The Best Rugged Outdoor Pants for Men in 2022
I have 4 pairs of pants. Actually I have more than 4 pairs of pants, but you’d never know it because 99.9% of the time (barring funerals and weddings every half-decade) those are the only pants I wear.
In fact, I really only rotate three at a time depending on hot or cold weather for work.
It’s all I need. That’s because I live simply when it comes to this particular department. I know what works for me and I don’t like to complicate things.
These are things that I don’t need to fill my head with on a daily basis. There should be no time wasted in pondering what pair of pants I’m going to wear today. More so, the question is “what day is it and what am I doing?”, then just grab, go, and get it done!
As for the other pairs of pants I own that are not a part of my daily/weekly regimen, they are solid in quality and utilitarian in their usefulness. They occupy preparedness totes in vehicles, bug out bags, and a bag that I have prepared if I need to travel for an emergency and don’t have time to pack.
Getting on with it, there are three main areas of my life that need to be fulfilled, hence the three pairs of pant in a season. Those areas are work, play, and leisure.
Each pair are versatile enough to perform the duty of the other, for the most part, but I choose to try to keep each of them dedicated to their particular purpose in an effort to make them last me a very long time.
What are the Best Pants for Work?
Work pants need to be extremely rugged with a tough rip-stop material that can take all kinds of abuse, but be flexible enough to provide agility and comfort.
They also need to have a nice tight fit to the crotch. Nothing constricting of course, but I really can’t stand a baggy crotch for when I need to high-step it a little bit.
Pockets! Lots of pockets, as I like to have a lot of EDC (everyday carry) items at my disposable, at all times, and a certain amount of secure pockets are crucial for me.
In the winter I like to wear a hardy and rugged, yet moisture wicking base layer when I’m working in the cold, AND have a flannel lining. This, of course depends on where you live, as my winters can be brutal.
If you live closer to the equator, you’re obviously going to have a different set of standards and will need to adjust to your liking. For summer, all of the extreme rugged and rip-stop material requirements still apply, but just with a lighter material to help stay cool.
Utility: Manual labor, building, digging, heavy machinery, homesteading in general, and pretty much any task that is rough and abrasive is what these pants are for.
What Pants are Good for Hiking & Outdoors?
For me, outdoor/hiking pants also need to be made of durable material, provide top notch agility and comfort.
They also need to be wind-blocking, lightweight, and very stretchable.
Just like any pair of pants for me, there need not be any sagging in the crotch area.
Obviously I don’t want anything tight enough to restrict blood flow to the family package, but I need to be able to climb without restriction.
A good athletic and moisture wicking base layer during the winter is a must here. When you’re hunting and sitting still for long periods of time in the cold, layers are of utmost importance. Check out our post entitled “The Best Cold Weather Hunting Gear: A Complete Checklist” to get an in-depth view into the world of cold weather gear and the importance of layering.
And, just like my work pants, I have to have a lot of secure pockets. My EDC list does not vary much between work and play. I have a certain standard of general preparedness that walks with me everywhere I go, every single day of my life, though some of those things do get left behind when I am in leisure mode.
Utility: Hunting, fishing, hiking, foraging, bushcraft in general, and just about anything to do with being active in the great outdoors is what these pants are for.
What are Good Casual Pants to Wear?
A good pair of casual pants need, above all, to be comfortable and look really good. For me personally, these are worn the least of the time because I am usually working, hiking, hunting, or fishing.
On top of comfort and good looks, I still want my leisure pants to be made of high quality material, with a good solid stitch, and durable.
My wife loves it when I wear my jeans. She says that it sets a relaxed tone overall and she knows that my “serious” levels are down and my “easy-going” levels are up.
She sometimes has to remind me to go into this mode. It’s really easy to let ourselves get lost in everything that has to be done and all of the seriousness in life. There must be time for taking it easy.
Utility: An evening out for dinner with the wife or some friends, long strolling walks, family gatherings and holidays, and any sort of relaxed and controlled situation that doesn’t involve any work or wilderness is what these pants are for.
Alright, now that we’ve answered some basic questions, let’s take a more detailed look at The Best Rugged Outdoor Pants for Men in 2022!
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Rugged Outdoor Pants for Men: A 2022 Buyer’s Guide
Carhartt Men's Ripstop Cargo Flannel Lined Work Pant
It is essential to have a pair of flannel-lined work pants for cold workdays. Made from 9.25 oz, 100% cotton rip-stop fabric with a 3.8 oz, 100% cotton flannel lining, this pant sits at the waist, has a relaxed seat and thigh, offers the cordura-lined front ledge and back pockets and has a comfortable gusseted crotch.
It also has double-front, with clean-out openings for knee pads, two large cargo pockets, multiple utility pockets and a straight leg opening. Not to mention, they’re not too hard on the wallet either.
These pants have lasted me for 2 years so far, with daily abuse and wear, absolute comfort, and a pocket for all of my EDC needs. So far, not one wear-spot or hole, not even a single thread has come loose on these things. I’ve never had a pair of winter work pants that even come close to rivaling the likes of these.
