Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Thinner Levi jeans?

I had't bought jeans in a while, and the ones I have are pretty thread bare, so I headed out to the local Kohl's at lunch yesterday to get a couple new pair. After I overcame my confusion as to all the different styles (boot cut, relaxed, button fly, comfort cut, traditional), I tried a few on and thought I noticed that the denim material used seems to be a different weight (thickness) than what I remember. These were not the 'pre-washed/faded' type, they were the true blue 'Don't wash these with anything you don't want turning blue' type. Am I imagining things, or are today's Levis not as 'robust' as they were previously.

I remember from my yoot, that a new pair of Levi jeans required at least 10 washing before you could bend your knees comfortably.

By the way, I've been told that Levis no longer has any manufacturing plants in the USA. There used to be one near here (Little Rock), but it closed a few years back.

there also used to be one in jackson, but it also got caught up in "the great sucking sound".

I bought a pair of black shrink-to-fit 501s and a pair of blue ones a month ago or so and noticed the same thing especially with the balck ones. They are definitley thinner than the blue ones.

Soren

Wouldn't surprise me - Jeans overall are made of much lower quality these days...Gap, Wrangler, everyone Try Lucky or Express for decent quality jeans....but be prepared to Sh!t a brick at the cash register!

I've been buying Jeep jeans over the past few years. They're pretty rugged and they teflon treated making them a bit waterproof (but not totally). The first pair I found locally but I have to track them down online these days.

http://www.jeepclothing.net/site/1324903/product/JT10110

Try Wrangler.
I've heard they're supposed to be more comfortable for riding a horse.
Turns out they're more comfortable for a motorcycle too.

Old Navy has some heavy jeans in relaxed cuts, and they are pretty cheap. Thats what I wear for riding.

Big fan of Carhartt. They're still made to last. They're so stiff when they come out of the dryer my kid calls them the 'wood jeans'.

JB,
It must have been a real long time since you bought jeans. Levi jeans haven't been "heavy" for a long time, ever since jeans became fashionable. And yes, they moved their production overseas several years ago. I bought a Levi denim jacket a few years ago and they ain't what they used to be either...

And the real question is; "Honey, do these new, thinner Levis make my butt look bigger?

Take a look at the 'made in' on them. Looks like the slave labor is too weak to handle real denim, so they are making them out of colored rice paper.

I've been wearing carpenter pants last couple of years since I don't care for cell phone belt clips and those pants have the pocket foe a phone. The brand I prefer is Dickies and they have a 12 oz and a 14 oz weight. but the best part is they don't look like they are going to fall off my ****** anytime too soon. (they're not too baggy). I have never seen a pair over $23.00 yet. but I could be wrong. I usually get them at the local farm and barn for that price but here is a link.
http://www.dickies.com/wc2/product_list.asp?cat=101&type=I&tdscr=Jeans

mike

Try the unwashed Wrangler cowboy jeans. I think they use iron in them or something! Tough stuff.


For made in USA jeans & pants, try Texas Jeans at: http://www.texasjeans.com/

They make pants called the A47 Humvee. They seem to be made for riders.

Go for the Wrangler relaxed jeans at Wal-mart. 16 bucks, and they are pretty thick. I bought 4 pair before the GA. Rally this year. Someday I am going to own some of those jeans with Kevlar in the knees and backside. They run between 79 and 100 dollars, though. I could have used those at the first AR. Rally.

AS someone eluded to, the local tractor supply or farm stores have the heavier weight jeans, I haven't seen Levi's but Wrangler has cowboy jeans and even the off brands there are pretty stout looking.
jeff

Quote:

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Same thing I wear (Wrangler), fit good, cheap, dont look bad and were like iron. Cant seem to bring myself to pay more just for a name, and not like how they fit.

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Same here. Wrangler or Lees for me. They both seem to last a good while and no where as expensive as the "Big name ones". Wranglers, WalMart, about $16.00---Lees, Sears, about $25.00

Personaly, I like the regular fit.

Paw

Try Carhert logger jeans. they r double lined so knees r better protected against cold and wind and ooopps!
Scottie

I noticed the Sam's Club Levis are thinner. I only get mine at Sears.

I saw some good quality American-made jeans the other day at the surplus store (Andy & Bax in Portland)... called Prison Blues or something similar - made by convicts at the Federal pen. Haven't bought any yet but I might give them a try soon since most of my other jeans are wearing out.
My Wranglers have lasted way longer than any other brand I've bought (incl Levi, Old Navy, and Nautica), only problem is the waist seems to keep shrinking...

You want American jeans? This is the place:

Diamond Gusset

Good link Ed, I knew they made canvas arborist jeans with the diamond gusset but I didn't know about the rest.

mike