In a world where it only takes a few clicks of the mouse to purchase top-tier raw denim from around the globe, sometimes it’s easy to forget no-nonsense jeans like Levi’s. Heddels reader Steven Howard, of Istanbul, Turkey, never forgot about his favorite pair of 501 STFs, which, after years of wear, became his go-to pair of beaters for jobs in which he didn’t want to have to worry about his jeans.

From gutting houses to camping in the mountains, Steven tells us his 501s have seen it all. Clocking in at over four years of wear, he lost track of how many times he put them through the wash, but says it happens when it needs to happen. The combination of hard wear at hard jobs earned these jeans some heavy and dirty fades throughout, lightening up the overall cast quite a bit. Even still, these jeans hit all the marks with solid whiskering and honeycombs, with the only visible damage being to the back right pocket.

Sometimes you just can’t beat a classic.

Levi’s 501 Shrink-to-Fit (STF) Raw Denim Jeans

• Fabric: 100% Cotton
• Fabric weight: 12.5 Oz.
• Fabric source: Unknown
• Made in: Unknown
• Fit: Straight leg with high rise
• Additional details:
  • Levi’s signature model
  • Contrast stitching
  • Button fly
  • Unsanforized
• Available at: Levi’s for $64.00