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It’s been over 150 years since the arrival of the humble blue jean, and while designers keep finding new ways to freak dungarees in new and unexpected ways (with a price tag to match), take solace in the fact that the best cheap jeans for men are still around, and better than ever—we’re talking subtle rinses, bolder silhouettes, and much better quality than you might remember. To prove it, we rounded up the best jeans you can buy for under $100.
Before we dive in, allow us to set expectations. What can you actually get for under $100? You probably won't elicit any daps from the hardcore denimheads out there (pro or con, you decide). Hidden rivets, single-piece fly construction, lined rear pockets, filled belt loops … if any of these terms are foreign to you, don't even worry about 'em. But if you’re curious, you might want to peruse our guide to the best jeans regardless of price point.
You've probably heard of Japanese denim, selvedge denim, and raw denim—and even if you don't know the difference between them, conventional wisdom would have you believe that they're all too expensive to make the cut here. Wrong! As the demand for denim has increased, so too has the demand for the details that were once reserved for the snooty selvedge nerds. In other words, cheap jeans aren't exactly cheap these days. You just have to know where to look.
The Best Cheap Jeans, According to GQ
- The Best Cheap Jeans Overall: Levi's 501 Original Fit Jeans, $98
- The Best Cheap Selvedge Jeans: Uniqlo Selvedge Straight Jeans, $50
- The Best Cheap Athletic-Fit Jeans: Lee Relaxed Fit Straight-Leg Jeans,
$37$35 - The Best Cheap Baggy Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra Baggy Jeans, $90
- The Best Cheap Slim Jeans: Gap Slim Selvedge Jeans,
$99$49 - The Best Cheap Bootcut Jeans: Wrangler Cowboy Cut Original Fit Jeans,
$53$39 - The Best Cheap Workwear Jeans: Carhartt Rugged Flex Relaxed-Fit Double-Front Utility Jean, $70
Jump to: More Jeans Under $100 We Love | What to Look for in Cheap Jeans | Cheap Jeans FAQ
Best Cheap Jeans Overall: Levi’s 501 Original Fit Jeans
Sizes: 28x32 - 66x34 | Rise: 12.25" | Leg Opening: 17" | Material: 100% cotton | Fabric weight: 12 ounces | Fly: Button | Colors: 16 washes
Levi’s helped bring blue jeans into existence, and thanks to the 501's straight-leg fit, it's every bit as relevant today as it was when it debuted in the late 1800s. Though the starch-stiff raw shrink-to-fit jeans are great and true to the brand’s roots, they’re certainly not for everyone.
The more common pre-shrunk versions come in a myriad of washes and finishes, each with that same iconic Levi’s denim which continues to be among the highest quality for the price. Add to that the brand’s perfect straight fit jeans, the iconic 501, and you’ve got menswear gold. For more, check out our breakdown of the best Levi’s jeans by the numbers.
Best Cheap Selvedge Denim Jeans: Uniqlo Selvedge Jeans
Sizes: 27- 34 | Material: 100% cotton | Fly: Zip | Colors: Indigo
Asking for raw selvedge Japanese denim for under $100 is laughable. But Uniqlo takes the request seriously and has been the one consistent retailer of such ludicrous fantasies. Selvedge denim takes longer to make and is much less common then the regular stuff. Since selvedge denim is woven on looms that leave a densely-woven, non-fraying self edge (that tell-tale stripe on the outer leg seam, usually white and red, and flexed with an upturned cuff), the result is a beautiful, rarer product, the kind of denim that fade-chashing nerds drool over. Also? It’s more expensive.
Uniqlo's selvedge straight-leg jeans are mid-weight, a little crispy with a bit of a sheen, and unlike its longtime running slim-fit version, is made sans stretch. We’ve been a big fan of Uniqlo’s selvedge denim for years, and have long awaited a wider, non-slim fit. These straight-fit joints have answered our prayers.
Best Cheap Athletic-Fit Jeans: Lee Relaxed Fit Straight Leg Jean Pants
Sizes: 26x32 - 42x36 | Rise: Mid | Leg opening: 17" | Material: 100% cotton | Fabric Weight: 10-13.5 ounces | Fly: Zipper | Colors: Varies
For those riding the menswear Dad Wave™ or for those with thick-thighed bodies, get yourself a pair of Lees. The fabric is hardy, the fit is boxy and perfect for athletic builds, and the wash is blissfully uniform, without any crazy distressing. Most important, they'll only set you back $30. Because we all know affordability is the sine qua non of a great dad jean.
Best Cheap Baggy Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra Baggy Jeans
Sizes: 28x28 - 40x34 | Material: 100% cotton | Fly: Zip | Colors: 11 washes
Abercrombie’s ascendence to the top of the menswear conversation is a sight to behold. You can’t scroll through your feed without catching one of the brand’s sexy-ass polos or delightfully cropped work jackets.
But our latest obsession in The Moose’s universe is actually denim. We’re seriously impressed with just how hefty and dense the denim feels, which not only means great quality, but also an elegant drape. The brand has been tapping into the zeitgeist like Neo tapping into his Matrix-bending abilities, resulting in a great baggy fit that meets the moment. They come in a gang of washes and a huge size range, too, so you have no excuse.
