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The Best Work Pants for Women of 2024

Are you looking for work pants that will actually hold up on the job site and fit your body? We’ve found the best work pants for women and put them to the test.

Dovetail - Women's Work Pants
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Women in hands-on industries often turn to men’s workwear to get by. But the landscape of women’s workwear is quickly changing, and with that, choice follows. There are now brands dedicated to finding the perfect balance between fit and function for women’s workwear. Gone are the days of needing to buy pants too big so our hips would fit, but then our legs were drowning in material.

As both a horsewoman and an outdoorswoman, our author finds herself grabbing durable gear more often than most. She tested a wide swath of pants over a 6-month period, and beat the heck out of them in the process. Between horseback riding and general mayhem, these pants passed the test.  

To learn more about women’s work pants and how to choose the perfect pair, check out our buyer’s guide and FAQ section at the bottom of this article. Also, have a look at our comparison chart to help your decision-making.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Women’s Work Pants guide on March 21, 2024, to ensure that our selection is still accurate and available.

The Best Work Pants for Women of 2024


Best Overall Women’s Work Pants

Dovetail Britt Utility

Specs

  • Material Cotton, spandex
  • Inseam 28, 30, 32, 34, 36
  • Size 000-24
Product Badge The Best Work Pants for Women of 2024

Pros

  • 11 pockets
  • Crotch gusset
  • Knee slot for cushion

Cons

  • Break-in period
  • Expensive
Best Budget Women's Work Pants

Dickies Stretch Double-Front Duck Carpenter Pants

Specs

  • Material Cotton, spandex
  • Inseam Regular
  • Size 2-16
The Best Work Pants for Women of 2024

Pros

  • 7 pockets
  • Stretch
  • Reinforced front panel

Cons

  • Small hand pockets
  • Runs large
Runner-Up Best Women’s Work Pants

Carhartt Women’s Rugged Flex

Specs

  • Material Cotton, elastane
  • Inseam Short, Regular, Tall
  • Size 0-26
The Best Work Pants for Women of 2024

Pros

  • Stretchy
  • Comfortable
  • Multiple utility pockets

Cons

  • Thinner fabric
Best Women’s Work Overalls

Liberty Duck Bib Overalls

Specs

  • Material Cotton
  • Inseam N/A
  • Size S-XXL
The Best Work Pants for Women of 2024

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Comfortable
  • Large zippered pocket

Cons

  • Wash with care, may shrink
Best Women’s Work Legging

Carhartt Force Lightweight Utility Legging

Specs

  • Material Nylon and spandex ponte
  • Inseam Regular and Tall
  • Size XS-XXL
The Best Work Pants for Women of 2024

Pros

  • Fights odor
  • Versatile
  • FastDry technology

Cons

  • Durability
Best Women’s Work Jeans

Wrangler Cowboy Cut Slim Fit Jean

Specs

  • Material Cotton
  • Inseam 30, 32, 34, 36, 38
  • Size 00-15
The Best Work Pants for Women of 2024

Pros

  • Wide range of sizes and inseams
  • Durable
  • Classic look

Cons

  • Updated sizes run small
Best of the Rest

Kühl Rydr Pant

Specs

  • Material Cotton, spandex
  • Inseam 30, 32, 34
  • Size 0-16
The Best Work Pants for Women of 2024

Pros

  • Multiple size and inseam option
  • Durable
  • Useful pockets

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No stretch

Women’s Work Pants Comparison Chart

Women’s Work PantsPriceMaterialInseamSize
Dovetail Britt Utility$99Cotton, spandex28, 30, 32, 34, 36000-24
Dickies Stretch Double-Front Duck Carpenter Pants$50Cotton, spandexRegular2-16
Carhartt Women’s Rugged Flex$70Cotton, elastaneShort, Regular, Tall0-26
Liberty Duck Bib Overalls$53CottonN/AS-XXL
Carhartt Force Lightweight Utility Legging$60Nylon and spandex ponteRegular and TallXS-XXL
Wrangler Cowboy Cut Slim Fit Jean$55Cotton30, 32, 34, 36, 3800-15
Dovetail Maven Slim Work Short$65Cotton and spandex12″00-18
KÜHL Ryder Pant $99Cotton and spandex30, 32, 340-16
We tested work pants in all sorts of conditions and environments to bring you the most deserving selection possible; (photo/Conni Mahoney)

How We Tested Women’s Work Pants

The GearJunkie team is made up of women who play and work in the outdoors. We are horsewomen, ranchers, landscapers, and all-around outdoorswomen. We need durable pants that fit and can keep up, literally. 

