The 1620 Shop Pant

[Inventive]

Can't imagine spending 200 on a pair of pants, but I don't make money with shop work either...

I used to just rotate through Roundhouse Jeans. Daily wear - outside/shop wear - rags. But my wife found a big box of twelve almost brand new pairs of Duluth Fire hose flex... 120 bucks for the box, so I'll be working my way through those for a LONG time.

My brother just bought some pants from Atlas 46, American made. He's really liked them so far, but to win his future business they have to survive a landscaping season, so I'll have to ask him again in a month or so...

 

[Fix Until Broke]

I used to be in the thrift shop, whatever fits for a few $$ and that was the right thing to do for me at the time and I didn't know any better. Since then, I've tried a few different pants and have found that the Duluth Trading original Fire Hose cargo work pants (no flex or ultimate or whatever BS they've come out with since the original) are the best for me. If you get them on sale, they're ~$55 or so (typically retail at $70).

They fit, they're comfortable, the last a LONG time, all the stuff I carry in my pockets fits well, they're nice enough to wear "out" when new - I typically buy new ones and wear them to work, then after a few years they get "demoted" to work pants where they last another few years. I get 4-5 years out of a pair pretty easily so for me, that's a good value (not necessarily the lowest cost though). I have built my inventory up to about 10 pair over the last few years and typically buy 1-2 pair a year to maintain that inventory (or get them for a christmas/birthday gift).

I prefer cotton pants over nylon - I have not had much issue with welding/grinding/etc in nylon materials, maybe if there was a Duluth Trading version in nylon instead of fire hose I'd try it out?

I've tried RedCap pants - cheaper than DT's, but poor pocket layout and not comfortable. I should try some of the others mentioned in this thread, but the DT's just work so well for me.

 

[jives]

Like others have said, my workshop wear is just the next step on the clothing ladder. My real job pants are chinos, plus sometimes nice jeans. As soon as they get worn or stained, they become shop clothes. After that, they become rags. My nicer shorts and t-shirts eventually become shop shorts and shirts.

Staining is the worst problem, before wear. I've been in the shop after work nearly every day the last couple of weeks, working on a wall-mounted tool cabinet. The clothes are filthy, covered in glue, and will be covered in paint/stain. Just as bad if I am wrenching. Oil and grease everywhere. The simple fact is that I am not fastidious about cleanliness in this regard, and don't care to be.

BTW, the 1620 pants are advertised as "modern fit", which from the pictures means too long and bunched above the boot. Such a fit is terrible for tucking into high boots.

 

[968944]

We have Rural King stores around here and their line of jeans are $9.95 each. I can go through quite a few pairs of their jeans and not feel bad about the price.

 

[Millwrong]

$200 for a "shop" pant, and they're made out of nylon? I'm sorry, but where the real men do their work, anyone wearing these rags would get laughed back outside to their Prius.

 

[coljar]

I'm a tight *** when it comes to work pants. I think a $12 pair from Gabes is enough to pay.

 

[GMCGarage]

if you wait until black friday, you can get Rural King jeans for 8$. So for 2 pairs of these you can get 50 pairs of jeans. Let that sink in.

 

[carhunter]

You're missing the real value here - If you own these you can still go on Dave Ramsey's millionaire hour and not lie when he asks if you ever spent more than $25 on a pair of jeans. Technically true, since they're "pants"

 

[Ryan]

I'm too vain to wear some of these suggestions. Rural King jeans look like something my father in law would pick out at K-Mart in the 1980's to me... And I love my father in law and all, but damn... I just couldn't pull that off.

I think that's why I wear Vans chinos every day. I can destroy them in the shop and only be pissed for a little bit and I can wear them to skate night and still be accepted by groms.

 

[davewo]

I went into Goodwill last summer looking for beater shorts I could muck up in the garage. I walked out with a bunch of practically new shorts for about $5 each.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

I wear my work uniform pants - normal ones in the summer, arc-rated electrical safety ones in the winter. They're free and they replace them if they're damaged!

 

[imc188222]

Nope, I'd never spend $200 on a pair of pants. And here I thought I was a big spender buying Duluth fire hose flex pants when they are on sale.
-Isaac

 

[poppakap]

I have no problem spending $200 on a pair of pants but I’m missing why these are worth it. The features of an outdoor pant like arcteryx are compelling in that field but i don’t really see what these are offering.

