The Best Men’s Jean Jackets for Every Guy's Style and Budget

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From James Dean to Chance the Rapper, a great denim jacket is timeless. Instead of worrying about an accidental Canadian Tuxedo, or looking like an old timey cotton farmer, get a denim jacket that isn’t blue. Start with one of these seven colors.

A MAN'S WARDROBE is not complete without a denim jacket. Also known as a jean jacket, the essential outerwear staple can adapt to various seasons, but especially comes in clutch during the spring when it’s time to top your base layers. Denim jackets can be paired with a number of outfits, all while keeping you warm in the midst of unpredictable temps.

The easiest go-to outfit for a denim jacket is a basic T-shirt and chinos. If you want to embrace current style trends without thinking too hard, a denim jacket with jeans is the move (this look is also known as a Canadian tuxedo). If you are worried about your denim jacket being too restricting, don't fret. Most menswear brands are now infusing their cotton jackets with small percentages of stretchy materials, making denim jackets more comfortable and flexible than ever before.

The Best Denim Jackets for Men

What to Consider When Buying a Denim Jacket

The best denim jackets come in a handful of looks. Here are the most important factors to consider when shopping for a new piece.

Color-Wash

Like your favorite pair of denim pants, the best jean jackets arrive in a bunch of different color washes. They can range from light, mid, mid-wash, dark and so on. Styling different washes is easy these days, as there's really no wrong choice with what you wear year-round. However, some of our editors do like to follow wearing dark denim jackets in the cold seasons and light denim jackets in warm seasons. This self-imposed style rule helps accentuate common outfits worn in these seasons—it also provides logical reasoning if you ever want to have at least two denim jackets.

Style

There’s many styles of men’s denim jackets that have an effortless sense of cool to them. Each one is made with their very own characteristics that sets them apart. Here's some of the most popular versions:

• The Classic Trucker Jacket: The timeless design looks great in casual and slightly dressier settings. It’s characterized by a buttoned closure, chest pockets, relaxed fit and pointed collar.

• The Sherpa-Lined Jacket: Ideal for colder seasons and days when the temps drop, this option is lined with sherpa material that provides a rugged appearance and extra insulation.

• The Raw Denim Jacket: Most are produced from denim that hasn’t gone through the usual pre-washing process. That means it has not been wet, manipulated or treated with any color.

• The Chore Jacket: The utility-driven layer combines form and function, meaning it usually has a ton of pockets to store your belongings and serves as a finishing touch to complete your outfit.

Material

Like mentioned earlier, a majority of denim jackets are made from 100% cotton, but there are also pieces out there made with performance blends to create better flexibility and stretch. Spandex and elastane are two examples of materials that are sometimes added.

How We Selected

Almost all of the style editors at Men's Health own at least one denim jacket in our closet, and we went ahead and tested countless more over the past two years. Experts, including our Deputy Commerce Editor Christian Gollayan, and our Senior Gear and Commerce Editor John Thompson, put a number of men's denim jackets to the test and evaluated their durability, value, and style.

101 Rider Jacket

Lee has carved out a rather legendary space in the world of denim, introducing a host of classic silhouettes—the 101 Rider being one of them. The long-standing brand updated the 1948 model with 21st century details, like zigzag stitching on the front, and a wider waistband for a more relaxed fit. Plus, it's made with premium selvedge denim from Japan's famed Kurabo mill, which means you'll wear this jacket for years to come.

We prefer to wear this option with a button-down shirt and khaki-colored chinos. Depending on your taste, you can score the jean jacket in a suave dark wash or opt for a lighter blue fabric. Sure, it cost a pretty penny, but this design checks every box and will never go out of style.

Read more: Best Spring Jackets for Men

Men's Trucker Jacket

It's hard to go wrong with a classic. And nothing says classic quite like a Levi's denim. While the brand's first jacket was made at the turn of the 20th century, its silhouette still holds up today. One notable change: the OG label infused its jean jacket with elastane, a hint of stretch. That means more comfort for guys with bigger backs and biceps.

Accented with side hem adjusters, this mid-wash version cinches tightly and shuts out any cool breeze that may attempt to creep in. It also has the perfect lightweight fit that won't feel suffocating during those chilly summer nights. And there's more than 10 different washes to choose from, so you're not limited in selections.

Read more: Best Jeans for Men

Unlined Denim Jacket

Jean jackets are great and all, but without the right amount of stretch, the classic top layer can feel too restricting. Wrangler has the answer to your style dilemma with this unlined version, which allows for better movement and an ability it through spring and on summer nights.

As far as the wash goes, we love how the deep blue look resembles Brad Pitt's jacket in Once Upon A Time in Hollywood.

Relaxed Fit Denim Sherpa-Lined Jacket

Carhartt is a purveyor of durable workwear apparel that can withstand the elements. Take the outdoor brand’s sherpa-lined denim jacket. It’s built to provide insulation, trap heat and keep you toasty in the cold.

While it might be too heavy for summer nights, we found that it's the perfect first-line of defense during the fall and spring seasons. This option also has more pocket space than most jackets, which means it will store your phone, wallet, beanie, gloves—you name it.

Originals Denim Kit Jacket

While dark wash denim jackets can be dressed up, light-wash jackets have the power to add effortlessly cool looks to a casual outfit. This piece from Guess is a solid choice for a light wash denim jacket, as it will break in quick and only get more comfortable over time.

Pair it with light jeans for a Canadian tuxedo vibe or with navy chinos for a relaxed office look. Our style editors have sported this jacket everywhere, including coffee shops on WFH days and concerts on the weekend.

Victor Denim Jacket

Let’s face it, off-white denim can be tough to pull off. But Mavi's chore style is subtle, yet bold enough to make you stand out from the rest. Plus, there's a 3-pocket construction that frames the front design, which allows you to secure smaller valuables as you're on the move.

We love that this jean jacket is made with plenty of structure and infused with a dose of stretch, so you can wear it all day at a picnic in the park or all night at the local beer hall. Pro tip: layer it over a crewneck shirt or a sweater for when the weather is fluctuating.

Utility Jacket

A utility jacket is a reliable layer that bridges the gap between the seasons. Enter Uniqlo’s jean jacket version made with indigo cotton denim. It can serve as an overshirt, layered on top of a striped tee or button down, paired with army green slacks.

As a popular style trend for the spring season, you can sport it to a happy hour with friends or to a ballgame with your significant other. The spacious pockets means you can carry some extra cargo, like a power bank or a thin paperback book.

Mechanic Denim Jacket

The 12-ounce mechanic-inspired denim takes a new spin on the classic silhouette with a double-zippered closure and oversized pockets. Designed with a robust, tailored construction, it’s heavy enough to layer over several casual fits for the office, errand runs and dinner dates.

In terms of flexibility, we love that you can adjust the back waistband and sleeve cuffs for a comfortable fit. Although the zip-up style only comes in washed indigo, it has plenty of styling potential to paired with outfits for a museum tour or date night.

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