The Hunt for a Good Versatile Pant

The only pants I've worn for the past like 8 years have been Kuhl's Revolver line and a couple of their Slax mixed in.

I vastly prefer the Revolver but the slax are a nice option to have.

I reckon I like them alright.
 

I actually called and asked them that many years ago after I bought some of their pants. They told me they had started out making climbing pants and that was to attach climbing gear.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Me.
It's been my experience that all of those "extreme outdoor pants for manly men" come right the hell apart when you get into the briars, brambles, fences, and actual work (so I guess they would work fine for superintendents and the like), which is pretty disheartening considering their rather extreme prices. I've found it much easier to simply replace cheap jeans.

Only thing I've found that will survive briars are the synthetic rip-stop tacky-cool cargo pants from 5.11

I get 4 to 5 years outta these rabbit hunting. Not to be beating my chest, but we endure some nice briar patches and don’t shy away. Another thing, the vest has a lot of useful pockets and what not, even water bottle holders. If I did what y’all do, I’d probably look into some rabbit hunting gear. Dan’s, Gamehide and Nite Lite are all good brands. Plus, they’re all mostly high vis orange. If you get water proof stuff, it can get warm.

1707180582437.jpeg

1707180637581.jpeg
 
I've done tactical pants for about 25 years but started dressing lower profile lately (I almost never used the cargo pockets anyway). I have fallen in love with Lee Extreme Motion pants. Sooo stretchy (probably double or triple that of previous pants I've owned that used "stretch" fabric) and so comfortable! I almost never wear anything else now, except in rare occasions I'm wearing a pressed dress pant from the laundry (and that's RARE). I live within a 150 mile circle of several Lee Outlets and have found them as "seconds" several times for between $12 and $19. I buy all they have in my size at this price, and I probably have 12 pair in 3 colors now. Looks like a chino pant.

I can dress them "up" or straight daily wear. They are even good hiking pants! I wore a light khaki pair for a 3 mile hike in the Green Swamp Preserve in Supply and got them black with mud from the calves down, and they looked like crap-I even worried they would not come clean. They did. Not a trace of black swamp mud left after machine washing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Me.
Wrangler makes some that are at tractor supply
Kinda Heavy duty, I wear them in the summer works well with polos and or a button up..

Check out wrangler Riggs wear.

I used to buy these exclusively when I was 50/50 office and field.

Now that I’m 99% field I just buy the cheaper wrangler. Because by the time they wear out they’re already too stained to wear anyway.

Would be a waste to buy something that lasts longer as I’d have to throw them out anyway.
 
I put my vote in for Duluth Ballroom jeans and Flexpedition pants.

I have never paid full price for a pair. Get on their email list and they’ll send a 40% off coupon almost once a month with free shipping. It also works with on sale stuff. I own about 6 pairs of the Flexpedition. That’s all I wear in the warm months. They are awesome as dress pants, casual or hiking. I had someone tell me to get a pair of the ballroom jeans and I’m after trying a pair I’ll never buy anything else.
 
I get 4 to 5 years outta these rabbit hunting. Not to be beating my chest, but we endure some nice briar patches and don’t shy away. Another thing, the vest has a lot of useful pockets and what not, even water bottle holders. If I did what y’all do, I’d probably look into some rabbit hunting gear. Dan’s, Gamehide and Nite Lite are all good brands. Plus, they’re all mostly high vis orange. If you get water proof stuff, it can get warm.

View attachment 738363

View attachment 738364
You want some awesome hunting britches, look at Wick’s Outdoors. I’ve had some since high school and still hold up nice.
 
You want some awesome hunting britches, look at Wick’s Outdoors. I’ve had some since high school and still hold up nice.

I’ve got some older Wick’s stuff. I think they went outta business, but it seems like somebody else brought them back, not sure. Ill look them up.
 
My wife got me overpriced Duluth Alaska Hardgear cheap Asia made britches "on sale" for $100.
From someone that's been wearing the old school, tough as nails Dickies for 28 years, they're as tough as a Cary poofter in drag.
the cell phone pocket is at 4:30 on the back of the right thigh so you're sitting on the phone uncomfortably, or 10:00 on the left thigh. DO NOT get a drop of any oily food (birria is right out!), much less clean hydraulic oil. It will not come out.
 
