The 10 Best Flannel-Lined Jeans for Cool Weather

There are few garments more ubiquitous than a pair of jeans. Built to handle rigorous workplaces, rock shows and everything in between, a solid pair of denim five-pocket dungarees can withstand most everything while being, especially once broken in, pretty damn comfortable. Maybe that’s why people still wear jeans almost 150 years after they were invented. (Hint: It is.) As pervasive as the pants are, however, you’d find it difficult to spot a pair in the dead of winter — at least on a sensible dresser.

Why Regular Jeans Won’t Work

The fabric is far too breathable. But, there’s hope. Ever heard of flannel-lined jeans? They’re just what the name implies: jeans lined with soft, comfortable flannel that you can wear through winter. Simply put, they’re winter jeans.

The fabric offers insulation between your body (and its warmth) and the outside world, keeping you warm even when it’s subzero outside. “Flannel-lined jeans are a great way to get the durability and functionality you need from denim with the insulating characteristics of flannel,” says Ben Ewy, vice president of global product design, research and development at Carhartt. “They will keep you warmer and the flannel inside also brings the comfy factor of your favorite PJs.”

But how did flannel-lined jeans come to be? Did some just get tired of putting on long johns and jeans? Maybe, but the history stretches pretty far back.

The History of Flannel-Lined Pants

According to the Wall Street Journal’s Jacob Gallagher, L.L. Bean‘s “lined pants date to the mid-1900s, when founder Leon Leonwood Bean needed something warm enough to wear outside in frigid northern Maine while camping.” Sounds like how Leonwood Bean came up with most other L.L. products — like the Boat and Tote, for example; he saw a need and fulfilled it.

Ever since, though, even though L.L. Bean invented them, plenty of brands have jumped in with their own iterations: Carhartt, Dickies, Filson — essentially every single workwear brand. But others are doing them, too.

The Best Flannel-Lined Jeans for Men

Seeking a pair of winter jeans? You know, jeans you’ll actually stay warm in? Find a few of our favorite pairs — ones we promise will do the trick — below.

L.L.Bean

Best Overall Flannel-Lined Jeans

Flannel-Lined Double L Jeans

• $70.00 at L.L.Bean

• Country of Manufacture: Imported
• Fit: Straight Leg
• Waist: 30 to 46
• Inseam: 28 to 36

These high-heat jeans are more than the sum of its parts (which are pretty good parts to begin with). The brushed cotton flannel is baby-soft on the skin and is as warm as your favorite flannel shirt. It’s not a coincidence that Mr. Bean’s flannel shirts also made our best-of list here. Marry that with a dense 14-ounce cotton denim and you’ve got the quintessential winter jean.

Filson

Best Upgrade Flannel-Lined Jeans

Filson Flannel-Lined Dry Tin Cloth Pants

• $255.00 at Filson

• Country of Manufacture:Imported
• Fit: Straight Leg
• Waist: 28 to 42
• Inseam: 30 to 34

No, these aren’t technically jeans, but they do follow the same five-pocket formula. Filson uses dry tin cloth, canvas material that’s unwaxed, for its flannel-lined pants, resulting in a more breathable, but still rip-resistant, bottom. Fans of the brand know what to expect, but for first-timers, prepare for a regular-fitting pant with incredible longevity.

Amazon

Best Affordable Flannel-Lined Jeans

Lee Flannel Lined Jean

• $54.00 at Amazon

• Country of Manufacture: Imported
• Fit: Straight Leg
• Waist: 29 to 42
• Inseam: 30 to 34

Lee’s basic flannel-lined blue jeans come with solid brown fleece liner — no pattern, unfortunately. As such, though, they really pass for regular pants, not wind-ready winter jeans. You can easily wear them with any outfit, and the relaxed fit helps keep you from overheating.

Amazon

Best Loose Fit Flannel-Lined Jeans

Carhartt Flannel Lined Jean

• $40.00 at Amazon

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Fit: Loose
• Waist: 28 to 44
• Inseam: 30 to 36

Carhartt combines an all-cotton face with a nice flannel, pushing the total fabric weight to nearly 15 ounces, which is plenty of beef to keep you warm through the worst of winter. These fit slightly below the waist with a relaxed seat and thigh through the legs.

Dickies

Best Lightweight Flannel-Lined Jeans

Dickies Warming 5-Pocket Lined Jeans

• $50.00 at

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Fit: Straight Leg
• Waist: 30 to 44
• Inseam: 28 to 36

You can always count on Dickies to deliver well-built basics, and that includes jeans for cold climates. These jeans are made with cotton, polyester, and a bit of spandex for some added stretch. They feature thin cotton, so they’re not as warm as others on this list, but that also makes them perfect for those who get chilly in the fall.

Madewell

Best Style Flannel-Lined Jeans

Madewell Flannel-Lined Carpenter Jeans

• $90.00 at Madewell
  $158.00 (43% off)

• Country of Manufacture: Imported
• Fit: Relaxed
• Waist: 28 to 38
• Inseam: 31

Carpenter jeans aren’t for everyone, but this pair is so good, they deserve a chance. Madewell’s flannel-lined carpenters have an excellent relaxed fit with a straight leg that’s extremely flattering cuffed. That cuff reveals a nice pop of color with blue and yellow plaid, while the jean itself is a nice grunge wash.

Wrangler

Flannel-Lined Jeans with Most Muted Flannel

Wrangler Riggs Workwear Quilted Lined Jeans

• $60.00 at wrangler.com

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Fit: Relaxed
• Waist: 30 to 46
• Inseam: 30 to 36

Wrangler’s workwear outfit RIGGS has the most inconspicuous flannel design out, with a lining that’s soft and completely black. For those who aren’t fans of typical plaid flannel or pops of color, this pair is for you. It’s also got a reinforced pocket to keep a tape measure in, which is excellent if you need a pair for the jobsite.

Duluth Trading

Best Flannel-Lined Jeans with Stretch

Duluth Trading Co. Ballroom Double Flex Lined Jeans

• $63.00 at Duluth Trading
  $85.00 (26% off)

• Country of Manufacture: Imported
• Fit: Standard or relaxed
• Waist: 32 to 42
• Inseam: 30 to 34

Duluth’s Ballroom Jeans are basic, albeit fairly nice, faded jeans. They come with the classic red buffalo check flannel on the inside and four-way stretch throughout — even in the flannel.

Eddie Bauer

Best Flannel-Lined Jeans for Tall Sizes

Eddie Bauer Men’s H2Low Flex Flannel-Lined Jeans

• $50.00 at Eddie Bauer
  $99.00 (50% off)

• Country of Manufacture: Imported
• Fit: Straight Leg
• Waist: 30 to 42
• Inseam: 30 to 36

Eddie Bauer’s entry into the winter wonderland of warm jeans is these flannel-lined beauties. The denim has just the right amount of stretch and is available in a black, navy, and slate blue wash.

Courtesy

Best Designed Flannel-Lined Jeans

Duer Fireside Denim Slim

• $169.00 at shopduer.com

• Country of Manufacture: China
• Fit: Slim
• Waist: 28 to 38
• Inseam: 30 to 34

Duer managed to make flannel-lined jeans that, well, aren’t lined. Instead of two layers, these are just one, with the fleece material woven into the denim. Mixing them makes the jeans sweatpant-soft, but the split is still 81 percent cotton, which means they still look like jeans, not sweats. They also come treated with DWR for some water resistance, which means kicking snow up your leg is less of an issue.

Related Topics