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17 Best Work Pants for Men 2025: Hard-Wearing Picks by Style Editors
ShoppingFellas who hate working really love work pants.By Ben KrizJanuary 31, 2025Image: Getty; Collage by Brittany LogginsSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.The best work pants for men strike the perfect balance between rugged durability and everyday versatility—especially on days where jeans feel too casual and chinos don’t offer enough heft. And by work pants, we don’t mean dress pants for the office (although depending on where you work, these might just fit right in). We're talking, as with work jackets, about pants inspired by American workwear, which you can also wear on your weekends, and are most often made by what we’d call the Big Three icons of American Workwear: Carhartt, Stan Ray, and Dickies.Those three brands were all born out of necessity in the early to mid-20th century, designed to serve the needs of hardworking laborers in construction, farming and the railroads. Back then, they set the standard for tough, functional clothing that withstands long days on the job, but today these heritage brands have found a second life far beyond their initial use. Because as useful as work pants are for hauling tough materials and hanging your hammer on, they’re also the perfect daily beater for workers who shift more laptop pixels than steel, pairing seamlessly with the modern-day freelance wardrobe of sneakers, hoodies, and big jackets.Given that they’re no longer being designed (as much) for use on the jobsite, the market for work pants today includes a number of modern reworks—some welcome, some best ignored. Below, we’ve separated the best from the rest—still always keeping utility in mind.The Best Work Pants, According to GQThe Best Overall Work Pants: Dickies 874 Pants, $35The Best Double-Knee Work Pants: Carhartt WIP Double Knee Trousers, $150The Best Painter’s Pants: Stan Ray OG Painter’s Pants, $80The Best Japanese Repro Work Pants: Buzz Rickson’s Pant, $245The Warmest Work Pants: Patagonia Iron Works Fleece-Lined Work Pants, $119The Best Work Pant for Fashion Guys: JW Anderson Twisted Workwear Trousers, $550In This Shopping GuideAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronMore Work Pants We LoveHow We Test and Review ProductsHow We Make These PicksBest Overall Work Pants: Dickies 874 PantsDickies874 Pants$35 AmazonPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsEffortlessly versatile—works with most everythingNext-level fitUnreal value for the priceConsLack durability when compared to a heavier canvas pant à la CarharttCan read a bit too workwear if trying to truly dress it upBeloved by skaters, musicians, artists and labourers alike, Dickies’ work pants are the best day-in-day-out work pants around, in part due to their no-nonsense outlook. They’ve got several things going for them. One, the versatility—because they’re so simple, they go with everything from a pair of Bass loafers and Oxford shirts to their more historic companions of boots and a work jacket. Second, the fit is incredible. Because of their unassuming design, you might think, how good can it be? You’d be shocked. A straight leg with a mid-to-high rise that stays roomy without feeling baggy is strangely hard to find—except right here. Finally, at $35, the price can’t be beaten, which means you can grab a few different colours—navy, black, and gray are great options—and beat them into the ground.Best Double-Knee Work Pants: Carhartt WIP Double Knee TrousersCarharrt WIPDouble-Knee Trousers$115 SSENSEPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsA timeless workwear styleA more refined silhouette than classic CarharttThey break in beautifully—just give them time!ConsNot as tough as original Carhartt double kneesCan feel on the bulky side, due to heavy canvasYou know them, you love them—the Carhartt WIP (the elevated European offshoot of the Detroit OG) Double-Knee Pants are as essential as it gets. Even as those unmistakable rivets are replicated by brands far and wide, these remain the blueprint—a workwear staple that streetwear brands and high-fashion houses alike have been inspired by for years.What keeps them relevant? The indestructible duck canvas, the reinforced front panels, and the fact that they sit at that perfect intersection of function and style, allowing them to be styled equally with work boots or a simple pair of Converse All-Stars. Yes their Carhartt USA cousins are a touch more rugged, but these have a silhouette that flatters as well as protecting.Best Painter’s Paints: Stan Ray OG Painters PantsStan RayOG Denim Painter's Pants$80 NordstromPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsStill made in the original 1972 Texas factoryRelaxed, comfortable fitPractical utility detailsAffordable priceConsLike most work pants, they take some time to break inDenim is the only real rival to heavy canvas workwear. So it’s fortunate that here we have a classic workwear brand that knows ex
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The best work pants for men strike the perfect balance between rugged durability and everyday versatility—especially on days where jeans feel too casual and chinos don’t offer enough heft. And by work pants, we don’t mean dress pants for the office (although depending on where you work, these might just fit right in). We're talking, as with work jackets, about pants inspired by American workwear, which you can also wear on your weekends, and are most often made by what we’d call the Big Three icons of American Workwear: Carhartt, Stan Ray, and Dickies.
