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If you’re currently experiencing below-freezing temperatures (we’re looking at you, Midwest), we demand you forgo your typical comfy denim and add a pair of flannel-lined jeans to your arsenal of boots and waxed trucker jackets this winter. No ifs, ands or buts — a frigid day is not the time to play tough guy with those basketball shorts, and we don’t expect you, a well-appointed reader with places to be, to hibernate in sweats all winter.
The Most Comfortable Jeans for Men, Because Wearing Pants Shouldn’t Suck
Wearing denim doesn’t have to suck — here’s the proof- Best Overall: Duluth Trading Co. Ballroom Jeans
- Best Bang For Your Buck: Carhartt Relaxed Fit Straight Leg Jeans
- Best Dad Jean: L.L. Bean Double L Jeans
- Best Color Scheme: Wrangler Rugged Wear Canvas Jean
- Best Stretch: Bonobos Flannel Lined Jean
- Best Looks: J.Crew Straight-Fit Jeans
What Are Flannel-Lined Jeans?
Flannel-lined jeans — if you haven’t already figured it out, that’s denim lined with flannel — provide the wardobe alternative to scratchy wool and schleppy fleece. the metaphorical KFC Double Down of pants, pulling on a pair is the pants equivalent of putting on your favorite hoodie straight out of the dryer. Wearing them feels like you never left the toasty cave that is your flannel-sheet-covered bed.
In an effort to spread the gospel of flannel-lined denim, we’ve taken the 11 most popular pairs of flannel-lined jeans for a test drive — a variety of our editors have worn each pair on this list in freezing weather across multiple state lines and a variety of climates to find out which is best. A couple notes: we’re only talking about flannel-lined denim. No fleece. No khakis. And yes, we’ll admit most of these won’t flatter your figure (the pitfall of sewing an extra layer inside your pants), but if warmth is what you seek, read on.
Things to consider:
Material: As is the case with normal jeans, the denim on this list comes in all shapes and sizes, ranging from stretch-blend Bonobos joints to some beastly 15-ounce bruisers from Carhartt. Pay attention to the heft of denim if you’re prioritizing certain properties — warmth chief among them.
Lining: All twelve of the jeans we tested may have sported a flannel interior, but don’t be mistaken: not all lining is made the same. Discrepancies in blend (a true heavy-spun flannel, for instance, should be much warmer than its lightweight cotton-flannel half-brother), and even lining placement can all make a difference in the resulting warmth, mobility and feel of flannel-lined jeans.
Sizing: As is a standard operating procedure with most lined pants, you’ll most likely need to order a size up in the waist, especially with old-school models from heritage brands like Wrangler and Carhartt. When in doubt, opt for the longer inseam, too: better a cuffed hem than exposed ankles.
Below, a definitiv ranking of the best flannel-lined jeans, from Carhartt to L.L. Bean to Wrangler, to help you find the perfect pair.
The Best Flannel-Lined Jeans for Men in 2024
Best Overall: Duluth Trading Co. Ballroom Jeans
No, “ballroom” doesn’t stand for the dancing variety, it’s the…other kind. The dad-joke name aside, this is the pound-for-pound best flannel-lined jean on the market. It kept us the warmest during our test, but also felt the most durable. Upon closer inspection, it’s all in the details: the beefy zipper and deep pockets are on par with Carhartt, there is “Fire Hose cotton canvas” lining in key areas (waistband, cuffs and pockets) that no other jeans had, and the blue denim is darker than both Carhartt and L.L.Bean (admittedly, that’s not saying much). No, it will not win you any best-dressed awards. But if anyone feels the flannel lining, they’ll quickly whisper, I need some of those.
Other superlatives: Warmest, best work pant, strongest zipper
Best Bang for Your Buck: Carhartt Relaxed-Fit Straight Leg Jean
What we expected from Carhartt: rugged, warm, work-ready pants. What we got: Exactly that, and for a paltry $50. The 100% cotton denim is the heaviest of the bunch at 15-ounces. And while Wrangler, J.Crew and L.L.Bean have your typical small YKK zippers, Carhartt has a larger, tougher version. But hipsters be warned — this is not Carhartt WIP. This is classic Carhartt, so the fit (widest leg of the bunch) and color (pure American blue jean) may scare someone accustomed to skinny selvedge denim.
