Duluth Trading Flex Fire Hose work pants designed for tradesmen, great for any active person

FlexFireHose-pantsActive tradesmen need heavy-duty work pants, but those pants have a reputation of being uncomfortable and inflexible. That’s part of the reason outdoor hikers, climbers, photographers and the like have gone the high-priced, but comfortable technical trousers route. They needed flexibility and were willing to pay big bucks to get it.  While technical pants are lightweight and flexible, the downside was durability.

In a hostile environment, whether it’s a pricker-filled field, or all day on a concrete breakwall, heavy jeans or work pants were always called for. Duluth Trading heard the needs of this crowd and has designed what I feel is the best combination of weight, durability and flexibility in a pair of work pants.  The Flex Fire Hose work pants are pre-washed so they come out of the bag feeling like you’ve worn them a dozen times before.

On a recent photo shoot in Texas, I accompanied three hunters as they worked their way through some heavy brush in search of wild boars. I contemplated wearing chaps to protect my legs but I really wanted the ability to crouch and get down low for photos. I opted instead to just place my faith in the Flex Fire Hose pants and they never let me down. Thorns and brush were no match for them. I had the protection I needed and the flexibility I was hoping for.

Duluth Trading is famous for its multi-pocketed pants and these are no exception. On a couple recent photo shoots, I loved all the pockets and pouches – ten in all.  Many were large enough for photo lenses & meters so I could leave my heavy photo vest in the truck.  The four largest have flaps that can be velcroed inside to make them easy to reach into while you’re working, but then they pull outside and cover the contents when you’re not. (Watch the video to see them in action.) Genius!

Tree-climbers probably know better than most what kind of stretch you need in a pair of pants.  “I can literally make reaches and climbs I can’t do in ANY other pair of pants,” said Duluth Trading Co. trades panel member and tree trimmer, Chris from Verona, Wisconsin. “The extra flex in these pants makes climbing and stretching so much easier!”

Flex fire hose pants pocketAccording to the manufacture, these pants are “8 oz. Fire Hose cotton canvas that’s a third lighter yet packs the same abrasion resistance as the original 11.5-ounce Fire Hose® Work Pants.” 3% spandex gives you incredible flex… a hidden crotch gusset is added for extra ease…and they are Teflon®-treated to resist stains and water. It all adds up to getting my vote for the best work pants I’ve owned in years.

Duluth Trading already markets heavily to tradespeople, but I think they’ve got some new markets now with hunters and photographers. Not only are their pants great, but they cover everything with their “No Bull Guarantee – If you’re not 100% satisfied with any item you purchase from Duluth Trading, return it to us at any time for an exchange or refund of its purchase price. Simple, unconditional, no nonsense, NO BULL.”

Check out the Duluth Trading website for the Flex Fire Hose pants and for the rest of their line of “work-rated” clothing.  Also from Duluth, the Scrapper Jacket – an awesome lightweight, but heavy-duty winter jacket.