Work Pants

[Larry Caldwell]

My work pants are either Carhartt (1 bib, 2 carpenter) or Dickies in cotton duck, one pair of Rustlers in a heavy denim. My denim jeans are "to to town" pants, too flimsy to stand up to a work environment. In the summer I wear cargo shorts of various brands. Suspenders with everything but the bibs. I never warmed a desk chair long enough to develop fundament spread, so suspenders are the only way to keep my pants above my ankles.

I don't use the pockets on pants much. If I'm really working, I grab a multi-pouch leather tool belt, also with wide suspenders, that will hold 20 lbs of tools.

 

[71bronco]

Been a bricklayer for 41 yrs. Carpenter pants in the summer and bibs in the winter. Folding rule almost always in the side pocket.

Jeff

 

[Snobdds]

Carhart is good stuff, but their sizing sucks. I mean absolutely sucks.

I have so many dress slacks and collard shirts that really don't have a purpose after their done with office duty. So I wear them around the ranch sometimes. Out doing work with old slacks, white collard shirt, and black dress shoes. It's a sight but better than throwing them out.

 

[jyoutz]

Oh, and I learned recently that cargo pants are completely out of style, which is why they've gotten hard to find. Only old men wear them, I'm told.

Cabelas and other outdoor sporting goods stores sell lots of cargo pants. They are still popular with people who work or play outdoors. Hikers, hunters, and foresters still wear them.

 

[fatjay]

I wear LAPG Basic Operator pants with the elastic waistband at work and love them. When they are no longer presentable enough for my job I use them as "at home" work pants. I bought a few more pair in different colors to wear out and about or to church. Most comfortable pants I've worn yet, and they aren't super expensive (they used to be $30 but I see inflation has moved them up to $35). I agree they are better for summer use, but I throw a set of thermals on if I'm outside in the winter regardless.

LAPG still has periodic sales for $17-22 on their pants. Typically when changing season.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

My go-to pants have been sweats for years, extra thick cotton. However I seem to have entered a phase of life where all my pants are suddenly both too long and too big in the waist, and my socks also are too large. It was so bad I finally picked up a couple of pairs of suspenders, but they really don't work well with sweats, I end up looking more like I'm wearing clown pants with inches of space all around my waist between body and pants, and the assembly just falls apart at unfortunate times.

I recently bought my first pair of Carhartt duck bib overalls, ordered them +2 waist. They were enormous, but shrunk in a nice way after a hot wash/dry. The material is tough, so far I like them, and it's nice not to have pants falling down or suspenders unclipping. I did the "try before you buy" thing on amazon, and tried a few sizes +/- in various dimensions. It all worked pretty well.

 

[Torvy]

Dickies coveralls. When it is hot, you just wear shorts and a t-shirt under. If you live up Nort', you can layer more and/or get the insulated ones.

@Snobdds I have been wondering what to do with all of those work clothes. The green briars will shred my work clothes and then me. I was going to donate about 80% and keep a couple for when the home boss decides I need to wear something other than shorts or sweats. I am picturing you as Eddie Albert in Green Acres.

 

[Captsteve57]

Look at Duluth trading

 

[TMGT]

Duluth fire hose work pants are my go too, not cheap but very comfortable for me with good flexibility so they won't get you bound up! Very tough and have saved me from a few injuries over the years.
I have managed to wear out a couple pairs but it takes some effort.

Sent from my SM-G715U1 using TractorByNet mobile app

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I also wear the Duluth Trading firehose flex cargo pants in the "relaxed fit". Order them one size longer, because they will shrink a little in the length over time (had to return the first pairs for shrinking). They are not cheap pants, but they wear like iron, and the "flex" version of the pants are very comfortable. The "standard" firehose pants (don't say "Flex" in the name) are not nearly as comfortable and the rougher weave of the fabric I found was itchy on hot days.

The flex cargo pants are very comfortable and do stretch when you need them to. The weave of the fabric is much tighter, which I think is partly why they wear so much better.

https://www.duluthtrading.com/mens-...ens-pants#feature=mn5&start=1&cgid=mens-pants

The main reason I bought these pants was actually for the pockets. They make the pockets out of the same material that the pants are made from. The reason that matters to me is because for work, I carry an insane number of keys in my pockets. These are small keys for opening various system control panels. I work on life safety and access systems, and every single brand has their own separate little key to open the panels. I carry 3 large rings of keys in my right front pocket and I was constantly getting stabbed in leg (or worse spot) with keys poking through the fabric of the pants pocket when wearing blue jeans. Seems like almost every single maker of pants has decided to make their inner pocket fabric out of tissue paper these days.

I also like the big roomy cargo pockets on the sides. I can carry several tools at once, and still not have to clip on a belt pouch, or wear my big tool belt full of tools. Often times I can complete a service repair with just a flashlight, 11 in 1 screw driver, and a wire cutter/strippers in my side pockets.

 

[Fuddy1952]

I keep checking the Duluth site for men's briefs. When they're available in brown with suspenders I'll order some.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I keep checking the Duluth site for men's briefs. When they're available in brown with suspenders I'll order some.

That's not a mental picture I need on a Saturday...

 

[Fuddy1952]

My briefs always end up around my knees, I think wife's Chlorox rots the elastic. She says bleach is necessary.
Thought you'd like to know.

 

[Waynebob126]

I wear the Dickies Carpenter pants daily. To me, they fit better than the Carhart and are about half the price.

I’ve recently been wearing some of the TSC branded Ridgecut Ultimate Work pants. So far I’ve been happy with them. They do get just as hot as the Dickies but they seem to dry faster.

I also love my Liberty bibs! I have a pair of the Dickies bibs but to me the back pockets sit too high and are hard to access. I would wear bib overalls year round however, my job would frown on that.

 

[kenmac]

it's Carhartt double fronts for me. Pretty tough pants !

 

[two_bit_score]

it's Carhartt double fronts for me. Pretty tough pants !

Can you still get the same fabric in regular Carhartt carpenter pants?

The double fronts seem to be the only way to get the original rigid cotton duck Carhartt’s.

Im not a fan of all these “soft, stretchy“ work pants.

 

[workinallthetime]

I have worn the fire hose pants for years, just recently moved to the lighter "flex" version. The Flex version is great for traveling on the road or air, TSA doesn't really like them or i just have a face that says "pat me down big fella".
I still keep a few pairs of the thick ones for working outside around the place. They are not cheap but neither are stitches.
Their customer service is outstanding.

 

[kenmac]

Can you still get the same fabric in regular Carhartt carpenter pants?

The double fronts seem to be the only way to get the original rigid cotton duck Carhartt’s.

Im not a fan of all these “soft, stretchy“ work pants.

I have no idea. These I buy are some type of canvas I believe. Not sure but they sure are stiff new

 

[Boss 302]

Carhartt's for me, I especially like the fact that they are briar proof.

 

[arizona98tj]

I wore jeans this past summer and they got heavy and soaked in sweat. Very uncomfortable.

I found some used work pants (link below) for about 7 or 8 bucks a pair. Good shape, lightweight, wash out clean from diesel fuel and the sawdust. I bought 2 pairs and think they will outlast me.

https://usedworkclothing.com/

May not be trendy but great for working outdoors.

I gave this place a try the other day.....waiting for the order to arrive. Thanks for the link.

Update: The package arrived and I am completely satisfied with the quality of the "used" pants.