Updated On April 03,2020

8 Best Work Pants for Men That Are Durable & Tough

A quality pair of work pants should not only withstand tough working conditions but also present well and allow for effortless movement throughout the day. But here’s the deal: All work pants are not created equally. From materials used in their construction to the various features found throughout the pant, there is quite a bit you will need to consider before making your purchase. In order to make sense of it all we are here to help. In this guide, we not only review the most popular and best work pants for men in 2020 but also share with you some key considerations you should be thinking about before you make your purchase. Let’s begin.

No.1 Carhartt Double Flex Rigby Double Front Work Pant Best For: Best Overall Work Pants for Men Reason for listing: Well-priced, a great brand, and nearly 100% cotton makes these Carhartt Double Flex Work Pants the best option out there for discerning workmen. The features of your work pants are one of the most important considerations when you’re making a purchase. Consider the features you need the most to do your job the best that you can. Maybe you need a utility pocket or knee pads.Maybe you need hammer loops or slash pockets. Perhaps bib overalls are more your speed or abrasion resistance is critical. Whatever pants you select, make sure they fit your needs.Fit depends on what type of work you do and how comfortable you are. It’s a matter of preference. A standard fit, for example, generally fits straight on the hips, legs, and bottoms. It’s not loose or tight. A relaxed fit will be looser in these areas. A slim fit will be tighter with less fabric. It’s important to note that these terms are often not defined the same way across the board. Check your favorite pair of pants or designer to ensure you match the size chart provided.ActiveCargoCarpenterProfessionalCotton and Cotton Blends Cotton is the most common fabric for work pants due in part to durability and versatility. There are several types/blends, but two of them stand out as the most common.Synthetics Work pants made from synthetic materials like nylon and polyester were not popular in the past, but technological advances have them rising in popularity. This is generally because they did not appropriately protect against heat, fire, and water and did not wear as well. Technological advancements have made this fabric much better.Price ranges drastically between $25-200, with most being around the $40-50 mark. There are no luxury designer brands here, so be sure you’re paying for features and durability. There are some common brands, like Carhartt and Dickies, but the features and functionality matter far more than the brand.Carhartt has been developing work-focused men’s clothing for decades and has made a name for functional, and often stylish, clothing. The Rugged Flex Rigby is our choice for the best work pants out there. Available in hickory and shadow, these pants feature a button top closure and are made from 98% cotton with 2% spandex for just a tiny bit of stretch. The relaxed seat and thigh allow for easy movement, and the double front allows for the insertion of knee pads. Reviewers note that these are more of a straight fit as opposed to relaxed, so larger gents may want to steer toward a pant that has a bit more space. Right in the middle of our range, you can get several pairs, so you don’t look like a ragged mess, even on the job site.
Pros
- Move seamlessly from the job site to the bar afterward
- Knee pad inserts
- Cotton construction
Cros
- Limited color options
- Slim fit may not be best for all
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No.2 Carhartt Rugged Professional Series Pant Best For: Best Dress Work Pants Reason for listing: If you’ve got to walk the line between the job site and the office, the Carhartt Rugged Professional Series Pant is the pair you want, especially for the cost. The best dress work pants are those that can exist simultaneously on the job site as well as in the meeting afterward. The Carhartt Rugged Professional series pants do just that. Crafted from a cotton, polyester, spandex blend, these pants aren’t necessarily for heavy-duty work. Still, they’re excellent for foremen or engineers who need to be present but not necessarily doing the work on location. Care is easy – pop them in with your other clothes and right into the drier afterward. Available in four colors, these pants won’t be out of place in a traditional office environment either, where business casual is the norm. Right in our average price range, these pants are cut and designed to impress.
Pros
- More refined look than traditional work pants
- Still rugged enough to be on the job site
- Low cost
Cros
- Normal cut may not work for some
- Could use at least one more pocket for storage
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No.3 Wrangler RIGGS Ranger Work Pant Best For: Best Construction Work Pants Reason for listing: The best heavy-duty work pants will be unobtrusive and keep you protected while providing easy access to your tools. These are the pants that do all of those things and don’t cost more than they should. The best construction work pants will be durable, have few stress points, and not break the bank. The Wrangler RIGGS Ranger Work Pant check the boxes, and at the lower end of our price range, they’ll do it for less. Made from 100% Cotton Ripstop Fabric with a relaxed fit, these work pants are developed specifically for you to move and get the job done. They include lots of space for storage, including a hammer loop, leather tape measure clip, side, back and front watch pockets as well as roomy front pockets. The gusset crotch provides important durability and mobility. Wrangler is known for making some of the best denim pants out there – these cotton canvas pants are perfect for the man at work.
