As part of the ongoing ’90s revival, the best stacked jeans for men are back in full force. Just take a trip to Europe. I swear, these days, they’re all the guys are wearing. Embodying hip hop style with a grungy flair, stack jeans lean into copious distressing, bunched up legs, and often, a slight boot cut at the ankles.
The additional material down the front of the legs creates the “stacked” effect, making these pants popular with rap artists and streetwear aficionados alike. Not to mention stylish Brits patrolling the streets in the summer.
But finding the really good stacked jeans for men proves to be a real challenge. Although these pants were all over the place 20 and 30 years ago, today, it’s difficult to find a quality pair that will stand the test of time.
I’ve taken it upon myself to round up the top five stacked jeans for men in the name of the greater good. Instead of settling for a pair that doesn’t suit your style, you can get unreal value from the jeans on this list, in the form of an unbeatable price-to-quality ratio.
Keep reading to find out which pairs are really worth it.
Key Takeaways
If you’re on a mission to find the best stacked jeans for men, I’ve got you. I researched more pairs than I can count, and the Rockstar Original Shake Stacked Flare Jean is a standout choice. They embody all of the typical stacked jean qualities, including ample distressing, additional length, and raw hems, plus tons of colorways to choose from.
But if you’re looking for a more mellow pair to wear on a daily basis, then the Boohoo Overdyed Distressed Cargo Jeans are a solid alternative to classic stack jeans, featuring a simple design with dye and extra material to mimic the stacked effect.
Why they’re great: These are by far the best stacked jeans for men seeking a classic silhouette. They have all the features that genuine stacked jeans should, like heavy distressing down the front of the legs, a slight flare at the cuffs, and raw edges. They’re even designed with extra length to create the iconic stacked effect through the bottom of the pants.
Rockstar has amassed a cult-like following on social media, and the brand is leading the stacked jeans charge at the moment. So, if you’re after a pair of men’s pants from a reputable company, these guys aren’t playing around.
Who are these for? Any man searching for a high-quality pair of stacked jeans will live in these. Rather than a flimsy material that you’ll find on most Amazon pairs, these are made from a sturdy cotton polyester blend with a touch of elastane for a construction that will hold up for the long haul. With heaps of unique colors to choose from, these stacked jeans for men suit any guy.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Some men, especially those with larger thighs, may find these stacked jeans to fit a bit tight.
Sizes: 28–44 | Material: 78% cotton, 20% polyester, 2% elastane | Colors: 14 | Care: Machine wash cold
Why they’re great: Maybe you’re a fan of the stacked jeans silhouette but not crazy about ripped up legs. If that sounds like you, then these Elwood five pocket pants fit the bill to a tee. They have extra material at the bottom of the jeans to create the stacked effect but skip out on the distressing for a more clean-cut look. This makes these stacked jeans easy to dress up and a versatile choice for everyday wear.
Who are these for? For the guy who wants a pared-back pair of stacked jeans, these are the ultimate choice. With two washes to choose from, a relaxed fit, and an unbeatable price-to-quality ratio, these vintage-inspired jeans are the ideal addition to any denim collection. Honestly, the entire Elwood collection is clutch for men’s jeans under $100.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: On taller guys, these jeans won’t have too much of a stacked appearance.
Sizes: 28–38 | Material: 97% cotton, 3% elastane | Colors: 2 | Care: Machine wash cold
Why they’re great: If you want a modern trouser style that feels like athleisure, then these are the top stacked jeans for men. They’re crafted from a soft, stretchy material that promotes ease of movement rather than locking you into a rigid construction. Leaning into the typical stacked jeans look, these pants feature ample distressing on the front and back of the legs, plus a boot cut with raw edges and a skinny fit.
Who are these for? Looking for comfortable bottoms? These stacked jeans have significantly more stretch than other pairs, including a moderate elastic waist. The flexible fabric is non-restricting, despite the tight nature of the pants.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: These stacked jeans will hold up for a while, but the quality is a bit questionable, so you may find them losing shape after several wears or washes.
Sizes: S–2XL | Material: 90% cotton, 10% spandex | Colors: 17 | Care: Machine wash cold
Why they’re great: Stacked jeans can be a bit tricky to style, namely for everyday wear, so if you’re after a more versatile pair, these affordable cargo pants from Boohoo fit the bill. They’re oversized, which creates a stacked effect through the legs, and the dye pattern and light distressing make them a compelling alternative to completely shredded stacked jeans.
Who are these for? If you like the idea of stacked jeans but aren’t sold on strings hanging off the pants, then these are a great choice. Easy to style (they have a distinct streetwear spin to them), these pants will be the backbone of any cool guy wardrobe.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: These pants put a twist on the stacked jeans craze with a wide leg and baggy fit. But if you’re looking for something closer to the Rockstar Original style, then this option from Boohoo hits the mark with torn up legs and a skinny stacked fit.
