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Lifestyle Outdoor: 5 Brands Doing Blue Jeans Differently

Outerknown SEA JeansNorth Shore Lifeguards in Outerknown S.E.A. JEANS - Photo Credit: Todd Glaser (PRNewsfoto/Outerknown)
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Sometimes you just want useful gear that looks good in the outdoors. This week, Lifestyle Outdoor looks at jeans.

Arguably the most timeless piece of clothing, blue jeans are an international staple. You can wear them with almost anything on top and, sized right, jeans are comfy to boot.

Instead of calling out stiff jeans that are bluer than Elijah Woods’ eyes, this list highlights unique jeans brands. Some offer a sustainable story, and others are made for outdoor adventure. No matter what, though, each has something that sticks out.

[Pictured above: North Shore Lifeguards in Outerknown S.E.A. Jeans
Photo Credit: Todd Glaser]

5 New Jeans That Stick Out

Outerknown S.E.A. Jeans

Outerknown SEA Jeans

S.E.A. Jeans by Kelly Slater’s Outerknown are among the most sustainable jeans on the market. The acronym stands for Social Environmental Accountability.

Manufactured in the “world’s cleanest denim factory,” Saitex in Vietnam recycles 98 percent of the water it uses to make jeans and turns the last 2 percent into sludge for building bricks. This means S.E.A. Jeans use 90 percent less water than conventional cotton jeans.

Meridian Line Denim

 

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Add a bit of whimsy to cuffed jeans with Meridian Line denim. Artist Jeremy Collins launched the Meridian Line on Kickstarter this summer, with shipment expected this fall.

His trademark artwork style appears on the inside of the pants around the cuffs and waist.

Meridian line Denim

American Giant Blue Jeans

American giant Denim

American Giant sources its denim in Georgia and assembles the jeans in Los Angeles. That means these blue jeans are completely made in the U.S. — a rarity in today’s jeans market. We’ve used American Giant clothing before and attest to its durability and build quality.

Boulder Denim

 

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Call these jeans adventure ready. Boulder Denim ensured its eco-friendly jeans retain their stretchiness over time and are resistant to spills and stains. With manufacturing in Canada, Boulder Denim uses organic cotton. And there are no leather patches, so the jeans are vegan.

Black Diamond Forged Denim Jeans

Black Diamond Forged Denim

I’ve done yoga in these jeans, and I would do it again. These are some of the stretchiest jeans out there with comfort to match. Black Diamond’s Forged Denim comes out in spring 2019 and uses Cordura fibers for durability.

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