I enjoy the basics in life.
Black coffee. A martini with a whisper of vermouth (gin, as it should be). A classic statue-of-liberty play during a fall football game.
The fundamentals, if you will.
Unsurprisingly, I also love work pants. They’re literally the most basic idea of what pants are. Straight legs, higher rise, and functional.
Whether you’re no-frills or pro-frills, it’s good to own a few beater pants. If you’re an engineer or a mechanic, it’s important to get ones best suited for your specific work environment.
We’ve spent hours researching the market so you don’t have to. These are our picks of the best work pants for men in several categories, so you can find the right pair for you.
But first, let’s find out what type of work pants you really need. If you’d rather skip ahead to our picks, use the quick-links below.
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How to Find the Best Work Pants for Your Workplace: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself
1. Which Features Do You Need?
Utility/Cargo Pockets
There are certain tools that working men always need on their person. A construction worker should always carry a tape measure. An art curator, a blacklight.
Utility pockets are much bigger than regular pockets and are able to be fastened closed, like having a pocketbook attached to your legs.
On occasions that you can’t bring your toolbox to the worksite (maybe it’s too tight a space), utility pockets can serve as toolbox escape pods for just the exact tools you’ll need for that specific project.
These flap pockets were first used by British soldiers in the 30’s to hold gear like maps and extra ammunition. So even today, utility pockets prepare you for changing environments and emergent needs.
Stretch Fabric
DuPont invented stretch fabric in the 60’s as a response to postwar demand that everything be high-performance and low-maintenance. Work pants made from stretch fabric offer just that.
Stretch fabric is comfortable and easy to move in. It’s a better option than loosely fitted work pants on worksites where loose fabric can get caught.
Style-wise, stretch fabric brings the pants closer to your body for a slightly more fitted, but still mobile, look.
It can also be incorporated in parts of the pants, for example a stretch waistband that can move with you.
Fleece Lining
Fleece is often made out of polyester fibers that are woven and brushed resulting in a thick fabric.
Adding a fleece lining to the inside of work pants is designed to keep you warm.
Shoveling snow? Building an igloo? Get fleece lined work pants.
Water Resistance
Mark Twain once said, “If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.” I volunteered at a Connecticut farm for a few summers and my only wardrobe prerequisite is that my work pants be water resistant.
If you are working outdoors, this is a quality you must consider.
Level of resistance varies. Lightly water resistant pants work excellently in light rain.
Truly waterproof pants are fully impervious to water. Seek this out if you’ll be exposed to heavy or steady rain, sprinklers or hoses, or water immersion.
There are also different kinds of waterproof certifications. EN 343, as one example, is a European Standard certification that rates resistance from 1 at the minimum and 3 at the maximum.
Utility Loop
Utility Loops are large, strong loops placed on the upper leg of the pants.
Pounding tools like hammers or mallets are usually placed in utility loops, so they’re a necessity for carpenters and construction workers.
They serve a similar purpose to utility pockets, but are more accessible since items aren’t sealed into a compartment. This allows you to easily put down and pick up your tool while keeping it close, and free your hands at a moment’s notice.
Knee Protection
Knee protection can take the form of pads sewn into work pants or as removable inserts usually placed in pouches.
This is an especially helpful quality for workers who run up and down stairs a lot or use ladders often—and for workers who are especially clumsy.
Gusset
A gusset is a triangle or diamond-shaped piece of fabric that is sewn into the lower lap area of the pants. With regular, non-work pants, all the seams come together in this space for a snugger fit.
A gusset separates these seams giving breadth and reducing tightness. They’re usually made with breathable fabrics like cotton.
Overall, a gusset gives you movement and ventilation in the most sensitive areas.
Ripstop Fabric
Ripstop fabrics are woven using a reinforcing technique in which threads are interwoven at regular crosshatched intervals. This makes them resistant to tearing and ripping.
Ripstop fabric can be made from several materials, nylon being the most common.
2. Which Type and Style Will Perform the Best While Looking Most Appropriate?
Active
Based heavily on the fact that they're 100% cotton and exceedingly breathable, these are the best lightweight work pants we've found. They get bonus points for their seven close-to-the-body pockets, too. The pockets and snaps also put them up there with the best tactical work pants.