For these pants we tested them at work and when we were out having fun. We wore them outside doing daily chores, riding horses, hopping fences, and stacking firewood. 

Let’s be honest: pants are hard to find for women in general. We first wanted to know how they fit when we put them on. How were the length and waist, and did they offer additional pockets? We love our pockets, even in work pants. We wanted to ensure they could move when needed, paying particular attention to the flexibility, stretch, and snagging and noting if the back crept down when we bent over. 

After we put them to work, we inspected the pairs to note any noticeable fraying, pilling, or seam ripping. We did the same inspection after we washed them. We also tried them on again after washing them because there is nothing worse than finding your pants too tight the next time you go to put them on. 

Constance Mahoney grew up on a working ranch in Montana. Her family did it all: cows, sheep, goats, chickens, and horses. Work pants were hard to come by when she was younger, and she often left with her brother’s hand-me-downs.

She still remembers getting her first pair of brand-new women’s Carhartt pants. She put them through the wringer, raising 4-H steers, moving irrigation, welding projects, fencing, painting, mucking out barns, etc. She had them for over a decade. Transitioning into adulthood, Mahoney always stayed close to outdoor work. Currently, she is a ranch manager in Colorado and still wears work pants daily.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Women’s Work Pants

It’s important to find comfortable, good-fitting work pants so you aren’t hindered while completing any manner of tasks; (photo/Conni Mahoney)

Whether on a construction site, in a barn, or working outdoors, finding the perfect pair of women’s work pants is essential for comfort, durability, and functionality. Finding the right women’s work pants involves balancing functionality, comfort, and style.

Considering these factors, you’ll be well-equipped to make a smart and informed decision tailored to your work environment and needs. Here’s a comprehensive buyer’s guide to help you make an informed decision.

It’s important to note that this guide focuses solely on workwear made for women. For lighter, more outdoor-oriented pants, take a peek at our GearJunkie guide on women’s hiking pants, or scope out our men’s-specific guide to work pants.

Material

Work pants need to be made with tough, tear-resistant materials to withstand whatever torture comes their way; (photo/Conni Mahoney)

The first thing you need to consider is the work you plan on doing. Will you be around large machinery, animals, or landscaping projects? Will you need to be quick on your feet, maximizing stretch and freedom, or will you need something heavier-duty with more protection? 

The best women’s work pants are a combination of cotton and spandex/elastane. The spandex allows the fabric to “give” and creates flexibility. The cotton is usually spun into a tight weave called canvas. That makes the pants thicker and more durable. An even tighter cotton weave is called “duck canvas.” Pants made with canvas and duck canvas are resistant to wear and tear, ensuring longevity. 

Dickies Stretch Double-Front Duck Carpenter Pants are made with both spandex and duck canvas allowing them to be durable yet flexible. If you are looking for something with more stretch, the Carhartt Women’s Rugged Flex offers a canvas weave with more elastane creating flexibility. Or if all you want is comfort and freedom and don’t need too much protection, the Carhartt Force Lightweight Utility Legging is a stellar option. 

Durability

Work pants run on the heavy side, but have a number of reinforced features that allow them to fend off more abuse than regular ol’ trousers; (photo/Conni Mahoney)

Above, we discussed the material and what makes it durable, but there are more things to consider when looking at how long women’s work pants will last. Here are a few features of work pants that can help boost their lifespan and improve comfort on the job site.

Articulated Knees

It is when the knee area, think the top of the shin bone to above the knee, has either additional material, double/triple stitching, or darts sewn in at natural crease locations. It allows for extra movement to mitigate creating holes in the knee over time. Canvas and duck canvas can be stiff, and having reinforced areas helps strengthen the pants. 

Crotch Gussets

If you need additional flexibility to swing your leg over a horse or a fence, or climb a ladder, look for a work pant with a crotch gusset. A crotch gusset consists of extra fabric (or a gusset) woven into the crotch area. It is usually in the shape of a diamond or triangle. This allows for more comfort and flexibility as you move.