Those three brands were all born out of necessity in the early to mid-20th century, designed to serve the needs of hardworking laborers in construction, farming and the railroads. Back then, they set the standard for tough, functional clothing that withstands long days on the job, but today these heritage brands have found a second life far beyond their initial use. Because as useful as work pants are for hauling tough materials and hanging your hammer on, they’re also the perfect daily beater for workers who shift more laptop pixels than steel, pairing seamlessly with the modern-day freelance wardrobe of sneakers, hoodies, and big jackets.
Given that they’re no longer being designed (as much) for use on the jobsite, the market for work pants today includes a number of modern reworks—some welcome, some best ignored. Below, we’ve separated the best from the rest—still always keeping utility in mind.
The Best Work Pants, According to GQ
- The Best Overall Work Pants: Dickies 874 Pants, $35
- The Best Double-Knee Work Pants: Carhartt WIP Double Knee Trousers, $150
- The Best Painter’s Pants: Stan Ray OG Painter’s Pants, $80
- The Best Japanese Repro Work Pants: Buzz Rickson’s Pant, $245
- The Warmest Work Pants: Patagonia Iron Works Fleece-Lined Work Pants, $119
- The Best Work Pant for Fashion Guys: JW Anderson Twisted Workwear Trousers, $550
Best Overall Work Pants: Dickies 874 Pants
Beloved by skaters, musicians, artists and labourers alike, Dickies’ work pants are the best day-in-day-out work pants around, in part due to their no-nonsense outlook. They’ve got several things going for them. One, the versatility—because they’re so simple, they go with everything from a pair of Bass loafers and Oxford shirts to their more historic companions of boots and a work jacket. Second, the fit is incredible. Because of their unassuming design, you might think, how good can it be? You’d be shocked. A straight leg with a mid-to-high rise that stays roomy without feeling baggy is strangely hard to find—except right here. Finally, at $35, the price can’t be beaten, which means you can grab a few different colours—navy, black, and gray are great options—and beat them into the ground.
Best Double-Knee Work Pants: Carhartt WIP Double Knee Trousers
You know them, you love them—the Carhartt WIP (the elevated European offshoot of the Detroit OG) Double-Knee Pants are as essential as it gets. Even as those unmistakable rivets are replicated by brands far and wide, these remain the blueprint—a workwear staple that streetwear brands and high-fashion houses alike have been inspired by for years.
What keeps them relevant? The indestructible duck canvas, the reinforced front panels, and the fact that they sit at that perfect intersection of function and style, allowing them to be styled equally with work boots or a simple pair of Converse All-Stars. Yes their Carhartt USA cousins are a touch more rugged, but these have a silhouette that flatters as well as protecting.
Best Painter’s Paints: Stan Ray OG Painters Pants
Denim is the only real rival to heavy canvas workwear. So it’s fortunate that here we have a classic workwear brand that knows exactly how to do it right. Stan Ray has been cranking out denim and cotton work pants from their West Texas factory since 1972—and they’re still going strong from that very same factory.
The OG Painter Pant has rightfully earned its place high on this list, thanks to its relaxed fit, sturdy construction, and utilitarian design. Be ready for a bit of a break-in period, though—these start out stiff but I can confirm they soften up mightily with wear. Note: You can go full throwback with the hickory stripe, but this dark indigo version is just as ready for your next paint job as it is for painting the town.
Best Japanese Repro Work Pants: Buzz Rickson Pant
If you're a menswear-head, chances are you've come across David W. Marx's Ametora, which argues that the Japanese essentially "saved" American style by refining and elevating it. Buzz Rickson is a prime example of this philosophy in action: They take iconic vintage garments—whether military-grade pieces or classic workwear—and recreate them with unmatched attention to detail, using only the finest fabrics and construction methods. The brand’s name is even borrowed from a 1961 war film starring Steve McQueen. What’s more American than that?
This reinterpretation of the U.S. Army 1937 Model Work Pant, for example, is crafted from 11. oz denim woven with slub yarn for a unique texture. Because current technology could not recreate the exact specs, they produced them on original U.S. shuttle looms to get it right. The pattern, thread, and stitch style are painstakingly accurate, and even the buttons and buckles have been faithfully reproduced to match U.S. Army specifications of the time. This level of historical reverence and dedication to authenticity comes at a price of course, but they’ll likely be the last work pants you ever buy.
Warmest Work Pants: Patagonia Iron Works Fleece-Lined Work Pants
Patagonia’s heavy-duty workwear line, Iron Forge, brings the same planet-friendly ethos as the main line, but with a rugged twist. Their spin on the classic work pant swaps out stiff break-ins for a proprietary hemp-organic cotton-recycled poly blend that’s tough as nails, but surprisingly soft from the get-go. The secret? The hemp, which has a tensile strength of at least three times stronger than cotton, but only gets comfier with wear.
Packed with all the utility pockets you’d expect from a classic workwear brand, these pants also bring some unexpected heat—literally—thanks to a cozy recycled micro-fleece lining that keeps the chill at bay. Oh, and to top all of that off, don’t forget that Patagonia still offers their legendary Ironclad Guarantee and mail-in repair service.