Active style work pants offer movement and ventilation. They’re usually stretchy and made from a soft fabric like cotton, and are often made to deal with sweat and stains.
While active pants can be dressed up, they’re definitely best suited for casual environments.
Wear active style pants on the job if you work at a gym or a casual start-up. They pair well with a shirt-and-jacket combo for those days you’re running around but also have waist-up Zoom meetings with investors. They also provide a clean, casual look for that company softball game.
Cargo
The 5.11 Tactical Taclite Pro is the quintessential cargo work pant. The several oversized pockets and loose fit around the legs allow you to easily carry tools, but without the concentrated weight of wearing a backpack or the inconvenience of holding a toolbox.
The large utility pockets and loose cut of cargo work pants give them a rugged look. They’re often made of blends and cotton canvas that is heavily stitched.
If you’re a construction worker, an engineer, or work outdoors, the cargo style is both high-performing and aesthetically appropriate.
Outside of work, cargos are a good look for hiking and camping, or if you’re going for that military aesthetic. They’re also called combat pants after all.
Finally, the best cargo work pants are made from ripstop fabric for tear-resistance.
Carpenter
The Wrangler Wriggs Workwear Carpenter Jeans are definitely substance over style. They’re too bulky to wear casually, but are the perfect pair of pants for real workers. The durability, pocket details, and reinforced stress points make them excellent carpenter pants for work.
What utility pockets are to cargos, utility loops are to carpenter pants. Carpenter style work pants are made with denim. The softer the denim, the easier it is to move in them. The harder the denim, the stronger they are.
Carpenter pants are best for workers who need easy access to tools at any second, and for those who move around a lot.
They are built loosely, so they aren’t great in tight places.
Fashion carpenter pants are usually more tapered than their heavy-duty utilitarian counterparts and are a good option for a stylish casual look. Those in a neutral color can even be styled to be smart casual with the right shirt and shoes.
Professional
While these pants aren't ideal for heavy-duty work sites, they’re a great option if you split your time between a formal office environment and a worksite. Similarly, they're also perfect if you work in a suit-and-tie company culture, but in an operational capacity.
Professional style work pants are simple and smooth, with much fewer pockets.
If you’re doing hard labor one moment, but meeting clients face-to-face the next, professional style work pants are for you.
A buddy of mine is an art gallery director, and he spends his days up and down a six-foot ladder, hammering and patching, then spends his evenings drinking Dom out of crystal with his clients.
He only owns professional style work pants.
3. How Should Work Pants fit?
The fit of work pants fully depends on what you intend to do with them.
If you need freedom of movement and multiple accessible tools on your person, then they should fit quite loosely.
If you’re surrounded by machinery that can catch fabric, they should fit closer to the body, and have a stretchy quality.
If you’re client-facing in a professional setting or going for a clean casual look, they should be more tapered.
All work pants should fit comfortably around the waist with or without a belt.
4. Which Material Should You Go For?
Cotton duck
Cotton duck is a heavy woven cotton fabric, like a tightly woven canvas. This material is super durable and is the same fabric used for sandbags.
It usually comes in a neutral color like brown or khaki and starts out quite stiff.
While all work pants are made to be strong, those made from cotton duck are Muhammad Ali-level knockout proof.
Go for cotton duck work pants if you need a pair that can take a thrashing from wind, water, and heat.
Denim
Denim is the fabric used to make jeans. Denim itself is a cotton twill fabric with diagonal ribbing. This means both sides of the fabric look the same, unlike cotton duck.
Denim was developed as an affordable, comfortable and sturdy fabric for working men. They’re a dependable option for mechanics and painters.
On the fashion front, denim is a stylish casual look because it drapes well. Denim work pants do wear heavier than fashion jeans, so they always have a utilitarian look about them.
Synthetics
Polyester is the most common synthetic fiber. They’re a good choice for work pants because they can withstand wear and tear. They can’t hold color as brightly as natural cotton, but also fade less in the long run.
Nylon is another common synthetic fiber that is effectively heat resistant. High-quality nylon is stronger than polyester and has good resistance to chemicals.
5. What’s Your Budget?
Work pants tend to fall in the $30-$80 range.
Those with more useful qualities, such as ripstop fabric and 100% waterproofing, will fall on the higher end.
