The 17 Best Work Pants for Men in 2024, Tested by Gear Editors

The best overall blue ribbon gets pinned on this standup pair of pants from TRUEWERK. They proved top of the heap in all of our major categories and considerations, feeling good, looking good, and down for any kind of work you could dream up.

The pockets are so sleek they practically blend into the pants while the four-way stretch fabric spells elasticity to the max. We found the exterior to be virtually un-tearable while the interior vented well and stayed cool, even during the sweatiest of activities. While the crotch is gusseted, the articulated knees mean lateral and quicker movements are a breeze.

Our testing revealed a great-fitting pair of pants that we never really wanted to take off. It’s a bit of a cliche to talk about not having to worry about your clothes so you can focus on the task at hand but there’s a real truth to that here. At times, it felt like we were wearing a second layer of skin, one with tons of cool features like smartly-shaped and placed pockets (no-snag pen and knife pockets, for example) and enough support to assist the most daring mountaineer or intrepid handyman.

Read more: Best Work Boots for Men

The Amazon Essentials work pants are barebones, but they get the job. Over 2,000 five-star reviews are attributed to these bad boys, with reviews pointing out the pants are “as tough as a duffel bag” and have smart features like reinforced heels (a surprising rarity for most work pants).

The fact you can buy these pants in several different colors and they cost less than $30 makes them a solid work pant buy. They will hold up admirably, but in the even you notice they’re wearing down faster than expected, you can simply go re-up on a fresh pair and have them at your door in 1-2 days.

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Work doesn’t stop just because the weather changes. This coming winter, don’t let the cold weather get the best of you with these flannel-lined pants from Carhartt. They also offer plenty of storage with several accessible pockets—including a dedicated cell phone pocket on the leg.

During testing, we were also drawn to the relaxed fit and right amount of stretch, thanks to a small percentage of spandex. They kept their shape and feel after lots of hours of labor and the reinforced belt loops prove their worth. The insulation levels are great for the colder months and we were impressed by how they kept chilly winds at bay.

Who said work pants can’t be stylish? This pair from Dickies is office-friendly enough for meetings and presentations—while still providing durable protection with a heavyweight twill for when you head back to the job site.

When wearing these pants, we loved how sturdy and wrinkle-resistant they were. When testing, we also enjoyed how the 874 allows enough space to wear our boots with, as well as the fact the waist closure was secure and kept shirts tucked in without ever sagging down onto the hips either. Looking good while logging the hours, that’s how it should be.

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Carhartt Men’s Rugged Flex 5-Pocket Tapered Work Pant

Some guys don’t like the baggy relaxed fit, we get it. We found Carhartt’s widely popular Rugged Flex pant in a tapered cut gave us the most amount of room while also keeping a slimming look. The canvas on the pant has just the right amount of toughness, all while staying comfortable and true to fit.

Carhartt also makes sure to work in a good amount of stretch so you can bend and get low in them. Here’s a rare instance where a work pant can also double as a casual pant, if you ever need to go straight from the job site to dinner with the family.

Triple-stitched and coated with Teflon, the Taclite Pro is a work pant made to handle dirt, mud, grease, you name it, while staying lightweight and cool. The pant is made with a cotton/poly stretch ripstop fabric that’s water-resistant and super breathable, making it a solid work pant for warm weather.

The Taclite Pro also has lots of deep pocket space for optimized storage. While this pant shines bright in multiple areas, we found the Tactlite Pro’s combination of its fabric with a spacious cut allows elite breathability and movement—making this a pant you can quite literally run and jump in if needed.

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Not only are these Wrangler work pants a great deal at around $45, but they’re also constructed with 100% cotton rip-resistant fabric to help prevent holes and punctures. A lot of guys rave about the Ranger Pant’s cut, allowing just the right amount of space to move around in the pant without making it look like they’re wearing a tent.

The pants accommodate boots too, so you won’t have any trouble slipping on your stompers. Other design notes that make this pant elite are the action-gusseted crotch and the triple-needle stitching reinforcement in high-wear areas like the knees.

Whether you’re building bridges or putting together your kid’s playground, these tried-and-true Trademark Pants from Caterpillar are a builder’s best friend. They’re basically the strongest pants on this entire list, thanks to an 8.8-ounce C2X cotton-polyester canvas that’s tear and water-resistant.

