The Best Work Pants for Men

The great thing about men’s work pants is that they can be highly adaptable to a variety of needs. Whether you’re working on your favourite home improvement project, or you’re doing some landscaping, or even professional carpentry or construction, there’s always a great pair of work pants you can get into. So how does one choose? What are the criteria for finding and selecting the best work pants for men? For me, it’s always been a combination of the following factors.

• Utility – how many pockets does it have? Does it support knee pads? How stretchy are they? Are they waterproof?
• Durability – how tough are your work pants? Are they able to withstand the daily wear and tear you’ll be putting them through?
• Comfort – are they insulated? are they breathable? are they heavy or lightweight? Are they good for cold or hot weather? These are all factors that combine to make up the ultimate comfort of your work pants.
• Fashion – last but not least, do your work pants look at least somewhat presentable?

In this list, you’ll find a selection of the best work pants for men, with variations on utility pockets, articulated and padded knees, and gusseted stitching patterns for supreme flexibility. And although there is some crossover with tactical pants, a good pair of heavy-duty work pants should last a decade or more, so rest assured that any of these items would be a steadfast investment for years to come.

1. Carhartt Flex Rigby Pants

Carhartt is one of the best brands in the business when it comes to work pants, and their Flex Rigby double-front pants are no exception. These are great lightweight work pants that are both flexible and sturdy, thanks to articulated knees that increase movement ease. They also come kitted out with a typical long utility pocket for carrying tools and a handy cell pocket for keeping your phone on hand without fuss.

2. 5.11 Taclite Tactical Pants

5.11’s Tactical Pros are cheap work pants worth every dollar, featuring a Teflon coating to prevent stains and fabric damage, along with a strap-and-slash back pocket for holding larger tools like hammers and wrenches. With a great range of colours and a breathable polyester build, these are practical pants that are flexible enough for any situation.

3. Dickies Flex Carpenter Pants

Dickies are renowned for their quality workwear, and these straight-leg Duck Carpenter pants are a new take on an old classic, bringing hard-wearing materials and a modern style together for a great pair of comfortable work pants. They have a high level of abrasion resistance while retaining a modern work fit, making them perfect for casual wear and hard grafting.

4. Carhartt Rugged Professional Pants

Another strong contender from Carhartt, these stretchy work pants are made with a polyester and spandex blend to enhance the canvas’s strong cotton weave. With a fitted style and wrinkle-resistant material, these pants won’t crinkle and turn hard as some others do over time, but instead, wear in until they’re supple and flexible – exactly what you need if you’ll be working long hours.

5. 5.11 Tactical Ridgeline Pants

Designed for hunting expeditions and outdoor activities, 5.11’s Ridgeline pants are built for packing extra, whether its protein bars for the rock climbing trail or extra magazines for your rifle. With double-stitching and a Teflon finish, they’re ready to withstand all that nature can throw at them, and when it’s time to head home, they make for great casual wear too.

6. Wrangler Riggs Workwear Pants

A great pair of hybrid workwear pants from Wrangler, the Riggs work pants, is a really strong choice for those who want a durable pair of hardy and stylish pants. Here, Wrangler employs a balanced combination of technical add-ons like a hammer loop and tape clip with an overall casual and comfortable style. Whether you’re working on-site or grabbing a few beers at the end of the day, the Riggs are a great choice.

7. Patagonia Iron Forge Pants

The Patagonia Iron Forge heavy-duty work pants are padded with additional layering on the seat and knees for a super-durable build. With a 100% sustainable approach to the material selection, you have to appreciate the care that’s gone into designing this product. Utilizing natural hemp for increased flexibility and an abrasion-resistant polyester-cotton mixed weave, this is one pair of pants that won’t struggle with a few scrapes.

8. 1620 Utility Pants

A pair of construction work pants that can double up as hiking pants or outdoor gear, the 1620 Utility pants are truly fit for any situation. Keep your pocket knife handy with the added knife clip, and never lose a tool with a convenient hammer loop and extra-large pockets. Constructed from military-grade NYCO fabric, these pants offer up to ten times more abrasion resistance than some traditional cotton weaves.

9. 5.11 Stonecutter Pants

A quality pair of insulated work pants, the Stonecutter classics from 5.11 are a staple of workwear wardrobes everywhere. With great quality double-stitched fabric, these are a high-fidelity pair of pants at a very low price. Unbeatable in comfort and durability, and ultimately a good old fashioned pair of practical trousers, these are some of the best work pants going – plus, they’re cheap!

10. Dickies Relaxed Work Pants

With a relaxed straight-leg fit and a deep seat to prevent catching, these work pants from Dickies are an excellent choice for multi-purpose use. As comfortable work pants go, Dickies produces some high-quality stuff, blending modern design sensibilities with traditional fabrics and features for an overall great product. These are no exception, combining a cell pocket with traditional tool pockets for a multi-functional pair of work pants.

11. Howler Brothers ATX Pants

Thanks to a fine brushed cotton finish, these breathable work pants from Howler Brothers are soft to the touch but strong where it counts. The pockets come with snap closures, which many workwear pants don’t include, making these a great pair of ATX pants that won’t leave you wondering where your screwdriver has gone just when you need it most.

12. Topo Carpenter Pants

Topo’s carpenter pants are a great pair of lightweight work pants suited to a wide range of uses, a strong mid-budget option for those looking for something a little more bespoke. With a Cordura cotton / Nylon blend to keep the rain off and a custom shank and zipper fly, these are a pair of pants made to stretch as much as you need them to, without ever losing their uncompromising durability.

