The Best Construction Work Pants

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Construction Work Pants and hope the blog can help you.

If you’re thinking those old jeans will hold up on the jobsite, you can forget it. These pants for construction will have you covered.

Anyone who works with their hands knows that their clothes can take a beating. Construction, DIY projects, and trade work are all physically demanding, and typical casual pants usually pay the price. These types of activities require hard-wearing, durable pants that will last more than an hour on the job.

But it can be hard to tell which jeans, pants, or dungarees are up to the task. To help, we put together the following guide on the best construction work pants. This guide covers all the need-to-know information for DIYers, as well as some examples of the best construction work pants.

1. BEST OVERALL: Carhartt Men’s Loose Fit Duck Utility Work Pant
2. BEST OVERALL FOR WOMEN: Carhartt Women’s Rugged Flex Loose Canvas Work Pant
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Red Kap Men’s Industrial Cargo Pant
4. UPGRADE PICK: Carhartt Men’s Rugged Flex Steel Cargo Pant
5. BEST CARPENTER: Dickies Men’s Relaxed Fit Carpenter Duck Pants
6. BEST CARPENTER/WOMEN: Dickies Women’s Stretch Duck Carpenter Slim Pants
7. BEST CARGO PANTS: Wrangler Men’s Riggs Workwear Ranger Cargo Pant
8. BEST FIRE-RESISTANT: Wrangler Men’s FR Flame Resistant Original Fit Jean
9. BEST FIRE-RESISTANT/WOMEN: Wrangler Women’s Riggs Workwear Bootcut Work Jean
10. BEST DOUBLE-KNEE: Wrangler Men’s Riggs Workwear Utility Jean
11. BEST DOUBLE-KNEE/WOMEN: Carhartt Women’s Rugged Flex Double-Front Jean
12. BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Dickies Men’s Lightweight Duck Carpenter Jean
13. BEST HEAVYWEIGHT: Carhartt Men’s Firm Double-Front Utility Work Pant
14. BEST FLEX: Carhartt Men’s Rugged Flex Relaxed Canvas Work Pant

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Construction Work Pants

There is more to picking out the best work pants than just grabbing a cheap pair of jeans off the shelf. The following are some of the most important points to keep in mind when choosing a sturdy pair of work pants that can keep up with some tough jobs.

Features

When it comes to the best work pants for construction, features can be key. There are certain items, pockets, and additions that the best construction pants might have, but a basic pair of jeans won’t.

• Utility pockets: Many construction pants come with utility pockets on the back of the thigh, along the front of the thigh, or even on the side of the leg. These pockets are handy for utility knives, folding rulers, writing utensils, cell phones, small hand tools, and other items.
• Loops: Old-school carpenter jeans almost always feature a loop stitched into the fabric on the pant leg. This pocket serves as a hammer loop, giving the wearer a place to slide a hammer.
• Double knees: Many tradespeople need to spend time working on their knees, and this can tear through a basic set of jeans in no time. Some manufacturers offer construction pants with double knees or extra fabric overtop the knee to help the jeans last longer.
• Gusset crotch: Bending, kneeling, and crouching can be uncomfortable in a typical pair of jeans, so many manufacturers of construction pants started sewing gusseted crotches into some pairs of the best work pants for men. These gussets provide a bit more room through the crotch and seat of the pants while also lessening the likelihood of a tear.
• Reinforced stitches and loops: Some of the best construction pants may feature reinforced belt loops and stitches. This is to help them stay put longer, even when the work is rough.

Fit and Comfort

The best pants for construction often fit a bit differently than typical pants, and DIYers and pros should know what to look for to ensure they stay comfortable on the job.

First, understand that relaxed-fit jeans are typically the most comfortable to work in on a jobsite. These jeans provide enough room to move around in without being too baggy to work safely. They offer enough space in the pockets for storing items as well.

There are other fits such as straight-leg, loose fit, traditional or original, and boot cut. Essentially, choosing the right fit hinges on the individual’s taste, needs, and body type.

Fabric 

Just like regular pants, construction pants come in many types of fabrics. Each fabric has its pros and cons and some have specialty treatments.

