Sears · Toughskins · 1971 into the 1990s
Sears launched Toughskins in its Fall and Winter 1971 catalog after two years of research that included field tests in an orphanage. Its 1960s kids' jeans had used the same cloth as everyone else's, so Sears' engineers built a tri-blend of Dacron polyester, DuPont nylon and cotton, reinforced the knees and sold the jeans on a promise that a child would outgrow them before wearing them out. By 1973 a Sears survey found mothers knew Toughskins better than Levi's, and the 1974 Tough Jeans Territory ads showed a trampoline made of the fabric. Toughskins came in slim, regular and husky sizes, in denim navy, berry, brown and plaids, and later as corduroy, jackets and men's work clothes, and a second generation of kids wore them in the 1990s. Buy a pair for the 1970s look and the story, and check the knees first.
Date it from the photos
If you’ll wear it
Kids' pairs still wear well, which was the whole idea. Adults should look for the later men's work clothes and measure carefully.
If you’ll collect it
Early-1970s pairs with the back-pocket patch and reinforced knees intact are the nostalgia pieces.
Toughskins were kids' jeans sized by height and weight, in slim, regular and husky cuts, with husky-plus sizes that paired 28- to 34-inch waists with short 24- to 30-inch inseams. Sears later added men's work clothes under the name, but most listings are children's sizes. The tag is an age size, so ask for the waist flat and doubled, the inseam and the hip.
New to measuring old denim? Our measuring guide shows where to put the tape.
Measurements first, then the details
These were built for playground wear, so look at the knees, seat and hems. Check that the knee reinforcement is still bonded and the zipper locks.
Buying guide
For an adult pair, we'd take the Toughskins carpenter jeans tagged 32x32 that fit 30x31 at $48 delivered, and for a kid the 70s slim flare in a size 16 at $22. There are at least 84 for sale and most ask $25–55 delivered, but sizes are all over the place. Toughskins were mostly kids' jeans sized by age in slim, regular and husky cuts, so three of the eight here are kids' sizes, and the men's pairs here are carpenter-style work jeans. Read the fiber tag, since real Toughskins list polyester, nylon and cotton, and check the knees, which Sears reinforced. Get the waist flat and doubled, the inseam and the hip, since the tag is often an age size. eBay's cards don't show seller feedback here, so check it on the item page, and ask about the pair titled 1960s, since Toughskins launched in 1971.
$17.92est. delivered
The lowest ask at $18 delivered, but it's a kids' size 4, titled 1970s bootcut for boys or girls. Check the knees in the photos, since Sears reinforced them.
Vintage 4 20x15 Jeans 1970's Boys/Girls Sears Toughskins Bootcut Relic Bootcut
$47.50est. delivered
Men's carpenter jeans tagged 32x32 that fit 30x31, dark wash, at $48 delivered. A stated fit size on an adult pair is rare on this page, and it's inside the band.
Vtg Toughskins Carpenter Blue Jeans Mens 32x32 (fits 30x31) Dark Wash Workwear
$33.29est. delivered
A men's 42x30 carpenter pant titled Union Made USA, at $33 delivered, the cheapest adult pair here. Get the waist flat and the inseam to check the fit.
Vintage Sears Toughskins Carpenter Pants Men’s 42x30 Union Made USA
$21.95est. delivered
A kids' size 16 slim flare titled 70s, at $22 delivered. Flares fit the mid-1970s, so ask for the back-pocket patch and the knees to see how original it is.
Vintage Toughskins 70's Kids Jeans Pants Blue Zip Up Sears Size 16 Slim Flair
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$17.92est. delivered
$10.45 + $7.47 shipping
Buy It Now$10.45
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Kids' size 4, titled 1970s bootcut.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$47.50est. delivered
$35.00 + $12.50 shipping
Buy It Now$35.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Men's carpenter, tagged 32x32, fits 30x31.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$33.29est. delivered
$24.99 + $8.30 shipping
Buy It Now$24.99
Good buy
Men's 42x30 carpenter, Union Made USA.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$21.95est. delivered
$17.00 + $4.95 shipping
Buy It Now$17.00
Good buy
Kids' size 16 slim flare, titled 70s.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$52.49est. delivered
$44.99 + $7.50 shipping
Buy It Now$44.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Kids' size 7 red flare.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$53.34est. delivered
$42.49 + $10.85 shipping
Buy It Now$42.49
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Men's 34x32 carpenter, Union Made USA.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$64.80est. delivered
$48.95 + $15.85 shipping
Buy It Now$48.95
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Men's 34x32, measures 32x31, titled 70s Union Made. Above the band.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$70.92est. delivered
$64.99 + $5.93 shipping
Buy It Now$64.99
Check the seller
Titled 1960s 70s, but Toughskins launched in 1971. Men's 32x30, distressed.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 11, 2026.
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