The 12 Best Jeans For Men That Are Wardrobe Staples

Waist sizes: 28 to 38 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 34 | Leg opening: 14 inches | Style: Slim | Colors: 8 total, including Indigo and Granite | Material: 85.5% cotton, 13.5% polyester, 1% elastane

What you’ll love:

• Modern slim fit
• Stretchy feel
• Available in light and dark washes

Keep in mind:

• Some customers say sizing is inconsistent between washes

For all around perfect jeans, Todd Snyder is the way to go, says Turner Allen, founder and lead stylist of Style Turner. “Its robust denim selection features lots of different washes and fits to suit almost anyone’s preferences, from novice to expert,” he says. This particular jean features a modern, flattering slim fit with the comfort of stretch. It also comes in four washes, from a dressier indigo rinse to a weekend-friendly destroyed wash.

Waist sizes: 28 to 46 | Inseam lengths: 28 to 36 | Style: Slim | Colors: 6 total, including Jet Black and Whirlpool | Material: 57% cotton, 21% modal, 17% polyester, 5% elastane

What you’ll love:

• Variety of fits to choose from
• Wide range of washes to pick from
• Ultra-soft and stretchy

Keep in mind:

• Multiple customers say these jeans have a strong smell
• Material is prone to shrinking in the dryer

This versatile jean has a zip fly and five-pocket styling. It comes in five fits—slim, tailored, straight, athletic and slim taper—so you’re likely to find one that works for you. “The slim style has a slim straight leg and is extremely flattering on a guy with a more narrow frame,” says Megan Collins, founder of the men’s styling agency Style Girlfriend. “While blue is the most popular, it comes in other go-with-everything colorways.”

Waist sizes: 28 to 40 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 34 | Style: Slim | Colors: 9 total including Desert Stone Blue and Tidal | Material: 70% cotton, 28% Coolmax polyester, 2% Lycra spandex

What’s you’ll love:

• Over 4,000 5-star customer ratings on Duer’s website
• Wide range of washes to pick from
• Made of sustainable materials

Keep in mind:

• Some customers feel the denim quality could be better

Originally launched in 2015, Vancouver-based lifestyle brand Duer creates denim from plant-based or recycled fibers. This technical pair is supremely stretchy yet still maintains a heritage denim appearance—meaning it doesn’t look thin, and the fabric is resilient. It’s also moisture-wicking and is treated with silver ions to help neutralize odor, so you could ride your bike to work in these and go straight into a board meeting.

Waist sizes: 26 to 42 | Inseam lengths: 29 to 36| Leg opening: 14.5 inches | Style: Slim | Colors: 28 total, including Crazy For Blue and Haley’s Comet | Material: 87% cotton, 11% polyester, 2% elastane

What you’ll love:

• Dozens of washes to pick from
• Classic, dependable brand
• Available in big and tall sizes

Keep in mind:

• Denim breakdown varies from wash to wash
• Some customers say sizing is inconsistent

Having a pair of Levi’s as part of your denim collection is kind of a necessity, especially given that denim jeans were invented by Levi Strauss himself in 1873. While the straight-leg 501s are a classic, these 511s are a slimmer mid-rise. These have just a hint of stretch, which offers give and allows for movement but won’t compromise structure after hours of wear. At such a budget-friendly price, you may just need to scoop up a few different washes.

Waist sizes: 28 to 44 | Inseam length: 30 to 36 | Leg opening: 13.75 inches | Style: Slim tapered | Colors: 4 total, including Stellar and 21 Years Wilcox | Material: 98% cotton, 2% polyester

What you’ll love:

• Denim has all-direction stretch
• Durable details ensure this pair will last
• Slim but comfortable fit

Keep in mind:

• Smaller and larger sizes tend to sell out quickly

Los Angeles-based AG Jeans was founded in 2000 and has become a brand leader in sustainable manufacturing processes. If you’re looking for men’s jeans in a variety of washes, the Tellis style from AG Jeans is consistently top-rated. It has a modern slim cut with a slightly tapered leg, five pockets and a comfort stretch that makes it an extremely versatile jean.

Waist sizes: 28 to 44 | Inseam lengths: 28 to 34 | Leg opening: 13.5 inches | Style: Slim | Colors: 2 total, including Chapman and Leeward | Material: 75% cotton, 23% polyester, 2% elastane

What you’ll love:

• Coolmax fibers wick away moisture
• Muscle-friendly fit
• Denim has a hint of stretch

Keep in mind:

• Only two washes available

Madewell’s denim is hard-wearing and made to last without costing a fortune. This fitted-through-the-hip-and-thigh style is a standout, constructed from the brand’s “Everyday Flex” denim, which has a soft, moves-with-you feel. These particular jeans also feature Madewell’s Coolmax technology, which means they’re especially good at wicking away moisture and regulating temperature.

Waist sizes: 29 to 42 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 36 | Leg opening: 6.5 to 16.3 inches | Style: Tapered leg | Colors: 4 total, including Medium and Dark | Material: 99% cotton, 1% spandex

What you’ll love:

• High-quality selvedge denim
• Good stretch recovery

Keep in mind:

• No customer reviews on the brand’s website

Hailing from Huckberry’s in-house brand Flint And Tinder, these comfy jeans are made of high-quality selvedge denim with just a hint of stretch. Their tapered fit allows for more room in the seat and thigh, without sacrificing the tailored look of a slim leg. There are four washes to choose from, and if the tapered leg isn’t for you, there are slim, classic and straight options as well. 

Waist sizes: 28 to 40 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 34 | Style: Relaxed | Colors: 3 total, including Dark Indigo and Black | Material: 94% cotton, 2% elastane, 4% other fiber

What you’ll love:

• Backed by a 365-day guarantee
• Four-way stretch denim
• Made with organic cotton

Keep in mind:

• Customers say the actual fit is slimmer than advertised

Everlane’s denim is beloved for its simplicity and quality. These jeans have lots of stretch through the warp and weft—the two types of yarn that are woven to create denim—for comfy range of motion. If you like a relaxed fit, these are the jeans that pair nicely with your favorite sweatshirt and sneakers.

Waist sizes: 28 to 38 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 34 | Leg opening: 12.3