13. Timberland Gridflex Canvas Pants

Designed entirely for flexibility and build strength, the Timberland Gridflex work pants for men are an easy-clean, all-use option for those who want a pair of pants to cover all bases. With a bevy of pockets in different shapes and sizes and articulated knees to increase bendability whilst at work, these reinforced work pants are a good fit for any job.

14. 1620 4-Way Stretch

Stitched to stringent military specifications and built from a super-flexible Nylon/spandex blend, these stretchy work pants from 1620 USA are the ultimate work pants for extra mobility. They are super useful and super strong with a right leg utility pocket, and gusseted crotch finished with a long-lasting, water-resistant coating.

15. Eddie Bauer Guide Pro

An updated version of the Guide Pros, these men’s work pants from Eddie Bauer are reinforced with leg front overlays and a seat covering to keep them thick and strong no matter how many jobs you take them along on. With a wide range of weather-resistance features, including sun protection, they’re perfect for working out in the heat or the cold, and thanks to their articulated knees and Polygiene waistband, they’re extra comfy too.

16. Carhartt Rugged Flex Steel

Another great pair of work pants from Carhartt, the Rugged Flex Steels, are available in black of Carhartt’s classic brown duck shade and come equipped with a handy tool hook and bumper-sized pockets. A gusseted crotch allows ease of movement, and the spandex-blend weave provides extra stretch for when you’re swinging low.

17. Truewerk T2 Pants

Waterproof work pants designed to take on the elements, the Truework T2s are technical gear turned lightweight. The T2s use specialized stretch fabric for supreme maneuverability, while riveted pocket corners prevent any unfortunate tool-related tearing. Thanks to a DWR weather coating, you won’t have to worry about rain or wind, making these pants a great choice for both outdoor work and walking journeys.

18. Proof Rover Pants

Named after the all-terrain rover, these rugged walking pants are both eco-friendly and ultra-durable. Combining a range of synthetic fabrics, Proof has created a pair of breathable work pants that will save you from getting hot and bothered whilst trekking back and forth. Made for unlimited movement, the Rover pants are perfect for days on the range.

19. Proof Schoeller Trek

Proof’s Schoeller Treks differ from their Rovers in that they are more specifically designed for everyday-wear over workwear, and as such, their pockets are suited to EDC gear over longer tools. A great piece of equipment to wear while hiking, the Schoeller Treks are also weather-resistant to stop you from getting drenched if you end up caught in a downpour.

20. Mountain Khakis Alpine Pants

A pair of utility pants to beat up and get dirty, Mountain Khaki’s Alpine pants are a great piece of kit with plenty of hard-wearing strength. You’ll be safe from unfortunate tears thanks to a 2-ply canvas fabric, and a diamond-shaped action gusset makes for plenty of give to allow you to move and squat as much as you need to, making them a good choice for bikers especially.

21. Kuhl Rydr Lean Fit Pants

Blending traditional straight-leg styles with the rugged strength of classic workwear pants, the Kuhl Rydrs brings style along for the ride. Available in 9 forest-themed colorways, these are great tracking and outdoors pants with a handy smartphone pocket and reinforced cuffs. A spandex weave adds just that little bit of extra stretch you need.

22. REI Co-op Trailsmith Pants

Lightweight work pants with a relaxed fit, the Co-op Trailsmiths from REI are great for casual and work situations. With a jeans-style coin pocket perfect for slinging a tape measure, and a tool and pencil pocket at the knee, these are handy work pants for using on-site. And with a spandex blend for easy movement and lightweight construction, they’re very much a good choice for casual wear too.

23. Taylor Stitch Camp Pant

Taylor Stitch’s Camp Pants are an example of artisan design well worth taking a closer look at. Lots of little touches come together here for a high-quality product, with Taylor Stitch combining stretch-friendly fabrics with angled slash pockets and a stone-washed finish for a pair of pants that aren’t just useful but also good to look at.

24. Tenba DNA 15 Slim Messenger Bag LA Police Gear Benchmark Pants

Don’t be fooled; the LAPD doesn’t actually sell these pants, but they are just about as hard-wearing as any policeman’s tactical gear. La Police Gear’s Benchmark pants use an elastic waistband for enhanced comfort and reinforced heels to prevent catching and tearing while mobile. Whilst you won’t be chasing down any crooks in these, they’ll certainly come in handy while working out in the yard.

25. Caterpillar Trademark Pants

A staple of construction sites nationwide, Caterpillar’s Trademark pants are the king of practical workwear pants. They may not all be pretty, but the hi-vis options on offer here are a must-have if working in the dark or dim conditions. Moreover, the combination of durable cotton fabrics and articulation-friendly stitching makes these pants a perfect choice for any job type. Get the boys kitted out in these and you’ll need not splash out on workwear for another decade to come.

26. Kuhl Above The Law Pants

A pair of technical work pants that offer a great deal of functionality at a mid-range price, the Kuhl Above The Law pants are built to last and stitched to perfection. With a reinforced wax fabric cotton weave, you can be sure these pants will stand the test of time. A handy snap-fixed hem to the bottom cuffs keeps your boots free from dust and detritus, and a pair of zippered knee pockets make for a bumper carrying capacity. These pants are a great choice that’ll weather the seasons well.

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