10 Best Work Cargo and Carpenter Pants for Women in the Trades
Updated: May 19, 2023
Durability and comfort don't have to be mutually exclusive!
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We can all agree on one thing: Uncomfortable or ill-fitting pants can make or break a day. And if you’re wearing the wrong pants on the job? Forget about it. To help eliminate some of the complications of pants shopping (because we all know it’s tough), we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite work cargos and carpenter pants to make the process pain-free.
Whether you’re an electrician, ironworker, plumber or mechanic, these work pants for women in trades will be a new favorite.
Dickies Carpenter Duck Pants
A comfortable pant for women who build things, the Dickies Women’s Carpenter Duck Pants, with 98% brushed duck cotton and two-percent Spandex, actually look as good as they feel.
The classic mid-rise and a relaxed straight fit—not too slim yet not too baggy—provide a full range of movement. Other standout features include the perfect placement of the seven pockets and sturdy utility construction that will endure years of wear and tear.
Dickies Plus Double Front Pants
A more generous adaptation of Dickie’s standard-sized carpenter duck pants, the Dickies Women’s Plus Double Front Denim Carpenter Pants are work-worthy carpenters for the curvier set.
Along with a contoured waistband, elastic interlining (to prevent annoying gaps in the back) and utility pockets galore, these worry-free women’s carpenter pants are far and away more comfortable than jeans. And, you can wear them all day, every day.
Dickies Scrub Pants
Designed for long shifts and late nights, the Dickies Women’s Scrub Pants let you worry about your patients and not your uniform.
These work-ready cargo pants have the comfort of an elastic waist with an inner drawstring. These soft and stretchy scrub pants give you a polished look with the tapered leg. With eight utility pockets to hold everything you need, these will become your favorite new work pants. Get the correct length for your height with your choice of petite, regular and tall. Sizes run from XXS petite to 5X to fit every heroine working in the medical field.
Cargo Chef Pants
Whether you’re a master chef or a line cook, the Women’s Stretch Yoga Cargo Chef Pants (with six pockets) have an adjustable fit and drawstring closure to help take the hassle out of dressing for work. These pants coordinate with most standardized uniform requirements and are easy to clean, thanks to the cotton, polyester and spandex blend fabric. Just machine wash and tumble dry on low for a no-iron result.
Dickies Relaxed Stretch Cargo Shorts
A new addition to their women’s workwear line, the durable, brushed cotton Dickies Women’s Relaxed Stretch Cargo Shorts are for when it’s just too warm for long pants. The inseam measures 11 inches, so for most women, the bottom of the legs comes just above the knees.
These cargoes are a breath of fresh air you need when it’s hot, and you don’t need to cover your legs for safety.
Dovetail Workwear Carpenter Pants
Introduced by Dovetail Workwear with the tagline, “Work Like a Mother,” the Maven Maternity women’s carpenter pants invite moms to carry their baby bumps in style.
The stretch denim pants, with their Beyond Bellyband design, have integrated elastic waist inserts, double-front thigh panels and a gusseted crotch for optimal support and comfort. There are also eight pockets and a HipSlot to hang a tape measure or clips.
5.11 Pro Tactical Cargo Pants
Designed for hot and humid conditions, the 5.11 Women’s Taclite Pro Tactical Seven-Pocket Cargo Pants are standard issues for many emergency medical technicians. These pants feature reinforced triple stitching at the usual stress points (the waistband, seat and knees), plus strap-and-slash pockets and a hip-mounted D-ring for hanging stuff.
Engineered from cotton-polyester ripstop fabric coated with Teflon to resist soil, liquid and stains, you can wear these pants for extremely demanding conditions or daily duty.
Dovetail Workwear DIY Performance Modal
As indestructible and comfortable as they come, Dovetail Workwear’s Christa DIY Performance Modal is a work pant in sweatpants’ clothing. The pull-on pants with seven pockets (including two zipper-secured front pockets) are made of moisture-wicking, thermo-regulating fleece fabric to keep you cool and dry on the job.
Verified buyer Rebecca P. finds these pants comfy and tough. “LOVE these pants!” they wrote. “They are insanely comfortable, yet totally stand up to anything. Big fan of chopping wood in them.”
Dovetail Workwear Anna Taskpant
Look the part in these painter’s pants made for women, in painter’s white, khaki or navy. The Anna Taskpant works as hard as you do with nine pockets and a tool loop. These 97% eco-friendly sourced cotton pants stretch with you. The loose-fit leg and mid-rise waist provide comfort and a relaxed look all day. Plus, they have reinforced knees with pad pockets for those extra-grueling jobs.
The Anna Taskpant is available in four inseam lengths and three colors.
Manchester Construction Pant
The Manchester Construction Pant has hanging hip pockets to hold your tools. Whether you’re a landscaper, designer or work in the trades, you’ll appreciate how handy these pants are. The crotch gusset and articulated knee gives you freedom of movement, and the knee pad pocket is a bonus. The lightweight, two-way stretch fabric incorporates reflective details for visibility.
Ditch the tool belt and buy these women’s carpenter pants! We tried them and love them!
Cargo vs. Carpenter
Although cargo and carpenter pants are similar, there are a few subtle differences.
First, cargo pants are usually loose-fitting and have one or more flap pockets running down the thighs. Carpenter pants, on the other hand, are identified easily by the hammer loop sewn into the upper side of the leg. Both generally have relaxed, straight-leg silhouettes.
For the best fit, regardless of which type you choose, look for cargo or carpenter pants with:
- Inseam, waist and hip sizes calculated for women
- Roominess, comfort and stretch
- Plenty of pockets and loops to hold tools and essentials
- Easy-care, breathable fabrics
Originally Published: March 17, 2021
