Rugged Jeans

[CVPeg]

Having a tough time finding tough jeans! I don’t spend much time shopping any more, and will buy something in multiples when I like it. Unfortunately, my 4 pairs of 15 year old :sadsmile:Liz Clairborne jeans are worn through. I also used to love the standard Levi’s.

Am returning to riding, have done some bit of searching, and am dismayed that 99% of what I pick up are so washed, or light weight that they’ll provided insufficient protection, or wear quickly. I use chaps, and half chaps, but still want to have a pair of jeans that I wear out, not the manufacturer.

My previously favorite stores for good and tough jeans - The Gap, Beans,and Macy’s, have nothing. Bought a couple pairs of Lee jeans at Kohl’s last night, but they’re still not as heavy as the good ole ones were.

Any ideas?

[GypsyQ]

Wranglers. Honest to Goodness, no Spandex added denim Wranglers. I like the 11MWZ style (or something of the sort).

http://www.fortwestern.com/store/product.php?productid=404073&cat=80&page=8

I have had terrible luck with jeans with any stretch to them.

[Reagan]

I have a couple of pairs of Lucky Jeans that I LOVE for riding. They are good heavy denim, not super stretchy and are capable of putting up with whatever I put them through. I’m not sure of the cut of these particular ones, but might be worth going to try some on. They are expensive, but you can find them fairly cheaply on ebay. Lucky Brand are about the only ones that fit me, and they come in so many different cuts and lengths they tend to fit a wide variety of people.

[Grataan]

I like Carhartt double fronts for most things and if I’m spending lots of time in the saddle I might go for a regular fit Carhartt or Wrangler

[leilatigress]

I’ll second the Wranglers you might try the Cruel Girl line as well. Basically just walk into your local Western store and see what’s on sale. As a youth I rode in Rocky Mountains cause they didn’t have any pockets on the seat to tear up my suede show saddle. If I was out on the ranch though or anywhere I needed tougher jeans I was usually in Wranglers though on occasion I would try Dickies.
If you go with the Wranglers try the men’s first as they have 0 stretch and while Women’s cost $50 you can usually get the men’s for 30-40. Do a couple of squats while you are trying them though to make sure the crotch area doesn’t display a package you don’t want there.
http://www.dickies.com

[Chief2]

Lee Riders straight leg jeans without any spandex/lycra etc added into the material. Used them for years for riding. Very comfortable and long wearing.

[MunchkinsMom]

I will only ride in Wranglers, since they are the only brand I have found with a flat inseam, so I don’t get leg rubs when riding. I have plenty of scars from my younger days of riding in Levi’s or Rockies, or other brands.

The original pro-rodeo jeans are the toughest wearing, I have a pair that is over 10 years old, nicely faded now, but still going strong. The only issue some have with the pro-rodeo jeans is that they are high waisted, so if you prefer a lower rise, look into some of their other styles.

[HydroPHILE]

I like the Cowboy Cut Wranglers (don’t even know if they make them anymore.) They are cut for riding including a higher back to the jeans so when you sit in the saddle, you have no chance of exposing any…crack. They stand up to anything you throw at them.

[Kentucky]

[QUOTE=HydroPHILE;5625125]
I like the Cowboy Cut Wranglers (don’t even know if they make them anymore.) They are cut for riding including a higher back to the jeans so when you sit in the saddle, you have no chance of exposing any…crack. They stand up to anything you throw at them.[/QUOTE]

They still make them and they are about the only brand and style of jeans I buy for myself. But i’m a guy so that is normal for us.

[MunchkinsMom]

@HydroPHILE;5625125

I like the Cowboy Cut Wranglers (don’t even know if they make them anymore.) They are cut for riding including a higher back to the jeans so when you sit in the saddle, you have no chance of exposing any…crack. They stand up to anything you throw at them.

Yes, they still make them:

http://www.rods.com/ProductSummary.aspx?free_text|5/25/2011%204:34:07%20PM=cowboy%20cut&deptId=0

And for women:

http://www.rods.com/Ladies-Wrangler-Pro-Rodeo-Jeans-13MWZ,1211.html

[CVPeg]

Great - knew I was in the right place to ask.
COTH = Equine Consumer Reports - if anyone knows how jeans wear it is the gals (and men!) right here.

Thanks for all the advice. My charge card awaits!

[SweetMutt]

I have a pair of Guess jeans that are really sturdy. They also fit me better than most (smaller waist-to-hip ratio) and don’t have any spandex. I think the ones I have are the Daredevil, but they have a lot of others with a similar weight.

[mvp]

FYI-- there are some cheap and thin Lucky Brand jeans out there.

Wranglers are still around. You can also get Levi’s 501s in all their cardboardy glory at Gap Outlet stores, I think.

[HydroPHILE]

[QUOTE=Kentucky;5625146]
They still make them and they are about the only brand and style of jeans I buy for myself. But i’m a guy so that is normal for us.[/QUOTE]

When they first became more popular in the late 90s or so, they didn’t have a womens version. Because I have a short torso, the mens jeans worked for me

Glad to see there is a womens version now…time to go shopping! (Although I still have all three of my original pair from 10 years ago.)

[Leprechaun]

Carhart and I love Old Navy Sweethart style - good & thick.

[leilatigress]

I will tell you a brand that is not tough and does NOT hold up to being ridden in at all. Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans. 1 30 minute ride on a dressage saddle and the parts that touched the saddle are 3 shades lighter than the rest of the jeans and showing significant wear. Love em for work and going out with the gals but pack a better brand if you want to ride.

[rustbreeches]

Wrangler and Carhartt. I had a pair of Wranglers I wore probably 2-3 times a week and galloped up to a dozen horses a day in and other than the hole in the calves from rubbing, they were still going strong 3 years into our relationship!

[frchq]

Hey CVpeg,

I just came across this post - looks like it’s been awhile. I find that the most durable jeans can be found in either military stores or workwear shops. People that work in blue collar fields usually need REALLY durable clothing, so you may want to find out what current brands are good for that. Carhartt has always been reliable for me.

Hope this helps.

[mroades]

I just cannot seem to find any that fit, I have a small waist, a big butt, and I HATE low rise, etc. Thats before you try to find any that arent spandex…lol

[vineyridge]

The Schmidt jeans from Tractor Supply are fairly heavyweight denim that holds up about as well as Wranglers. But I haven’t tried to ride in mine; I just use them for barn chores.