Good Jeans
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Re: Good Jeans
Those Bulletprufe's look interesting.
I did say I like to try pants before I buy, and it does make me hesitant to order online. Especially overseas, but they seem to be very confident and honest about their sizing, so that helps. 30% BF discount also helps...
I did say I like to try pants before I buy, and it does make me hesitant to order online. Especially overseas, but they seem to be very confident and honest about their sizing, so that helps. 30% BF discount also helps...
- kennethsime
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Re: Good Jeans
I found their sizing to be accurate using their size chart. I measure a true 37" with a flexible tape, and ordered a 36". I wear a belt, and they're very comfortable. If I wanted a snugger fit, I could have sized down more due to the stretch.aicolainen wrote: ↑Fri Nov 26, 2021 6:27 amThose Bulletprufe's look interesting.
I did say I like to try pants before I buy, and it does make me hesitant to order online. Especially overseas, but they seem to be very confident and honest about their sizing, so that helps. 30% BF discount also helps...
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
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Re: Good Jeans
Is that right, benben?benben wrote: ↑Thu Nov 25, 2021 11:48 amUsed to only wear 501 button fly jeans, they really suck now, they’ve changed so much they don’t even look, or resemble at all the 501’s I’ve worn for decades!
And I just have a really hard time spending any of my hard earned money on the Levi’s company brand now!
That sux man.
It's been so long since I've worn jeans. It all I ever wore until I was prolly 30? I can't remember.
But, I always loved my Levi's and my Levi's cowboy or maybe they call it a trucker denim jacket.
Good memories, 501 button fly Levi's, Levi's Denim Jacket, Cowboy Boots, good to go!!!
- Manixguy@1994
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Re: Good Jeans
Hearing that 501 took a dive is a downer . They for some reason ( shrink to fit ) were not sold east of the Mississippi . I would buy them at BassPro in Springfield MO.visiting family until they dropped Levi’s for some reason . . MG2
MNOSD 0002 / Do more than is required of you . Patton
Nothing makes earth so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.
Henry David Thoreau
Nothing makes earth so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.
Henry David Thoreau
- ChrisinHove
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Re: Good Jeans
I haven’t bought Levi’s since they closed the US White Cone denim plant.
Japan still makes nice selvedge denim, thankfully. I have various pairs of Lee, & buy both new, but also 2nds quality new from eBay for yard wear etc.
The best selvedge bargain has to be Uniqlo jeans, though.
Japan still makes nice selvedge denim, thankfully. I have various pairs of Lee, & buy both new, but also 2nds quality new from eBay for yard wear etc.
The best selvedge bargain has to be Uniqlo jeans, though.
- Larry_Mott
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Re: Good Jeans
I don't know if we get "special"/low budget Levi's in Sweden, but i feel they have gone from best to average, with at least as much problems as the obscure brands re shrinking and seams twisting etc.
Nowadays i wear kevlar reinforced MC jeans much of the time. Mostly because i'm lazy and don't want to switch pants and empty all pockets before going for a ride :)
I also have a couple of raw denim/selvage jeans that are really good, one pair is from the Finnish outfit Varusteleka, a cool place to visit online. They have a plethora of interesting cool stuff (tip!)
https://www.varusteleka.com
Nowadays i wear kevlar reinforced MC jeans much of the time. Mostly because i'm lazy and don't want to switch pants and empty all pockets before going for a ride :)
I also have a couple of raw denim/selvage jeans that are really good, one pair is from the Finnish outfit Varusteleka, a cool place to visit online. They have a plethora of interesting cool stuff (tip!)
https://www.varusteleka.com
"Life is fragile - we should take better care of each other, and ourselves - every day!"
//Eva Mott 1941 - 2019. R.I.P.
//Eva Mott 1941 - 2019. R.I.P.
- kennethsime
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Re: Good Jeans
This is why it's so important for my jeans to offer a really high level of mobility - in addition to cycling and climbing, on any given day at work I may have to jump from office work to construction to teaching a rock climbing lesson.Larry_Mott wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:34 amNowadays i wear kevlar reinforced MC jeans much of the time. Mostly because i'm lazy and don't want to switch pants and empty all pockets before going for a ride :)
I've perused their site for military surplus gear, but never thought to order selvedge from them. Cool find!Larry_Mott wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:34 amI also have a couple of raw denim/selvage jeans that are really good, one pair is from the Finnish outfit Varusteleka, a cool place to visit online. They have a plethora of interesting cool stuff (tip!)
https://www.varusteleka.com
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Re: Good Jeans
I've been a fan of 501 button fly jeans for a while.
