Blue Jeans

[Danbo]

I like Lee's they are priced lower than Levi's, but the quality is about the same.

Yeah, what he said. Except, I think Lee jeans fit even better than Levis. Definitely cost less.

 

[JAlexander]

I can't make any claims as to quality, but if you want to buy American you can go with Pointer Brand. They look pretty good, and you gotta love a company with a bird dog as their logo.
If you buy some, report back. I'd love to know how good they are.

James

 

[wsyocum]

IMO, Carhartt has begun to price themselves out of the affordable workwear market. Their duck work pants run $40+ single or double knee. Shoot, any Levi's, except for the fancy wash 'em like they're 10 years old models, top out at about $30. I will second Pointer brand. They have single and double knee in duck and denim for under $30. I've been wearing them for awhile now and they do hold up.

 

[K Williams]

Can somebody recommend a brand of jeans that last longer than Levis and cost less? The quality of Levi jeans does not seem to be as high as it once was, though the price keeps rising.

I'm not sure I can agree with you. I've had two pairs of Levi Silvertab jeans survive low speed(20-30 mph) motorcycle accidents. All I buy are Levis...the Silvertabs and the 569s. They last a long time for me. I have a pair that are probably 4 years old and just a little frayed at the cuffs.

You can try Carhartt or Wrangler jeans too. And Levi's are relatively cheap. Have you seen how much a pair of Evisu, Sean John, Paper Demin, etc. go for!?!

 

[yam]

One thing I know is that Levi's cut the crotch in a "V" pattern and Wrangler cuts them in a "U" pattern. The reason for the "U" pattern is for a more natural shape and comfort while riding a horse. Plus it lasts longer because less stress is being placed on that shape seem. I have no idea what the other manufacturers cut their crotches like. All I know is that way back when, my Levi's crotches would always seem to fail way before the rest of the jean wore out. And before you guys give me the biz, I didn't buy them to fit skin tight either.

 

[weldon]

I haven't worn pointer brand clothing, but I've had some experience with Carhartt. I buy double knee duck pants and they outlast jeans by at least 3-1 if not more. I get them on sale for 36$ from one of 2 or 3 stores in the area. When you figure 15$ for a pair of cheap jeans the carhartts aren't looking so expensive. The only complaint I have is they need to put a second hammer loop on, or put it on the right hand side... if I don't have my toolbelt on the loop is on the wrong side :grumpy:

I had a friend that used to work heavy construction that turned me on to carhartts. He told me that if he work a regular pair of jeans he got 2 weeks out of them before they'd have holes in them (did lots of cutting rebar and got lots of sparks on them.) When he wore carhartts he'd get 3 months.

 

[Kohai999]

They said that they are using a number of factories. They mentioned CHINA, PAKISTAN, Cambodia, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

I have no problem with Mexico, or the Dominican Republic. I bought some denims at Kohl's today. The 505's were $27.00, the 501's were $29.00. These were made in the Dominican Republic. They are not pre-made jeans with a Levi's tag on them. They are purpose built Levi's jeans. I also purchased a pair of Lee's carpenter jeans for $26.00, they are made in Costa Rica of U.S. fabric

I love Carhartt's, but my problem is that I prefer a Rigid or unwashed blue jean. Carhartt does not offer these in many styles, and since I have an odd size requirement, 33w/30 inseam, I have a choice of one style, which I own, the Logger Jean, which required cutting off the bachelor buttons to wear with a belt. Levi's makes an unwashed jean in my size, with the color that I wanted.

Keep the responses coming, I am always interested in alternatives.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[OwenM]

I love Levis(the jeans, not the company). 560s fit me better than any other jean, and I have no problem with the quality. I also like Carharrt, and have several pairs of canvas dungarees(and overalls..and jackets).
My Dickies denim carpenter pants are cheaper than either, and outlast both.
I really like the double front ones with tool pockets on each leg, but have split the crotch out of both pair that I had just from squatting while working. I don't know why, but they're cut with a higher crotch that doesn't give as much room to move. The regular ones without the double front, and a single tool pocket have stood up better than any pants I've owned, regardless of brand.
These are not the $16.97 Dickies at WalMart, but a heavier version. I've gotten all mine from a Dickies outlet for ~$22 a pair.

Course I got a like new pair of 560s at a thrift store yesterday for $1.50. They had two more pair in the same size that were a little worn that I may go back an get.

 

[tallpaul]

Dang caRHARTS ARE BEIN MADE OUT OF COUNTRY TOO NOW.... i LIKED THEM AND ANYONE WHO WORKS OUTSIDE USUALLY GOES WITH THIER COATS AND BIBS ETC. bUT NOW i AM MADD. sOME OF THE STUFF IS STILL HERE BUT YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL THINKING THEY ARE ALL MADE HERE... Sorry about the caps I am just to lazy to go back and fix it...

 

[yam]

Dang caRHARTS ARE BEIN MADE OUT OF COUNTRY TOO NOW.... i LIKED THEM AND ANYONE WHO WORKS OUTSIDE USUALLY GOES WITH THIER COATS AND BIBS ETC. bUT NOW i AM MADD. sOME OF THE STUFF IS STILL HERE BUT YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL THINKING THEY ARE ALL MADE HERE... Sorry about the caps I am just to lazy to go back and fix it...

As nice as it is to have things made purely in the U.S, it's a global economy. Most likely, some piece or part of nearly everything you buy will have been made or assembled outside the U.S. Harley Davidson is a prime example. It's a nice American icon, but their clothing is not made in the U.S and many of the parts on their motorcycles are not made in the U.S. Even at that, people view Harley as American made.

Opinion mode off. Back on topic.

Levi's does have a program that allows you to order custom built jeans, or at least they did. It is not cheap though.

 

[Dr. Thor]

Most of my jeans are Point Zero, because I'm cool, or beacue I try to be, I cant remember which.

But for heavy duty jeans, I like Levi's, in fact, I'm wearing some right now.

 

[MarkPinTx]

Old Navy Jeans are decent for 20 bucks.

Foreign made, but usually Central America. Fit decent and the cut is generous.

 

[Buzzbait]

I've always bought Levis 501s, just because I hate jeans that come up to my nipples. Even the belly button is too high for me. Most jeans feel like old man pants on me.

But now that low rise jeans are in style, I have a number of options. I better stock up before they go out of style again.

 

[neotoy]

Somebody already mentioned Harley Davidson......LISTEN to him/her. I have NOTHING BUT HD Jeans.......THEY are like the Ever-Ready Batt. Bunny...they keep on going....going...going...........100's of washes. They list at the Dealership for about $39.00 BUCKS..... But, I have a saying- "CRY ONCE"!
Good luck!

 

[Hotrod]

Carhartt

They wear a looong time. New Levi's and other "Thin" denim jeans arent worth anything...

Wrangler isnt to bad if you can find a par that arent real thin material... but Carharrt is tried and true, always high quality!