Cargo pants have been absent from the collective consciousness for a moment, but luckily they never fully went off the grid. And now, the military-inspired staple is back and the best cargo pants for men go far beyond the initial intention as true-blue workwear. Those pockets—all of them—are impossibly functional, and whether or not each is occupied is up to you because, as it so often happens with utilitarian designs, cargo pants are just as vibey as they are useful.
When droves of GIs returned home from World War II, they brought their uniforms with them and unknowingly ushered in a new wave of men’s fashion that included chinos, T-shirts, bomber jackets, and cargo pants. As it happened, their government-issued wares were more stylistically versatile than they knew. Generations later, menswear continues to look for new takes—from spaced-out high-fashion interpretations to one-to-one rips, the tactical pants remain relevant whether you’re on a job site or in an office.
So, like Saving Private Ryan, we deployed our own squad of fashion experts to find the best cargo pants for men and bring them back home. You earned this.
The Best Men’s Cargo Pants, According to GQ
If there’s one pair of pants you remember from the ’90s it’s probably Abercrombie & Fitch’s cargo pants. The mall brand made the military pant hot going in the Y2K era and with Abercrombie’s recent renaissance, we’re glad to say they’re just as good as you remember. Washed down to a vintage softness you could only hope to score on the secondhand market and coupled with the drawstring waist and baggy fit, these are some of the most comfy cargo pants you’ll ever slip into. It helps that they look incredible with just about any shoe: chunky boots, dainty loafers, retro running shoes, or even sandals.
It’s hard not to look good with Christophe Lemaire’s designs, and thankfully, you don’t have to go full bore and blow out your bank account for his namesake label. The master of minimalist utilitarianism has been heading up Uniqlo U for years, lending his deft eye to the Japanese retailer, so you can stock up on his covetable designs for a reasonable price. Made from lightweight cotton and cut into a wide silhouette, they’re built with an easy-going adjustable waist and sizeable cargo pockets.
Needles has built a cult following over the years, thanks to its dynamic mix of fabrics, patterns, and silhouettes that blend Western and Japanese influences into a heady fashion cocktail that would leave anyone drunk in love. If you’ve paid any attention to the streetwear side of your social feed you’ve probably seen the brand’s H.D. pants a few times. There are several versions of the H.D. pants, each with massive balloon silhouettes, but the cargo pocket iteration gives it that bit of extra chunk that feels like opting for a double burger instead of a single.
If there’s a brand that really knows cargo pants, it’s one that supplies the military. Rothco’s earned its bonafides by crafting ultra-durable gear that’s ready to withstand anything you can throw at it. We raved about these cargo pants a few years back and praised their relaxed straight fit, plentiful pockets, and affordable price point—and nothing has changed about that. While we don’t think the U.S. military is buying their uniforms from Amazon, the ease of shopping on the everything website is good news for regular civilians looking to complete a fit.
Ralph Lauren’s Western-workwear-inspired sublabel RRL is coveted by denim nerds and repro obsessives for its thoroughly researched revivals and reinterpretations of vintage garments. These offbeat cargo pants are the perfect addition to your wardrobe, thanks to the unique rear cargo pocket. Based on vintage military ‘monkey pants’, these feature a hefty herringbone twill fabric, huge side pockets, and an even larger pocket at the seat. The pair is a fun and eye-catching departure from the classic cargo styles you’re used to seeing—just make sure to take out any snacks from the back pocket before you sit down.
6 More Cargo Pants We Love
Dickies Loose-Fit Cargo Work Pant
If you want a pair of straight-up, no-nonsense cargo pants that emphasize practicality and durability, there are few to do it better than Dickies. Made from starchy and hefty cotton twill, these cargos have a loose regular fit that pairs as well with a beefy work shirt they do with a hoodie.
COS Barrel-Leg Cargo Pants
COS’ minimalist cargo pants are like a cross between Lemaire and The Row, only for considerably less money. These loose-fit cargo pants feature a hefty elastic waist and asymmetrical pockets for a slight twist on the style.
Todd Snyder Garment Dyed Cargo Pant
Todd Snyder’s cargo pants are some of the cleanest we’ve come across. But where most minimalist-leaning designers stop short is in the fabric wash. Here, Todd’s gone and given his cargos a garment dye for a lived-in feel that looks great with a vintage tee and beat-up sneakers.
Engineered Garments FA Pant
Could there be any more cargo pockets? One of Engineered Garments’s many shticks is adding enough pockets to make things interesting and then a few more to make it funny (in a good way). These cargos are bedecked with a litany of flap pockets that could require some serious memory skills lest you forget where you placed your keys.
3sixteen Japanese Stonewashed Cotton Twill Cargo Pant
Built from a breathable, yet durable Japanese cotton twill that’s been stonewashed for softness, 3sixteen’s cargo pants feature an elastic waist and a relaxed, jogger-like fit that belies its military design origins.
Stussy Military Cargo Pant
We can’t imagine a world in which leather cargo pants would be a standard issue, but that’s exactly what makes these Stussy joints fantastic. They’re crafted out of supple-grained leather from waist to hem making them a hit with club kids and streetwear circles alike.
