Best Stretch Denim Jeans for Men: Flexy Fashion

When it comes to denim jeans, Levi’s is a genuine article. Literally — company founder Levi Strauss and his tailor patented the style in 1873. The “original riveted” work pants have become a worldwide icon over the last 150 years, and Levi’s still enjoys a perch near the top of the jeans food chain. 

I’m inherently skeptical of incumbents, so men’s Levi’s stretch denim jeans were right in my crosshairs. I wanted to know if the company kept up with the competition and whether its traditionally-anchored product would stand in our environment of evolving needs and fashion.

Levi’s 511 Slim-Fit Stretch Denim Jeans For Men (more or less) pass the relevancy test. Right away, the indigo wash and bronze stitching of my “Clean Darks” attracted me. When I pulled them on, one word came distinctly to mind: rigid. Levi’s 99:1 cotton-to-elastane ratio delivers exactly what it promises: a pair of men’s jeans with stretch denim that wear traditionally, designed to conform to your shape over time.

So I tried to make them conform. Make no mistake: Levi’s 511’s will not be comfortable on day one. For me, the feeling lasted into day two, then week two, then week four, and so on. This didn’t strike me as a bad thing necessarily, because I knew the pants were made to last. Their impressive construction testified to their durability — stout hems, no loose stitches, a solid zipper. Eventually, I realized I needed to take drastic break-in measures, so I wore them for a day of snowboarding.

Though employees at my chosen Lake Tahoe-area ski resort more or less openly laughed at me, the stress-test did the trick. After 11 or 12 rides, a handful of high-speed wipeouts, and a wash, the jeans felt considerably less restrictive (even though they still looked sharp).

It’s hard to beat the proven brand name and classic style of Levi’s. Choose 511’s for a traditional feel in bulletproof stretch jeans. Read the in-depth review here.

Boulder Denim 2.0 Men’s Slim Fit Jeans are the softest stretch jeans for men I have ever experienced. At the same time, they’re some of the toughest. The material mind-blowingly stretched and felt soft against the skin. As well, Boulder Denim features accommodating pockets and forgiving seams.

I wore Boulder Denim jeans on Epinephrine, a 2,000-foot rock climb outside Las Vegas, Nevada. The stretch denim pants had already passed my personal litmus test of “is it comfortable to drive in them?” (Anybody who has worn uncomfortable jeans knows it can be excruciating). I wanted to know if they would perform over the long haul.

In the United States, Wrangler is as synonymous with denim jeans as its counterpart Levi’s. Started in 1947 by a laid-off overall maker, the brand immediately found a secure footing in American cowboy culture.

Fast forward 70 years, and the brand has widened considerably — it now makes hiking pants, flame-resistant workwear, and denim dresses and jumpsuits for women. Wrangler Authentics is the brand’s bid at extreme affordability and comfort (indeed, a descriptive blurb on the company’s website, titled “Making Comfort A Priority,” uses the word “comfort” seven times in five sentences).

Nudie Jeans is for real. The Swedish jean maker works hard to position itself as the jean company of the future, from its commitment to organic cotton to its philosophical marketing approach. (“Your lifestyle and all you’ve done during the past months will make a mark on your jeans. They will tell your story,” the website says.)

A pair also costs quite a bit. So, are the jeans worth it? From what I can tell, yes. Reviews of fit and construction are off the charts.

Whatever Nudie is doing with its organic cotton, it’s apparently doing it right — Nudie seems to last.

GINGTTO Skinny Stretch Denim Jeans for men look like the perfect solution: finally, a super-skinny stretch jean for men that elasticizes to fit all body types. It even comes in various colors and distress levels (some understated, some outrageous) and is unironically modeled by a shirtless bodybuilder. 

GINGTTO is funny, and I’m not sure if it’s intentional. The written marketing ranges from intelligible to gibberish, and the photography can exhibit a surrealist meme flair (check out “you can wear on LEG DAY” or “CASUAL SUIT SHORTS”).

American Eagle Airflex+ Jeans are AE’s flagship entry in the men’s stretch jean market. The clothing maker has maintained a degree of trendiness since the ‘90s with a wide array of products, from cologne to swimsuits to cheap decor. 

So, can it make men’s jeans? Apparently, yes, very stretchy ones. Its Airflex+ material impresses some, and occasional deep sales are enticing (the relaxed fit straight leg version price is reduced on AE’s website as of this writing).

When I think of the Izod brand, I think of a place where denim jeans are generally frowned upon, if not altogether banned: the golf course. A brief google search reveals that the company was born across the pond from the land of blue jeans in London — albeit started by an American on vacation.

So what can we make of Izod’s entry into the men’s stretch denim jean market? First of all, people who like them seem to really like them. Positive reviews tend to be surprisingly verbose and generally highlight affordability (these jeans may go on sale quite often — one reviewer ordered three pairs after noticing the price) and comfort.

Mugsy Jeans is a homerun. The Chicago-born jean maker started in 2015 with blue, black, and selvage options, anchoring itself on comfortable stretch jeans for men in classic style with a constructed crotch for men (more room where you need it).

Check out Mugsy’s funny, self-aware promo from 2016 to learn the basics of how Mugsy accomplishes a pair of jeans “more comfortable than riding a unicorn bareback through the milky way.”

Classic jean maker Lee weighs in on the men’s stretch denim market with its Performance Series Extreme Motion Jeans. It’s a familiar specimen: affordable jeans designed for all-day comfort with basic styling.

The Extreme Motion line’s claim to specificity is its Extreme Flex waistband, which “adapts to your body for extreme comfort.” As well, its 81/18/1 material is “exclusive,” made from “four-way stretch fiber blends” to maximize the range of motion.

The 569 is Levi’s Loose Straight Fit Jeans. A bit of a rare bird these days (when was the last time you saw anyone wearing loose jeans?), the 569 still has its niche with men who want a jean with extra room in the seat and thighs.

Levi’s 569 promises roominess, not bagginess. Its “modern, laid-back fit” is catered to satisfy those who aren’t on board with the skinny-jean aesthetic. These jeans are a decent deal on an alternative fit style from the brand that started it all.