Besides the right tools, the right attire also plays a big role in the proper execution of your task. This is why working pants are a true essential for those who are working in various industries, be in the manufacturing field, carpentry, or construction.
The right working pants should not just provide enough protection to your skin but should also serve other functions and comfort. They are usually made of cotton and spandex that make them heavy-duty. Nonetheless, they are still capable of providing stretch to allow you to move with comfort while executing your task.
That being said, asking the help of carpenters, welders, factory workers, and other individuals in the relevant fields, we rounded up the best working pants this 2021. Besides their quality, durability, features, and comfort, we ranked them according to their performance during a series of tests we conducted.
So, join us and discover the best fit for you among the five highly-recommended working pants in the market. Also, feel free to click on the buttons below the product reviews to see the best offers they currently have on Amazon.
Best Work Pants Comparison & Rating
1. CQR Men's Tactical Pants
Brand | CQR |
Materials | polyester and cotton rip-stop fabric |
Pockets | 8 |
Color | Black, Charcoal, Khaki, Stone, Navy, Marpet, Coyote, Marine Desert, Dark Brown, Tundra, Utility Camo |
What standouts about these CQR pants is the fashionable design they have which is a mixture of military and law enforcement themes. Nonetheless, besides the satisfying aesthetic of the pants, it also offers great quality for the parts of pants that commonly face issues; buttons and zippers. The button has a solid feel and attached firmly to the pants’ material while the zipper offers a smooth zipping experience. The Duratex fabric also managed to perfectly repel liquids, dirt, and other contaminants during our test even when performed up to three times. The cotton rip-stop fabric materials in gusseted construction and knee-bending cut are very helpful in retaining the shape of the pants. However, keep in mind that the said materials and features just allow the pants to “breathe” and stretch a little but not to the point that you could say that the entire item is elastic. But given the performance and the features it can offer, it is certainly a perfect pair of work pants that can adapt to your outdoor and work activities.
2. UNIONBAY Men's Survivor Relaxed Fit Cargo Pants
Brand | UNIONBAY |
Materials | Cotton |
Pockets | 8 |
Color | Black, Golden Brown, Grey Goose, True Navy, Desert, Rye, Leaf, Dugout, and Saddle |
Besides the comfort the cotton material brings, it is also made the entire pants a cozy item that can maintain the body heat of the user making it an ideal pair for cold seasons. The pair also provides the right relaxed fit that can adjust to the movements of the individual wearing it. Also, we are very pleased that these work pants are a truly good fit for tall people. This was one of the common issues we encountered with some brands due to the limited sizes they offer. But UNIONBAY certainly knows how to handle this. Testing it with a participant that is 6’6” in height and 315 pounds in weight, we were able to see how perfect the pair was for individuals with huge built. Generally, the crotch and buttock section of the pants are a bit loose but this will give you enough room to move and be comfortable, especially if you are one big, bulky person.
3. Wrangler Riggs Workwear Men's Ranger Pants
Brand | Wrangler Riggs Workwear |
Materials | cotton |
Pockets | 7 |
Color | Loden, Bark, Black, Dark Brown, and Navy |
If there is one thing we really love about Wrangler Riggs Workwear Men's Ranger Pants, it is the genius construction of its design. It features a relaxed fit, especially in the sections of seat, thigh, knee, and even in the opening of pants giving your boots just the right space to fit. The Ripstop material that is used for these pants is rather sturdy enough to provide an effective layer of protection against various elements while working in the workplace. Testing it for a welding task, the pants impressively repelled hot sparks that prevented the participant to feel the temperature from the element. Besides the reinforced knees, it also offers special features such as a dirt drop vent and a hammer loop that truly makes it a worker-friendly pair of pants.
4. LA Police Gear Men's Water-Resistant Operator Tactical Pants
Brand | LA Police Gear |
Materials | Polyester and Cotton |
Pockets | 8 |
Color | Coyote Brown, Grey, Navy, Old Green, Sierra, Charcoal, Khaki, Black, Ranger Green, and Boulder |
The mixture of polyester and the cotton Ripstop fabric in this pair ensures you’ll get both comfort and durability for your work pants. It is also ergonomically designed to give you quick access to pants. One notable feature that proves this is the cargo pockets’ pass through along the top center edge of the flap. It also boasts additional layers of padding to give you comfort, especially when kneeling while performing your task or if you find yourself sitting for long hours. The pocket of the pants is also a major selling point about the item. Since most of the pants we have encountered offered very small storage spaces, we are really satisfied by how spacious its pockets are. As a matter of fact, you can put place an entire iPad mini comfortably in its cargo pocket.
5. Caterpillar Men's H2o Defender Pants
Brand | Caterpillar |
Materials | Cotton, Polyester, Elastane |
Pockets | 6 |
Color | Black-Graphite and Black Sand-Graphite. |
The collective qualities of cotton, polyester, and elastane in Caterpillar Men's H2o Defender Pants enable the item to repel water more effectively than other models in the market. On the other hand, this same H2O flex feature allows stretching movements giving the user the optimal result in each moment. Beyond this, it is also worth mentioning that it promises great durability, thanks to the scuff guards in extra durable nylon oxford. We also love that it is capable of holding your tucked-in shirts in place and the wide area for the knee pads. There is a divider in the knee pad pocket allowing you to put two knee pads into each side. So, if you are concerned about the typical issues of having the knee pads not covering your knees whenever there is a need to kneel, this pair is for you.
Best Work Pants - Buyer's Guide
The features of the work pants are some of the essential points you should first consider before buying them. Make sure that besides the durability of the materials, the pants would offer additional features for safety, the durability of the item, and even function.
The construction of the work pants would determine how comfortable they will be for you. Since work pants are meant to be worn at work that demands flexible movements, it is important to get a pair that will allow you in any way you want without any signs of wearing or ripping.
The materials used in the production of pants say a lot about the overall durability and product life of the items. While they also affect the comfort the pants would provide, materials are also great factors that will define the pants’ durability since such a kind of pants is often used while performing heavy-duty tasks. With the right materials, supported with the right construction, you’ll get effective work pants for your specific task.
Identify first the main purpose of the pants. By doing so, you’ll be able to determine the important features you need to seek from the item. For instance, if your profession requires considerable exposure to dirt, sparks, or water, it is best to have a pair of work pants that can give you enough protection from those elements. Or if you need to kneel for a long period of time at work, choose the pair that has quality detail for knee pads.
Keep in mind that getting the cheapest pair would not always assure you that you would get the best deal. Likewise, getting an expensive one would not always provide you all the features you need. That is why there is a need to tick all the boxes on your checklist for all the features you need and look for the pants that offer them at the most reasonable price.
Best Work Pants - FAQs
No, they are not. Work pants vary differently from materials and functions. Some are meant to serve needs from various fields such as carpentry, welding, plumbing, and a lot more.
Originally, jeans were treated as work pants. However, as time passed and the needs in performing various tasks also elevated, work pants are being innovated now by using other kinds of materials such as cotton, polyester, elastane, and more.
Work pants don’t just dress you to be appropriately presentable at work. They also serve as a layer of protection for your skin, especially when you are exposed to various elements such as water, dirt, fire, and dust.
The size of the pockets should depend not just on your preference but so as on the needs and demands of your work. If you are in an industry that often uses small or thin tools such as screwdrivers, a stick, or a hammer, go for pockets that are small enough to hold them. However, if you have bigger items to hold, get spacious pockets.