Last edited:
I’ve got some older Wick’s stuff. I think they went outta business, but it seems like somebody else brought them back, not sure. Ill look them up.
I believe it’s Stone Creek. I hate they went out of business. They were really good hunting clothes. Back in the day when I competition coon hunted, that’s what most everyone wore. Especially their waders. Those I wish I had another pair but mine quit fitting long ago
 
My wife got me overpriced Duluth Alaska Hardgear cheap China made britches "on sale" for $100.
From someone that's been wearing the old school, tough as nails Dickies for 28 years, they're as tough as a Cary poofter in drag.
the cell phone pocket is at 4:30 on the back of the right thigh so you're sitting on the phone uncomfortably, or 10:00 on the left thigh. DO NOT get a drop of any oily food (birria is right out!), much less clean hydraulic oil. It will not come out.


I'm not sure you're really being fair to the Duluth pants here. It's pretty funny that the price in your link is $90 and a 20% off coupon popped up when I clicked it; blue pants are on sale for $75 too.
Prop your feet up so you're not sitting on your thighs. Or just put your phone in another pocket. Be a boomer and put your phone in a clip on your belt. Tons of options.
Do you want tough work pants that are going to get dirty, or you want clean pants that look fancy? That's a choice you have to make.
I think their Alaskan Hard Gear stuff is a gimmick and I haven't bought any, but their regular cotton stuff is legit. Time will tell how it holds up to cosplaying as a farmer. For now all mine are too fancy.

I got the firehose pants and the cargo pockets are on the front of my thighs and I hate it.
 
I'm not sure you're really being fair to the Duluth pants here. It's pretty funny that the price in your link is $90 and a 20% off coupon popped up when I clicked it; blue pants are on sale for $75 too.
She got them as a Christmas present & paid $100 for them.
Prop your feet up so you're not sitting on your thighs. Or just put your phone in another pocket. Be a boomer and put your phone in a clip on your belt. Tons of options.
I've had too many of the phone clips break. Another pocket would be a front or back pocket, that's a no go.
Do you want tough work pants that are going to get dirty, or you want clean pants that look fancy? That's a choice you have to make.
I want a nice looking work/tough pant
I think their Alaskan Hard Gear stuff is a gimmick and I haven't bought any,
So far my experience with several items is al they're stuff is overrated gimmickery.
but their regular cotton stuff is legit. Time will tell how it holds up to cosplaying as a farmer. For now all mine are too fancy.

I got the firehose pants and the cargo pockets are on the front of my thighs and I hate it.
I haven't tried the Firehose pants. I imagine they weigh 10+ pounds
 
She got them as a Christmas present & paid $100 for them.

I've had too many of the phone clips break. Another pocket would be a front or back pocket, that's a no go.

I want a nice looking work/tough pant

So far my experience with several items is al they're stuff is overrated gimmickery.

I haven't tried the Firehose pants. I imagine they weigh 10+ pounds


That's disappointing. I have enjoyed everything I bought from them, but I can understand how your experiences would lead you to dislike Duluth.

I wear Columbia lightweight fishing pants in the summer, and they typically don't stain but they're too light to be called "work pants".

The firehose pants are definitely restricted to winter wear. They're very heavy.
 
That's disappointing. I have enjoyed everything I bought from them, but I can understand how your experiences would lead you to dislike Duluth.

I wear Columbia lightweight fishing pants in the summer, and they typically don't stain but they're too light to be called "work pants".

The firehose pants are definitely restricted to winter wear. They're very heavy.
Yeah I don’t think I’ve ever had a negative experience with Duluth. Well except that I’m sore they quit making medium tall shirts that fit my long arms. That was a bummer. I wish I would have bought more when they had them.
 
My 511 Trail Pants arrive today. I’m not holding my breath on these. My brother swears by them. I think they’re gonna be too lightweight. They passed the discrete test in the store. No big plus sign logos or cute little 511 tags to identify you as a weekend warrior. So that’s a plus.

I’m thinking of a grading system of zero to Kuhl in terms of quality. Sounds like there’s a consensus that Kuhl is top notch.
 
That's disappointing. I have enjoyed everything I bought from them, but I can understand how your experiences would lead you to dislike Duluth.