 

[1620 Workwear]

Hey guys, we love to hear everyone hammer on our price points and gear. We are trying to make better workwear, with fabrics outside the cotton canvas realm. The shop pant is made from Tweave and is the same fabric used in the NFL onfield jerseys and was developed for use by US Military Special operation forces, same stuff Arctery'x uses in the LEAF program, yes not for everyone and spendy as F. Like $18 a yard. But we are all about supporting US suppliers and Tweave is in our home state here in New England and so is our manufacturer. Once you wear them, even at $200 you will want more, this stuff is Nylon/spandex but it does breathe and is indestructible - rating higher than cotton duck canvas on the martindale machines at a fraction of the weight, not great for sparks/flames/grinder. For that check the Cordura Stretch NYCO we developed, (exclusive fabric) that meets NFPA1975 no melt no drip and we are developing out FR line now. We stand behind our product for the garments lifetime, and will fix or replace but yes, spendy and not for everyone. But to support US manufacturing (fully berry compliant, every piece) and to make it at the level we are - that is what it costs. But once you wear 1620, it will be hard to go back - we have an over 50% repeat customer rate. We are not trying to be dickies, or wrangler, or duluth or any of the brands you guys have mentioned that make product with the lowest fabric quality they can with heavily exploited labor. $9 pants? Only way that ever reached US soil is because of forced labor. We are not down with that.
On average our pants last up to 5x longer than any other brand and that is where things can even out. We are two guys, working our asses off to change the mentality that skilled labor can't afford nice gear to work in, and buying nice gear that gets destroyed makes no sense. If we can reduce fatigue, reduce injury, last longer and support American manufacturing in all ways-then we think in the long run, our gear speaks for itself. Hit me up, my email is on our website even if to make fun of our prices or to get a first purchase discount code. We have heard it all. Again this is only one pant in our line. Thanks Ryan, thank you guys for giving a F about our little brand and either sh#tting on us and our prices, or giving us the benefit of the doubt. In the end we respect skilled labor, and we wanted to create a premium option and we are the only ones doing it. JW

 

[dr_clyde]

Hey guys, we love to hear everyone hammer on our price points and gear. We are trying to make better workwear, with fabrics outside the cotton canvas realm. The shop pant is made from Tweave and is the same fabric used in the NFL onfield jerseys and was developed for use by US Military Special operation forces, same stuff Arctery'x uses in the LEAF program, yes not for everyone and spendy as F. Like $18 a yard. But we are all about supporting US suppliers and Tweave is in our home state here in New England and so is our manufacturer. Once you wear them, even at $200 you will want more, this stuff is Nylon/spandex but it does breathe and is indestructible - rating higher than cotton duck canvas on the martindale machines at a fraction of the weight, not great for sparks/flames/grinder. For that check the Cordura Stretch NYCO we developed, (exclusive fabric) that meets NFPA1975 no melt no drip and we are developing out FR line now. We stand behind our product for the garments lifetime, and will fix or replace but yes, spendy and not for everyone. But to support US manufacturing (fully berry compliant, every piece) and to make it at the level we are - that is what it costs. But once you wear 1620, it will be hard to go back - we have an over 50% repeat customer rate. We are not trying to be dickies, or wrangler, or duluth or any of the brands you guys have mentioned that make product with the lowest fabric quality they can with heavily exploited labor. $9 pants? Only way that ever reached US soil is because of forced labor. We are not down with that.
On average our pants last up to 5x longer than any other brand and that is where things can even out. We are two guys, working our asses off to change the mentality that skilled labor can't afford nice gear to work in, and buying nice gear that gets destroyed makes no sense. If we can reduce fatigue, reduce injury, last longer and support American manufacturing in all ways-then we think in the long run, our gear speaks for itself. Hit me up, my email is on our website even if to make fun of our prices or to get a first purchase discount code. We have heard it all. Again this is only one pant in our line. Thanks Ryan, thank you guys for giving a F about our little brand and either sh#tting on us and our prices, or giving us the benefit of the doubt. In the end we respect skilled labor, and we wanted to create a premium option and we are the only ones doing it. JW

Right on man. I wish more companies had this kind of thinking and straightforward PR.

This forum is populated by a LOT of cheapskates, and there is a ton of "old man yelling at cloud" thinking here. I'd be willing to bet this isn't your target market, as your pants aren't sold at Harbor Freight or Lowes.