• Cotton is a natural fiber that breathes well and is comfortable against the skin. In most cases, work jeans are made from strong cotton fibers. These pants are available in lightweight and heavyweight thicknesses, and they’re generally comfortable.
• Cotton blends are typically a mix of cotton and a stretchy fabric like spandex. The blend is often to make the jeans stretchier, lightweight, or more breathable.
• Synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester are popular for workwear, as they tend to be more water-resistant and lightweight than similar fabrics. Some even feature ripstop weaves that have reinforced threads designed to keep the pants from ripping wide open.

Also, many of these fabrics come in fire-resistant variants. For folks like welders, power line workers, electricians, and more, fire-resistant fabrics can be a requirement. These fabrics contain Nomex, Kevlar, and modacrylic fiber—all synthetic fabrics that are resistant to burning.

Style

Not only do the best construction pants come in various fabrics, but they also come in a number of styles. These may include active, cargo, carpenter, and professional.

• Active work pants look similar to tactical pants worn by law enforcement and military personnel.
• Cargo pants have large, billowy pockets on the side of each leg for holding items like nails, screws, or small tools.
• Carpenter construction pants feature a loop for a hammer and a pocket for a folding rule. This style of jean is often seen as the best work pants for construction workers.
• Professional work pants might look similar to typical pants but are constructed of a stronger material.

Which style to choose may be as much about practicality as it is personal preference. Sales folks and inspectors may prefer to wear professional pants, while electricians and plumbers might find active or carpenter pants last longer.

Our Top Picks

That’s a lot of background on the best construction work pants, but shopping for a pair might still be a bit confusing. To help, we performed extensive product research on the following construction pants.

Best Overall

Carhartt Men's Loose Fit Duck Utility Work Pant

Anyone searching for a high-quality pair of basic work pants should check out Carhartt’s Loose Fit Duck Utility Work Pant. These pants are made from 100 percent cotton, making them durable but lightweight and comfortable. Also, their loose-fit cut means there is plenty of room for walking, bending, kneeling, or anything else a job might require.

These pants have a traditional carpenter’s design. They have a hammer loop on one leg and a pocket for a folding rule on the other. The loop is reinforced for durability’s sake, and the straight leg design should fit over boots without an issue. The one drawback that some DIYers might find is that the loose fit might be too baggy for working around power tools.

Product Specs 

• Style: Carpenter
• Fabric: 100 percent cotton
• Fit: Loose

Pros

• 100 percent cotton
• Built-in tool pockets and hammer loop
• Comfortable loose cut

Cons

• Loose design may be too baggy for working around certain tools

Get the Carhartt Duck Utility work pant at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Tractor Supply Co.

Best Overall for Women

Carhartt Women’s Rugged Flex Loose Canvas Work Pant

Limiting range of motion is a sure way to slow down a project. Keep the pace with flexible work pants like these from Carhartt. These pants feature a 98 percent cotton, 2 percent spandex blend that encourages flexibility and range of motion while remaining rugged enough for tough work conditions. And as if the flex isn’t comfortable enough, the loose fit should help.

These pants feature a traditional carpenter design, with a rule pocket mounted behind the right thigh and a hammer loop on the left. They also feature an additional thigh pocket on the left side for storing a phone or tools, though it could get in the way of a hammer handle.

Product Specs 

• Style: Carpenter
• Fabric: Cotton and spandex blend
• Fit: Loose

Pros

• Cotton/spandex blend for improved range
• Traditional carpenter style
• Rugged construction

Cons

• Extra pocket placement might be an issue for some folks

Get the Carhartt Rugged Flex work pant on Amazon or Carhartt.

Best Bang for the Buck

Red Kap Men's Industrial Cargo Pant

For folks who’d rather spend their money on the renovation than the pants they’re wearing, Red Kap’s Industrial Cargo Pant might be one of the best cheap work pants available. These affordable pants are hardwearing and lightweight, thanks to the 35 percent cotton and 65 percent polyester blend known as TouchTex. This allows them to dry quickly and resist snags and rips.

The Red Kap construction pants feature two cargo pockets on the outside of each leg. DIYers can stash tools, hardware, or a cell phone in those pockets and keep them organized and safe. The downside of these construction pants is they look rather boring compared to some of the other more-rugged pants.

Product Specs

• Style: Cargo
• Fabric: Cotton and polyester blend
• Fit: Relaxed

Pros

• Special blend of cotton and polyester
• 2 cargo pockets for gear
• Affordable price point

Cons

• Might be a bit boring

Get the Red Kap cargo pant on Amazon or Red Kap.

