The Most Comfortable Work Pants for Every Kind of Guy

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.J crew / lululemon / Ralph laurenProsHigh rise construction that affords plenty of mobilitySuper affordableConsCan look a little cheapIf the jeans world has Levi’s and its 501 jeans, then the workwear world has Dickies and 874s. If you’re only just now beginning your professional career and need a pair of pants that won’t break the entry-level salary bank, these are the pants you need.The best thing about a pair of Dickies is that the tight-weave twill fabric actually has a sheen similar to what most suit pants will give you. Plus, the pants take and hold a crease well, so they can cosplay as something a lot more style savvy than they are.The comfort comes from their high rise, which affords you plenty of room to bend over, stretch your legs, and just generally move around. Get a pair of these bad boys in the right color, and you’ve got a reliable pair of hard-wearing pants that look good enough for the first few steps of the corporate ladder. You should, however, remove the Dickies logo on the butt, just to keep up appearances.Material: 65% Polyester, 35% CottonProsThoughtfully constructed for optimal mobilityComfortable materialLots of pocketsIf you spend your weekday mornings gazing longingly at your sweatpants as your dress for the workday, these Lululemon pants will stop that wandering eye and lessen those Sunday scaries just the slightest bit. They’re thoughtfully tailored in a way that affords plenty of room for any and all, ahem, appendages—something our style director Jonathan Evans couldn’t stop waxing poetic about in his Esquire Endorsement from about two years ago. They have five different pockets for your phones, keys, wallet, and more. And they’re made from Lululemon’s trademarked stretchy and soft Warpstreme material.Material: 100% recycled polyesterAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsSuper customizable to optimize comfortConsWebsite could be betterIf you’re looking for sophisticated workwear at a competitive price (at least as far as workwear goes), Suitsupply is the place to go. When it comes to well-made and well-tailored suits at a reasonable cost, it doesn’t get much better than this. The brand’s wide-legged pants give a high rise with a straight leg that looks flattering and feels good. You can tailor the comfort even further with additional customizable options—including material, drop pleats, and more.Materials: TBD (pick from over 300 different fabrics)ProsDistinct and ultra-fashionable silhouetteCons100% wool = no go for summerWhat’s a Gurkha trouser, you ask? This high-waisted pant is inspired by the silhouette worn by Nepalese soldiers serving in the British military circa the 19th century, and features a sleek cummerbund-esque waistband for an extra bit of tapering. “These pants sit at your natural waist, but four pleats give you room to breath around the seat and thighs,” our reviewers say of Todd Snyder’s take on this classic style. “Then, they taper down to the hem to give a more professional, less military, look.”Material: 100% Virgin WoolAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsAvailable in lots of chic colorsConsOne of the more expensive options on this listMight not be fit for colder weatherThis linen iteration of Percival’s timeless pleated trousers look and feel like the cool ocean breeze that’ll never go out of style.Material: 100% LinenProsRelaxed and roomy fitConsIn high demand and tends to sell outWhen it comes to chinos, we’ve long waxed poetic about this pair from J. Crew. It’s made of great material and offers a relaxed fit that’s plenty comfortable. To quote our very own commerce editor, Luke Guillory, “They're giant in an old-school JFK-on-the-family-sailboat type of way.”Material: 100% Cotton TwillAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowConsNearly $200 for a pair of pantsLiked what we were putting down about the J. Giant chino? Well, here’s its natural upgrade.Material: 100% CottonProsHigh-quality materialConsSlightly slimmer fit might not feel as comfortableWe love us some Buck Mason. We especially love the brand’s Big Chino pant—but it seems a lot of other people also have great taste, which means the big Chino often has somewhat limited stock. So we’d like to turn your attention to another, equally worthwhile option that will look and feel just as good.Material: 100% CottonAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsVersatile and well-fittedConsReviewers claim they're not as sturdyWant an extra pair of pants to sit in your dresser right next to your Dickies? These are the pants for you.Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane