The Greatest Work Pants for Girls of 2023

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 refreshed this article on December 19, 2023, adding several new pants, additional details about our testing practices, and more information in the buyer’s guide. We also made sure our product list is up-to-date with current models, colorways, and designs.

Best Work Pants for Women of 2023

Women’s Work Pants Comparison Chart

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

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

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

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, 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

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.

• 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. 

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 Maven Slim 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 Kuhl Rydr Pant’s interior drawstring. 

Style

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.  

On the opposite spectrum of knee protection, you might be looking for a durable work short for those hot days. In that case, the Dovetail Maven Slim Work Short was the best. With the durable fabric and multiple sizing options, it’s hard to beat. 

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.   

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