Tough pants suggestions

zeke · Heavy Crude Joined: Dec 07, 2007 Posts: 185

I was hoping to gather ideas and suggestions for tough pants.

jeans are thought to be "tough" but most of them fizzle after a little wear and tear. I have several pair of old navy basic pants which are meant for office/casual wear, and they have beaten the snot out of most jeans I've had.

Is it the fiber? the weave? the manufacturer? A combo of all those factors? Thanks for your pick of tough pants.
z
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patience · Expert Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 1664

zeke, Original Levi's, Wrangler's, and Lee jeans. None of the stone washed , stylized cuts, or pre-washed/pre-shrunk (pre-worn-out) stuff. The other crucial factor is NEVER is a clothes dryer on them. It's a short trip to the trash. Denim is made of cotton (maybe a bit of synthetic in it). When cotton gets dry it gets brittle, and the dryer pummels the heck out it, breaking fibers. Look in the lint filter-that's your clothing in there! Dry them on a line. Yup, they'll be stiff as a board. If you want'em to last, get used to it.

I run a welding and machine shop, and climb all over farm machinery all day. Good quality cotton jeans are the only thing that works for me. Some synthetics may be tougher, but have the downside that if a blob of molten metal hits it, it MELTS, and sticks to you. Third degree burn guaranteed. No thanks, I'll stick with cotton, which is also cooler in summer and warmer in winter than synthetics.
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DomusAlbion · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 5:35 am Post subject: Re: Tough pants suggestions

Carhartt brand jeans are some of the best. They are made with heavier denim called duck and you can get them with doubled fabric in the areas that wear more like the knees and the front of the thighs. All is riveted together for nearly indestructible work wear. You can get them HERE

I second what Patience says about washing as well. I wash in cold water and hang them on the line. They’re stiff when you first put them on but they loosen up quickly enough.
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Heineken · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:37 am Post subject: Re: Tough pants suggestions

I had two pairs of Carthart logger's jeans (with the doubled layers over the front) and was disappointed at how fast they wore out (in about a year for the two of them). But then, they were dried in a dryer, because my companion does all the laundry and I can't seem to get him to use the laundry line I put up.

One of the best pairs of jeans I ever had were those cheap cheesy Rustler jeans, of all things. They lasted and lasted and were quite comfortable too.
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StuckInPhilly · Heavy Crude Joined: Jul 24, 2008 Posts: 120

What kind of "tough" do you want?

Jeans are usually 100% cotton which makes them soft (eventually) and comfortable but cotton is not known for it's long wearing ability.

Unfortunately artificial fibers (polyester, etc.) do usually wear longer than most natural fibers but they don't breathe and can be uncomfortable.

Washers and dryers will help shorten the life of any clothing.

Advice: avoid the machines and either find a mix of fiber (part cotton/ part poly) or try a heavier pair of jeans.

gnm · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:08 am Post subject: Re: Tough pants suggestions

You might check into caving pants or rock climbing pants. Usually can find the latter at places like REI. They have a lot of durable varieties....

-G
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smallpoxgirl · Moderator Joined: Nov 08, 2004 Posts: 6278

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIwcRKXGhro

I've never worn them, and they're hella expensive, but I thought it was a cute clip anyway.
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joeltrout · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Sep 19, 2007 Posts: 1317

Heineken · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:58 am Post subject: Re: Tough pants suggestions

Really the solution is to go to Goodwill or a similar thrift shop. Jeans in your size can be hard to find there, but persistence usually turns the tide.

$4 jeans, even if they last only eight months, beat out $49 jeans that last umpteen years, hands down.

And "rock-climbing pants" sound REAL expensive.
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"Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog

"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother

Ludi · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: Tough pants suggestions

Yep, I get my clothes as the thrift shops, or make them.
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bobaloo · Heavy Crude Joined: Oct 14, 2004 Posts: 484

I just bought 8 pairs of MPTAC pants from www.botach.com, they have some great clearance sales. Got them for $6 per pair, they're about like 511 pants, designed for police type use. Lots of pockets, double reinforced knees, they've lasted real well for me and look kind of like Dockers with extra pockets so I can wear them to the office if so inclined.

Also, check out the footwear clearance section at botach, they have some 80-90 percent off sales there on quality boots. Bought 3 pair of Rocky boots, normally $130 each for $19 each from them.

I've seen some reports of problems with them on the net but I've ordered a number of times and have received top-notch customer service.

smallpoxgirl · Moderator Joined: Nov 08, 2004 Posts: 6278