Upgrade Pick

Carhartt Men's Rugged Flex Steel Cargo Pant

DIYers and pros who don’t mind spending a bit extra on their workwear should consider Carhartt’s Rugged Flex Steel Cargo Pant. These pants feature active styling with a relaxed fit. They’re made from a cotton, nylon, and spandex blend that allows for a wide range of motion (the gusseted crotch also helps).

These construction pants include many more built-in features as well. They have a hammer loop, cargo pockets, reinforced pads on the front slash pocket for a tape measure, and a folding rule pocket. DIYers will have to pay for those features, however, as these pants are a bit on the expensive side.

Product Specs 

• Style: Active
• Fabric: Cotton, nylon, and spandex blend
• Fit: Relaxed

Pros

• Flexible fabric for plenty of movement
• Lots of utility pockets
• Gusseted crotch

Cons

• They’re pretty expensive

Get the Carhartt Rugged Flex cargo pant on Amazon or Carhartt.

Best Carpenter

Dickies Men's Relaxed Fit Carpenter Duck Pants

Whether it’s to hold a hammer while lifting something with both hands or storing a phone or ruler in a pocket, these carpenter jeans from Dickies might do the trick. These jeans feature a 100 percent cotton fabric and a loose fit to allow for all-day comfort on a work site. They also have a loop for a hammer and a pocket for a folding rule, just as traditional carpenter’s jeans might.

These Dickies work jeans feature oversize front and back pockets for holding phones, tools, or other items. They have rivets at the stress points like pockets and seams as well. The only complaint one might have is that these work jeans are a bit too basic and traditional.

Product Specs 

• Style: Carpenter
• Fabric: 100 percent cotton
• Fit: Relaxed

Pros

• Built-in hammer loop and rule pocket
• 100 percent cotton
• Oversize pockets for other tools

Cons

• No advanced fabrics or modern touches

Get the Dickies Relaxed Fit Carpenter pants on Amazon or Walmart.

Best Carpenter/Women

Dickies Women's Stretch Duck Carpenter Slim Pants

Those who’d prefer a carpenter-style pant without the baggy fit should check out Dickies Women’s Stretch Duck Carpenter Slim Pants. These pants have a slim design that makes them safe for wearing around power tools, equipment, and machinery, but a flexible cotton and spandex blend for comfort.

These Dickies pants feature a traditional carpenter design, meaning they have a rule pocket behind the right thigh and a hammer loop along the left. This gives the wearer some onboard storage for tools anytime they need to work with both hands. The only concern may be that these pants won’t fit over work boots, though they may tuck inside nicely.

Product Specs 

• Style: Carpenter
• Fabric: Cotton and spandex
• Fit: Slim

Pros

• Traditional carpenter design
• Flexible fabric blend
• Improved safety around tools and equipment

Cons

• Might not fit over top of work boots

Get the Dickies Duck carpenter pant on Amazon or Dickies.

Best Cargo Pants

Wrangler Men’s Riggs Workwear Ranger Cargo Pant

Wrangler Riggs Workwear Ranger Cargo Pant is worth some serious consideration from anyone looking for a hard-wearing cargo pant with plenty of goodies. These pants feature a relaxed cotton design that’s both comfortable and easy to move around in. Much of that range of movement comes from the gusseted crotch, giving DIYers the ability to bend and crouch without becoming uncomfortable.

These pants have multiuse cargo pockets on each leg. They include a large pocket for tools and fasteners as well as small pockets on the outside for knives and the like. They even have a leather-reinforced tape measure pad over the pocket to keep the tape’s clip from ripping the jeans. The biggest issue with these work pants is that they’re pretty utilitarian and might look a bit silly if worn out on the town.

Product Specs 

• Style: Cargo
• Fabric: 100 percent cotton
• Fit: Relaxed fit

Pros

• Large multiuse cargo pockets
• Gusseted crotch
• Reinforced tape measure pocket

Cons

• A bit too work-oriented for wearing around town

Get the Wrangler Riggs cargo pant on Amazon or Walmart.

Best Fire-Resistant

Wrangler Men's FR Flame Resistant Original Fit Jean

Folks who work around sparks, flashes, or other fire-related safety hazards should think about Wranger’s FR Flame Resistant jeans. These jeans feature a classic five-pock