There’s also a small, drop-in coin pocket in there, but it’s down deep and it’s hard to get a photo of it. On the right side, there’s also a little hang loop, for attaching keys on a carabiner, or maybe a small camera, which can hang from its wrist strap. Money belts are fine, but I just prefer these features built-in.īoth front pockets have a hidden, zippered pocket on the inside: Zippy. This is amazingly useful if you’re heading somewhere with annoying pickpockets, or you just like keeping stuff someplace where it can’t fall out. These have a grand total of 7 pockets, 3 of which are zippered. Notice first of all how you do not see a billion zippers and fluorescent racing stripes and billboard logos everywhere, which everyone else always seems to have for some reason. This is exactly what travel pants should do, and amazingly few of them do it. They look great, feel great, and keep important items safely hidden away. And with the addition of the stretchy new fabric, they’ve removed the only potential problem they ever had. The travel-friendly security features are as good as it gets, and they still look exactly like a regular pair of pants. I’ve tried a million different options over the years, and I’m pretty confident when I say: I don’t think you’re going to find a better pair of travel pants out there. And when they recently sent me a pair to try out, that’s exactly what happened. And although they’ve updated the fit since I first got them (plus added a relaxed-fit version), they were also working on a stretchy new fabric that would offer a lot more flexibility, which they called the Chino.įor the last few years, I’ve been waiting for this new version to show up, often avoiding other pant purchases in the meantime, because I expected these would just end up replacing them anyway. The fabric wasn’t stretchy, so it can feel a little restrictive when sitting down on a plane for 14 hours, or high-stepping your way up a Mayan pyramid or something. Otherwise, a high rise worn low makes working, crawling, bending over a nuisance.So a while back, I made a pretty bold statement when I said Bluffworks were the best travel pants out there. The mix of technical fabric, casual styling, and hidden security pockets were as good a combination as you were going to get, and despite the millions of options available, this is still true.īut in the review, I mentioned one potential problem. Fits to avoid? "High rises," Zottolo says, "unless you actually wear your pants at your navel. On the other hand, if you get pants that are too baggy, the extra fabric can get caught in machinery. Pants that are too slim can limit your range of motion and aren't as comfortable to wear when the job requires maneuvering tight spots. Instead, most good work pants use fabrics in the range of 10 to 14 ounces.Īs far as fit is concerned, much of that is left to preference. But fabrics heavier than 14 ounces can cause you to overheat, especially if you live in milder climates. You might think that ultra-heavy fabric would be the play. If you need to wear a tool belt, pants with more and wider belt loops are better for durability. Cargo pockets are great for smaller items if you're not lugging a toolbox with you. Utility pockets should be roomy enough to carry your tools and there should be enough of them for the kind of job you're working. Pockets shouldn't skimp out on carry capacity, either. Many manufacturers offer pants with double fronts that allow you to insert your own knee pads. Most often, that means some kind of fabric reinforcement or sewn-in knee pads. Ripstop is also a great option that tends to be lighter weight and well-suited for warmer climates. Really, the fabric is everything, with comfort right behind." Most work pants will use thick duck canvas or heavy denim which are both known for their durability. "Double or triple stitching is good to have as well, but everyone from the cheapest to the most expensive has this. "You want something that will hold up to crawling around on concrete, rebar and tie wire," he says. Peter Zottolo, a union worker and member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers says that the most important thing to consider is fabric.
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