I wear Columbia lightweight fishing pants in the summer, and they typically don't stain but they're too light to be called "work pants".

The firehose pants are definitely restricted to winter wear. They're very heavy.
Oh, I forgot to add, I'm forever having to adjust my junk in the $20 (that's what she paid) per pair of Chinese underwear. The $13 for 3 pair Hanes are much more comfortable.
My impression is Duluth has an awesome marketing team.
 
Last edited:
DO NOT get a drop of any oily food (birria is right out!), much less clean hydraulic oil. It will not come out.
You may have tried this already…

When I get oil, grease, lower unit gear oil, or the like on my Duluths, I have been able to get the spots stains out with degreaser. I use the purple stuff at Sam’s Club. Pour a little on, scrub with a toothbrush and toss in the washer and it has come out every time so far.
 
You may have tried this already…

When I get oil, grease, lower unit gear oil, or the like on my Duluths, I have been able to get the spots stains out with degreaser. I use the purple stuff at Sam’s Club. Pour a little on, scrub with a toothbrush and toss in the washer and it has come out every time so far.
Yup, I haven't been so lucky. Usually Lestoil removes oil/grease from clothes. I wet it & let it sit for a day.
 
Oh, I forgot to add, I'm forever having to adjust my junk in the $20 (that's what she paid) per pair of Chinese underwear. The $13 for 3 pair Hanes are much more comfortable.
My impression is Duluth has an awesome marketing team.
I like my Duluth undies. Haha. Especially the Armachillo. They are cool and help regulate heat. I like the materials used over plain ol cotton(Hanes/fruit of the loom, etc). I buy the regular pair not the bull pen.

Their 7 year socks are good also. Our previous house had smooth wood floors. I rarely wore a pair of socks out. Our new house has vinyl wood floors with grooves. I can wear a hole in a pair of plain cotton Hanes socks in a week. I bought some Duluth and Darn Tough socks and have yet to wear any out in over a year.

I take it you really don’t like Duluth huh? 🤔
 
I wear 5.11 ABR and Stryke daily. I work in the field as a construction superintendent. These pants last long and not too hot. The ABR is a little thinner so I wear them most in the summer. I have probably 8 pair maybe more. I try to get them on sale as the ABR are 65 and the Stryke are 82.
 
I want to, but 2 out of two have not been winners.

If you haven’t already, I suggest going to the store and trying them on and looking at the material in person. I want to try some of their other pants but want to see them in person before I order any. The dry in the fly version entices me for fishing in the summer. I have only bought a couple pairs of the jeans, so far I really like them. They are nice and comfy but I don’t want to work in them yet and get them dirty, but soon. Also my wife calls them my hot jeans Haha so that’s a plus 😉 Once I wear out my Walmart Wrangler jeans I will start swapping them around. It’s a world of difference between Wranglers and Duluth jeans.

The ballroom carpenter jeans have an extra hidden pocket in the seat area for a cell phone or whatever as well as side pockets.

The Flexpedition packrat expands on the original with smaller pockets. I love them and wear the in hot weather.

I did buy a pair of the fire hose pants. They are not as stiff as you would think with the name. They are not as stiff as Carhartt but feel more durable. Extra material around the knees. I didn’t realize it but the pair I bought have a cool little extra Velcro loop on each side of the hip to help secure a toolbelt which is awesome for helping hold up a carpenters toolbelt. Haven’t had a chance to use it yet.

But also to each their own. Kuhl has been talked up in this thread but I don’t see the hype. I do own a couple pair of their lightweight pants. They are ok but I don’t think they are worth the price. I’d probably own more if it wasn’t for the high price but I never see them on sale. Duluth runs sales almost always.


IMG_4149.jpegIMG_4150.jpegIMG_4151.jpeg
 
If you haven’t already, I suggest going to the store and trying them on and looking at the material in person. I want to try some of their other pants but want to see them in person before I order any. The dry in the fly version entices me for fishing in the summer. I have only bought a couple pairs of the jeans, so far I really like them. They are nice and comfy but I don’t want to work in them yet and get them dirty, but soon. Also my wife calls them my hot jeans Haha so that’s a plus 😉 Once I wear out my Walmart Wrangler jeans I will start swapping them around. It’s a world of difference between Wranglers and Duluth jeans.