The most desirable work pants are the ones that are versatile in use. Pants like the Dickies on this list are actually the most affordable despite being the most fashionably versatile.
Best Work Pants for Men in 2020
Best Stretchy Work Pants: Carhartt Rugged Flex Rigby Double Front
They still make durable, moveable clothes and the Rugged Flex Rigby Double Front is the best option if your job is particularly aerobic (or if you’re John McClane crawling around in ceiling vents in the first Die Hard).
Founded in Dearborn, Michigan in 1889, Carhartt expanded a decade later creating clothes for railroad workers during America’s railroad expansion period.
By the 2010’s, Carhartt hit 600 million in sales as it broadened its appeal beyond a workhorse demographic and into the coveted millennial demographic.
Don’t be fooled though. Carhartt still excels at making durable, moveable workwear and the Rugged Flex Rigby Double Front is the best option if your job is particularly aerobic (or if you’re John McClane crawling around in ceiling vents in the first Die Hard).
The star feature with these work pants is Carhartt’s patented Rugged Flex Technology. Basically, they infuse the pants’ mid-weight cotton with 2% spandex.
This results in pants that are as robust as work pants should be, but as flexible as athletic pants. Any stretchier than this, and durability would be compromised.
Other features include a reinforced front pocket, secure right-leg phone pocket, left-leg cargo pocket, double-layer knees for knee inserts, and strong belt loops that are sewn on the seam.
What I Like
What I Don’t Like
The Verdict
They still make durable, moveable clothes and the Rugged Flex Rigby Double Front is the best option if your job is particularly aerobic (or if you’re John McClane crawling around in ceiling vents in the first Die Hard).
Best Cargo Pants for Work: 5.11 Taclite Pro Performance Pants
The 5.11 Tactical Taclite Pro is the quintessential cargo work pant. The several oversized pockets and loose fit around the legs allow you to easily carry tools, but without the concentrated weight of wearing a backpack or the inconvenience of holding a toolbox.
The Taclite Pro has so many large utility pockets and snaps, that wearing these pants will make you feel like a walking GR1 military backpack.
The Taclite Pro features eight total extra large pockets including strap-and-slash seat pockets, and a hip-mounted D-ring. It’s made of a lightweight patented fabric that’s mostly polyester, a cotton ripstop fabric, and a patented water and dirt resistant finish.
All of that, along with its relaxed fit, make the Taclite Pro the most efficient cargo work pants on the list.
Rock climber, Royal Robbins, founded 5.11 Tactical in California. In 1968, he began manufacturing pants that had a trademarked tactical strap and slash pocket—it makes sense that they’d end up manufacturing one of the best cargo pants out there.
Other features include an action waistband, knee protection, and triple stitching for durability.
What I Like
What I Don’t Like
The Verdict
The 5.11 Tactical Taclite Pro is the quintessential cargo work pant. The several oversized pockets and loose fit around the legs allow you to easily carry tools, but without the concentrated weight of wearing a backpack or the inconvenience of holding a toolbox.
Best Carpenter Pants for Work: Wrangler Riggs Workwear Carpenter Jean
The Wrangler Wriggs Workwear Carpenter Jeans are definitely substance over style. They’re too bulky to wear casually, but are the perfect pair of pants for real workers. The durability, pocket details, and reinforced stress points make them excellent carpenter pants for work.
Wrangler Jeans was born out of a denim overalls manufacturer in Greensboro, North Carolina. With that kind of background, it’s no wonder they currently manufacture the best carpenter work pants out there.
Wrangler Riggs Workwear checks all the boxes for a classic carpenter jean: Strong reinforced materials for durability, tool pocket details for protection, and a comfortable wear.
The 100% Cotton Durashield is reinforced at stress points such as at the tape measure clip, at the belt loops, and at the lined back pockets. This is heavy-duty.
Other features include two slash pockets, utility pockets on the right leg, hammer loop on the left leg, and a gusset.
Wrangler isn’t just coasting on its Southern carpenter legend. They’ve teamed up with Lil Nas X to produce a clothing line for country music fans, and have partnered with the Better Cotton Initiative to make sure their clothes are sustainable and ethical.
What I Like
The extra fortification where all the tools are kept make this a reliable and practical work pant.
Durashield gives the fabric an abrasion-resistant finish.
Sustainably and ethically manufactured.
