The 14 Best Jeans for Men, Tested and Reviewed by Menswear Experts

The OG, the Grandaddy, the Prototype; the superlatives go on all day. Levi’s 501 is the jean on which pretty much all modern versions are based. Denim has been around for centuries, but Levi Strauss added the rivets, and standardized the fit, pockets, and fly. Pant styles fluctuate over the years, but the 501 is as close as it gets to timeless, with a straight leg that sits a little loose in the hip and thigh, then has a gentle taper from the knee down.

There are over a dozen washes available, but Men’s Health fashion director Ted Stafford prefers the medium stonewash for pure versatility. The slightly faded indigo with specks of white compliments dark and light colors equally well. It also had a soft feel that takes some time to achieve in a darker denim wash. When we added up the timeless fit, broken-in comfort, and endless styling potential, we landed on a jean that we could wear any day of the week with practically anything in our closet.

Read More: Best Jean Jackets

Buck Mason, the underrated denim brand, makes jeans that are “strong, classic, and reliable,” according to celebrity fashion stylist Jake Sokoloff. “The fit and fabric strike a perfect balance between stretch and durability, offering a timeless silhouette that will always be in style. Good thing, because their jeans stand the test of time and will last you a lifetime,” adds Sokoloff.

After testing different denim options from Buck Mason, the Ford Standard Jean came out on top. It has the ruggedness sans the tedious break-in period. Better yet, it is super versatile and a bang for your buck. “These jeans hit all the marks—straight but not skinny, a great basic everyday wash, and just enough stretch,” says expert stylist Alyssa Dineen.

The added stretch plus a fit that’s straight through the thighs and only slightly tapered below the knee also makes these jeans very travel-friendly. “They are jeans you can wear with a button down and blazer or with a sweatshirt. And it’s a great mid-price range option, comparable to other denim that’s now priced well over $200,” adds Dineen.

Guys with bigger hips and thighs have historically struggled to find jeans that fit well. Fortunately, clothing companies have embraced the “athletic fit” movement, which accommodates men who just weren’t built for skinny jeans. Abercrombie makes one of the best pairs of athletic fit dungarees that we’ve come across. In our testing, it accommodated bulkier built legs without looking baggy or sloppy.

A slight taper created a tailored fit that looked flattering all the way down the leg, even while providing ample room up top. The fabric had just enough give to it for a comfortable feeling sitting down and bending our legs, which is always the biggest issue for guys who never skip leg day.

If you’re not sure what style of denim works best for your body, the Everett is a perfectly balanced fit that you can’t go wrong with. AG nailed that “straight but not too-lose” look which our style editors think best compliments most guys’ physiques. It felt comfortably relaxed in the seat, with a gentle tape in the legs that never got too tight.

Our style editors were impressed with the overall quality of AG’s jeans. The denim had that sturdy feel to it that we were looking for. All of the stitching was clean and the hardware felt tough and reliable. This is definitely a pair of jeans that will last a long time.

Billy Reid teamed up with denim specialists Citizens of Humanity to create a jean that blends the former’s laid-back refinement with latter’s impeccable quality. The first thing that struck our tester when he tried this jean on was the rich, dense feel of the denim. It is 100% cotton but still provided plenty of flex and mobility thanks to a fit that is just roomy enough.

The Adler was one of the most expensive jeans we tested, at $278, but it absolutely justified the cost. This is an investment piece that can last for decades of continuous wear with a little TLC. Think of it like splurging on a nice pair of boots, with pretty much the same price range, lifespan, and versatility.

Pros

• Bright white color
• Can dress up with formalwear

Our style editors did some research and it turns out that there is no rule saying you can only wear white denim during the summer. Every guy could use a pair in their wardrobe, and make good use of it all year around. The best option we found is this pair from Ralph Lauren that has a pearly white texture, while providing the rugged comfort of a pair of jeans. It’s a straight fit but not too loose, and there was just a hint of stretch for a little boost in comfort.

If you haven’t worn white denim in the past because you’re just not sure how to style it, the trick is to think of something you already know how to work with and just switch this jean in. If you wear chinos in any shade of khaki or brown, a pair of white jeans will give an edgier look without having to change anything else about the outfit. You get the opposite effect when it comes to bluejeans, where swapping them for white elevates the feel of, what is otherwise, the same outfit.

Pros

• Flattering fit
• Dressed up well

Brooks Brothers may be better known for dress slacks and chinos, but our style editors were thoroughly impressed by the Americana brand’s denim. It had a tailored fit that paired well with dress shirts and blazers, placing it among the most elevated jeans we tested out.

