The 25 Best Work Pants For Men Are Built To Last

For every time you’re able to reach for slim dark denim or cool corduroys or go-anywhere chinos during the winter months, there are times where you simply have to get down to business. A new season, like the impending shift to spring (slowly but surely!) throws this into even sharper relief. For those times, you need a durable, rugged and dependable pair of pants cut out for work this season and beyond. So, what you really need is one of our picks (or more) for the best work pants for men, as it were.

The great thing about durable work pants is that plenty of them feature the same DNA as other favorite pants in your arsenal — including a dependable fit and quality construction — yet this breed of pants features something a little more, well, work-ready.  

There’s not a better time of year to stock up on dependable work pants than right now. The changing of the seasons seems to call out for gear that can get the job done — regardless of what the weather is like outside. Be it a crisp, unexpectedly cool spring morning with dew still wet on the grass, or a hard day of work in the field that swiftly turns into an evening’s work lit by lamps and fire light — yes, your work pants have to be able to do it all.

Brunt Workwear The Torra Pants

Work in comfort, style, and convenience with the Torra Pants by Brunt Workwear. These pants are crafted using a high-quality, ultra-tough blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex. The two-way stretch (plus the addition of articulated knees) gives you amazing freedom of movement so you can bend, squat, crouch, and work on your knees without the pants pulling or squeezing.

Thanks to the five pocket design (including large slanted back pockets), you’ve got storage space enough for your essential tools or EDC loadout. And to ensure they can handle daily work use without fraying or tearing, they’ve been reinforced at the belt loops and the corner of your pocket where you clip your tools. Get ready for hard-working, long-lasting reliability. 

Taylor Stitch Chore Pants

For those daily to-dos around the house, you’ll want to give the Taylor Stitch Chore Pants a try. Custom-designed unique for Taylor Stitch, these loose-fitting, free-moving pants combine comfort and durability in just the right balance. The addition of hemp into the canvas blend makes them both tough and eco-friendly, organic cotton adds softness, spandex adds just enough stretch to make them suitable for any task, and recycled polyester gives them extra toughness to withstand hardcore daily use.

Once you slip them on, you’ll find they feel like your favorite pair of worn-in work pants thanks to their stone wash. All that, and they’re just a downright handsome pair of pants, too. 

Filson Oil Finish Single Tin Cloth Pants

Planning on working in wet, rainy, or dirty conditions? The Filson Oil Finish Single Tin Cloth Pants will be your go-to for sure. They’re made from “tin cloth”, a type of waxed pure cotton canvas that is finished with an oil treatment that adds durability and natural resilience to water, dirt, and stains.

The waxed canvas will do wonders to keep you dry in even inclement weather, but it’ll also develop a lovely patina over time, making them ever-more unique with every wear. The built-in suspender buttons make it easy to add extra support if you plan on loading up your tool belt. Thanks to the roomy seat and legs, you’ll have total freedom of movement in every position. 

Carhartt Force Relaxed Fit Ripstop Utility Pants

I (Andy) have been a Carhartt fan for years, and their Force Relaxed Fit Ripstop Utility Pants is my go-to for work pants whether I’m running errands, laying flooring, or hauling lumber. The combination of cotton and polyester makes them nicely tough but also surprisingly lightweight and breathable. Plus, the Force and FastDry technologies ensures they both wick sweat away and dry quickly.

The articulated knees, gusseted crotch, and roomy fit makes them perfect for thicker guys like me. Thanks to all the pockets—including three thigh took pockets and two large back pockets—I’ve got room enough to keep all of my most important tools within easy reach on the job.

Under Armour Enduro Elite Cargo Pants

On the days I plan to move a lot and expect to sweat hard, I (Andy) will usually throw on my Under Armour Enduro Elite Cargo Pants because I know they’re built for active use. They’re built as tough and versatile as Under Armour’s technical pants, but come with contractor-specific features like a built-in badge clip on the belt loops, an interior knife pocket, zip-back pockets, and secure Velcro closures on the cargo pockets.

Thanks to the UA Storm technology, the pants will shrug off water, splashes, and mud, but they’re still wonderfully breathable so my legs don’t overheat on those sweltering summer days. My favorite feature, though, is the stretchy waistband, which moves and flexes with me, keeping my pants cinched tight in place (no more plumber’s crack) without constricting my waist or hips.

