The 8+ Best Jeans for Men with Big Thighs (2023 Update)

The best jeans for men with big thighs are athletic fit jeans.

They’re usually made with stretch denim for extra mobility. They offer extra room for bigger thighs like relaxed fit jeans, but with a tapered cut like slim fit.

(While they are designed for athletic guys, they generally looks great on chubby men too.)

In this article, we’ll cover the best athletic fit jeans for men with big thighs. If none of those suit you, we also cover a few straight fit and relaxed fit jeans.

best jeans for men with big thighs

Note: This article may contain affiliate links. That means if you click a link and purchase something, I earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

The Best Athletic Fit Jeans for Men with Big Thighs

1. Barbell Apparel Athletic Fit Jeans

Jeans made by athletic guys for athletic guys. After one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns of all time, Barbell’s designer denim jeans for big guys have become insanely popular in the weightlifting world.

Their vision was to create a perfect fit of jeans for guys that lift.

They wanted their jeans to both fit comfortably and allow free movement without having to get tailors involved. And boy, they have succeeded.

The team behind this apparel company loves to hit the gym as much as you, and they care about their style, just like you.

Their jeans come with a price-tag but they are durable, comfy and designed specifically with you in mind. Who knows, they might just be the best pair of jeans you’ll ever buy.

2. Levi’s 541 Athletic Taper Jeans

Levi’s 541 jeans are the OG of athletic fit jeans. Years after pioneering Athletic fit jeans, they still hold up as one of the best jeans for muscular thighs. Their longevity in the ever-changing fashion-world should speak for itself. Levi always offers quality.

With stretch denim and a tapered cut, these jeans provide a relaxed feel and a tailored look. These days, they come in various colors as well, so you have your pick.

Levi Strauss is widely recognized as one of the best denim manufacturers for a reason. These are definitely worth a try.

3. Everlane Athletic 4-Way Stretch Organic Jean

Everlane made the previous version of this list, and their newer model is even better.The legs are only slightly tapered, so if you’re looking for something between a straight fit and a tapered fit, these could be the jeans for you.

It’s available in only three colors, but it’s hard to argue with this slick dark indigo pair of denim. The dark indigo wash is easily the most versatile jeans color, and can easily transition from casual daywear to a night out.

These jeans are perfect for any guy who has outgrown their slim fit jeans. They provide a flattering fit, complementing muscular thighs and cheeks without feeling restrictive or uncomfortable.

4. Lucky Brand Men’s 410 Athletic Fit Jean

Lucky Brand offers both athletic tapered and athletic straight jeans, as well as multiple washes and color varieties for each.

So you’re almost sure to find the right fit and style to suit your preference. Consider trying a few options, decide which works best for you, and send the rest back.

What makes these jeans special is their incredible stretchiness. They are exceptionally comfortable for day-to-day wear.

They offer a subtle amount of extra room around the quads and a non-baggy fit around the calves, striking a perfect balance between style and functionality for men with muscular thighs.

5. Fran Denim Nate Slim Fit Jeans

For the true powerlifters and athletes with not just big, but massive thighs, Fran Denim’s so-called slim fit jeans — they really are more of an athletic fit — may complete your endless quest for the perfect jeans.

While their straight fit jeans offer an excellent option as well, they can look a bit too baggy for your liking. So it’s good that they put out a slim fit version.

If you’re a powerlifter who’s been searching for a long time for denim jeans that fit well, prepare for a tear of joy when you slip into these incredibly comfortable jeans.

The only downside here is the limited variety in lengths. They only offer 31″ and 34″ inseams. However, remember that you can always get the jeans hemmed to your desired length, or simply cuff them.

6. Bonobos Premium Stretch Jeans

While costlier, you might find these jeans worth the price as these are considered by many among the comfiest pairs of jeans you can get as a guy with thick thighs.

Bonobos is well-known for their care for fit and quality and they don’t disappoint with these. The fabric will stretch with your thigh without feeling tight, and the quality of these jeans is simply fantastic, from the fabric, to the stitching to every little detail.

Plus, they come in a variety of colors. (The grey looks excellent, but if you’re going to splurge, you might get more bang for your buck for the more versatile dark wash.)

They might not be your first choice if you’re on a budget, but if you can afford them, it might be worth splurging on at least one pair of these. You might find them to be perfect jeans for your bigger thighs.

7. Gap Athletic Taper Jeans with GapFlex

Gap is another go-to place for any guy who wants to score solid denim for a reasonable price.

Like most of the other jeans on this list, they offer extra room in the thigh area and a tapered leg that gives these jeans a relaxed feel but without looking baggy.

They’re soft to the touch and solid quality, and with 2% elastane material, they provide a wonderful stretch.