Best Cheap Slim (But Not Too Slim) Jeans: Gap Slim Selvedge Jeans
Sizes: 28x28 - 42x34 | Rise: 11” | Leg opening: 14.5" | Material: 100% cotton | Fly: Zip | Colors: Dark wash and medium wash
Gap kicked off this whole “quality jeans at a nice price” movement more than a decade ago, and it keeps the party rolling with these medium-wash crowd-pleasers. This pair was engineered to look great on the broadest range of body types: not too snug, not too loose. (Which makes them the rare slim jeans that are flattering for those with plenty of “power” in their legs.) Not for nothing, there’s also a lived-in character to Gap's Slim Selvedge Jeans that’s hard to come by—they’ll feel like an old friend right from the jump. And who doesn't like spending time with an old friend?
Best Cheap Bootcut Jeans: Wrangler Wrangler Cowboy Cut 13MWZ Original Fit Jeans
Sizes: 27x30 - 54x36 | Rise: 11.125" | Leg opening: 16.75" | Material: 100% cotton | Fabric Weight: 12-15 oz. | Fly: Zip | Colors: Varies
This is the jean of choice for cos-playing cowboys and real-ass ranch hands alike. Wrangler's bootcut jeans have become legends of the range thanks to their hip-hugging top and flared hems, which pool over a pair of boots with handsome intention. The dense, 100-percent cotton denim comes in a few weights: the lightest is a standard 12 ounces, but most of the options sit at a beefier 14-15 ounces—a rarity for cheap jeans under $100, never mind under $50. If you want to go especially hard, serve them up like a young Harrison Ford: with a western belt, a plaid blazer, and a pair of movie star shades. Or remember that “bootcut” is just a suggestion, and lean into the Wranglers' groovier side with a pair of canvas sneakers and a vintage tee.
Best Cheap Workwear Jeans: Carhartt Rugged Flex Relaxed Fit Double-Front Utility Jeans
Sizes: 30x30 - 44x36 Rise: N/A Leg opening: 17" Material: 98% cotton, 2% Elastane Fabric weight: 15 oz. Fly: Zip Colors: Indigo
Carhartt's been doling out tough-as-nails, real-deal workwear for well over a century. On top of its famed Detroit work jackets and duck canvas double-knee pants, the brand also knows how to engineer some solid denim. The 15-ounce denim on these utility jeans is the heaviest on this list—and that's before you factor in the double-layered knee panels. You'll feel the extra heft—but you can bet that these jeans will last forever and only look better with every wear. Though they'll win your heart from day one thanks to a classic rise (not too high, not too low) and a finely-tuned relaxed fit that's airy without looking messy.
More Jeans Under $100 We Love
Levi's
501 Original Shrink-to-Fit Jeans
How does the 501 deserve a third spot on this list? The high priest of blue jeans still makes its 501 jeans in its famous shrink-to-fit denim, meaning you can get high-quality raw denim like the olden days. And though you don't have to go so far as to wear them in the bathtub to get them to form to your body, you still could for authenticity's sake.
Unbranded
Relaxed Tapered in 14.5 oz. Indigo Selvedge Jeans
Budding denimheads will often be pointed toward The Unbranded Brand as a good option for selvedge Japanese denim on a budget. Not only do these feature 14.75-ounce raw selvedge denim, they also come with rare-at-these-price details like a cowhide leather patch, hidden rivets, and chainstitch hems.
Ben Davis
Denim Carpenter Pants
Ben Davis is a titan of real-deal workwear, the kind of label you see in shops filled with military surplus gear and goods made for construction workers. The brand's carpenter jeans use a dense and crunchy 14 ounce denim that comes raw and ready to fade just like the high-end stuff. At the same time, though, they're a far cry from fancy fashion dungarees—which means they're definitely not slim and are almost criminally affordable.
What to Look for in Cheap Jeans
At sub-$100 prices, your two biggest concerns should be fit (based on your body and preferred style) and wash. You'll want the latter to be as simple as possible. That means no Jersey Shore-style bleach-heavy fades or intensely fake “whiskering” (the lighter lines across the thighs). The best cheap jeans should look like you broke them in yourself—or dark enough that you can break them in yourself.
Cheap Jeans FAQ
What are the best brands for affordable jeans?
When it comes to affordable denim, the big three brands to look into are Levi’s, Wrangler, and Lee. Otherwise, you’ll find quality affordable denim from mainstay brands like Dickies, Uniqlo, Abercrombie & Fitch, The Gap, and Carhartt.
What about buying vintage jeans?
If you’ve got the will and know where to shop, buying vintage jeans is a fine option. While they won’t be as cheap as you might think, there are certainly new-to-you gems to be found. If you have a preoccupation with the old but don’t have the time to rummage through your local thrift store, the first name in denim introduced its Levi's Secondhand platform for buying used and vintage jeans. It's a welcome nod of eco-awareness, particularly considering how much energy and water goes into making denim. And on that immediate gratification tip, Levi's Secondhand is also the easiest way to score sourced-and-stamped vintage when you don't have the time or energy to trawl the local thrift shops. If you've got your own Levi's gear that deserves a new home, you can trade it in for a gift card, too.
