My 6 Favorite Jeans to Wear in Summer Heat

The point of denim is to be tough first and breathable second. Jeans, after all, were invented as workwear, not resort wear, and it’s why everyone has a favorite pair of jeans that are so old that they can’t remember when they bought it. It’s a dense, longlasting fabric!

My point is that jeans aren’t really the best trousers for summer. Even if the denim is one hundred percent cotton, they’re meant to be “not too stuffy” as opposed to “breathable and comfortable in the heat” like linen or seersucker.

But there’s nothing like a good pair of jeans and you should know that there are brands that put effort into producing jeans that are lighter weight or made with extra summer-friendly materials.

How to Pick Jeans for Summer

The four factors that will determine the comfort of your summer jeans are the weight of the denim, the tightness of the weave, the composition of the fabric, and the fit of the jeans. 

Fabric Weight

• The average jeans are 11 to 12 ounces per square yard. Look for less!

You can tell if a denim is thin or thick by figuring out if it’s light or heavy. You aren’t looking for how many millimeters the fabric measures, you’re going by how much one square yard of fabric weighs.

There are several kinds of fabric weaves and weight works a little differently between them: 12-ounce canvas feels heavier than 12-ounce denim.

But your average jeans are 11 or 12 ounces, and while there are scores of companies that delight in making very heavy jeans, it’s much more unusual to find jeans that are lighter.

Weave Density

• “Loose weave” means more airflow

It’s unusual for a brand to use the terms “open weave” or “loose weave” when describing their jeans — they’ll probably just tell you the weight.

But if you come across jeans described as having a loose weave, then there’s more space between the yarns and you get more airflow. This is one reason why 12-ounce canvas pants feel more stuffy than 12-ounce denim: canvas is made with a tighter weave.

Just make sure you don’t accidentally by heavyweight jeans that also happen to have a loose weave. It might be interesting fabric, but that weight is not optimal for the heat!

Fabric Composition

• Bad for heat and humidity: Polyester, elastane / spandex / lycra, acrylic, and most synthetic materials. That includes your stretch jeans, I’m afraid.
• Good for heat and humidity: cotton, linen, hemp, ramie

Fit

• Looser jeans = better for heat

Lastly, regarding fit, in my opinion you should avoid skinny jeans for summer. (They’re falling out of fashion, anyway.)

The most timeless fit for jeans is the straight leg, which has more room than slim or tapered. Or you can get something wider, which might be called relaxed, relaxed straight, wide fit, loose fit… the one at Naked & Famous is called Strong Guy.

Anyway, just opt for straight over slim fits if you want some airflow but don’t want to risk your super-wide-fit jeans being dated when slim fits come back into style.

My 6 Favorite Summer Jeans

DSTLD’s Straight Summer Weight Raw Denim Jeans In Indigo (11.75oz)

Not only are these ideal for the summer, but they are also insanely affordable. Costing only $75 retail and often on sale for $45, these are no brainers if you need a pair of beaters. They are also sanforized, which means they won’t shrink too much during soaks or washes, making it perfect for bar trips. (Or slips…)

Gone are the days of fake selvedge lines from DSTLD… If you were around a couple of years ago, you may remember the time when this brand tried to finesse consumers with stitched on selvedge lines that were only 5 inches long! Today, they’re an authentic addition to the selvedge pantheon.

Gustin’s Pure Linen Indigo Selvedge (10.5oz)

This pair is one of the rarerst ones on this list. I think Gustin really knocked it out of the park with their Pure Linen Indigo Selvedge. As the name suggests, this jean is constructed entirely out of linen as opposed to cotton. With linen, you will get more breathability and comfort without sacrificing the rugged raw denim look. This is your summer unicorn.

Japan Blue’s JB2300 Easy Denim Calif “Seal Beach” (10oz)

As far as Japanese jeans go, Japan Blue’s price’s are quite attractive. Typically, their jeans hover at around 100-180 dollars. They are able to keep prices relatively low because they own their own denim and manufacturing plant. This particular denim is a stretchy jean made from 95% cotton and 5% polyester. It is part of their Calif collection which pays homage to various towns around California, the birthplace of denim jeans.

Naked and Famous’s Summer Sky Selvedge Denim (10oz)

This pair is one of the lightest on the list. Like many in Naked and Famous’ collection, this jean combines Japanese fabric with Canadian manufacturing. Being only 10oz, it is extremely lightweight, making it ideal for the summer. As an added bonus, the Summer Sky Selvedge is a lightly colored denim, making it a better choice for reflecting heat in the summer. (And for matching your probably-a-little-more-pastel wardrobe.)

[See my review of Naked and Famous’s famous Left Hand Twill]

Momotaro’s 0605-12 Selvedge Denim (12oz)

Momotaro is the sister brand of Japan Blue. Being Japan Blue’s premium brand, the prices are considerably higher: typically, Momotaro jeans retail for around $250 through $300. Although it is a midweight denim, the roomy cut of this jean makes it an excellent choice for those who do want to stick to the “classic” feel of wearing jeans. 

[See my review of Momotaro’s 14.7oz jeans]

Burgus Plus x Clutch Cafe’s 770SCC Denim Jean (9oz)

This jean is a collaboration between Burgus Plus and Clutch Cafe. At only 9oz, it is super lightweight, and breathable. This pair takes inspiration from Western styles so it may not be for everyone, but it is nonetheless a pair perfect for the warmer weather. 

Beyond Jeans

Look, I get it: shorts are more breathable than denim or linen. But if they don’t fit your style, then move onto the summer weight options.

Editor’s note: This article is an op-ed. The views expressed herein and in the video are the author’s and don’t necessarily reflect the views of Stridewise, LLC. Claims, assertions, opinions, and quotes have been sourced exclusively by the author.