Other superlatives: Widest leg, strongest zipper
Best Dad Jeans: L.L. Bean Double L Jeans
Side-by-side, these jeans are indistinguishable from Carhartt in color. But the feel of the exterior denim is softer, and the legs aren’t as wide, making it the ideal runabout jean for dads and older dudes. It’s not going to win you any style points at your kid’s (or grandkid’s) hockey game, but the blue-and-yellow flannel will keep you warmer than that concession stand hot chocolate ever will.
Other superlatives: Softest blue jean, most online 5-star reviews
Best Bootcut Jeans: Wrangler Premium Performance Cowboy Cut REgular Fit Jeans
It makes perfect sense that flannel-lined denim weather would demand a pair of rough-and-tumble boots, too, which Wrangler’s Cowboy Cut Jeans have accounted for. They’re a touch thinner than others on this list, but with a tapered leg and tougher denim than previous models, they should more than get the job done.
Other superlatives: Thinnest jean, softest flannel, softest exterior
Best Stretch: Bonobos Fireside Flannel Lined Jean
Some people, myself included, relish the process of breaking in a rigid pair of stiff denim, but the process can be a hassle, and there’s something to be said for jeans that move with you fresh off the rack. Bonobos’ Tencel-blend lined jeans (with just a touch of elastane for that signature stretch) moved noticeably easier than their flannel-lined counterparts, a feat made all the more impressive when we considered its cotton-flannel lining. Like the Wranglers before them, they’re on the thinner side, and probably not fit to spend the entire day out on the lake, but will certainly make you the most agile pond-hockey player out there, at least for a little while.
Other superlatives: Comfiest jeans, best dark wash
Best Looking: J.Crew Classic Flannel-Lined Jeans
Yes, I modeled all these jeans for my girlfriend for an objective opinion, and she preferred these. The reason? They look like your average stylish denim: dark wash, sit below the waist, fit comfortably at the hip but slim down for a slimmer, more flattering fit. But don’t expect these to last. The fast-fashion construction is equal to Wrangler. The other downfall: the brand only offers limited runs of their flannel-lined jeans every year, so right now they’re almost sold out. Fear not: the flannel will come again and we’ll update here when it does, or look for yourself on J.Crew Factory and J.Crew.
Other superlatives: Stiffest denim, best out-of-the-box flannel feel, girlfriend-approved
More Flannel Lined Jeans We Like
Duer Fireside Denim
A relative newcomer, at least compared to companies like Carhartt and L.L.Bean, Duer still makes a brilliant pair of fleece-lined jeans. But we’re not sure we can exactly call them fleece-lined because in both the slim fit and the relaxed fit, Duer has actually woven the fleece in with their denim fabric. If you’re looking to try something new — and for jeans that are much more flattering than the older brands on this list — this is your pair.
Eddie Bauer H2Low Flannel-Lined Flex Jeans
This straight-fit option from Eddie Bauer is nice because it’s available in four different washes ranging from black to classic blue. Plus, the denim is mixed with a splash of spandex from some extra stretch.
Wrangler Flannel and Fleece-Lined Jeans
When we originally tested a pair from Wrangler, the main complaint was that the “rugged” qualifier belied the quality; they were just too thin. But that pair also isn’t available anymore. You shouldn’t have the same problems with these three blue-jean versions: the flannel-lined Cowboy Cut, a signature style of denim; a fleece-lined relaxed-fit jean, the most affordable option; and the Riggs Workwear pair, a Thinsulate-lined option comparable to Carhartt, in that it’s not flattering but still a customer favorite that will keep you warm when you’re stuck outside.
Lee Flannel and Fleece-Lined Jeans
While we wouldn’t recommend Lee’s version for long days working outside, they do offer some welcome variety, like the flannel-lined, teak-colored option pictured above. They also offer a flannel version in black, as well as two fleece options in a classic American blue and darker “black quartz” denim.
Dickies Flannel-Lined Denim and Duck Jeans
There’s nothing too exciting to say about the straight-leg denim from Dickies, except that the back pockets are lined with nylon for some extra heft. Then there’s the heavyweight duck fabric option, which offers some more utility (it’s also a carpenter style with cargo pockets and hammer loop) and style thanks to the khaki color.
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