8. MadeWell Athletic Slim Jeans

Madewell’s athletic slim jeans are a great option for guys who need a bigger seat and smaller waist, but still enjoy a slim fit. These jeans will feel roomy around your bigger thigh, but don’t come with a bunch of unnecessary fabric, providing a sleek tailored fit. 

These jeans are made from soft, stretchy, light-weight materials that feel amazing to move around in.

They’re also great to wear in summer, as they’re made with moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating COOLMAX® technology that will keep you feeling fresh.

As a bonus, these come in a wide range of sizes, colors, and styles to choose from, so there’s a perfect pair for everyone.

The Best Straight Fit Jeans for Men with Big Thighs

If athletic fit jeans aren’t your thing, you may prefer a straight fit instead. The jeans below are selected because either they are made with stretch denim to accomodate your thighs, they are a bit roomier than other jeans, or both.

Lucky Brand 223 Advanced Stretch Straight Jean

Lucky Brand offers a classic straight leg fit but with a more relaxed fit through the hip and thigh.

As mentioned, Lucky Brand jeans are very stretchy, providing incredible comfort. That said, they may fit a bit looser around the waist, so you may need to have them slightly taken in.

Lee’s Extreme Motion Regular Fit Straight Leg Jeans

These straight leg jeans from a classic denim brand feature a flexible waistband for incredible movement ability.

They’re not only easy to put on, but will provide the perfect amount of give in all the right places.

With eight different washes to choose from, you can select the ideal shade, whether it’s light, medium, dark, or black.

To top it off, these jeans are made from recycled material, making them a sustainable and eco-friendly option.

Outerknown Local Straight Fit

Outerknown’s straight fit jeans offer a stylish option for those big-thighed men who don’t just value their physiques and appearance, but sustainability as well.

Their brand focuses on eco-consciousness, and these high-quality jeans provide a long-lasting, durable addition to your wardrobe.

While less stretchy than some alternatives, their durability and sustainable ethos make them a standout choice.

Fran Denim Daniel Straight Jeans

These may be too baggy for some, but those who feel Fran Denim’s slim fit jeans are still a bit too tight, their straight leg jeans are a good alternative.

They have all the features mentioned for their slim fit, just with a straight cut that offers more space for the legs.

The Best Relaxed Fit Jeans for Men with Big Thighs

If even straight fit feels too restrictive for you, then your only other option is relaxed fit. If you don’t mind baggy jeans, these may offer a good option for you.

Levi’s 569™ Loose Straight Fit Men’s Jeans

For the laid-back guys who enjoy ample room, Levi’s loose fit jeans will provide you with all the comfort you need.

With these baggy jeans, you don’t need stretch denim to feel comfy, so feel free to get the 100% cotton version.

Make sure they fit around the waist, and if you can’t find a pair that does, get it taken in a bit.

Carhartt 5-Pocket Relaxed Fit Jean

These relaxed fit jeans are good for those who don’t mind a looser fit if the jeans are made from sturdy materials.

Built with tough, mid-weight denim, these jeans offer a relaxed seat and thigh for easy movement. With plenty of extra room in the leg, you will find these nice, spacious and durable.

Carhartt Heavyweight Relaxed Fit Jean

These are the ideal choice if you’re seeking some heavy-duty work jeans.

These jeans are designed for hard work, made of heavyweight cotton for enhanced durability and feature Rugged Flex® stretch technology for flexibility.

The multiple pockets and utility loops also provide ample storage for tools and essentials, making them a practical option for men with muscular thighs who require a rugged workwear solution.

Best Material for Jeans for Large Thighs?

Stretch Denim allows big guys to move freely without tearing fabric

When looking for men’s jeans for larger thighs, the best material you can get is stretch denim. When shopping, check the label of the jeans you plan to buy — or when online shopping, check the product description — to see that it has 1-2% of elastane (a.k.a. spandex).

Don’t buy into the raw denim trend as a man with muscular thighs. Assuming your muscles swell and need space to move, this rigid denim variant is not suited to you.

Stretch denim offers even more flexibility than you’d get from regular jeans, which means you can move around freely without worrying about tearing the fabric. (Seriously, you can squat all the way down in stretch denim without any problem.)

You actually want to go for a tight fit — a bit tighter than you’d prefer — because the denim will stretch permanently as you wear and move around in it.

That means the jeans will shape themselves to the shape of your athletic legs, which will make them look perfectly form-fitting on you.

What Is the Best Jeans Fit for Guys with Big Thighs?

Knowing how jeans should fit is a must, no matter whether you’re a skinny, muscular or fat guy. These are some basic guidelines to ensure you buy a pair that fits properly:

The waist of your jeans should neither be too tight or too loose. When it’s too loose, you’ll find yourself having to pull it together with a belt, which will give your jeans a fugly scrunched up look.

They shouldn’t fall down when you wear the jeans around the waist without a belt, but they also shouldn’t be pinching. When you walk around, it shouldn’t feel like it’s dropping. You should be able to put two fingers in the waist and move them side to side.