The ballroom carpenter jeans have an extra hidden pocket in the seat area for a cell phone or whatever as well as side pockets.

The Flexpedition packrat expands on the original with smaller pockets. I love them and wear the in hot weather.

I did buy a pair of the fire hose pants. They are not as stiff as you would think with the name. They are not as stiff as Carhartt but feel more durable. Extra material around the knees. I didn’t realize it but the pair I bought have a cool little extra Velcro loop on each side of the hip to help secure a toolbelt which is awesome for helping hold up a carpenters toolbelt. Haven’t had a chance to use it yet.

But also to each their own. Kuhl has been talked up in this thread but I don’t see the hype. I do own a couple pair of their lightweight pants. They are ok but I don’t think they are worth the price. I’d probably own more if it wasn’t for the high price but I never see them on sale. Duluth runs sales almost always.


View attachment 738520View attachment 738521View attachment 738522
Ah! I forgot she got me a pair of their jeans as well. They are nice, stretchy, a bit thick (which is a positive). My biggest complaint with the jeans is the fit, after I lost weight 🙂
 
My biggest complaint with the jeans is the fit, after I lost weight 🙂
Same(Almost). I was fluctuating between 135 and 165 for a year or 2. Sometimes 31x34 would fit and sometimes 34x34 would. Now I think I’m finally stable at 32 or 33x34 and 155. I have a box of nice pants that are way too baggy for future me if I get back up any.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Me.
Hell yeah.

A friend of mine swore by how awesome his Duluth panties were. He convinced me to buy some. They didn’t impress me.
I jumped on Amazon and sent him a three pack of Hanes* https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08H3MPH7W/
He later thanked me and said they are now his go-to.
*yes, I sent a gift of underwear to a male friend.
Aaand it’s fits here as well…
IMG_4399.jpeg
 
There is a dude on You tube who does break downs of work wear. TrueWerk ,that someone mentioned earlier ,is pretty high up there as is 1620. YouTuber name is Carl Murawski. I like these channels because they are not sponsored and the guy buys and tries the stuff. Some of it is very pricey.
 
First impression of the 511 Trail Pants…

Similar to the Kuhl Radikl in shell material. No “vent” material except in the crotch. It feels more spandex than the rest of the pants. These don’t have the silky smooth waistband that Kuhl offers. But I like the slight stretchyness.

I think these will breathe on a hot day. No open vents, but the material is lightweight enough to not create a crotch sauna.

The calves are a *tiny* bit tapered. Might be a little tough to get them over boots.

The pockets are good. I like the 4-o’clock/7-oclock cell phone pockets. I’m a nerd cell phone holster guy. But I may forgo the holster and use these pockets.

Don’t much like the thigh cargo pockets. I wish they were a bit more discrete. The zippers have short pull cords which make them stand out.

The fit is spot on. Not too big or small.

The material is advertised as “snag proof.” I wouldn’t wear these through briars. But they seem ok for most everything else.

Tomorrow will be the first wear at the office. I’ve gone from thinking these were going straight back to the store, to thinking they have a good shot at being a good option.
 
Kuhl Rydr and Wrangler Riggs are both great work pants. They are tough and fit well.
 
There is a dude on You tube who does break downs of work wear. TrueWerk ,that someone mentioned earlier ,is pretty high up there as is 1620. YouTuber name is Carl Murawski. I like these channels because they are not sponsored and the guy buys and tries the stuff. Some of it is very pricey.
I saw truewerk being peddled by some of the social media guys. Once I broke down and bought them there has been no turning back. I can’t wear carhartt anymore. I got wood glue all over the front of two different truewerk pants a couple weeks ago. One wash with no pretreatment got 95% of the glue off. They do make some noise when walking that is the only negative I hear of. I got used to it and it never bothered me but they are well worth the money. I had one pair of Kuhl pants tear on me while working and I followed their directions for the lifetime warranty and they told me that the warranty doesn't cover abuse and that it was my fault the pants tore. I haven't bought any since that call but their pants are good.
 
Next week we’re doing shoes. 🧚‍♂️
Where have you been?

 
Back
Top Bottom