[masraum]

The hardware stores out here in the country often have clothes which seems weird to be but OK. They seem to often have jeans in the $10-25 range. I was super curious, so I bought a pair of the $17 jeans at a "Sutherlands" thinking that they seemed like a good option for working outside, getting dirty, etc... They are fantastic jeans, very comfy and remind me of the old Levis after a couple of washes, thick, but flexible. They don't have the rivets or any sort of logo or anything on the back pockets, but they seem to be surprisingly good quality (not stretchy).

I have been a life-long levis guy, but their stuff isn't remotely what it once was. I find that I have to try on EVERY pair of levis to make sure they fit because there's a ton of variability from pair to pair. Also, the denim seems much, much thinner than it used to be.

For "nice" jeans AG makes some good stuff. I haven't bought any in probably the last 10 years, but they used to have non-stretch, and seemed like good quality and comfortable. But then they are pricey.

I also bought a pair of $20-25 Wranglers from one of the local hardware stores. THey had very long legs which is great for me, but they are not comfortable. It seems they are made for someone with a differently shaped body from mine or someone that wears their jeans for a particular look despite comfort.