What I Don’t Like
They’re a bit bulky and stiff.
What Other Reviewers Say
Positive reviews came from workers who admired how sturdy these are.
There wasn’t a single review that commented on the style, which goes to show that the Riggs’ is a genuine work pant.
A lot of users admitted to being “big boys” who wear their pants out quickly and were impressed with how long the Riggs lasted them.
The Verdict
The Wrangler Wriggs Workwear Carpenter Jeans are definitely substance over style. They’re too bulky to wear casually, but are the perfect pair of pants for real workers. The durability, pocket details, and reinforced stress points make them excellent carpenter pants for work.
The Wrangler Wriggs Workwear Carpenter Jeans are definitely substance over style. They’re too bulky to wear casually, but are the perfect pair of pants for real workers. The durability, pocket details, and reinforced stress points make them excellent carpenter pants for work.
Best Construction Work Pants: Caterpillar Trademark Pant
With its heavy but moderately breathable wear, the Caterpillar Trademark Pant is a sound choice for construction workers or factory workers. The pullout tool pockets are major highlights because they allow you to carry a good number of tools when they’re needed, but they don’t get in the way when tools aren’t needed.
Caterpillar is a Fortune 100 Company and the world’s leading construction equipment manufacturer. Of course, they win the best construction work pants award on this list.
The Caterpillar Trademark Pant is made of 60% natural cotton and 40% polyester, an effectively inflammable combination and a key requirement for construction worker pants.
The extra large leg opening is 20inches, with scuff guards, to accommodate the bulky work boots that workers often need to wear onsite.
The tough front pockets are built with pullout oxford tool bags. There are tool pockets in the back too.
The utility loops on the thigh allow construction workers to have their choice tool readily available.
Other features include a button closure, double layered knee with top loader for inserts, and machine wash capability.
What I Like
What I Don’t Like
The Verdict
With its heavy but moderately breathable wear, the Caterpillar Trademark Pant is a sound choice for construction workers or factory workers. The pullout tool pockets are major highlights because they allow you to carry a good number of tools when they’re needed, but they don’t get in the way when tools aren’t needed.
Best Dress Work Pants: Dickies Slim Taper Stretch Twill Work Pant
While these pants aren't ideal for heavy-duty work sites, they’re a great option if you split your time between a formal office environment and a worksite. Similarly, they're also perfect if you work in a suit-and-tie company culture, but in an operational capacity.
Dickies was founded in Texas in 1922 and has become one of the most recognizable workwear brands since. Due to its popularity, Dickies has even gained fashion recognition though it never compromised its mission statement of making durable work clothes.
The Dickies Slim Taper Stretch Work Pant might even look like suit pants at first glance. It has a fitted silhouette, sits just below the waist, and comes in mostly understated colors like khaki and navy for a safely professional look.
Its sleek design may be the main highlight, but make no mistake. These are still work pants.
These Dickies are moisture wicking and feature a flex fabric that makes them easy to move in. They’re made of a poly/cotton twill blend that is wrinkle-resistant with a stain-release finish for easy maintenance.
They also feature five pockets. This may not be cargo-level storage, but for a work pant that can take you from the shop to the boardroom, that’s more than enough.
From office workers, to field workers to skaters, these are definitely the most versatile pants in the roundup when it comes to look.
What I Like
What I Don’t Like
The Verdict
While these pants aren't ideal for heavy-duty work sites, they’re a great option if you split your time between a formal office environment and a worksite. Similarly, they're also perfect if you work in a suit-and-tie company culture, but in an operational capacity.
Best Lightweight Work Pants: 5.11 Tactical Active Work Pants
Based heavily on the fact that they're 100% cotton and exceedingly breathable, these are the best lightweight work pants we've found. They get bonus points for their seven close-to-the-body pockets, too. The pockets and snaps also put them up there with the best tactical work pants.
5.11 makes another appearance!
The Active Work pants stand out because they’re made from 8.8oz of 100% cotton canvas. This is as light and airy as work pants get.
In the grand tradition of 5.11, these pants feature seven pockets including strap-and-slash seat pockets, a hip-mounted D-ring, and secured with YKK zippers, which are known for their dependability.
These qualities combined with its lightweight construction also make these pants the most tactical on the list.
