Work pants are designed to provide the perfect balance between comfort and protection while carrying out jobs in the workplace. Ideally, they should offer some protection against injury and increase safety whilst you’re going about your daily work. But not all work pants are created equal. Work pants is an umbrella term and there’s a lot to learn about the different categories of workwear, including task-specific pants, the different colors and fits, material choices, and more.
That’s why we have compiled this complete guide to work pants covering everything you need to know – from belt loops to back pockets. Keep reading to find out more about the perfect kind of work pants for your job, as well as a few suggestions about quality brands, material choices, and other useful features.
Fit and style
Perhaps the first things you need to think about when choosing work pants is the fit and the design style. The main consideration of any work pant is whether it is comfortable. After all, you’re going to be spending 8+ hours of your working day in these, day after day, week after week, so you need to be sure it’s not a chore to put them on. Think about the fit of trouser that works for your personal preference. That could be slim fit pants, straight fit or relaxed leg – whatever you’re most comfortable with. Although you should also keep in mind whether you will need to wear a thermal layer in winter months, as this will mean a wider leg might be a more suitable choice. Workwear should come in standardized sizing so, once you know your measurements, you should be able to replace like-for-like over time.
By design style we don’t mean whether the pants work with you’re the rest of your outfit. (Although with our range of work pants we know you’re going to look great). But there are multiple different styles of work pants including padded or reinforced, pants with knee pads, bib and brace for upper body protection, and even work shorts for the summer months (or those brave souls who don’t mind chilly legs in the winter).
Material choices
As we mentioned above, one of the main jobs of work clothes is to offer protection. So, you need to choose a material that is tough and resilient. But it also needs to be comfortable and breathable for when you’re working up a sweat. Popular material choices include cotton duck, twill, cotton/poly blends, nylon, polyester, and denim. Each of these materials has specific benefits suited to certain jobs. For example, cotton pants are more breathable and better suited to hot weather conditions than denim. Materials that include spandex or other stretchy composites can add an extra degree of comfort and allow for greater flexibility when working.
You may also need to consider factors such as durable water repellent (DWR) coatings for your pair of work pants, especially if you spend a lot of time working outside or in wet conditions. Keeping your legs warm and dry can be essential to your comfort on site.
As well as material choices, construction quality also has a big impact on the durability and longevity of work pants. These types of work clothes are really put to the test day after day, so construction features like triple stitched inseams and heavy-duty rivets can really add to the lifespan of your garment.
Features
Work pants are also designed to be practical and sometimes can be task specific. That means features such as hammer loops, integrated tool belts, and cargo pockets can be useful for safe tool or equipment storage while working.
As with a lot of work wear, work pants may also need to be hi-vis in order to meet certain legal working requirements on job sites or when working in dark conditions.
Brands
There are a number of well-regarded brands in the workwear sector. These include names like Dickies, Carhartt and Tough Duck who make a range of work pants options, including everything from duck canvas chinos and dress pants to heavy duty bib and brace style pants. They also manufacture a selection of other PPE and workwear products such as work boots, t-shirts, and blazers.
Care and maintenance
To ensure your work pants last, and to increase durability, you need to put some effort into care and maintenance. After all, if you look after your work pants then they’ll look after you in return. At its most basic, that means washing them regularly, and especially when they get dirty. Washing removes dirt and dust that can break down fibers which leads to rips, holes, and tears. Always check the label for cleaning instructions, as depending on the material, washing, drying, and ironing temperatures can vary.
In general, wash work pants between 80˚ to 90˚F as this is warm enough to ensure proper cleaning but won’t result in any shrinkage. Use a small amount of laundry detergent but you generally don’t need to add any fabric softener or stain removers as this can affect the performance of your work pants. If possible, line dry and avoid using tumble dryers as this can result in fabric damage.
Whether you’re looking for slimmer bib and brace overalls, baggy cargo pants, or hi-vis and highly durable DWR pants to meet legal requirements on site, you can find it all in our range here at All Seasons Uniforms. A couple of good pairs of work pants will make sure that you’re comfortable, safe, and fully prepared every time you step foot on site.
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.