibly durable, showing almost no wear after our abrasion and wear tests. The material is stiff but does not restrict motion while bending and squatting. The details make them well-suited for work, and the utility pockets are sewn on well — they are also large enough for tools or a carpenter's pencil. The hammer loop is sturdy and easily accessible.

For all the work-related details, some of the standard components are lacking. The zipper catches on almost every pull, and there are very few belt loops, meaning that they tend to bunch up around and under a belt when sitting or bending over. The thick duck fabric will take some time to break in and be comfortable for everyday wear. Overall, the Dickies Carpenter is an excellent value for a pair of sturdy work pants that won't restrict your movement.

Cut: Slim | Stretch Material: Yes

The Amazon Essentials Slim-Fit Stretch are incredibly comfortable with a price point that's hard to beat. They feel like sweatpants when you first put them on, and the fabric is very soft. While they do not have an outstanding range of motion, they are very comfortable and not restricting while squatting, sitting, bending, or walking. Their modern, slim cut is right at home in many settings.

The sizing on the Amazon Essentials is very different from other brands. The waist is large for the listed size, while the length and thighs are considerably smaller, so getting the sizing right first try may be tricky. During testing, the knees began to show wear very quickly. The pants came with many loose threads on the hems and near the zipper, which indicates some long-term durability and quality issues. The belt loop stitching did tear during testing but did not completely fail. For a buyer looking for comfortable pants, these are a great choice.

Cut: Regular | Stretch Material: No

The Levi's 505 Regular Fit is an excellent buy for someone looking for a classic cut. These pants performed well during our durability testing, barely showing any wear and tear when subjected to sandpaper. The components are all high-quality; the zippers worked flawlessly, and the belt loops stood up to pull tests.

The only downside was the comfort level. The fabric is incredibly stiff, so during our range of motion testing, they began to chafe our testers. While wearing them to sit and work, we noted discomfort due to pinching on the waist (from the very stiff fabric); this did not change much as they were washed and worn. Still, the Levi's 505 is perfect for anyone shopping for a classic look that will last.

Cut: Regular, Tapered Leg | Stretch Material: No

The Carhartt Five Pocket Tapered Leg is a decent option for folks looking for a long-lasting pair of pants for yard work and chores around the house. They stood up to the brand's hardworking reputation, showing limited wear during durability testing. The zipper and belt loops performed admirably during our hands-on testing.

These pants had a minimal range of motion. They were great for yard work or moving heavy, abrasive items, but they were quite restrictive during squatting movements. The cut also leaves something to be desired, and style-wise, these weren't our favorite of the bunch. The legs are tapered, making the silhouette a bit odd and challenging to get on and off. However, these pants will be an optimal buy for anyone looking for a long-lasting workhorse.

Cut: Cowboy Cut | Stretch Material: No

Featuring a high waist and boot cut, the Wrangler Cowboy Cut Original Fit is immediately recognizable due to their distinctive western style. The material is high-quality, standing up to all of our durability tests. The high waist means that despite a tight fit, the pants are relatively comfortable to sit and walk around in.

The components of these Wranglers, unlike the fabric, did not perform as well. The pockets are incredibly shallow, and the zipper frequently caught during testing; it also did not stay in place during wear. The belt loops began to tear, though they did not entirely fail during testing. The fabric did not seem to soften during wear or washing, which may lead to day in and day out discomfort; however, they may become more comfortable after an extended period. These jeans are a great option for folks looking for durability and western flair.

Cut: Relaxed Fit | Stretch Material: Yes

The Wrangler Authentics Classic Regular Fit are incredibly comfortable to wear. The fabric is soft and almost reminiscent of the favorite pair of pants you've worn for years. The stretch fabric is not restrictive, and they performed well in our range of motion testing.

The components were not very impressive, as the belt loops tore off our testing pair with one tug. The zipper did not perform well, and the soft fabric had a downside. Holes also developed quickly from abrasion, and the flex fabric quickly stretched out. The stretch of the material and cut made them look casual, so these pants wouldn't be our first pick to wear to work — at the office or a job site. These comfortable pants are a good pick for someone who values comfort and doesn't need to impress with fashionable looks.

Cut: Relaxed Fit | Stretch Material: Yes

The LEE Regular Fit Straight Leg Jean are great pants to sit in. The cut and style make them appropriate for a casual Friday at the office or meeting up with friends, and they were exceedingly comfortable to sit in. The material also had an incredibly soft feel.

These Lee pants did not do great in our range of motion testing, riding up at the thighs and down the back, making them fairly uncomfortable. While testing for abrasion, the fabric quickly developed holes. We wouldn't recommend these for someone who needs pants that can do hard work or constant motion. These are a good buy for the consumer looking for a comfortable style for the office environment.

Why Trust GearLab

Our review started with thorough research into the current jeans market. After settling on a selection, we purchased them all at retail prices from the same retailers you would. Our testing took place on the job and while tending to projects on a small urban homestead. The jeans were exposed to significant testing and wear while in professional contexts, at work on a rock wall and hauling rafts, and in the garden.

