Ariat Jeans Are Made to Move: Unmatched Craftsmanship, Fit, and Durability

We’re taking you behind the seams with our denim team to show how Ariat jeans are built, for work, for riding, and every step in between.

Watch the Story Behind Ariat Denim 

Meet the Makers: Cowboy Jeans Designed by Experts

At Ariat, denim isn’t just stitched together. It’s studied, tested, and refined by people who live the lifestyle. As Jennifer Shaw, VP Denim Design, explains:

“Whether it's performing in the arena, in the saddle, or going line dancing… denim should fit, it should move with you. It should look really, really, really good. It should have style, it should have durability, and it should stand the test of time.”

We rigorously test every material for stretch, strength, and shape retention. By choosing ringspun yarns (softer, stronger yarns that last longer than standard open-ended fibres), we create denim that lasts longer and wears better. This isn’t fast fashion; it’s denim made to endure, designed by people who live the lifestyle.

The Anatomy of a Well-Built Jean: From Rivets to Fit

No detail is random. From the angle of a back pocket to the feel of the fabric against your skin, our team of denim experts makes hundreds of small decisions that shape how your jeans look, move, and last. We focus on fit and comfort from the inside out, selecting premium ringspun yarns for softness and strength, testing for stretch recovery, and engineering construction that moves with the wearer.

Together, our teams choose:

• Back pocket designs that balance form and function.
• Thread colours that enhance the denim wash.
• Shanks (the metal button at your waistband) and rivets (small reinforcements at pocket corners) that add strength without adding bulk.

“We focus a lot of time on creating pockets that will speak to both ends of the spectrum. We’ll have simple pockets, we’ll have really heavy beans… We call it a bean stitch, it’s a heavier stitch. And I think the interesting part is layering everything. You’re layering the wash, the pockets, and then you get this final product. And then you can add a little bit of stitching around, to give that 360 degree design, so it’s not just pocket and wash. You try and tie it all together.” says Maryl O’Connell, Design Director for Men's Western Denim and Workwear Bottoms

Every garment is reviewed by hand before it ever reaches you. If it doesn’t meet our standards, it doesn’t ship.

A Denim Process Built on Precision and Western Lifestyle

Our design process is shaped by real-world use and feedback, not just studio sketches.

“We’re not designing in a vacuum. We’re thinking about riders, welders, parents, and everything in between,” says Natalia Seragini, Director of Women’s Denim Design

Crafting Ariat denim is about more than looks. It’s about purposeful design. 

That’s why we spend time:

• Testing movement and durability in real-life environments like ranches, rodeo circuits, farm fields, and work sites.
• Observing wear patterns to better place reinforcements, add stretch, and perfect pocket placement.
• Listening to those who wear our jeans. Their insight drives innovation.

Ariat Jeans are Fit-Tested on Real People, Not Just Fit Forms

Before a jean ever hits production, it goes through extensive testing.

“Every fit starts with empathy. We ask, who is this jean for, how do they move, and what do they need it to do?” explains Brooke Teixeira, Director Product Management, Western Denim

Our denim fit journey starts with live model fittings across every size, gender, and body type. Unlike brands that rely on static forms, Ariat tests denim on real people doing real things. The goal is to create jeans that move with you and flatter your shape so you feel really good wearing them.

Each style is field-tested for stretch recovery, abrasion resistance, and durability. Wear trials with riders, construction professionals, and athletes ensure our jeans meet the demands of active jobs and everyday wear. Whether you’re looking for women’s work jeans, durable denim for riding, or stretch jeans that hold their shape, Ariat’s fit process delivers.

“We do extensive wear-testing. If it's western, it'll go to somebody who lives and works on a ranch. If it's work, it'll go to somebody who's working every day on a job site. We also do lab studies that test the durability of every product. Will the button pull out? Will the pocket fall off? How durable are the denim fibres? Then we put them through extensive washes to see how many home washes they’re going to survive. And if it doesn't meet our criteria, it's a no-go”, Jennifer Shaw, VP Denim Design

Even after the first fit is dialled in, the work continues. From sketch to production, our denim styles pass through dozens of hands—and dozens of prototypes. 

Every Jean Wash Tells a Story

From vintage fades to subtle whiskering, every finish is designed to reflect the way jeans naturally wear over time.

“The wash tells a story—whether it’s for riding, working, or both,” says Jennifer Shaw

Using techniques like laser finishing, enzyme rinses, and hand sanding, we create high-low tones and lived-in softness without compromising durability. As Bessie Hsiao, Senior Director of Technical Design, puts it:

“One tweak—how much enzyme, how much tint, how long in the washer—and the whole jean changes.”

The result is denim that feels broken-in from day one and holds up for years.

Durable Work Jeans to Withstand Long Days and Tough Jobs

At Ariat, we don’t just make jeans; we engineer reliable gear for people who perform in it, day in and day out. Scott Molina, Senior Director of Work Apparel, explains,

“What makes Ariat work denim unique is that we pay attention to every detail that goes into the product. Countless hours have gone into every single piece, whether that be pocketing, the fabric, the fit, or any special features and innovations. That’s why we’re able to trust them enough to put them into our denim. We're not just throwing things against the wall and hoping they stick; we want to know it's reliable. We're in work and we're designing equipment for people who rely on us.”   

That mindset drives everything we build, especially our work denim. So if you're grinding through 12-hour shifts, our jeans are designed to move with you and hold up under pressure.

Our work jean lineup includes this key collection tailored to meet real-world demands:

Rebar® Work Jeans

Built for the trades, from construction and road crews to logging yards, our men’s Rebar work jeans deliver advanced performance and lasting durability. Our design pillars include:

• Engineered with ToughMax™ fibres for denim that’s twice as strong as traditional cotton.
• Reinforced utility and hidden knife pockets designed for tools like tape measures, levels, and box cutters.
• Flat hammer loops and ergonomic stretch panels for comfort that moves with you.
• Smart storage, including hidden cell phone pockets that keep essentials secure.

For Every Job, Every Body

Whether you're shopping for Men’s Rebar Work Jeans or Women’s Rebar Work Jeans, Ariat delivers workwear you can count on—crafted with intention, built to perform, and trusted by those who don’t cut corners.