Best Work Pants for Fashion Guys: JW Anderson Twisted Workwear Trousers
Jonathan Anderson is a designer in constant motion. As the creative director of Loewe, the head of his own JW Anderson label, a longtime Uniqlo collaborator, and now a costume designer for Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, he has the fashion world hanging on his every move. But beyond the accolades, it’s the clothes themselves that captivate—he’s built a reputation for reimagining classics with a playful, offbeat edge.
His take on the work pant is no exception, featuring a literal twist—an off-centre button, and curved seams that disrupt the usual straight-leg silhouette—while still incorporating functional details, even if the overall look leans avant-garde. Sure, these are more at home in a gallery opening than a construction site, but that’s exactly the point.
More Work Pants We Love
Like many of its Japanese compatriots, Orslow, as the name suggests, takes the slow lane to reach perfection. Their meticulous take on a classic French work pant, cut from a subtle textured herringbone, is easy-breezy—whether you’ll actually be working in them, or just working on your look.
If Orlow’s take on the work pants feels a little too straight-laced for you, Kapital’s version (available in ecru or black) takes things in a much wilder direction—just as you’d expect from a brand that many menswear heads collect as other would wine or art. With the embroidered contrast stitching forming a net over the knees, they keep the workwear spirit intact with just the right amount of distinctiveness.
If you’re more likely to have carpal tunnel than callused hands, it’s all good—Polo Ralph Lauren has done the work for you with a touch of splattered paint and some pre-fading in the knees. We’re not here to judge.
New York’s 3Sixteen has a knack for taking classic styles and turning them into the overachievers of your wardrobe. Case in point: this work pant, made from heavyweight twill that’s been garment dyed and washed to perfection. That’s that ‘teen espresso.
For anyone who grew up in the ‘90s, owning a pair of Gap carpenter pants was practically a right of passage. Naturally, with that decade fully trending, Gap’s brought its note-perfect baggy fit, hammer loop, and relaxed vibe right back, at a price that’s hard to beat.
This is basically Stüssy’s take on the classic Dickies pant, under its Workgear line. It stays true to the original inspo but with a few key upgrades—looser, softer, and even more skate-friendly.
If by-the-book work pants aren’t your thing, Our Legacy’s—currently deeply discounted—cargos are the move. A mashup of hiking and military trousers, they’re cut from durable ripstop in an unexpected color, making them some of the waviest cargos around.
Like Buzz Rickson, The Real McCoy is a heavyweight in expertly crafted Japanese reproductions of classic garms. Case in point: these WWII Denim Work Trousers, cut from grey-weft 10 oz. denim with clean white contrast stitching—a straight-up workwear classic with a collector’s touch.
Alex Mill has earned its stripes crafting solidly constructed basics in high-quality fabrics, always playfulness and comfort in mind—and their painter pant is no exception. Made from recycled, garment-dyed denim, these are built to handle both rugged and refined days.
Design veteran, menswear whisperer and IG-moodboard favorite Aaron Levine just dropped his debut collection, and—no surprise—it contains his tributes to some classics. These made-in-Brooklyn work pants nail no-sweat versatility, and can easily be dressed up when the occasion calls.
Coming in at a nice sub-$100 price point, these work pants are technically some iconic climbing pants—but that just means they’re even more mobile, and come with a mighty useful built-in belt.
How We Test and Review Products
Style is subjective, we know—that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers, the flyest affordable suits, or the need-to-know menswear drops of the week, GQ Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find the best version of everything out there, at every price point.
Our staffers aren’t able to try on every single piece of clothing you read about on GQ.com (fashion moves fast these days), but we have an intimate knowledge of each brand’s strengths and know the hallmarks of quality clothing—from materials and sourcing, to craftsmanship, to sustainability efforts that aren’t just greenwashing. GQ Recommends heavily emphasizes our own editorial experience with those brands, how they make their clothes, and how those clothes have been reviewed by customers. Bottom line: GQ wouldn’t tell you to wear it if we wouldn’t.
How We Make These Picks
We make every effort to cast as wide of a net as possible, with an eye on identifying the best options across three key categories: quality, fit, and price.
To kick off the process, we enlist the GQ Recommends braintrust to vote on our contenders. Some of the folks involved have worked in retail, slinging clothes to the masses; others have toiled for small-batch menswear labels; all spend way too much time thinking about what hangs in their closets.
We lean on that collective experience to guide our search, culling a mix of household names, indie favorites, and the artisanal imprints on the bleeding-edge of the genre. Then we narrow down the assortment to the picks that scored the highest across quality, fit, and price.
Across the majority of our buying guides, our team boasts firsthand experience with the bulk of our selects, but a handful are totally new to us. So after several months of intense debate, we tally the votes, collate the anecdotal evidence, and emerge with a list of what we believe to be the absolute best of the category right now, from the tried-and-true stalwarts to the modern disruptors, the affordable beaters to the wildly expensive (but wildly worth-it) designer riffs.
Whatever your preferences, whatever your style, there's bound to be a superlative version on this list for you. (Read more about GQ's testing process here.)