Bix Firer, the lead tester and author of this review, is a professional outdoor educator who has worked instructing rock climbing, backpacking, and facilitating outdoor experiences for over a decade. He directs an outdoor college program, training aspiring outdoor professionals and leading them from the classroom to the climbing wall to the backcountry. Because of these adventures, Bix needs clothes that can transition from professional to outdoors.

Analysis and Test Results

We've chosen to assess each pair based on five key metrics: comfort, durability, range of motion, components, and sizing. Thus, we developed metrics and scoring associated with each of these critical metrics to objectively compare the nine pairs we tested. These metrics and their comparison help give you, the consumer, the information you need to best meet your needs and budget.

Comfort

Jeans are a staple in nearly everyone's wardrobe. We believe they're meant to be worn all day and for various occasions. To test comfort, we considered the fabric's weight, stretch, how stiff it was, and how each pair felt while sitting and moving. We noted pinch spots and hot spots during motion and compared pairs side-by-side.

Out of the package, the Amazon Essentials Slim-Fit Stretch was easily the most comfortable option. These pants felt soft and already broken in. There was no chafing or pinch points during our range of motion testing or while sitting for extended periods. The loose-waisted cut made it easy to forget we were even wearing them. The Levi's 511 Slim was the runner-up, as the stretch fabric and quality materials were comfortable against the skin and easy to move in. The Wrangler Authentics Classic 5-Pocket Regular Fit Flex had excellent fabric and a loose fit, and the pre-worn feel made them very comfortable.

Durability

Jeans balance durability by increasing the stiffness and thickness of their fabric and by balancing stretch. We tested durability through everyday wear and abrasion tests. Each pair was abraded 100 times on the inner seam and on the knee to see how well they stood up to wear and tear. After our testing concluded, it was clear that the Dickies Relaxed Fit Straight-Leg Carpenter Duck was the highest performer. In both wear for work and during our abrasion testing, the Dickies showed very little sign of wear and tear.

The Levi's 505 Regular Fit was the second-best in this category, standing up to our testing the best of any non-duck fabrics. The fabric showed little wear from abrasion testing, and the color stood up, with no obvious wear when doing work in the garden. The Carhartt Relaxed Fit Tapered Leg, Rustler Classic Regular 5 Pocket, and Wrangler Cowboy Cut Original Fit all tied in the durability metrics. These pants all showed little wear after 100 passes with sandpaper on the hem and knee.

Range of Motion

A decent range of motion is essential at work and for play. We tested their range of motion by doing a series of squats, lunges, and bends, noting any discomfort, pinching, or chafing. We then sat in each pair for two hours and wore them while working. The Levi's 511 Slim performed the best for their mobility. This pair owes its supreme comfort and fantastic range of motion to its stretch denim. Our leader tester wore them rock climbing and noted no restriction in motion.

The Amazon Essentials Slim-Fit Stretch performed well in our range of motion testing, but their slim, tighter cut made them a bit more restrictive. For a more classic jean cut, the Wrangler Authentics Classic 5-Pocket Regular Fit Flex had excellent range of motion and tied with Dickies Relaxed Fit Straight-Leg Carpenter Duck — the only non-stretch jean to be a top scorer in range of motion tests.

Components

A great variety in the quality of the components existed across the men's jeans we tested. We test zipper quality on each pair by rapidly using the zipper 100 times. We also tested belt loop quality by stressing the belt loops, tugging 100 times (or until failure). Upon delivery, the testers examined the stitching to determine if there was fraying or loose stitching. The Levi's 505 Regular Fit had the best component parts; the YKK zipper worked flawlessly, the belt loops did not tear, and all stitching was high quality.

The runner-up was Levi's 511 Slim, which showed excellent stitching and no wear on the belt loops, but came with a slightly less robust Levi's brand zipper. Tied for runner-up was the Carhartt Relaxed Fit Tapered Leg.

Sizing

Sizing jeans is key to making sure that you get the right fit each time. While a great variety exists due to cut and stretch fabrics, we tried to find consistency in sizing, using our preferred waist and inseam as the standard. We measured the waist and length of each pair, checking for variation from the advertised waist and inseam. We also checked for stretch during wear and looked for significant shrinking following washing.

The Levi's 511 Slim Jeans were one of our favorite pairs, as its stretch fabric stayed true to size throughout wear and washing. They also measured closest to the standard size. The Wrangler Cowboy Cut Original Fit measured true to size and did not stretch significantly during wear or shrink during washing. While they were a bit long in the inseam, this helped with the higher-waisted western cut. The Carhartt Relaxed Fit Tapered Leg Jean measured very close to standard sizing, but the waist made them feel a bit short. However, they were a close runner-up in sizing.

Conclusion

Jeans are the do-everything pant. They can take us from the worksite to the office and from home projects to a casual hike. The variety of styles, cuts, and fabrics available means that the consumer is faced with many choices. Our comprehensive testing for comfort, durability, range of motion, components, and sizing provide you with the information to know which pair will fit your use and budget.