The right roofing pants could just save your life by ensuring you don’t fall off the roof. Or, they might be what you need to ensure that your legs are protected against the day after day abuse that roofing can have on your clothing.
Whatever the reason that you’re looking for roofing pants, we have some solutions for you. We’ve been around the block and seen some of these pants in action.
What to Look for in Roofing Pants
If you’re looking for a true roofing pant, then you should expect a few things out of it. Not everyone will like the same things in a specific pair of pants, but here are a few features to watch for.
- Reinforced Waistband
- High-quality Zipper
- Reinforced Crotch Area
- Front and Rear Utility Pockets
- Cargo Pockets
- Easy Access Pockets for Wallet and Cell Phone
- Loops for Tools
- Internal Pockets for Padding
- Slip Protection
Some roofers prefer to have pants that will hold all of the gear they need so that they don’t need to wear tool belts or use any other types of carries. However, if you prefer wearing a tool belt or you have a specific way of doing things, we encourage you to stick with that and instead look for the pants that will offer the most durability.
Before we dive into the list, the last thing to mention is slip protection. Some pants offer support and help when you’re on the roof. Falling off or slipping off a roof is no joke. With the slip protection on some roofing pants, you’ll have an advantage against falling from the roof.
Here’s what you can expect from the highest-rated and top roofing pants on our list.
Duluth TradeTek Cargo Pants
These pants fit great, look great, and offer tons of storage for tools. A rugged and durable pant that’s reinforced in several areas to ensure that you’re getting the best out of pants. Breathability is important to many roofers as a long day on the roof is always easier when your pants feel sweaty or sticky. These pants are 97% cotton making them very breathable and comfortable to wear all day.
Average Rating: 4.3 stars
Blåkläder X1600 Work Pants
These aren’t just your average pair of work pants. Blaklader truly makes some of the most durable and wearable workwear on the market. These work pants are 100% cotton and offer loads of pockets reinforced for carrying nails, knives, and any other tool you might need. Each pair also features an adjustable drawstring for the waistband. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty and long-lasting pair of pants, these are great!
Average Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: Blaklader.com
Propper Kinetic® Tactical Pants
Tactical pants like these are designed for tactical situations where pants are required to be tough, offer lots of free movement, and the Teflon fabric protects against most liquids. The knees in these pants are reinforced with an extra opening for knee pads. The front pocket is notched with knife reinforcement, cell phone pockets, and cargo pockets with dividers.
Average Rating: 4.7 stars
Source: Propper.com
Carhartt Rugged Flex® Multi-Pocket Pants
Carharrt has become one of the biggest names in workwear, and for a good reason. They make dependable, durable, heavy-duty, and long-lasting clothes for men and women alike. These pants are specifically designed for people who need pockets and who need to get a lot of work done without wearing out a pair of perfectly good pants. Features include lots of reinforced pockets, along with free-hanging pockets for added capacity: a hammer loop and reinforced knees.
Average Rating: 5 stars
Engelbert-Strauss ES Motion Summer Pants
These pants come from our friends over in Europe. And, while we love a good American-made brand, we’re impressed with the ways that these pants look and feel. They’re extremely lightweight and breathable, making them perfect roofing in the summer. The waistband offers a built-in FLEXBELT® that allows the wearer to adjust the fit to what’s best for them. There are two side pockets and reinforced back pockets. Zipper vents on the back of both thighs help with breathability on hot days, and the thigh and knee material is a highly durable Ripstop.
Average Rating: 5 stars
Tru-Spec Ascent Pants
A comfortable fit waistband, brass zipper, gusseted crotch, and reinforced pockets are all things that make these pants highly wearable and loved by a lot of workers throughout the roofing world. The fabric of these pants is treated with a durable, water-resistant coating that helps to keep them dry while you’re working. Additionally, the fabric is stain and fade-resistant, making sure that your pants look great for many, many workdays.
Average Rating: 4 stars
Source: Truspec.com
KUHL Ambush Cargo Shorts
For those that can get away with wearing shorts on the job site, these Ambush Cargo Shorts from KUHL are great. They’re lightweight, quick-drying, will help you stay cool, comfortable, and ready to take on the job in front of you. The pockets are durable to hold the tools or materials you need, and the crotch area is reinforced from front to back to help with durability.
Average Rating: 4.1 stars
REI Sahara Roll-Up Cargo Pants
These pants are light and durable. They aren’t nearly as heavy-duty as some of the other work pants on our list, but they’re on our list for other reasons. If you’re looking for a pair of affordable, relaxed, and comfortable pants, then these are a great option. Having the ability to roll up the pants is also a great feature as it helps to provide you with a cooler workflow if you find yourself overheating in the sun. Unfortunately, durability is the biggest thing lacking with these pants, and it’s why they often receive a poor rating.
Average Rating: 3.3 stars
And that wraps up our list of the best roofing pants out on the market. If you have a pair of pants that you think should be on this list, be sure to drop a comment below. We’d love to hear about it! And, if you’re a roofer that’s interested in learning more about our roofing school or conferences, reach out. We love meeting roofers throughout the industry! At Roofing Insights, we’re all about empowering roofers and homeowners to provide or receive the roofing service that they deserve.