Gap’s High Rise Stride Wide-Leg has quietly become the pair I reach for when I don’t want to think about an outfit. Six months in, I can tell you exactly what works, what’s just fine, and one thing I wish were different.
This is a full review of the Gap High Rise Stride Wide-Leg Jeans — bought with my own money, worn for six months in real rotation, washed at least a dozen times. If you’re cross-shopping this pair against Levi’s, Madewell, or Agolde, I’ll tell you where the Stride wins and where it doesn’t. For the broader wide leg context, the Brand Guides hub is the starting point.
Specs up front
- Price: $89.95 retail (frequently $59–63 on sale)
- Rise: 12″ in size 28 (genuine high rise)
- Inseam: 30″ regular, 32″ long, 34″ tall
- Leg opening: approximately 17″ in size 28
- Fabric: 99% cotton, 1% elastane (Washwell technology in some washes)
- Washes: typically 4–6 available, including a black, mid-indigo, dark rinse, and light wash
Fit: true to size, with a caveat
I’m 5’7″, 28″ natural waist, 40″ hips. I bought a 28 regular in the mid-indigo wash and the fit was correct at the waist — no pocket gap, no tension at the hip. The leg drape falls cleanly from the hip to the hem with no cling at the knee or thigh, which is the entire point of the silhouette.
The caveat: the Stride has about a 1.5″ stretch in the waistband after an hour of wear. That’s the 1% elastane doing its work. If you’re between sizes, size down. I went down from my usual Gap 28 to a 27 in a second pair, and the 27 settled at my true waist after 20 minutes without feeling constricting at the start.
Hip and thigh run generous enough for most builds. I’ve recommended this pair to three friends with different body types and they all reported a comfortable fit in their usual Gap size.
The rise is genuinely high — and the right kind of high
A 12″ front rise on a size 28 sits exactly at my natural waist. Not below the ribs (too high) and not at the navel (too low). This is the rise I want in a wide leg jean because it holds the column silhouette without pinching or slipping.
I wear this pair for 8–10 hour days regularly and the waistband stays where it started. The contour at the back rise (about 15″) means no gap between waistband and lower back when I sit.
Fabric and wash: decent but not premium
The 99% cotton / 1% elastane blend reads as closer to rigid than a stretch denim — the column silhouette holds through a day. The fabric weight feels around 11 oz, lighter than a heavy Madewell or Levi’s but comparable to Gap’s other denim lines.
After about 12 washes (cold water, inside out, hang dry), here’s what’s happened:
- Indigo has softened maybe half a shade — barely noticeable
- No pilling on the inner thighs or waistband
- Original hem has held with no fraying
- No hardware issues (rivets, button, zipper all original-condition)
The Washwell versions (noted on some washes) use Gap’s lower-water, lower-chemical wash process. I bought the Washwell mid-indigo and noticed no quality difference versus the non-Washwell; the sustainability claim is the selling point, not a fabric difference.
How it compares to competitors at similar and higher price points
| Brand | Price range | Fabric & stretch | Fit/sizing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gap High Rise Stride Wide Leg | $89.95 ($59–$63 on sale) | 99% cotton, 1% elastane | 12" rise, ~17" leg opening (size 28) | An affordable first wide leg; office hybrid wear |
| Levi’s Ribcage Wide Leg | $98 | Firmer, heavier, holds shape | Needs a harder break-in | A dressier column look |
| Madewell Harlow | $128 | Rigid cotton, noticeably better quality | More structured drape | Dressier contexts |
| Agolde 90s Pinch Waist | $188 | Higher-bracket denim quality & construction | Silhouette ~80% similar to Stride | Premium denim quality |
| Abercrombie Curve Love 90s Loose | $90 | Equivalent quality to Stride | More generous through hip & thigh | Fuller hips & thighs |
Versus Levi’s Ribcage Wide Leg ($98)
The Ribcage is firmer, heavier, and holds its shape more aggressively. It also requires a harder break-in. The Stride is immediately wearable out of the box but slightly less architectural in silhouette. For casual everyday wear, I reach for the Stride; for a dressier column look, Ribcage wins.
Versus Madewell Harlow ($128)
The Harlow is rigid cotton with a more structured drape. The Stride has a softer hand and slight stretch. Fabric quality is noticeably better on the Harlow — but at $40+ more, it should be. The Stride is the smarter buy for a first wide leg; the Harlow is a second pair for dressier contexts.
Versus Agolde 90s Pinch Waist ($188)
Not a fair comparison — Agolde’s denim quality and construction are in a different bracket. But the silhouette and wearability are within 80% of each other, and at nearly a third of the price, the Stride delivers proportionally more value.