In our opinion, this jean performed well above its price point. Most quality denim costs somewhere just north of $100 these days, but the fabric and construction of this one falls more in the premium range that often surpasses $200. It is not cheap, but is probably the best bang-for-your-buck on this list.

Pros

• Plenty of stretch
• Faded color

You may have heard that slim jeans are no longer fashionable, but the fact of the matter is that some body types will always look best with a slim cut pant. Our style editors found a pair of slim jeans from Todd Snyder that accentuate the silhouette of taller, slimmer guys, without looking or feeling tight.

Fashion director Ted Stafford loved the attention to detail displayed in the quality of the copper rivets, the hand finished “aged” details, and the clean stitching. He recommends this jean for a high-low elevated look, rocking it with a blazer, oxford shirt, and loafers. It is a great way to pull off jeans in an office environment.

Fashion director Ted Stafford thinks that Rag & Bone came up with a perfect shade of gray for this jean. “It has an elevated look that goes with a sweater or dress shirt,” he noted. It is an excellent alternative to the various shades of blue for a dressier night out or a modern office dress code.

Since we tested most of these jeans out during the summer, this fabric really stood out for being lightweight and breathable. Which made it one of our favorite options for hot weather. The stretchy blend of cotton and synthetic fibers made the slimmer fit feel flexible and comfortable.

Indigo is the dye that makes most jeans blue. When a brand uses a really rich indigo, like Mavi did here, you get a beautiful range from deep, dark navy and light sky blue. The lighter fades gradually show up and get more pronounced with each wear in a jean like this.

Mavi nailed the modern athletic fit in this jean, providing plenty of room in the hip and thigh, along with a taper in the lower leg that looks clean and stylish. This fit is assisted by a blend of cotton, tencel, polyester, and elastane that is lightweight and stretchy. It was one of the most comfortable jeans for our testers with big quads.

There are stretch jeans, and then there are the Travel Jeans from Bonobos. Offering by-far the most elasticity of any jean we tested, it wears more like a pair of athletic pants than denim. The unique fabric blend has the added benefit of being wrinkle resistant, which kept a crisp look the whole time we wore them.

Not only are these the most comfortable jeans to wear while traveling, they are also excellent for packing. We folded them up and packed them tightly into a carry-on size bag for a few hours, then pulled them out and couldn’t find a single crease or wrinkle. On top of that, it comes in the widest range of fits and sizing of any jean we tested.

At first glance, the Voyager Flex 2.0 looks like a standard pair of jeans. But we found a few useful little features that make it specially designed for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and landscaping. We found that the blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex offered athletic level performance in both flexibility, and moisture and temperature control. The inner waistband is soft and stretchy, which eliminated cutting around the waist.

The coolest detail, which we have never even heard of before, is the reflective leg liner. Along the outseam, where you would normally see selvedge or stitching detail, there are two strips of reflective tape. This can come in handy when working or hiking at night, you can fold it up for a bit of enhanced visibility.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Stretchy fabric

If affordability is your top priority, you can’t beat the Amazon Essential jeans. It has a slim fit that is comfortable and not at all tight. We liked that the balance of stretch felt just right in our testing. It does everything you need from a pair of jeans at an unbeatable price.

At this price, you’re going to have to sacrifice a few details and the biggest thing that stood out in our testing was the hardware. The zipper is a little flimsy and jammed a few times, plus the rivets and waist button didn’t feel as hard and durable as we expect from jeans.

How to Find the Best Fit for You in Men’s Jeans

The rule of thumb for finding the best fit in jeans for men, according to Matthew McConaughey’s stylist Tara Swennen, is that “men’s jeans should fit perfectly right below the waist, have enough ease to sit comfortably, and hug all of the right curves.” Below is a breakdown of the main fits for jeans to guide you through.

Classic/Straight

This everyman’s jean is just snug enough to show off your sculpted lower half, but not so much that you’ll look like a beanpole since it offers enough room through the seat, thigh, and leg. Taller guys should pick straight-leg cuts in a medium rise to maintain proper proportions. Meanwhile, most thinner guys should go with a straight-leg, low-rise fit to ensure that the style sits comfortably on your hips and leaves a few extra inches of legroom.

Relaxed

These laid-back slacks are cut fuller from the thigh to the hem, allowing ample legroom for maximum comfort. A popular ’90s trend, this cut is back in style and is especially flattering for taller and stockier guys. After all, relaxed-fit jeans cut bigger guys some slack, creating interior real estate so legs can flex and move.

