The All-Time Best Men’s Jeans That Are Comfortable Enough for Travel
We know how hard it is to find the perfect pair of men's jeans. Of course, your jeans need to look amazing. But also apply these criteria to your jeans selection: Can you spend a long flight wearing them? Will they suit you for days of sightseeing, and numerous occasions (like nice dinners, urban hikes, or city pub crawls)? How do they *feel*? Are they comfortable enough to walk in, and sit in? Are they high quality, or will they split after a week of thigh rubbing? The men's jeans below check all the important boxes. Oh, and they're stylish too.
The Best Straight-Leg Men’s Jeans
Straight-leg men’s jeans flatter your lower half, but they don’t hug your legs all the way to the ankles. Past the knees, they loosen a bit but are still far from baggy. They’re easily the most universal men’s jeans you can wear, as they flatter on any form and for any occasion. Levi’s 501s are one of their most classic cuts—and thus, one of the most definitive cuts you yourself can buy—while both Bonobos and APC also offer high-quality fabric and a comfortable, stylish fit. (The APC raw denim will take a couple weeks to work into, by the way. That’s high quality in action.) Any big city you go to with these three jeans in your suitcase, and you’ll blend in with style.
Pick 1: Levi’s 501s ‘93 Straight Fit Jeans
Pick 2: Bonobos Premium-Stretch Jeans
Pick 3: APC Petit Standard Black Stretch Jeans
The Best Cheap Men’s Jeans Under $50
Cheap jeans don’t have to be cheap in quality. And, they might be your smartest investment if you don’t wear jeans frequently, or you like to change styles regularly. Look to big-name brands like Old Navy, Jack & Jones, or UNIQLO for mass-produced jeans that promise both comfort in travel and stylishness upon arrival. Best of all, the three of them all offer a slight stretch to fit your exact form. You can get them in just about any size, fit, and color, so shop around until you find something that suits you. After all, even if they’re less expensive than other brands, they’re still a smart investment.
Pick 1: UNIQLO Tapered EZY Jeans
Pick 2: Jack & Jones Skinny-Fit Stretch Jeans
Pick 3: Old Navy Relaxed Slim-Fit Flex Jeans
The Best Men’s Skinny Jeans
If you’ve got the legs to pull them off—or rather, pull them on—then skinny jeans might be the most flattering option. Good for thick and skinny legs alike, slim-fit jeans leave no secrets through the calves and thighs, but they’re also ideal for things like skateboarding, fancy dinners (paired with a nice blazer), and for straight-up showing off fashion cred. It’s important to get a pair with a little stretch—especially if you’ll wear them on a flight—like the options from Volcom, Levi’s, and Everlane here, because skinny jeans often need to be “trained” and relaxed to your body. Tight as they may be on first wear, they will steadily adjust to your form. (So maybe break them in before you fly.)
Pick 1: Volcom Vorta Slim Fit Jeans
Pick 2: 510™ Skinny Fit Men’s Jeans
Pick 3: The Skinny Fit Jean
The Best Loose or Baggy Men’s Jeans
If spaciousness is what you prefer in a pair of men’s jeans, then opt for a looser or baggier fit. Luckily, we aren’t (yet) reviving the low-riding JNCO style of the late ’90s, but there are numerous stylish options for bigger legs, chiller dads, and more comfortable travel days. Gap’s athletic taper jean should be considered a wardrobe essential since they pair well with any shirt. Carhatt makes an aesthetically appealing workman’s pant, while Lee’s are labeled “straight leg” but offer ample room to fill them out. The Gap and Lee picks are both easy to dress up or wear to the office, and current style trends would suggest the same of the Carhartts.
Pick 1: Gap Athletic Taper Jeans
Pick 2: Carhartt Traditional-Fit Tapered Leg Jeans
Pick 3: Lee Extreme-Motion Straight-Leg Jeans
The Best Jeans for Men with Big Thighs
Whether your bum is bigger than most, or you simply have some generously portioned upper legs, then your blessing is also met with a curse: It’s hard finding a pair of men’s jeans that fit wider legs. These three picks are terrific solutions for you, and not just for their light elasticity. They all suit different aspects of your personality too: Get the Volcoms for casual weekends away, the UNIQLOs for the work trip, and the Levi’s for everything in between.
Pick 1: Volcom Modown Jeans
Pick 2: UNIQLO Ultra-Stretch Skinny Fit Jeans
Pick 3: Levi’s 541 Athletic Taper Advanced Stretch Jeans
The Best Black Jeans for Men
You need at least one pair of black men’s jeans—they’re a wardrobe staple. Black jeans are a pretty general idea: They can be loose fitting, straight legged, or practically painted on. And best of all, when it comes to travel, you can wear them the longest without a wash (unless they’re starting to smell a bit funky). Bonobos’ black jeans are suitable for work, and extremely comfy. BDG’s “Dad Jeans” are for cool dads—the laid-back type who likes a straight-fit leg. Ditto for Vans, though maybe that’s a pair for Dad’s wave-chasing, concert-going, jet-setting son.
Pick 1: Bonobos Travel Jeans
Pick 2: BDG Solid Black Dad Jeans
Pick 3: Vans V16 Jeans
The Best Ripped Skinny Jeans for Men
Ripped skinny jeans are often the hardest pants to shop for, because those rips and tears can often go too far. You’re tiptoeing on a thin line between stylishness and showing too much skin. Luckily, there are numerous brands you can trust to help you look the former: Acne is chief among them with its slim-rise, natural-tear jeans. ASOS’ spray-on jeans give the right vibes for your skateboarding lifestyle (and have enough stretch for travel, too), while Cotton On’s does the same, except in a lighter blend that suits fancy dinners on the coast or evening sets at your favorite music festival. Don’t be surprised if ripped jeans are your new favorite jeans.
Pick 1: Acne Low-Rise Slim Jeans
Pick 2: ASOS Design Spray-On Stretch Denim
Pick 3: Cotton On Super Skinny Jeans
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- The Best Menswear to Buy on Amazon for Every Trip—Even if You’re Leaving in Two Days
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