I figured I'd pass on what I have learned.  If you recall from this thread: https://www.sport-touring.org/index.php?topic=4321.0  I was looking for good workpants that will take the abuse I dish out during my summers/weekends.

I bought a pair of the carhartt work pants ($25) and I ended up buying a pair of the Duluth Trading Company firehose pants ($65) a bit over a year ago.

Hands down the Duluth Trading Co pants are the better of the two.  Are they 2 1/2 times as good?  I would say "Yes" without a doubt.  I was so impressed with them I bought two pairs of the shorts for summer on-the-farm use.  There too I burn through old dress shorts quickly- the two pair of DT firehose shorts were my go-to all summer long and they still look nearly like new, as do the DT firehose pants I bought last year.  I have stained them in a few spots with bleach and hit them with the grinder, but they are wearing like iron, and are VERY comfortable.  I got another pair of the DT work pants for Christmas.  Incidentally, I do think the fine-weave DT pants would easily pass for dress pants as well.

The Carhartts wear well (better than jeans) and are a bargain, but they did not hold up nearly as well as the DT pants, plus the DT pants have several unique features that make them work even better.  The extra deep pockets and extra pockets, the extra cut in the crotch- they are just really well thought out.

Yes, they are more expensive, but these are now and will be my go-to.    from me.  I figured I'd pass on my experience.  Now if I could just find socks that hold up as well...

Nice review, thanks!

Now if I could just find socks that hold up as well...

Darn Tough Socks - by far the most superior socks I have ever owned, and they have a lifetime guarantee.

I've only used them for one week but so far the pair I bought are comfortable and warm.  I can't attest to their durability yet. 

When I worked at Nikwax, I made an arrangement with one of our reps who also repped Darn Tough. He got me 10 pair of socks (I told him I wanted to only do laundry every two weeks  ).  That was in 2007 and I am still wearing those same socks.

TBH, I don't wear them every day, but they have had their share of wearing and washing and are holding up perfectly 

TBH, I don't wear them every day, but they have had their share of wearing and washing and are holding up perfectly 

I've worn through 2 sets in 3-4 years of use. Daily.  The return/exchange process was painless.

Dear Forum.

Pants are things you wear under your "pants" because "pants" are actually called trousers.

And trucks are really called lorries.

My wife is named Lori...




...and her Mother is Glaswegian!!   Always makes me laugh. 

You need to start calling her Pants, then.

Quote from: Papa Lazarou on April 20, 2018, 01:59:48 PM

Dear Forum.

Pants are things you wear under your "pants" because "pants" are actually called trousers.

And trucks are really called lorries.

Dam British trying to speak American English, or is it English , English.Hmm I do say I am perplexed.

Back on topic thanks for the PANTS review ( take that you red coat scum)

That would be "The Queen's English" Jack!

Papa, a truck is a truck over here. A Lorrie is a semi!

Was told by a Brit friend that Webster was a slang for really messed up.

After the Merriam Webster's dictionary destruction of English, apparently the Oxford version is the only suitable one.

Haven't tried the fire his pants, but their bare naked underwear is really comfy.

I bought a set of Firehose pants after the glowing rec's here.
By the time they arrived, with exchange and shipping they were a $118.

And I purposely ordered a size larger for my waist cuz I'm a growing boy.

Ya, They are 3 sizes smaller than normal though the tags say otherwise .  It'd cost to much to ship back and exchange.  I hoping someday I'll lose about 20lbs so I can wear them (lol!)

DT tends to run to the large side on almost everything. IMHO, something was mis-marked.

Another kudos to Duluth Trading company:  The FlexFirehose shorts I have had a seam pull loose on the cuff above the leg- on a buddy's advice I brought them in this morning and they replaced them.  Bear in mind these things have had a year and a half of hard duty on them.  She said they shouldn't pull loose there.

Quote from: CLAY on June 22, 2018, 11:21:57 AM

Another kudos to Duluth Trading company:  The FlexFirehose shorts I have had a seam pull loose on the cuff above the leg- on a buddy's advice I brought them in this morning and they replaced them.  Bear in mind these things have had a year and a half of hard duty on them.  She said they shouldn't pull loose there.

Can I send you a pair of pants that errr ummm shrunk in the wash and exchange them for a larger size?   

That's right!  Are they still new?  We have a local store now.

Good to hear!  Mine are still wearing like iron.

Another kudos to Duluth Trading company:  The FlexFirehose shorts I have had a seam pull loose on the cuff above the leg- on a buddy's advice I brought them in this morning and they replaced them.  Bear in mind these things have had a year and a half of hard duty on them.  She said they shouldn't pull loose there.

I'm just putting it out there again- another summer of hard work in these shorts, and despite picking up a coupe more stains, they continue to wear well.  They still are fine.

Hmm... According to DTC's web site store locator, there's a location only 609 miles away from me.  I might have to stop in.