They're worn from 5 to 7 days a week barring work site attire.
I usually buy them second hand so I can find some that were well made (in EU; France, Belgium and Spain had good plants; U.S. and Canada are close contenders) but I go through a couple pairs a year.
I think wearing them on my bike and my motorcycle doesn't help.
They're worn from 5 to 7 days a week barring work site attire.
I usually buy them second hand so I can find some that were well made (in EU; France, Belgium and Spain had good plants; U.S. and Canada are close contenders) but I go through a couple pairs a year.
I think wearing them on my bike and my motorcycle doesn't help.
European amateur knife enthusiast
Hikes and outdoors galore
Motorcycle enthusiast
In the knoife box : M4 Millie, Spyderco Perrin Street Bowie, TOPS Tanimboca
In the future : CE/SE/Rex45/MagnaCut Millie, K2, Slysz Bowie, linerlock Sage
Hikes and outdoors galore
Motorcycle enthusiast
In the knoife box : M4 Millie, Spyderco Perrin Street Bowie, TOPS Tanimboca
In the future : CE/SE/Rex45/MagnaCut Millie, K2, Slysz Bowie, linerlock Sage
Re: Good Jeans
Wrangler 47MWZ regular fit. From working in the shop 12+ hours a day to relaxing and hanging out. All I’ve worn for over a decade.
- Shannon
MNOSD 0006
MNOSD 0006
Re: Good Jeans
The Prana with the gusset are some of my favorites too, I didn't know they were no longer available. Sucks that they are changing and discontinuing all the time for seemingly no reason. My favorite pair of 5.11 defender pants are no longer available in straight cut and now only come in skinny
- kennethsime
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Re: Good Jeans
Yea, it's a total bummer. Literally all of their jeans are slim fit now, and they use the lighter weight denim they use on their women's jeans. It seems many of them aren't gusseted anymore, either - so much for being a climbing company!abbazaba wrote: ↑Mon Nov 29, 2021 10:06 pmThe Prana with the gusset are some of my favorites too, I didn't know they were no longer available. Sucks that they are changing and discontinuing all the time for seemingly no reason. My favorite pair of 5.11 defender pants are no longer available in straight cut and now only come in skinny
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
- kennethsime
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Re: Good Jeans
Well, got the $30 Levi 514s in today. They're a different color than I expected, but it is a nice color.
The hip mobility isn't nearly as good as my old Prana jeans, the Bulletprufes, or even my Carhartt's. Supposed to be 2% spandex, just like the others, but they just don't stretch as much. The cut is also a bit weird - a little tight in the crotch. Definitely not climbing in them. We'll see how they hold up.
The hip mobility isn't nearly as good as my old Prana jeans, the Bulletprufes, or even my Carhartt's. Supposed to be 2% spandex, just like the others, but they just don't stretch as much. The cut is also a bit weird - a little tight in the crotch. Definitely not climbing in them. We'll see how they hold up.
Last edited by kennethsime on Fri Dec 03, 2021 11:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Re: Good Jeans
Use to only wear Levi, then sometime in the late 90s, early 2000 timeframe the quality seemed to get bad. Didn't fit the same, and the material just felt "Cheap". Picked up a couple of pairs of Lee jeans and I've been pretty happy with them since. Not a heavy jeans wearer as I wear either scrubs(less often now) or khakis at work, and switch to shorts come late Spring. I've thought of checking out pricier jeans since they last me a few years now.