1620 Double Knee Utility Pants 2.0

When you want durable work pants with all the right bells and whistles, and nothing that will get in your way or slow you down, you want work pants like this pair from 1620 USA.

With articulated knees and a gusseted crotch for ease of movement, these pants feature everything from a split tool/pen pocket (on the left leg) to watch and phone pockets. They’ll handle your everyday carry and your essential gear with ease, no matter how much work you’ve got to get done.

Duluth Trading Fire Hose Cargo Work Pants

You’ve seen the ads for the Duluth Trading Fire Hose Work Pants, right? While we don’t know if these pants are quite that hard-wearing, we do know that they’re more than dependable and durable for any situation you can think of in the cold months to come. Made with fire hose cotton canvas, these pants are actually pre-washed for softness — without losing any durability.

Triple-stitched seams provide another dash of toughness, while the brand’s Comfortable Crouch Gusset and FendOff fabric treatment are design touches that set Duluth Trading (and the Fire Hose Pants) apart.

KUHL The Law Jeans

Jeans were arguably the original work pants, prized for their durability and utility in the wild West. That same spirit holds true with KUHL’s The Law Jeans, which are brought into the 21st century thanks to the brand’s KNOCKABOUT cloth.

This is a stretch canvas fabric resistant to tears and abrasions, so it shouldn’t be flimsy in the slightest. The only thing missing from your workwear wardrobe is a thermal shirt and a waxed trucker jacket to step from winter into spring.

Dickies Men’s Tough Max Duck Carpenter Pant

It wouldn’t be a guide to the best men’s work pants without including Dickies, a pioneering brand that’s still got you covered from head to toe through adverse conditions and tough jobs. It’s the right blend of fabrication and hard-wearing construction that places Dickies work pants a cut above the rest, and the Duck Carpenter Pants shine through.

Added pockets for everyday carry essentials, plus that time-tested Dickies fabric, make these a must-have to gear up for spring yard work. 

Truewerk T1 WerkPants

Although you need your work pants to be hearty and rugged, it’s often tough to find a pair that’s breathable enough for hot spring and summer days. That problem is met head-on with the Truewerk T1 Werk Pants, made with the same abrasion and tear-resistant fabric you know and love, but with a warm-weather twist. They also happen to be lightweight and quick-drying, proving that you can work hard and stay cool all the while. 

Men’s Wolverine Steelhead Stretch Pant

Get ready for a beautiful blend of durability and versatility. These Steelhead Stretch Pants are made of incredibly tough canvas with just enough stretch (from the one percent spandex) to let you move easily no matter how active your work.

The natural waist, loose seat and thighs, and wide leg style makes them supremely comfortable, and compatible with the heaviest work boots. Made for work but suitable for leisure, they’re an excellent when you want to transition from job site to off-duty in style.

Carhartt Work In Progress Aviation Cargo Pants

Carhartt is renowned around North America for its tough, durable, reliable work clothing, and these Aviation Cargo pants live up to the reputation. With built-in cargo pockets, drawstring cuffs for maximum protection, articulated knees for mobility, and ripstop fabric that make them uber-resistant to tearing, these straight-cut, comfort-fit pants are made specifically for hard-working guys like you. 

Howler Brothers ATX Work Pants

For those days you need work clothes as tough as you are, give these Howler Brothers pants a try. Made from a blend of cotton, Cordura nylon, and elastane, they’re durable, hard-wearing, beautifully comfortable, and have just enough elasticity to be versatile for any job you’re doing.

The reinforced panels at the knee and kick plate ensure your pants don’t wear out in the place they’re most likely to when moving around the job site, and the crotch gusset allows for wonderful freedom of movement whether you’re roofing, plumbing, or doing electrical work. Though the fit is straight-leg, the legs are roomy enough to fit your work boots or shoes. Thanks to the heavy-duty metal snap closure on the back pockets, your EDC items will stay securely in place all day long. 

L.L. Bean Men’s Riverton Pants with Stretch

L.L. Bean may not be the first brand to springs to mind when you think of work wear, but hold your judgement until you give these pants a try. The Riverton Pants are made with a blend of cotton and synthetic fabrics that stretch and move with you, making it easy to kneel, stand, squat, climb, or crawl.

The combination of gusseted crotch and articulated knees are ideal for wearing with a tool belt and/or knee pads, and the roomy fit in the seat and thighs only enhances your mobility. For storage, you’ve got a whopping seven pockets, including two cargo pockets and a secure knife pocket. Best of all, they’re as hard-wearing as any other work pants on our list, but look and feel more like your favorite casual chinos or jeans. 

