We’re blessed to live in an era where the best jeans under $100 are qualitatively better than ever. In other words, the best cheap jeans for men are no longer so cheap-looking. Gone are the junky pieces that stretch and sag, or come only in flat blue. Now you can find affordable jeans with subtle rinses, exciting fits, and much better durability than you remember. To prove it, we rounded up the best cheap jeans you can buy—with a few of our favorites even coming in under $50.
Just to set the bar at the right height, the best jeans under $100 aren’t going to win you any knowing nods from hardcore denimheads (you decide if that’s a pro or a con). Across the board, the affordable jeans skip fancy details like hidden rivets, single-piece flies, and lined rear pockets. If that’s a problem, step right up to our guide to the best jeans for men, regardless of price point. If those terms mean nothing to you, then good news: you’re in the right place.
Because for less than $100, you can still get some hallmarks of top-tier jeans: Japanese denim, selvedge denim, and raw denim are all on the table. As the demand for indigo-dyed cotton has increased, so, too, has the capacity to make great denim at scale—and the 21 pairs we’ve highlighted below are proof.
The Best Men's Jeans Under $100, According to GQ
The Best Cheap Jeans OverallLevi's 501 Original Fit JeansRead More$80
Levi's
The Best Cheap Selvedge JeansUniqlo Selvedge Straight JeansRead More$50
Uniqlo
The Best Cheap Baggy JeansAbercrombie & Fitch Ultra Baggy JeanRead More$90
Abercrombie & Fitch
The Best Cheap Athletic-Fit JeansLee Relaxed Fit Straight-Leg JeansRead More$35
Amazon
The Best Cheap Slim-Fit JeansGap Slim JeansRead MoreGap
In This Guide
- What to Look for in a Great Pair of Cheap Jeans
- What Are the Best Brands for Cheap Jeans?
- What About Buying Vintage?
- How We Test and Review Products
- How We Make These Picks
Best Cheap Jeans Overall: Levi’s 501 Original Fit Jeans
Levi's
501 Original Fit Jeans
$98
Levi's
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.
| Size | 28×32 |
| Rise | 12.25" |
| Leg Opening | 17" |
| Material | 100% cotton |
| Fabric weight | 12 ounces |
| Fly | Button |
| Colors | Indigo and black |
More Cheap Jeans We Love
Levi's
505 Regular Fit Jeans
$98
Levi's
The 505 is basically the 501 (and nearly as iconic in denim lore), but with a zip fly and a little more room in the ass and thighs. Grab a pair if you abide by leg day.
Levi's
501 Original Fit Jeans
$80
Levi's
Friendly reminder that if a pair of black jeans isn't in your closet, they should be in your cart.
Best Cheap Selvedge Jeans: Uniqlo Selvedge Jeans
Uniqlo
Selvedge Straight Jeans
$50
Uniqlo
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.
| Size | 27 – 34 |
| Rise | N/A |
| Leg Opening | N/A |
| Material | 100% cotton |
| Fabric weight | N/A |
| Fly | Zip |
| Colors | Indigo |
More Cheap Selvedge Jeans We Love
Levi's
501 Original Shrink-to-Fit Jeans
$80
Levi's
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.
Gap
Slim Jeans
$99 $49 (51% off)
Gap
Gap's lineup of selvedge jeans isn't deep, but it's maybe the best-quality selvedge around at the price. Plus, these slim jeans have a great wash to boot.
Best Cheap Athletic-Fit Jeans: Lee Relaxed Fit Straight Leg Jean Pants
Lee
Relaxed Fit Straight-Leg Jeans
$35
Amazon
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.
| Size | 26×32 – 42×36 |
| Rise | Mid |
| Leg Opening | 17" |
| Material | 100% cotton |
| Fabric weight | 10 – 13.5 ounces |
| Fly | Button |
| Colors | Varies |
More Cheap Athletic-Fit Jeans We Love
Madewell
Athletic Slim Jeans
$148 $100 (32% off)
Madewell
Technically it takes a sale to get Madewell's denim into the sub-$100 range, and that doesn't happen regulary. So stay patient—then don't hesitate to strike when the brand's great-quality jeans drop into double-digit prices.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Athletic Loose Jean
$90
Abercrombie & Fitch
If you want jeans that can handle your hamhocks while still actually looking a little baggy, then Abercrombie’s got your back legs. This pair has roominess top to bottom, and just the right amount of taper to the hem.
Best Cheap Slim Jeans: Gap Slim Jeans
Gap
Slim Jeans
$99 $49 (51% off)
Gap
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?
| Size | 28×32 – 42×34 |
| Rise | 11" |
| Leg Opening | 14.5" |
| Material | 100% cotton |
| Fabric weight | N/A |
| Fly | Zip |
| Colors | Varies |
More Cheap Slim Jeans We Love
J.Crew
770 Straight-Fit Stretch Jean
$148 $90 (39% off)
J.Crew
Don't get confused by the straight-fit designation. These days, J.Crew's 770 is better categorized as a slim fit—one that blessedly avoids veering into skinny jean territory.