Re: Good Jeans
Not sure about anyone else but I have a small (and I mean small) hobby of hunting denim at thrift stores. My daughter is really into "vintage clothing" which really is just the stuff we wore 20 years ago but usually once a month or so we hit up all the local thrift stores and while she's looking for sweaters and hipster stuff I'm combing the denim racks looking for Levi's. It's helpful that I don't really follow trends with jeans so at a certain point everyone is getting rid of the "outdated" styles and they're generally not even what I'd consider broken in. Getting a $60 pair of Levi's for ~$5 sure makes my other money wasting hobbies easier on my wallet
All SE all the time since 2017
~David
~David
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Re: Good Jeans
Good ole wrangler jeans works for me. Less than $20 @wally
Re: Good Jeans
There's a company in Chicago named Dearborn denim that makes jeans in the USA. I have been wearing them since 2017. They are cut and sewn in Chicago and cost a smidge above Levis full retail. They also tell you where the denim comes from. Most of it is 10 oz stretch denim from Parras Mexico, but they do make some 14 oz 100% cotton jeans too. There are occasional sales and they also make cheaper "SVR" models (no idea what that stands for) which are around $50. All made in the USA. They also hem to order for no additional cost and you can return them if you don't like them. These aren't "denim head" jeans, but they are "normal guy" jeans. They work for me.
- kennethsime
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Re: Good Jeans
Well, two months later and I can safely say that the Carhartt Rugged Flex jeans take the cake. Just ordered a few more pairs at $30/ea on clearance. They fit well, move well, and are pretty darn tough. Definitely move better than the Levi's 514s I got clearance.
The Bulletprufes are nicer, but I don't wear them every day because I'm afraid of wearing them out (I know, right?). The belt loops where I usually clip my keys is situated a bit further back than most jeans, which means my keys get caught in my car seat. I've already had to repair one of the belt loops - not stoked on that.
Dearborn keeps advertising to me. I think at some point I'd like to try them - they look good, and the price point is very reasonable for made-in-usa stretch denim.
The Bulletprufes are nicer, but I don't wear them every day because I'm afraid of wearing them out (I know, right?). The belt loops where I usually clip my keys is situated a bit further back than most jeans, which means my keys get caught in my car seat. I've already had to repair one of the belt loops - not stoked on that.
Dearborn keeps advertising to me. I think at some point I'd like to try them - they look good, and the price point is very reasonable for made-in-usa stretch denim.
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
- Ranger_Ike
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- Location: Southern Indiana
Re: Good Jeans
Duluth Ballroom jeans.
Super comfortable.
They have a small pocket perfect for a flashlight on the leg.
They have an extra back pocket behind the back pocket.
You can literally fit an Endura sideways in the fifth/change pocket. It’s like Mary Poppin’s bag. Magic.
A lot of pockets without looking like cargo pants.
Super comfortable.
They have a small pocket perfect for a flashlight on the leg.
They have an extra back pocket behind the back pocket.
You can literally fit an Endura sideways in the fifth/change pocket. It’s like Mary Poppin’s bag. Magic.
A lot of pockets without looking like cargo pants.
- kennethsime
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- Location: California
Re: Good Jeans
Man, do those look nice! I imagine that Duluth, like LL Bean, rarely does sales, huh?Ranger_Ike wrote: ↑Sun Feb 06, 2022 3:50 pmDuluth Ballroom jeans.
Super comfortable.
They have a small pocket perfect for a flashlight on the leg.
They have an extra back pocket behind the back pocket.
You can literally fit an Endura sideways in the fifth/change pocket. It’s like Mary Poppin’s bag. Magic.
A lot of pockets without looking like cargo pants.
I'd really like a nice pair of flannel-lined jeans at some point, and those flannel-lined ballrooms look fantastic.
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Re: Good Jeans
Thanks for the tips, guys. The "Big Name" brand that people have always associated with denim jeans has worked well for me in the past, except the last few pairs have been more stretchy foo-foo fabric than OG denim. Seeing this thread reminded me that I could use another pair or two. I just checked their web page, and HOLY MOLY! It's like a political advertisement for those folks who think differently than me. It's pretty extreme. So I'm telling you all, I'll not buy any more of their products ever again.
Some of the suggestions here are for $100+ jeans. I'm not gonna do that for something I'll soon be wearing to dig holes in the yard, work on engines in the garage, or an ocassional welding job where I'm too lazy to change clothes. Fuggetaboutit. But the Carhartts and Duluth look nice enough and are priced reasonably. Imagonna bookmark these pages for later.
Thanks!
Some of the suggestions here are for $100+ jeans. I'm not gonna do that for something I'll soon be wearing to dig holes in the yard, work on engines in the garage, or an ocassional welding job where I'm too lazy to change clothes. Fuggetaboutit. But the Carhartts and Duluth look nice enough and are priced reasonably. Imagonna bookmark these pages for later.
Thanks!