Carhartt Trousers

Carhartt trousers and work pants

Carhartt trousers, or work pants as they are also known, are made for people who are hard on their clothing. Where an ordinary trouser wears through at the knee and the pocket edges, a Carhartt trouser is built from heavier cotton, reinforced at the stress points and cut with a little more room so it moves with you through a full day. The range runs from roomy cargo trousers to double-front and double-knee styles for the hardest wear, plus Rugged Flex options for jobs that need stretch.

Cargo trousers and everyday carry

Cargo trousers are the most versatile trouser in the range: a relaxed straight leg with roomy side pockets that take a phone, tape or gloves without pulling out of shape. The cotton is heavier than a fashion chino, so the trouser holds its shape and stands up to daily wear, and the plainer styles carry easily from the job to the everyday. It is the most versatile place to start if you want one pair that does most things.

Double-front and double-knee styles

Double-front, or double-knee, trousers add a second layer of fabric across the front of the legs, exactly where kneeling and abrasion wear a trouser out first. Many also take knee pad inserts, so they suit tiling, flooring and any job spent on the knees. This is the toughest end of the range, chosen for durability where a single-layer trouser would not last a season. The trade is a little more weight for a lot more life.

Rugged Flex for stretch and movement

Rugged Flex is Carhartt's stretch construction, built into the cotton so the trouser gives as you move rather than fighting you when you crouch or climb. It keeps the hard-wearing feel of a work trouser while adding the range of movement you want on an active day. If your work involves a lot of bending and reaching, a Rugged Flex trouser is the one to look for. The product page notes which styles have it.

Fit and sizing

Carhartt trousers are cut relaxed through the seat and thigh, with a straight leg. Waist and leg lengths are listed separately on most styles, so you can get the leg right rather than settling for a rough fit. If you are between waist sizes, the heavier cotton eases in a little with wear. Each product page notes the specific fit and available lengths.