Banana Republic
Slim Authentic Jean
$120 $40 (67% off)
Banana Republic
We spend a lot of time talking about Banana Republic's suiting and outerwear, because it's gotten really good. But evidence of the brand's rebirth can be found in its jeans, which bring the perfect amount of stretch and vintage-inspired washes.
Best Cheap Baggy Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch Ultra Baggy Jeans
Abercrombie & Fitch
Ultra Baggy Jean
$90
Abercrombie & Fitch
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.
| Size | 28×28 – 40×34 |
| Rise | N/A |
| Leg Opening | N/A |
| Material | 100% cotton |
| Fabric weight | N/A |
| Fly | Zip |
| Colors | Varies |
More Cheap Baggy Jeans We Love
Uniqlo
Wide Straight Jeans
$60
Uniqlo
Uniqlo's baggy jeans are deftly taillored to look supremely relaxed without tripping over into sloppy. Plus, you can get complimentary hemming, too, if you know what length you want when you order.
Dickies
Madison Baggy Carpenter Jeans
$60
Nordstrom
Dickies may be the mechanic's brand of choice, but it's tiptoeing into streetwear territory lately, and we're not mad. These pocket-laden jeans and can handle as many bails as is necessary.
Best Cheap Double-Knee Jeans: Carhartt Rugged Flex Relaxed Fit Double-Front Utility Jeans
Carhartt
Rugged Flex Relaxed-fit Double-Front Utility Jeans
$70
Amazon
$70
Carhartt
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.
| Size | 30×30 – 44×36 |
| Rise | N/A |
| Leg Opening | 17" |
| Material | 98% cotton, 2% elastane |
| Fabric weight | 15 ounces |
| Fly | Zip |
| Colors | Indigo |
More Cheap Workwear Jeans We Love
Ben Davis
Denim Carpenter Pants
$44
Amazon
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.
Dickies
Regular-fit 5-pocket jeans
$30
Amazon
If you like the cut of Dickies’ popular work chinos, you’ll be a fan of this 5-pocket jean variant.
Best Cheap Bootcut Jeans: Wrangler Cowboy Cut Original Fit Jeans
Wrangler
Cowboy Cut Original Fit Jeans
$36 $33 (8% off)
Amazon
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.
| Size | 27×30 – 54×36 |
| Rise | 11.125" |
| Leg Opening | 16.75" |
| Material | 100% cotton |
| Fabric weight | 12 – 15 ounces |
| Fly | zip |
| Colors | varies |
More Cheap Bootcut Jeans We Love
Levi's
527 Slim Bootcut Jeans
$70
Levi's
Slim up top and a touch flared at the bottom, the 527 will make your rear look like a real cowboy's. Prepare to hear more than a few folks shout "giddy-UP" your way.
Lee
Legendary Regular Boot Jean
$35 $33 (6% off)
Amazon
Lee's been in the business for more than a century, so if anyone knows how to make a worthy pair of jeans for $35—or less, when Amazon's feeling generous—then it's them. You'll get a spot-on bootcut with just enough stretch to make you feel sexy and comfy.
What to Look for in a Great Pair of Cheap Jeans
At sub-$100 prices, your two biggest concerns should be fit (based on your body and preferred style) and wash—you know, the color and fades applied by the brand. 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 should be dark enough that you can break them in yourself.
What Are the Best Brands for Cheap 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?
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—and there are a lot of variations and vagaries to navigate—a little hustle can turn up new-to-you gems.
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 new 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.
How We Test and Review Products
Style is subjective, we know—that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers, the flyest affordable suits, or the need-to-know menswear drops of the week, GQ Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find the best version of everything out there, at every price point.
Our staffers aren’t able to try on every single piece of clothing you read about on GQ.com (fashion moves fast these days), but we have an intimate knowledge of each brand’s strengths and know the hallmarks of quality clothing—from materials and sourcing, to craftsmanship, to sustainability efforts that aren’t just greenwashing. GQ Recommends heavily emphasizes our own editorial experience with those brands, how they make their clothes, and how those clothes have been reviewed by customers. Bottom line: GQ wouldn’t tell you to wear it if we wouldn’t.
How We Make These Picks
We make every effort to cast as wide of a net as possible, with an eye on identifying the best options across three key categories: quality, fit, and price.
To kick off the process, we enlist the GQ Recommends braintrust to vote on our contenders. Some of the folks involved have worked in retail, slinging clothes to the masses; others have toiled for small-batch menswear labels; all spend way too much time thinking about what hangs in their closets.
We lean on that collective experience to guide our search, culling a mix of household names, indie favorites, and the artisanal imprints on the bleeding-edge of the genre. Then we narrow down the assortment to the picks that scored the highest across quality, fit, and price.
Across the majority of our buying guides, our team boasts firsthand experience with the bulk of our selects, but a handful are totally new to us. So after several months of intense debate, we tally the votes, collate the anecdotal evidence, and emerge with a list of what we believe to be the absolute best of the category right now, from the tried-and-true stalwarts to the modern disruptors, the affordable beaters to the wildly expensive (but wildly worth-it) designer riffs.
Whatever your preferences, whatever your style, there's bound to be a superlative version on this list for you. (Read more about GQ's testing process here.)
