Levi’s® Top 8 Best Jeans for Men
Style /
February 2023
Top 8 Best Jeans For Men
We’ve been making jeans for close to 150 years, and in the process, we’ve made a lot them (like a lot a lot). But the good news is, all this practice absolutely makes perfect. We’ve used all that time to tweak, tinker, and perfect our assortment to a few key styles we can confidently call the BEST jeans for men. (Sorry for yelling we just feel strongly about these). With a variety of fits perfectly calibrated for a huge range of personal styles, there’s a little something for everyone in this roundup. Let’s dive in to find out which of the 8 best jeans for men is the best jean for you.
501® ORIGINAL
The jeans that started it all, back in 1873. Our 501® Original Fit Jeans are straight from the hip all the way down to the ankle, for a clean classic look. The simplicity of lines makes for a versatility that is unmatched in the denim world so you can pair these with practically anything and almost everything. Now let’s talk features. As the original blue jean, there are a couple of styling things on the 501® Original that absolutely come standard. First is 5 pocket styling, two on the back with the iconic Levi’s® arcuate stitching, two on the front, and one little coin pocket on the right side. Next is our iconic button fly. No zipper that can break in a couple of years, just hardwearing metal buttons built to last a lifetime. Finally, the fabric. Our 501® Original is built like the old days with 100% cotton non-stretch denim that starts out rigid and wears in overtime for a custom fit that’s unique to you. Wear them with pride.
511™ SLIM
The sleek polished look of a skinny without the restrictive feel, the 511TM Slim features a not-too-skinny and not-too-loose design. Slim through the hip and thigh and made to sit a little below your waist, this closer fit is a less bulky departure from the classic lines of the 501®. What that means for you is this look is modern, streamlined and versatile. To accommodate the close fit without being constrictive we’ve updated the material with special elements to make it softer (TENCEL™ Lyocell) and stretchier (Elastane). We like to call this special blend of fabrics Levi’s® Flex ‘cause of how it moves with you throughout the day. Classic 5 pocket construction and iconic arcuate stitching ground this style in our Levi’s® DNA so it’ll always feel timeless and iconic.
505™ REGULAR
Time for a little Levi’s® history lesson. For a lot of our early history, our pants featured a button front closure like on the 501®. Why? It was durable, and it worked. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it right? Then, in 1967 we decided to try something new. A less bulky, time-saving zip fly closure. Revolutionary right? That was how the 505TM Regular was born. Our 505™ Regular Fit Jeans are slightly roomy in the thigh and lay straight from hip to ankle. A hint of stretch means this style won’t constrict you when you move. Classic, comfy, versatile—its’ everything you could want in a jean.
541™ ATHLETIC TAPER
So as much as we absolutely love the 501® a lot of our more athletic builds were finding the fit wasn’t working for their physique. So we built the 541TM with those guys in mind. Let’s break it down. Extra room through the seat and thigh add comfort and mobility. A roomy upper leg tapers slightly at the knee for a more streamlined, less bulky look. Then, there’s Levi’s® Flex technology. This is where we really dial up the comfort. A mix of cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell, and elastane makes for soft, stretchy denim that doesn’t lose its shape so you can move comfortably throughout your day.
512™ SLIM TAPER
So remember the 511TM Slim we talked about earlier? This is gonna fit a lot like that but with a few key differences. Let’s start up top. Like the 511TM The 512TM has a slim fit through the seat and thigh. That slim fit is going to fit a little closer than the 501®s Regular fit. But when we get down to the leg, we start to find those differences we talked about. Instead of a straight leg, we have a subtle taper that follows your leg line a little more closely. This makes for a more polished, streamlined look—almost like a skinny. Add in Levi’s® Flex technology and you’ve got yourself a super soft, lightly stretchy material that makes the 512TM incredibly comfortable.
502™ TAPER
So if we’ve learned anything so far, it’s that the closer the number, the more similar the fit. So it only follows that the 502TM Taper will fit kinda like the 501® but also not kinda like the 501®. Kinda like the 501®: A regular fit through the seat and thigh and a mid-rise at sits right at your waist. Not like the 501®: A leg that narrows to the ankle for a more streamlined look. So it’s comfy and roomy, but not too roomy. The best part? Some pairs are made with Eco Ease which means their material was sourced from Recycle & Reuse facilities that help reduce waste. Plus they’re made with a hint of stretch for extra comfort.
514™ STRAIGHT
The 514TM straight is defined by its laidback look and low-key feel. A regular fit through the seat and thigh and a rise that sits just below the waist make for a relaxed low slung look. A straight leg adds slouchy volume and just a little bit of nonchalance. Levi’s® Flex does it Levi’s Flex thing making these jeans, soft and stretchy, but still structured and neat. The result? A super versatile style that goes with everything. Wear whenever, and wherever.
510™ SKINNY
Since this is the *only* skinny jean on our list, you already know it’s the best skinny jean we’ve got. The 510TM skinny features a skinny fit through the hip and thigh (we know, shocker) and a medium rise that sits at your waist. A skinny leg opening fits closely for that sleek signature look. Levi’s® Flex is essential in this piece. Cotton, TENCEL™ lyocell, and elastane work together for a stretchy lightweight denim that’s soft but structured so it moves with you throughout the day, not against you. Sleek, comfy, easy—that’s pretty much the best skinny jean we could ask for.
There are tons more styles we didn’t have the space to cover. Learn more about all our men’s fits by checking out the Men’s Jean Guide, or just start shopping all men’s jeans.