Reinforced Areas

Reinforced patches on pants help prolong their life and protect you while kneeling or rubbing up against abrasive surfaces; (photo/Conni Mahoney)

The best women’s work pants will have reinforced knees and cuffs. Adding extra material or stitching will help high-use areas maintain their integrity and last longer. 

Stitching

  • Bartacks: Bartacks are extra stitching added to stress points to prevent tears. They are typically done in short bursts around high-stress points.
A reinforced bartack on a pocket of work pants; (photo/Conni Mahoney)
  • Double and Triple-Stitched Seams: To ensure maximum longevity, many styles come with double or even triple stitching on the seams.
  • Rivets: Rivets are small, round pieces of metal attached to the parts of your work pants that take a lot of stress. The rivets carry the weight of your movement while you work, preventing the pants from ripping. 
An aptly placed rivet on a pair of sturdy work pants; (photo/Conni Mahoney)

Fit

This is where it gets complicated. As we noted above, pants are problematic for women. Rarely can we buy from size charts and get the exact fit we want. With that said, work pants are generally less fitted, allowing for some wiggle room. The best thing you can do is try on the pants in a store to decide what fits you best. Some pants have a curvy and straight fit, which helps customize the fit better. 

More and more brands are expanding their size chart, and we are so excited! Most of the pants we tested had inseam and size options to pick from. Wrangler Cowboy Cut Slim Fit Jean had the best inseam options ranging from 30 to 38, while the Dovetail Britt Utility had the best size range from 000 to 24. 

Even with the additional sizing, we sometimes need to wear belts to cinch up the waist. But sometimes, it’s a good way to show off some cool belt buckles! If you want to avoid wearing a belt, we appreciate KÜHL Ryder Pant’s interior drawstring. 

Style

The style of work pants you go with boils down to personal preference and the type of jobs you find yourself doing; (photo/Conni Mahoney)

Depending on what kind of work you are doing, your style choice might be made for you. If you are working with a lot of tools and need additional places to store things, you will want to look for more cargo-style pants. Cargo doesn’t necessarily mean loose or baggy, just pants with pockets on the thigh. Many of the best women’s work pants have pockets but are not too boxy. The Filson Canvas Straight-Leg Pant is an excellent example of straight-legged work pants. 

A lot of the styles we tested ranged from regular fit to relaxed. Some might argue the Carhartt Women’s Rugged Flex is considered skinny jeans, but that is as skinny as it gets outside of the Carhartt Force Lightweight Utility Legging

Some people prefer the bib function for work, and who can blame them? They have ample storage, and you never have to worry about them falling down. If you find yourself in that category, our top bib pick is the Liberty Duck Bib Overalls.

Again, depending on your job, you may need something with added knee protection. The Carhartt Women’s Rugged Flex has reinforced knees and openings for knee pads.  

Consider your color options, too. If you work with machinery or in a shop, dark colors tend to hide stains if that is something you are concerned about, but make sure you check to see if there are any dress codes you need to follow. The Wrangler Cowboy Cut Slim Fit Jean comes in colors ranging from bleached to black.   

Work pants come in all shapes and sizes, so consider the type you are most comfortable with before buying; (photo/Conni Mahoney)

Price and Value

Work pants can be an investment, but we found several great options that ran in the middle. The more expensive work pants will be made with a higher quality duck canvas, making them more durable and lasting longer.

Consider the work you will be doing and how often you will be wearing them. For some, it makes sense to purchase the higher-quality pants. But if you are a weekend warrior wearing them for more play than work, you can get away with more budget-friendly options.

FAQ

How do I wash my work pants?

Always check your pant tags to see how to wash them. The most common way to clean them is in low-temperature water with a mild detergent and let them air dry. The dryer’s heat will wear them out faster.

Can I wear men’s work pants?

Absolutely! While the market is changing and there are now more options for women, some body shapes just fit better in men’s style pants. Here is a list of our favorite men’s work pants.

How long should my work pants last?

This depends on how often you wear them, what type of job you wear them for, and how you care for them. On average, they should last three or more years.

Can work pants be worn for fashion?

You bet! Canvas pants are all the rage in the fall, and depending on how closely you follow fashion trends, they can be worn year-round! If you need a flannel to complete your fall look, check these out.

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