Sizes: 28–36 | Material: 100% cotton | Colors: 1 | Care: Machine wash cold
Why they’re great: Even the luxury denim brands are getting in on the stacked jean trend, with their own exclusive take, of course. This pair from Frame is an excellent choice, angling for an ultra-distressed look. The super relaxed fit through the legs leans into the stacked effect, and the ombre colorway adds a one-of-a-kind twist to these already flashy jeans.
Who are these for? Any guy who prefers rigid denim will eat these stacked jeans up. They’re made from 100% cotton that will soften over time for a supremely personalized fit. Perfect for warm weather, these pants are certainly a statement piece for the modern man’s closet.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Unlike most stack jeans, the distressing cuts all the way through to the legs, whereas most pairs have a second layer of material. This makes them a bit impractical to wear during winter, but all in all, they’re an eye-catching piece for transitional seasons.
Sizes: 28–40 | Material: 100% cotton (80% regen cotton, 20% post-consumer recycled cotton) | Colors: 2 | Care: Machine wash cold
Buying Considerations for the Best Stacked Jeans for Men
Style & Fit
The main consideration when choosing stacked jeans for men is the style and fit of the pants. In their truest form, stacked jeans include distressing down the legs, raw edges, and additional material that bunches up at the ankles to create the stacked effect. Oftentimes, stacked jeans have a skinny fit (similar to tapered jeans) with a slight bootcut at the bottom that sits over the top of your shoes.
However, there are plenty of modern renditions of the top stacked jeans for men that include baggier, relaxed fits, as opposed to the super skinny shape, and mild to no distressing for a minimally torn-up look. This style of stacked jeans looks less rap star and more streetwear inspired, making them suitable options for a contemporary wardrobe.
Distressing
An aspect that makes these types of jeans stand out is the distressing down the legs. Rather than a couple of rips here and there, stacked jeans for men typically feature heavy tears and loose strings down the front and back of the pants, in addition to raw edges on the hems and pockets.
That said, there’s a spectrum to distressed pants, and you’ll find stacked jeans in a full range, from completely destroyed to tasteful frays. There are also stacked jeans that skip the distressing entirely and instead opt for unique dye patterns or extra material bunching to create the stacked effect.
Although distressing is often considered an essential part of stacked jeans, these days, it’s not entirely necessary. It certainly contributes to the overall look of the pants but can also make them a bit challenging to style if you’re used to more simple jeans.
The level of distressing comes down to personal preference — there are no hard and fast rules here, so don’t be afraid to lean into what you think looks best.
Material
Stacked jeans come in a variety of materials, though most commonly, some form of cotton blend. This style often includes a touch of elastane or spandex for ease of movement, which is especially important when choosing a pair that are super skinny or designed for a tight fit.
In general, stacked jeans made from 100% cotton are going to hold up over the long term better than any other material, especially if there’s heavy distressing. However, jeans with a bit of stretch tend to be more comfortable and flexible. The only downside is that these blends lose their shape over time in a way that pure cotton doesn’t.
How We Chose
Choosing the best stacked jeans for men involves a meticulous process to ensure that we provide top-notch recommendations. Here’s how we did it:
Brand Reputation: One quick search online, and you’ll quickly discover that most of the brands pumping out stacked jeans for men have appeared overnight. Rather than settling for a subpar product from an unknown company, check the brands on this list, reputable choices all, to ensure only the best stacked jeans.
Customer Reviews: For each pair of stacked jeans on this list, I spent hours poring over real customer reviews to get the true lowdown on the fit, style, comfort, and quality of every option included here.
Quality: As the trend evolves, it’s increasingly common that most of the stacked jeans for men out there are of mediocre quality. For this reason, it was supremely important to include only high-quality pairs on this list — ones that will stand the test of time, the throws of life, and, of course, the washing machine.
Price: The beauty of stack jeans is that they come in a huge range of price points. For this article, I strived to choose stacked jeans for a variety of budgets so that the style is accessible to every guy hunting for a pair.
Why Trust Us?
Jane is a die-hard denim lover and experienced fashion writer specializing in men’s jeans and casual clothing. She believes that good style should be accessible to every man and hopes to steer guys in the right direction when it comes to essential pieces for a contemporary wardrobe.
Through her recent articles like Levi’s alternatives and best tracksuits for men, she has leaned into the comfort craze through meticulous market research, extensive interviews, and personal testing, which can also be seen in this post about stacked jeans for men.
Final Verdict
The best stacked jeans for men are the Rockstar Original Shake Stacked Flare Jean, which have a traditional look and feel, with heavy distressing down the legs and a true streetwear style. If you’re shopping on a budget or prefer a more simple approach to stacked jeans, then the Boohoo Overdyed Distressed Cargo Jeans are a great alternative that are easy to wear with wardrobe staples on a daily basis.
FAQ
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Stacked jeans are in style for men — in fact, they’re experiencing a major revival after being wildly popular in the ‘90s and early 2000s. Stacked jeans today are an essential part of streetwear and hip hop style, with guys of all ages rocking them worldwide.
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You should get stacked jeans in your normal pant size. However, if the style you’re after is slim or skinny and you’d prefer an oversized fit, you can certainly go up a size. That said, while sizing up will grant you more room in the legs, you may find the waist to be a bit too large.
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