Filson Anchorage Work Pants

Looking for a pair of work pants that let you move from the job site to the office and back again? Give the Filson Anchorage work pants a second look. They look like a classy pair of slacks (standard office-wear), but they’re made from a tough blend of cotton and polyester that can stand up to the rigors of a job site.

Thanks to the seven waist band loops, you’ve got support enough for even a work belt and tool belt. You’ll love how quickly these pants dry (thanks to the fast-drying synthetic fabric) so you can keep going even if the weather is rainy or your work conditions are wet. The midweight fabric is a bit too hot for summer days, but it’ll keep you warm from autumn to spring.  

Stio Men’s Rivet Canvas Utility Pant

Whatever kind of job you’re doing, the Stio Men’s Rivet Canvas Utility Pant can handle it.  The organic cotton used for the pants is tough and eco-friendly, and the addition of synthetic fibers gives it just enough stretch to keep your moving easily, no matter how busy you are.

With five pockets, including a back thigh phone pocket, you’ve got enough storage space for all your most essential EDC items, plus room to spare. Best of all, they’re designed for not only the job site, but you can take them hiking, camping, or trekking and trust they’ll handle the rigors of any outdoor environment. 

Patagonia Men’s Iron Forge Hemp 5-Pocket Pants

For contractors, plumbers, electricians, and anyone who spends significant amount of times working down low, these are the pants for you. Built from tough industrial hemp, they’re more durable than your average workwear, capable of shrugging scuffs, abrasions, and the rubbing of knee pads or tool belts.

The integrated synthetic fabric gives them stretch enough that you can kneel, crawl, or squat comfortably all day long. Eco-friendly consumers will be thrilled to know the pants are Fair Trade certified sewn and made using 87% recycled materials. Plus, you know how “green” hemp is, so it’s a product you can be proud to support.

Outdoor Research Men’s Lined Work Pants 

Shrug off the winter’s chill with these work pants. As the name makes clear, the Outdoor Research Men’s Lined Work Pants feature an inner lining of flannel that increases both resilience and warmth. Your legs will stay toasty even in wintry conditions, and the addition of a DWR coating onto the waxed cotton exterior enables them to shrug off rain or melted snow with ease.

The seat and knees have both been reinforced with added water protection so you can sit or kneel trusting the pants to keep you dry and warm all day long. As for functionality, you’ll love how the right thigh knife pocket keeps your EDC tool within easy reach. For the price, you won’t find many more winter-friendly pants.

Olivers Carpenter Pants

Carpenters, take note: these pants will serve you well on the job site, but they’re also amazing for world traveling, hiking, and camping. The pockets are sized just right for all your every day tools (cutter blade, knife, tape measure, ruler, etc.) and give you more than enough space for the essentials you haul around all day long.

Thanks to the stretch fabric woven into the cotton canvas, you’ll have great freedom of movement and protection against cuts, sparks, wood chips, and other flying debris. The pants are also amazing at retaining heat, so they’ll keep you warm when the weather cools. From the moment you put them on, they’ll feel broken-in and well-loved. Guaranteed to become your new favorite work pants.

Ariat Rebar M4 Durastretch Work Pants

Looking for budget-friendly workwear? Look no further then the Ariat Rebar M4 Durastretch Work Pants. Sold at a price tag significantly lower than most of the rest on our list, they’re a great bargain buy and a backup in case your primary work pants break or split on you.

They’re sturdy and comfortable, with a good amount of stretch and flex to maximize versatility on the job site. The triple-needle stitching on all the seams keeps them from breaking no matter how hard you wear them. What they lack in additional pockets and storage space, they more than make up for in mobility. Always keep a pair or two in your closet so you’ve got a spare pair of quality works pants.

Kuhl Above The Law Work Pants

Waxed canvas isn’t only useful for jackets—KUHL proves it can be a surprisingly practical and sturdy material to use for work pants, too. The Above The Law Work Pants are made from heavyweight cotton canvas finished with a light layer of wax that doesn’t compromise mobility or make the pants too heavy, but adds a layer of weatherproofing and stain-resistance.

The articulation in the knees ensure maximum freedom of movement, but the reinforcing in the thighs and knees adds durability and tear-resistance that will ensure they’ll last for months of hard daily use on a job site. Best of all, the thighs feature zippered vents that let you let out air if your legs start to sweat, but can be zipped up to keep out wind on chilly days.