For the ultimate look, the jeans should feel a bit tight around your athletic thighs. As mentioned earlier, with stretch denim, the material will give to your thighs with wear quite quickly. Then, you want the jeans to taper down to your ankles. (Hence, why many of the jeans listed are called “Athletic taper jeans”.)

As for length, if they’re too long, you’ll find that the jeans will bunch at the ankles. Instead, you want just a slight break. The fabric should end around halfway down the back of your shoe.

Can Guys with Big Thighs Wear Skinny Jeans?

You’ll have a hard time finding well-fitting skinny jeans for muscular legs. You’re better off trying for straight fit, slim fit or athletic fit jeans. These types of jeans are more suited to your build. Skinny fit jeans will feel too tight and you’ll struggle to pull them over your big thighs.

Besides, if your jean fits your legs well, you achieve a similar appearance as with skinny jeans.

6 Men’s Jeans You Should Avoid

I’ve covered the best jeans for big men and what you should look out for when buying jeans, but let’s also talk about what you should avoid buying (unless you want to make a fool of yourself).

1. Baggy Jeans

Baggy jeans example

While we’ve covered a few relaxed fit jeans in this article, I generally don’t recommend wearing overly baggy jeans. Even if you go with relaxed fit, you should try not to have excessive space around the thighs.

Since getting well-fitting jeans is hard for men with muscular legs, they often opt for baggy jeans because at least they provide enough room to move around in.

They will hide those glutes you worked so hard for and make your ass look soggy.

Wouldn’t you rather wear a pair of tapered jeans that accentuate your muscular legs? Then don’t wear baggy jeans.

2. Bootcut Jeans

Bootcut jeans example

Bootcut jeans are also not a recommended style of jeans for men with larger thighs (or any man for that matter).

These are jeans designed to enhance curves — meaning, they will make you look more feminine.

Did you spend so much sweat at the gym to develop more feminine legs? Your intention was to look more like a woman?

I doubt it. So don’t wear bootcut jeans.

3. Acid Washed Jeans

Acid wash jeans example

Acid wash jeans grab attention, and that’s why many unfortunate men are so keen to grab these off the rack. But listen, my friend.

These jeans are far too loud to be worn by any respectable, stylish man. They’re the kind of jeans a teenager wears who’s desperate to get noticed.

However, these jeans will attract more ridicule than attention. The only thing they’ll achieve is drawing attention away from the athletic body you built.

If you don’t want to look try-hard, avoid acid-washed jeans.

4. Overly Faded Jeans

faded jeans example

These are the slightly less egregious cousin of the acid washed jeans. Now, don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with a little fading, but when the fading contrasts so much it doesn’t look natural anymore, it creates the same try-hard look as acid-wash.

That’s a golden rule to keep in mind.

You don’t want your jeans to look unnaturally altered. You want jeans that look like they were naturally faded.

In other words: faded jeans that look natural are fine.

5. Overly Ripped Jeans

These days I see men walking around with gaping holes in their jeans, to the point their entire knees are exposed.

Case in point:

ripped jeans examples

Don’t be tempted to follow this ridiculous trend, as it is just that: a trend. It will go away, and then you’ll just be left with (half of) a pair of jeans that you can never wear. It’s much better to stick with classic styles.

But even before this trend got out of hand, ripped jeans were a thing. And the same rule as above applies: Keep it looking natural.

Don’t go for jeans with huge rips, but slightly distressed jeans are okay.

6. Embellished Jeans

If you ever find yourself holding a pair of embellished jeans in your hand and thinking about buying them, slap yourself in the face and vow to never entertain such reckless ideas again.

Embellished jeans are the worst of the worst. A one-stop ticket to style-prison.

Embellished jeans examples

I’m talking about the jeans with embroidery, giant logos, overly contrasting stitches, or god-forbid, bedazzling.

Yes, guys are wearing rhinestones, for crying out loud.

No. Just say no.

Try Different Options to Find the Perfect Men’s Jeans for Your Big Thighs

Finding a pair of good jeans may be harder for your athletic build, but it’s not impossible.

It might take trying a few different options, but in the end, when you find that pair of jeans that’s just right, it’ll be well worth it.

I’ve given you the 8 best jeans for men with big thighs that are currently on the market, plus a few alternatives. I hope one of them will give you the fit you’re looking for.

If you tried all the jeans listed above and still can’t find the perfect pair that fits quite the way you want, you still have one other option: Tailoring. It has helped plenty of other men (including myself) with hard-to-fit body-types.

For example, you might find a pair of relaxed fit jeans that fit well in the waist, butt and thigh areas, but you don’t like the bagginess of the straight leg cut, you can have the legs taken in and tapered.

You worked hard in the gym for those thighs and glutes. Take the time to find jeans that show them off a bit.

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