Pros
- Available in a variety of colors
- About average price range
- Ripstop fabric
Cros
- For true heavy work only – not stylish
- May be bulky for smaller men
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No.4 Proof Schoeller Trek Pant Best For: Best Hot Weather Work Pants Reason for listing: You should ensure that your work pants do exactly what you need them to do – if you need to get building done in hot climates that are remote, the Proof Scholler Trek Pant is the perfect pair of mountain khakis and the best summer work pants for you. Designed and woven in Switzerland, the Proof Schoeller Trek Pants are made specifically for adventures of any kind, from navigating the mountains to building on the construction site. The double weave design and custom PFC-free fabric keep you dry and cool in the warmer months. It’s important to note that the fabric is necessarily thinner and subject to ripping – additionally, they are quite expensive at the absolute top of our price range. Still, if you’re trekking and need to do some building along the way, these Proof pants provide the pocket space and color choices to get the job done in style.
Pros
- Perfect fabric for warmer weather
- Wicking
- Adjustable drawstring enclosures
Cros
- Very expensive
- Lighter material
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No.5 Dickie’s Double Knee Work Pant Best For: Best Cheap (Affordable) Work Pants Reason for listing: Watching your budget isn’t all bad, and you can likely get away with a pair or two of less expensive work pants. These are the ones that will get the job done and hold your budget down. These may be the best affordable work pants on our list, but it doesn’t mean Dickies’ Double Knee Work Pants are any less functional. They do have fewer pockets but are available in a variety of colors with an easy machine-washable fabric. Deep front and back pockets allow for the wearer to get what they need. The distinctive tunnel belt loops also add a touch of that Dickie’s style.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Stylish
- Available in many colors
Cros
- Logo label on the front left leg may not work for all
- Not cotton
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No.6 Duluth Trading Fire Hose Cargo Work Pants Best For: Best Cargo Work Pants Reason for listing: Duluth is relatively new on the online front, but has been producing great products for years – it shows with their Fire Hose work pants one of the best options out there. Firehoses are heavy, and so are these Duluth Trading Fire Hose Cargo Pants. Absolutely made for work with maximum storage, these pants are crafted from 100% cotton canvas and repel stains, water, and fire. The mid-leg utility pockets have in or out enclosures, and triple-stitched seams keep everything where it should be. The prewashed canvas means you get a broken-in feel right out of the box. At the average point in our price range, they are well within the realm for folks who need a sturdier pant for their work. The hidden gusset makes crouching and squatting easy without cutting into your important bits. Available in two earth-tone colors in a standard fit.
Pros
- Inseam and waist sizing
- Rugged as all get out
- Hidden gusset
Cros
- Would like to see a relaxed fit option
- The darker color option would be nice
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No.7 5.11 Tactical Taclite Work Pants Reason for listing: While some reviewers note that the cut is a bit tight, the plethora of pockets and neat Teflon coating mean that the pants are perfect for getting out there. Tactical wear doesn’t have to look like a policemen’s uniform, and the 5.11 Tactical Taclite Pro work pants definitely do not. Probably one of the coolest features here is the Teflon finish on the pants, which resists stains, wear, and soil without compromising the breathability of the pants themselves. Taclite ripstop fabric is constructed from a polyester-cotton blend that makes the pants sturdy and flexible. The crotch is fully gusseted, making stretching and reaching easy. Available in a whole host of different colors, the pants are foam kneepad ready, and right in the middle of our price range to boot.
Pros
- Plethora of pockets
- Fixed D-Ring on the hip
- Teflon coated
Cros
- Reviewers note that the cut is tight
- Casual look
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No.8 Filson Oil Finish Double Tin Pants Reason for listing: Sometimes you need a pair of pants that will stand up to anything, including water, fire, sparks, and weather. The Filson Oil Finish Double Tin Pants are the investment you want to make, as long as you’re okay taking on their care. These aren’t so much pants as they are a protective covering for your legs. The Filson Oil Finish Double Tin Pants are button fly with a snap top, water repellent, and a roomy cut. These oil canvas pants are made from 15 oz. tin cloth that is perfect for hunting, fishing, field, or work. Available in hemmed and unhemmed lengths, these Filson pants are the toughest out there and have the price point to prove it, at the very top of our range. They cannot be washed and must be brushed clean as well as reoiled to keep the fabric supple and waterproof. With two slash pockets, a coin pocket, and two rear utility pockets, these are perfect for welders or those who need as much protection as you can get.
Pros
- The strongest pair of pants you can buy
- Wide leg opening
- Button fly with bottom hem options
Cros
- Very difficult to care for
- Expensive
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