As much as I would like a single pair of pants that I can work, climb, run, and go to a nice restaurant in, there isn’t. These different activities simply call for different materials and styles.
Thankfully Backcountry has three kinds of pants that are MORE than capable to cover your day job, weekend chores, and a serious project. They sent me a pair of each to see if that’s the case.
Tahoe Pants
These are by far the most capable pants on this list. I wear these to my day job with how comfortable they are, hike, and ruck in.
The material is stretchy, breathable, yet strong!
How strong? I’ve been wearing these to frame a house. And on super-hot, 90+ °F days these are fan-freaking-tastic!
Bending over, squatting down, lunging left to right, I don’t have any problems moving around in these pants. The only ordeal is the waist size.
The length is perfect! But like nearly every pair of pants I try, if the length is good then the waist is too big. It’s nothing a belt can’t fix, but the slack material is just annoying.
Rambler Stretch Workpants
These things, for the most part, are made for serious work! I say, “for the most part”, because the only problem I have with these is the pocket material.
Somehow, it’s tearing apart in the right hand pocket and it’s only a matter of time until it’s completely blown out. I’m way past the 30-day return policy too, so I’ll need to fix it. (Aka I’ll nice ask my wife to sew it back together.
Besides the pocket fabric, these things are awesome. I’ve worked with rebar, excavators, concrete, and tons of framing in these, and the only way you would know are some stains and small surface level cuts.
I have family and friends that are builders, farmers, and mechanics. They wear pants like these, and now I know why. The strength and durability are no joke!
I don’t know when I’ll have to retire these, because at this rate it’s probably gonna be 10 years or more. (Assuming I don’t gain too much weight and need a bigger pair.)
The only con of pants this tough, is they don’t breath. So those 90+ °F days feel quite a bit warmer, while the 40 °F winter and spring days are perfect for the Ramblers.
Wasatch Ripstop Everyday Pant
I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted a pair of pants like these! They fit so good, look sharp, and feel absolutely amazing.
Just like the Tahoe pants these have a material that’s thin and light, but also durable. However, the Wasatch Ripstops are like a glow-up version of the Tahoes. I wear these to work conferences, nice restaurants, and church.
Why?
Because these look just as good as dress slacks, but they’re a thousand times more comfortable and a million times easer to clean.
If I wasn’t babying these things so much, these pants are the closest to a “do-it-all” pair of pants. You could easily hike some trails in the morning, work on your yard in the afternoon, and then go on a date in the evening.
(Assuming you miraculously didn’t sweat or get dirty during any of those activities.)
The Recap
I’m not a stylish person, nor do I like designer brands. For 98% of activities, I like my clothes to be functional first and look good second. The Tahoe and Rambler pants exemplify and fulfill this preference perfectly!
They’re made for a specific purpose or two, and that’s where they flourish.
Then you have the Wasatch Ripstops. They’re proper looking, and man are they comfortable and athletic!
Add them all together and you’re looking at The Three Musketeers of pants.