Patagonia All Seasons Hemp Canvas Double Knee Pants

Say goodbye to heavy cotton canvas work pants, and hello to canvas made out of eco-friendly, ultra-sturdy, and lightweight hemp. The hemp canvas used for Patagonia’s All Seasons work pants will be immediately comfortable from the moment you slide them on, no break-in time needed. Hemp is also a much tougher material than cotton, so you can trust the pants will last you for longer than your favorite jeans or cotton canvas workwear.

There’s just a touch of polyester worked into the hemp canvas to give you a more “advanced” fabric with greater breathability and versatility than plain hemp. Thanks to the deep drop-in pockets on the front and back, you’ve got storage space for all your tools and EDC necessaries. 

Buck Mason Craftsman Canvas Ford Standard Work Pants

The Buck Mason Craftsman Canvas Ford Standard Work Pants strike just the right balance between form and function, delivering a pair of work pants that both look good and wear hard. The sueded-finish and garment-washed “West Coast vibe” is relaxed and stylish, but at the end of the day, the cotton canvas is stretchy and sturdy enough that they’ll be perfectly at home on a job site or crawling around under your house.

With their mid-rise cut, you can wear them with a collar shirt tucked in, a polo shirt pulled over it, or a work shirt and work belt for all your tools. Best of all, they’re so lightweight you’ll barely feel them all day long.

Volcom Workwear Caliper Pants

The Volcom Workwear Caliper Pants are built to be a modern handyman’s best friend. Crafted using Nylon 66 yarns blended with cotton and elastane, they’re beautifully sturdy and protective while also being comfortable enough to wear over a full work day.

The straight leg with its sixteen-inch opening makes them ideal to wear over your work boots and work shoes, and fit is loose enough to allow good freedom of movement without being baggy or getting in your way. To ensure they’re extra sturdy, the pants are triple-needle stitched and reinforced at the knees, belt loops, and bottom hem. You’ve also got plenty of storage space for your most-used tools thanks to the seven pockets (front, back, cargo, and utility).  

5.11 Tactical Meridian Pants

With 5.11, you know you’re getting action-ready clothing built to endure even the harshest urban or combat environments you can face. No surprise, then, that their Tactical Meridian Pants earns a spot on our list. These pants are built tough, using a blend of lightweight cotton, sturdy nylon, and flexible elastane.

With six integrated pockets, you’ll have room enough to keep your EDC loadout close at hand, or to carry all your necessary tools sans tool belt. Details like articulated knees, a contoured waistband, and integrated vents all conspire to make these pants as comfortable as they are hard-wearing. 

Snickers 37.5 Insulated Pants

The Snickers 37.5 Insulated Pants are the ideal winter and cold-weather gear for one simple reason: they’re designed to keep your lower body at a balanced 37.5 degrees (hence the name) even in the dead of winter. The pants feature advanced synthetic insulation capable of repelling cold and wind, all inside a polyamide shell that’s tough enough to withstand the rigors of any workplace or job site.

Thanks to added features like Cordura reinforced kneepad pockets with expansion pleats, reflective stripes on the legs, a myriad of pockets, and straps to secure your leg ends to your shoes, they’re a tradesman’s best friend. 

T2 WerkPant

Hard-wearing and good-looking? Yes, please. The T2 WerkPant is designed to be versatile enough to wear during the work week and on the weekend, with a stylish cut, sharp-looking finish, and comfortable, flexible fit. The technical fabric will serve you well in all but the coldest winters, and will even shrug off rain, snow, and sleet.

With a whopping eight pockets (including a right thigh pocket for your smartphone), you’ve got storage space enough for your basic tools with room to spare. With the two-button closure, you can trust they’ll stay securely in place even once you slip out of your tool belt. 

Dickies Temp-iQ 365 Tech Duck Pants

During cold weather, hot weather, and everything in between, these pants are built for it all. The Temp-iQ 365 pants are crafted to keep in the heat during the chilly days and keep you cool on those summer scorchers. The articulated knees are crafted so that the pants move easily even if you’re wearing knee pads, but the knee pad pockets are a great backup plan if you want to trim down your work gear.

The extendable belt loop and detachable holster pocket make organizing your tool loadout a breeze. For guys who need a bit more room in the “downstairs area”, the crotch gusset lets everything hang cool and easy all day long.

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