FEATURES & SPECS:
100% Cotton
Button closure
Machine Wash
Sits at the waist
Relaxed seat and thigh
Hammer Loop
Cordura-lined front ledge pockets
Cordura-lined back pockets
Comfortable gusseted crotch
These are my warmer weather work pants, though they may be too warm for you depending on where you live and work, as they are still extremely durable and thick. They just don’t have the flannel lining.
For the things I do for an average work day, I will sacrifice being a little warm for the protection and strength these pants offer. But, again, I live farther north than some folks.
Just like my flannel-lined Carhartt pants, I have been abusing the living hell out of these things for close to 3 years and not real sign of wear!
I have never gotten my money’s worth out of anything quite like I have with these two pairs of work pants. I would highly recommend them both!
The Carhartt Men's Duck Double Front Dungaree work pants are 100% cotton ring spun, and sit slightly above the waist. They feature full seat & thigh, double front with clean-out openings that accommodate knee pads, multiple tool & utility pockets with left leg hammer loop, and a straight leg opening.
100% Cotton
12" high
16" wide
Straight-leg work pant
12 oz heavyweight cotton
Hammer Loop
Reinforced paneling at knees
Side utility pockets
Heavy-hauling reinforced back pockets
Fjallraven Men's Vidda Pro
The best pair of pants I have ever owned, PERIOD! If I had to get rid of all of my pants and only keep one pair, I would keep the Fjallraven Vidda Pro Trousers, without hesitation.
These pants have been providing comfort and utilitarian heaven for me for over 4 years now. They have a ton of pockets, with pockets inside of pockets, for just about everything you can imagine. In fact, it is because of these pants that a few essential items of mine got added to my everyday carry (EDC).
I really enjoy the fact that there are no back pockets so while I am sitting for long periods of time or on long trips, I am in absolute comfort with practical ergonomics. No more sitting on my thick wallet and somehow I still have more storage pockets than any other pant!
They are water resistant and are a great wind-breaker. I will say though, for cold weather, you have to team these up with a really good insulative base layer, as they are not thick pants. However, they are very durable, with G-1000 fabric technology, and provide unmatched flexibility and agility for climbing and maneuvering over extreme wilderness terrain!
They also offer an elastic strap adjustment with press buttons at the end of each leg to offer a tapered look and protection against the elements. This feature also comes in handy on the regular for me as I can cinch them snug and, with ease and comfort, tuck them into my Muck Boots.
To add to their worth, I do double the Fjallraven Vidda Pro Trousers as not only my outdoor rugged adventure pants, but I even wear them out to dinner with my wife, family gatherings, and other activities that fall into my “leisure” category. They’re a ruggedly sharp pair of pants and, till this day, I seem to get some sort of compliment every single time I wear them.
A quick note for long and short-term care, Fjallraven Greenland Wax is a must have for the protection of your G-1000 fabric gear.
It is a simple and environmentally friendly mixture of beeswax and paraffin.
After each wash, rub this wax into your Vidda Pro Trousers. By rubbing the wax into the fabric and warming it, the surface becomes protected, conditioned, and water repellent, extending the life of these amazing pants for years to come!
FEATURES & SPECS:
Material: G-1000 Original: 65% polyester, 35% cotton
Reinforcement areas: Pre-shaped Knees
Pockets: Six practical pockets including a map pocket
Wash: Normal
Dry cleaning: DO NOT DRY CLEAN!
Bleaching: DO NOT BLEACH!
Drying: DO NOT TUMBLE DRY!
Additional care instructions: do not use fabric softener, wash with similar colors
These are, by far, the best pair of denim jeans I’ve ever owned. I try to use them strictly for leisure, though they are designed with the ruggedness and durability of a work pant and I sometimes get into a situation where a little work encroaches on some leisure time.
In fact, I believe they’re considered to be a work pant.The only reason I don’t use them for work purposes or outdoor activities is primarily because when I’m in that mode, I prefer to have a lot of pockets for my EDC. Besides pockets, they meet every criteria in my book for a solid pair of work pants.
They’re rugged, durable, triple stitched, and they provide excellent flexibility and allow for excellent agility. The crotch is not baggy but also not too tight, and the straight leg is not too wide or narrow, allowing them to fit over your lace-up boots, and inside or even over a good pair of Muck or rain boots.
FEATURES & SPECS:
Bedrock fiber content is 12.5-ounce, 82% cotton/18% polyester denim; Frontier fiber content is 86% cotton/14% polyester denim
Sits at the waist with a comfortable fit through the seat and thigh and a straight leg opening
Relaxed seat and thigh for easy movement
Stronger sewn-on-seam belt loops
Straight leg opening
Button closure
Machine Wash
15-ounce, 100% cotton ring-spun denim
“Dreams will get you nowhere, a good kick in the pants will take you a long way.”
—Baltasar Gracian
We hope that our list today will be of some use for you if you’re looking for your next pair of trousers and are not sure what to look for. None of the pants on our list today will really break the bank, but every single one of them should last you for many years to come.
One day, down the road, when it is time for me to shop around again, I will probable keep it simple as usual and just buy these all over again. That’s how happy I am with them. Hopefully, you’ll get the same satisfaction if you decide to go with any of them.
Until next time, keep yourself prepared and able to get the job done. That’s what the right gear will aid you in doing and that’s what it’s made for.
Stay Rugged, and look good while you’re doing it!
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