This is only natural, since the brand has a reputation for creating tactical equipment for military and law enforcement.
What I Like
What I Don’t Like
The Verdict
Based heavily on the fact that they're 100% cotton and exceedingly breathable, these are the best lightweight work pants we've found. They get bonus points for their seven close-to-the-body pockets, too. The pockets and snaps also put them up there with the best tactical work pants.
Best Luxury Pick: Taylor Stitch The Chore Pant
The Chore Pant by Taylor Stitch is worth spending up for if you’re looking for a quality work pant that's also mindfully sourced and manufactured. It has a classy but casual look to it that is still as understated as any true work pant, and any true luxury item at that, should be.
There’s a school of thought that work pants should never be expensive. Allow me to change your mind with The Chore Pant from Taylor Stitch.
Taylor Stitch is a California-based brand inspired by the casualization of the American office and founded on the principals of improved health and welfare for oneself and the environment.
Taylor Stitch clothes have a reduced carbon footprint and are made with less water than most clothes.
The Chore Pants are custom developed for Taylor Stitch. They’re made of a proprietary stone washed hemp blend with a bit of stretch so they feel worn even when you first wear them.
The hemp blend is not only sturdier than cotton, but also better for the environment.
They’re manufactured in small batches that use exclusive materials, which means these pants are pretty much limited editions.
I love that these pants are rugged, but still so beautiful.
What I Like
They come in sophisticated colors like olive, coal, and indigo.
Sturdy work pants in a classy versatile style.
1% of sales are donated to conservation efforts.
Environmentally responsible with a significantly smaller carbon footprint.
What I Don’t Like
Coming in a little over a Benjamin, these aren’t cheap.
What Other Reviewers Say
Despite the sophisticated approach to sourcing and manufacturing, purchasers were mainly caught up with the strong and comfortable quality of these pants.
It goes to show that the Taylor Stitch Chore Pants are truly high quality, and not just riding on a nice brand story to justify a higher ticket to admission.
A few reviewers mentioned that the belt loops were a bit small, but none seemed overly offended by this.
The Verdict
The Chore Pant by Taylor Stitch is worth spending up for if you’re looking for a quality work pant that’s also mindfully sourced and manufactured. It has a classy but casual look to it that is still as understated as any true work pant, and any true luxury item at that, should be.
The Chore Pant by Taylor Stitch is worth spending up for if you’re looking for a quality work pant that's also mindfully sourced and manufactured. It has a classy but casual look to it that is still as understated as any true work pant, and any true luxury item at that, should be.
Work Just Got a Little Better
If you’ll be loading and unloading heavy material or erecting scaffolding, then the Caterpillar Men’s Trademark pants are your best bet, but go for the Wrangler or the 5.11 Taclite if you need your tools on you.
Going from hardhat to leather portfolio with no time to change? The Dickies are your friend.
While these pants aren't ideal for heavy-duty work sites, they’re a great option if you split your time between a formal office environment and a worksite. Similarly, they're also perfect if you work in a suit-and-tie company culture, but in an operational capacity.
I personally love the story and quality of the Taylor Stitch pants, and the breathability of the Carhartts and 5:11 Tactical Active pants.
They still make durable, moveable clothes and the Rugged Flex Rigby Double Front is the best option if your job is particularly aerobic (or if you’re John McClane crawling around in ceiling vents in the first Die Hard).
So which pair of work pants best suit your job’s needs?
FAQs
What kind of work pants do construction workers wear?
Construction workers wear pants with plenty of foldable pockets to store. Their pants also have large leg openings to accommodate work boots and are made of inflammable material.
How can you waterproof carpenter pants?
Use a natural denim wax with a beeswax base, like Otter Wax. Thoroughly rub the pants down on both sides with the bar of wax.
Can you iron work pants?
Many work pants are either wrinkle-resistant to begin with or cotton-based and therefore sensitive to ironing. A steamer or sustained pressure on a damp surface is more effective.
Are most work pants water-resistant?
Most work pants are water-resistant, but at different levels. Not all work pants are truly waterproof, or fully impervious to water.
Can you wear thermals under your work pants?
Yes. If you’re working in frigid conditions, it’s important to wear thermals under your work pants if it isn’t fleece-lined. While many work pants wear heavy, they aren’t necessarily designed to keep you warm.