Slim

Usually tapered below the knee, slim fit closely follows the contours of the body without being overly tight. In jeans, a slim fit is a tailored cut that offers a more fitted appearance through the thighs, knees, and calves. This style provides a modern and streamlined silhouette, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a well-fitting yet comfortable option.

Athletic

For men with muscular thighs, athletic-fit jeans are designed to accommodate your strapping quads while still accentuating your calves—without forcing you to cut back on leg days. Loose and relaxed above the knee, athletic-fit jeans offer more room at the thigh and hip areas to do justice to your thick quads; below the knee, they can sport a straight or even tapered leg to lend a more tailored fit.

Additionally, Stitch Fix stylist Amberly Reese says that when helping her clients find their perfect jeans, she always considers their body type first to find the best fit. “For men with a slim build, I recommend they avoid too-long styles that will overpower their frame. Instead, opt for a tailored pair with just enough length for a half or full break,” she says. But for a man with a husker build, she recommends against a fit that is too loose or baggy since it’ll give the illusion that you’re actually bigger than you are. “Instead, reach for a classic fit in an updated, sleek cut to balance you out,” says Reese.

How to Style Men’s Jeans

“As the most versatile article of clothing a man can own, jeans have the ability to traverse many different types of formality,” says personal stylist Turner Allen. “Given that denim originates from workwear, it inherently embodies a casual nature. That’s why I suggest throwing in some contrast, like rocking penny loafers with laid-back tailoring,” he says.

For a more laid-back look, Penger suggests pairing jeans with a well-fitted tee and canvas or leather sneakers. But when aiming for a smarter appearance, he recommends combining dark wash jeans with a crisp button-down shirt or sweater with a pair of boots.

On the other hand, for a business casual look, throw on a pair of suede loafers with dark denim, an oxford button down, and timeless accessories, says Thomas. “Take those same jeans and style your denim with a pair of low-top sneakers like common projects white sneakers, or a heavyweight crewneck sweatshirt and you’ve got a great weekend look for fall,” she adds.

What Are the Current Jeans Trends?

“When it comes to jeans, anything other than super-skinny or ’90s jumbo or too ripped-up is fair game right now, says Michael Bastian, the Creative Director and designer behind Brooks Brothers. “My personal denim go-to at the moment is classic straight-leg indigo Japanese Selvedge denim (15 or 16 oz, 100% cotton) with a couple of washes. These always feel timeless and worth the investment.” Pierson echoes the same takeaway in men’s jeans trend: “We’re seeing men gravitate towards straight leg and relaxed silhouettes that have a looser fit.” As for the fabric, she adds: “Mid-to-light washes with a lot of yarn character or surface texture are also popular–as well as clean, dark washes and various shades of black.”

Why Trust Us

At Men’s Health, our testing editors and writers always make sure to actually test and use the products ourselves before considering whether to include them. Therefore, rest assured that our product recommendations derive from first-hand experience, and you can read more about our testing process here.

In addition, we have a whole fashion closet in our NYC office dedicated to calling in, trying out, and selecting the best and newest menswear products. We put them on stylish, fit guys to hear their opinions and see how the items look on them before making our final decision. And as style editors, we constantly go into the fashion closet to test out the products.

Lastly, you can trust our opinions on shopping recommendations, whether it’s the products, styling tips, or trends. Not only do we have Fashion Director Ted Stafford and Deputy Editor, Commerce Christian Gollyan, but we also have a panel of style experts—including stylists, fashion influencers, designers, etc.—whom we regularly seek shopping guides from.

Meet Our Experts for Men’s Jeans

• Melina Kemph, celebrity stylist
• Patrick Kenger, personal stylist
• Isaac Robertson, CISSN and ISSA-certified personal fitness trainer
• Tyler Sellers, fitness coach and athlete
• Steven Fingar, lifestyle influencer
• Warren Alfie Baker, celebrity stylist
• Jonas Maier, style influencer
• Evan Simonitsch, celebrity stylist
• Jake Sokoloff, celebrity stylist
• Alyssa Dineen, personal stylist
• Jenny Ricker, celebrity stylist
• Jimmy Garoppolo, football quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders
• Grace Thomas, personal wardrobe stylist
• Steve Gonzalez, style influencer and Creative Director
• Justin Berkowitz, Bloomingdale’s Men’s Fashion Director
• Brent Whaley, men’s fashion photographer
• Mary Pierson, SVP of Denim Design at Madewell
• Nick Kemp, Head Designer at Taylor Stitch
• Brian Chan, style influencer
• Tara Swennen, celebrity stylist
• Amberly Reese, Stitch Fix stylist
• Turner Allen, personal stylist
• Michael Bastian, Creative Director of Brooks Brothers