The most famous jeans in the world and the subject of long forum threads about declining quality. What the 501 is now depends heavily on where it was made and which line you bought.
This entry is written from the 4 sources listed at the bottom of the page. The numbers are our editorial estimates drawn from that material, not measurements, and no statistical sample sits behind them.
It depends on how you will use it. 64% would buy it again, which means roughly 36% would not. Thinning and blowouts at the crotch are the dominant complaint.
A good pair is your favourite jeans. A bad pair is thinning at the crotch. The frustrating part is that you cannot tell which you bought until then.
Thinning and blowouts at the crotch are the dominant complaint. Owners describe older pairs from decades ago outlasting new ones. Complaint boards carry substantial volume on quality.
Worth it for: A classic cut at a moderate price; People who will try several pairs to find a good one; Fading and breaking in denim over time. Think twice if: You want guaranteed consistency between pairs; Heavy work wear; You remember how the older ones felt.
Our reading of how sentiment moves across an ownership period, drawn from the sources below. It is an editorial estimate, not tracked longitudinal data.
| At purchase | 7.7 / 10 |
|---|---|
| First week | 8.0 / 10 |
| One month | 7.2 / 10 |
| Six months | 6.9 / 10 |
| One year | 6.8 / 10 |
| Two years or more | 6.8 / 10 |
Owner reviews move this score. The researched figure stays visible next to it, so you can always see what the sources said before anyone voted.
Leave a review on the live pageEvery complaint and every piece of praise above traces back to these. The summaries are ours; nothing is quoted, and no link, quote or username anywhere on this site is invented.
Owner thread comparing current denim with older production.
Detailed construction and quality review.
Volume of owner complaints about quality.
Owner reviews covering fit and durability.