Levi's 505 vs 501: Zipper or Button, Side by Side
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Our picks at a glance
- Pick for a Zipper FlyLevi's Men's 505 Regular Fit JeansCheck price on Amazon
- Pick for a Button ClosureLevi's Men's 501 Original Fit JeansCheck price on Amazon
The 505 and the 501 are both straight-leg Levi's jeans, and on Amazon their listings share a lot: the same seller, the same 100% U.S. cotton, the same 4.5 rating. The clearest difference their listings state is the closure: the 505 has a zipper and the 501 a button.
How we picked
We opened the men's Amazon listing for each fit in the medium stonewash, non-stretch version and saved its title, bullets, specification fields, seller and return terms. The 505 listing gives more detail than the 501 listing, and we have not filled the gaps from elsewhere.
For other trousers, see the best chinos for men, and for shoes to wear with jeans, the best white sneakers for men.
Pick for a Zipper Fly: Levi's Men's 505 Regular Fit Jeans
The listing describes the 505 as Levi's original zip fly from 1967, with a classic straight leg and five-pocket styling. It is the only one of the two that gives measurements: a mid rise with an 11 1/4-inch front rise, an 18-inch knee and a 16-inch leg opening, based on a 32 waist. The fabric field lists 100% U.S. cotton and the closure field says zipper. Amazon ranked it #1 in Men's Jeans when we checked.
What the listing says
- Closure type: Zipper; zip fly dating to 1967 (per listing)
- Mid rise: 11 1/4-inch front rise, 18-inch knee, 16-inch leg opening (32 waist)
- Fabric type: 100% U.S. Cotton
- Straight leg, five-pocket styling
Pick for a Button Closure: Levi's Men's 501 Original Fit Jeans
The 501 listing is brief. Its bullets say regular through the thigh, straight leg and sits at your waist, and its closure field says button. The fabric field lists 100% U.S. cotton, and the origin field says made in the USA or imported. It gives no rise or leg measurements.
What the listing says
- Closure type: Button
- Regular through the thigh, straight leg
- Sits at your waist
- Fabric type: 100% U.S. Cotton; origin: Made in the USA or Imported
Side by side
| Levi's Men's 505 Regular Fit Jeans | Levi's Men's 501 Original Fit Jeans | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit name | Regular Fit | Original Fit |
| Closure (as listed) | Zipper | Button |
| Leg and rise (as listed) | Straight leg, mid rise, measurements given | Straight leg, sits at your waist, no measurements |
| Fabric (as listed) | 100% U.S. Cotton | 100% U.S. Cotton |
| Origin field | Imported | Made in the USA or Imported |
| Ratings | 4.5 from 33,312 | 4.5 from 24,375 |
| Seller | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
What to look for
Zipper or button
This is the difference both listings state plainly. Choose the one you prefer to do up every day.
Measurements
Only the 505 listing gives rise, knee and leg-opening figures. For the 501, the listing gives none.
Wash and stretch
Both versions we checked are medium stonewash and non-stretch. Other washes may differ, so check the variant selected.
Big and tall
Both listings say they are also available in big and tall sizes.
The bottom line
- Pick for a Zipper Fly: the Levi's 505, with stated rise and leg measurements.
- Pick for a Button Closure: the Levi's 501, in the same 100% U.S. cotton.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Levi's 505 and 501?
On these listings, the closure: the 505 has a zipper and the 501 a button. The 505 also gives rise and leg measurements; the 501 does not.
Are 505 and 501 jeans the same fabric?
Both versions we checked list 100% U.S. cotton and are non-stretch.
Which has the higher rating?
Both are rated 4.5. The 505 rests on more ratings, at over 33,000.
Is the 501 made in the USA?
Its origin field says made in the USA or imported, so it does not say which applies to the pair you get.
Why are the ratings different from what I see on Amazon?
Ratings change over time. The figures here are what each listing showed on the date at the top of this page.
Ratings and listing details were checked on Amazon on the date shown at the top of this page. We have not worn these; everything above is from their Amazon listings.
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