Versus Abercrombie Curve Love 90s Loose ($90)
Roughly head-to-head on price. Abercrombie’s Curve Love block is more generous through the hip and thigh, making it the better call for pear shapes. The Stride is a cleaner high-rise cut. Choose based on body type rather than quality — they’re equivalent.
Styling: the easiest wide leg jean I own
Six months in, here’s what I wear the Stride with most:
- White tee, tucked. Baseline everyday look. Works with sneakers, loafers, or flats.
- Striped long-sleeve tee, half-tucked. My cooler-weather default.
- Silk cami + blazer. For dinners or casual Friday office contexts.
- Cropped sweater + ankle boots. Fall and winter rotation.
The mid-indigo wash I own works with nearly any top color. Dark rinse is the most versatile if you’re buying one pair and want maximum reach. For deeper outfit coverage, What to Wear with Wide Leg Jeans breaks down tops and layering.
One thing I’d change
The front pocket bags are shallow — my phone (iPhone standard size) slides out if I sit on a low couch or lean back in a car seat. I’ve had this problem with multiple pairs from Gap’s women’s line, so it’s a brand-level quirk rather than a Stride-specific issue. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if you keep things in front pockets.
Beyond the pockets, the only other minor complaint is that the light wash version fades faster than the darker options in my friend’s experience. Stick with the dark rinse or mid-indigo for longevity.
Sizing across Gap’s wide leg options
Gap offers several wide leg cuts, and they fit differently:
- Stride Wide-Leg: reviewed here — 17″ leg opening, 12″ rise
- ’90s Loose Wide-Leg: slightly slimmer through the hip, 16″ leg opening
- High Rise ’90s Loose Tall: 34″ inseam, 15″ leg opening
- Low Rise Stride: 10″ rise version of the Stride, covered in Low Waist Wide Leg Jeans
If you want the widest option Gap offers, the Stride delivers. If you want slightly trimmer, the ’90s Loose is the sibling. Both wear well.
Where to buy
Gap’s own site runs sitewide sales frequently, often 40–50% off. I paid $59 for my Stride during an Easter sale. Gap Outlet carries a selection at permanent discounts, though the Stride specifically is usually only at the main Gap line. For a broader starting point to compare against similar pairs, Gap High Rise Stride Wide Leg Jeans on Amazon is worth a scan. If you want to find discounted or discontinued washes on resale, Gap Stride Wide Leg on Poshmark is where last-season colors turn up.
For other Gap wide leg options, see the review at Wide Leg Jeans Gap.
Who should buy these
The Gap High Rise Stride Wide-Leg is a smart buy for:
- Someone wanting a first wide leg jean without premium spend
- Office hybrid wearers who need an easy everyday pair
- Anyone between sizes in premium denim who wants a reliable fit baseline
- Petite and tall shoppers — Gap’s inseam options cover both
Skip this pair if: you want rigid architectural denim (go Madewell Harlow or Agolde), you want an ultra-wide 18″+ leg opening (go G-Star Judee Loose), or you need deep stretch content for comfort (Stride’s 1% elastane is minimal).
The verdict
Six months in, the Gap High Rise Stride Wide-Leg earns its rotation slot. The fit is correct for my body, the fabric has held up, and the price at frequent sale levels ($59–63) makes it an easy recommendation. It’s not the most premium wide leg I own, but it’s the most versatile. If someone asked me for one wide leg jean that works for office, weekends, and travel, this is the pair. The shallow pockets are the only real gripe, and none of its competitors at this price point have deep ones either.
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FAQ
Are Gap High Rise Stride Wide-Leg Jeans true to size?
Yes, with a slight caveat. The 1% elastane means the waistband stretches about 1.5″ after wear. If between sizes, size down.
What’s the difference between Gap Stride and ’90s Loose Wide-Leg?
The Stride has a wider leg opening (17″ vs. 16″) and runs slightly roomier through the hip. The ’90s Loose is a bit more tailored. Both are high-rise options at similar price points.
Does Washwell denim feel different from standard Gap denim?
No — in my comparison, the hand and weight are equivalent. Washwell refers to the wash process, not a fabric change.
How long do Gap Stride wide leg jeans last?
Six months in, mine show no meaningful wear. I’d expect 2–3 years of weekly rotation based on construction and fabric quality. Longer if you hang dry.
Can tall women wear the Gap Stride Wide-Leg?
Yes — the Tall block runs a 34″ inseam with a recut pattern, not just an extended hem. See Tall Wide Leg Jeans for more tall-specific options.
