8 Best Work Pants for Men of 2024, Reviewed

A versatile pair of pants designed for work, outdoor activities or everyday wear, the DU/ER Live Free Adventure Pant offers a relaxed fit through the hip and the thigh and a slimmer fit from the knee down. The result is a style that’s not quite as bulky as your average pair of work pants, making this pick an excellent overall choice.

Fans say they’re just as comfortable as they look. The cotton-poly blend is soft and breathable, and a touch of spandex lends the stretch you need if you’re constantly on the move. We love that triple-stitched seams and a reinforced seat add to the overall durability. When it comes to fit, some customers with big thighs note these aren’t quite roomy enough, despite the way they’re designed. They’re even water-repellant for those who work outdoors, and this pair boasts cargo pockets and a key ring for functionality.

One of our panelists — a concrete foreman — has exclusively worn these affordable jeans from Wrangler for more than 20 years. Though they're incredibly budget-friendly, he notes they're both comfortable and durable. "They don’t feel too tight in the thighs and they hold up wear after wear and wash after wash," he tells us.

We like that the cotton has a touch of spandex for stretch, and that they're versatile enough to wear off the job site, too. You could easily dress these work pants up with a polo or button-down and the right pair of shoes. On the downside, the jeans don't have many utility features, like extra pockets or a key ring — just your classic five-pocket design.

If you're a mechanic or a construction worker who spend a lot of time kneeling, these pants are for you. Made of a brushed canvas, these pants have a reputation for being extra durable. Still there's a bit of stretch, thanks to elastane and a proprietary design for increased mobility. The pair also boasts double-layer front panels that can add durability, synthetic buttons and fabric-covered zippers to protect surfaces from scratches.

The brand describes the fit as athletic, but testers say there's plenty of room in the seat and thigh. Wearers also call attention to all the pockets — all six are ergonomically designed to hold things like a measuring tape, a box cutter, a cell phone, ruler and more. We only wish the pants came in more colors.

More than one man on the job told us that Carhartt is a go-to for wardrobe essentials — everything from pants to jackets is budget-friendly yet reliable. This pair is no exception, with one telling us he's had his for years without any signs of excess wear.

The loose fit isn't as stylish as some other cuts, but the pants are certainly rugged enough for any job. They're made of heavier-than-most 12-ounce ring-spun canvas, plus feature reinforced utility pockets for tools, a left-leg hammer loop and reinforced belt loops to add to the overall durability.

If you work outside in the winter, you know how important it is to find a utilitarian pair of paints that can keep you warmer than your average dungarees. Truewerk has the answer. Its T3 WerkPant only comes in two colors, but boasts one of the most functional designs we've seen. The pants are designed with durability in mind — double-stitched seams, double-woven fabric and articulated knees — plus have more pockets than most.

The pair has a whopping eight pockets: two right thigh phone pockets, one small right hip zip pocket, one left thigh utility pocket with an insert flap, two hand pockets and two rear pockets. For that warmth you need, the interior is lined with hex fleece to trap in heat. The pair is also water-resistant and windproof. If that all sounds great, but you don't need the fleece? Check out the brand's T2 work pants, an identical design without that seasonal comfort feature.

Like the name suggests, CAT's Operator Flex Pants are ideal for those on the move. The cotton-poly blend is made with 2% spandex to make climbing, bending and sitting or crouching more comfortable. The pair also have a few extra built-in polyester and spandex panels for improved mobility (a crotch gusset and two panels behind the knees). We also like that the wide 18-inch legs allow you to wear the pants over work boots.

There are plenty of pockets, your classic five-pocket design, plus a cargo pocket. Some of the pockets even feature snaps or zippers, so you won't lose any precious cargo when operating machinery. It's a shame these pants only come in one color: black.

For those who can't stand to feel restricted while they work, these cargo pants are a good bet. They have an extra-roomy fit, plus a crotch gusset to give you more freedom when bending down. And though they're made from 100% fire hose cotton canvas — a highly durable material — the pants are surprisingly flexible and soft to the touch, thanks to pre-washing.

For added durability, the pair has triple-stitched seams and are coated with a proprietary fabric treatment that makes them stain- and water-repellant. The pockets — extra-deep front pockets, three-in-one mid-leg utility pockets and back pockets — all have eight-ounce fire hose pocket bags to resist punctures from tools, too. Are they the most stylish of the bunch? No, but they sure do make up for it in functionality.

The knees are often the first place to rip, thanks to the constant abrasion that comes from kneeling on the job, which is why reinforced knees are crucial. These even have bottom openings on the knees to accommodate knee pads. We also like that they have a gusseted crotch for improved mobility, as well as wide legs that fit over work boots. (A quick heads up to men with smaller statures: Some wearers say these pants are actually a bit too roomy for small frames.)

As far as pockets go, these pants have plenty. The front drop-in pockets are roomy enough for hand tools and have gussets for clip-on tools. The back drop-in pockets are even wider for stashing additional items, plus double as a double-fabric rear for abrasion-resistance when seated.