When testing these pants, we found the diamond gusset and knee-reinforcement added comfort and durability when moving on the ground for jobs like bathroom remodeling. We loved how the Trademark Pant utilizes its pocket space too. We’re talking holster pockets, deep cargo pockets, a rear tool pocket, and a cell phone pocket with a secure closure.

If you’re looking for a strong pair of work pants with ample pocket space and tons of comfort, then the Trademark Pant is a no brainer buy for sure.

Read more: Best Work Shoes

Every guy needs a good pair of work jeans, and the 517 Boot Cut passes all the tests with flying colors. Aside from being stylish enough to wear casually, the 517 is cut to wear your best pair of work boots with. You get trusted Levi’s durability and high level of comfort that’s only going to get better the more you break them in. Couple these notes with the fact you’ve got a tapered cut that allows room but doesn’t look too baggy, and you’ve got the best go-to work jean for one dang good price point.

We’ve been using these as our go-to work pants for all types of home projects, from cutting down tree limbs in the yard to painting walls and redoing bathrooms.

Read more: Best Boots for Men

A long-time favorite of carpenters and handymen, the Wrangler Ripstop Carpenter Jeans have a perfect relaxed fit and a durable 100% cotton durashield denim build. The jeans aren’t totally bootcut, but they accomodate work boots most definitely. Small features like an action gusset crotch helps provide comfort when squatting and moving, and deep front pockets help maximize storage and keep small items from tumbling out.

We also appreciated the slight western look to these pants (cowboys are back in fashion, y’all), especially when teamed up with a brown belt and brown pair of boots. The weight is ideal and given the price, there’s some serious value going on here.

With enough pockets to hold everything you need for a day’s work, these Dickies pants can get you through any work day. They’re also constructed from a flex-friendly fabric, so you can move around with ease. You’d be hard-pressed to tear this pair, even on the most demanding job sites.

The fit is a bit more contemporary, sitting slightly lower than more traditional pairs. And the reinforcement is there without being uncomfortable, offering a virtually seamless feel with inherent durability. Did we mention that they com in more than 10 quality color choices? Go get some.

If your job site requires constant movement and ups and downs, these pants from Wolverine are perfect for you. Featuring a durable, yet flexible material, you can expect a great range of motion for all sorts of work time duties. Seriously, you could wear these during a strenuous workout at the gym and they’d keep pace.

Mostly cotton with a bit of spandex, this pair touts eight pockets in total. They’re made for mobility and built tough, able to handle farming, forestry, construction, and more. The Steelhead Stretch Pants came to us highly recommended and they more than lived up to the hype.

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Fending off water while breathable, these parts are all about performance. The ripstop nylon offers cool sheen and the level of comfort is through the roof. While some jobs might require a slightly higher level of protection, the cargo pants work hard for the price.

Machine washable, these babies come in a shocking 34 color and pattern options. Decidedly army in style, the pants do not come with a tactical built but we suggest getting one to complete the sharp look. During testing, we loved the useful D-ring, how they fought off potential stains, and cargo pockets big enough for water bottles.

Featuring solid and durable rip-resistant fabric, this option from Patagonia is a sturdier version of a traditional cargo pant. A relaxed fit that needs no breaking-in throughout provides greater freedom of movement for a more comfortable all-day wear.

While they’re not exactly eye catching, we love the fact that these pants are eco-friendly and made from responsible materials. They can heat up on a long and warm day, but overall, the pants showed well in the field. Bonus points for drop-in front pockets reinforced with gussets and a neatly contoured waistband. Patagonia does it again.

Pros

• Made in USA
• High level of comfort
• Long lifespan

These canvas work pants put style first, and safety a close second. So you won’t likely want to break a sweat in them. But, as a pair of utility pants, the Roughneck is made with stretch for movement and comfort for daily wear in mind, giving you seriously on-point workwear style whatever you pair it with.

We suggest getting a snug pair you can wear belt-less, as the minimal look suits these pants well. You get standards like five pockets and a zip fly but also cool accents like custom metal hardware. Oh, and they come in three signature colors and six custom colors.