I do welding and machine work, and once you get that FR line out, I'd love to try them out.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Nope. Still not interested. I'm not a firefighter. Overpriced plastic pants. Not "old man yelling at clouds", either.

Nylon is not workpant material.

Tommy

 

[catch2otwo]

Hey guys, we love to hear everyone hammer on our price points and gear. We are trying to make better workwear, with fabrics outside the cotton canvas realm. The shop pant is made from Tweave and is the same fabric used in the NFL onfield jerseys and was developed for use by US Military Special operation forces, same stuff Arctery'x uses in the LEAF program, yes not for everyone and spendy as F. Like $18 a yard. But we are all about supporting US suppliers and Tweave is in our home state here in New England and so is our manufacturer. Once you wear them, even at $200 you will want more, this stuff is Nylon/spandex but it does breathe and is indestructible - rating higher than cotton duck canvas on the martindale machines at a fraction of the weight, not great for sparks/flames/grinder. For that check the Cordura Stretch NYCO we developed, (exclusive fabric) that meets NFPA1975 no melt no drip and we are developing out FR line now. We stand behind our product for the garments lifetime, and will fix or replace but yes, spendy and not for everyone. But to support US manufacturing (fully berry compliant, every piece) and to make it at the level we are - that is what it costs. But once you wear 1620, it will be hard to go back - we have an over 50% repeat customer rate. We are not trying to be dickies, or wrangler, or duluth or any of the brands you guys have mentioned that make product with the lowest fabric quality they can with heavily exploited labor. $9 pants? Only way that ever reached US soil is because of forced labor. We are not down with that.
On average our pants last up to 5x longer than any other brand and that is where things can even out. We are two guys, working our asses off to change the mentality that skilled labor can't afford nice gear to work in, and buying nice gear that gets destroyed makes no sense. If we can reduce fatigue, reduce injury, last longer and support American manufacturing in all ways-then we think in the long run, our gear speaks for itself. Hit me up, my email is on our website even if to make fun of our prices or to get a first purchase discount code. We have heard it all. Again this is only one pant in our line. Thanks Ryan, thank you guys for giving a F about our little brand and either sh#tting on us and our prices, or giving us the benefit of the doubt. In the end we respect skilled labor, and we wanted to create a premium option and we are the only ones doing it. JW

Was looking at your foundation pants, how do they hold up to heavy grease on the daily? Im an escalator mechanic and Im pretty much in a confined oily space all the time. My carhartts work well but a bit constricting when im sweating and in a tight space. The dickies I just bought were more than disappointing, I could see through the fabric

 

[Vintage Veloce]

These appear to be synthetic, mostly nylon...
I have no first hand experience but I've heard of synthetics melting to the skin and causing bad burns.
I've always heard you should wear cotton in environments where burning was a concern...

 

[Vintage Veloce]

not great for sparks/flames/grinder. For that check the Cordura Stretch NYCO we developed, (exclusive fabric) that meets NFPA1975 no melt no drip and we are developing out FR line now.

Sounds like they are working on the melting issue. For me, for garage use, I'd skip these.
(PS, old fire resistant flight suits are cheap on eBay or at your local military surplus store. I use one whenever I go under the car.)

 

[magnusk750]

Cotton for me. Breathable, comfy, lasts long enough. Worn Levi's, no longer fit to be seen outside the shop, or cotton carpenters pant, kind of these, cost about 70-80 €. https://www.fristads.com/en-gb/products/craftsman-trousers-250-fas-blue-100280-541

 

[Squankum]

TRWham, I remember that Peter Egan column. I don’t remember the man working on his boat in his suit and tie, but I do remember him talking about an older mechanic, when he worked at the foreign car shop in Madison, who could go throughout the day without getting dirty, whereas Egan was a Pigpen. Egan eventually realized that this man was thinking ahead like a chess player, and, of course, experienced. I’ve tried to work clean when I can. Sometimes it’s a little more effort, sometimes it’s just a little more thought.

In my experience, Dickies type polyester work pants are terribly durable… but also, they don’t breathe worth a damn and are clammy and hot.

This time of year in my hot and humid area, I’m wearing $10 Starter brand basketball shorts (Wal-Mart) this time of year, and $7 Hanes Cool-DRI breathable T shirts (amazon.) I do have a pair of Duluth pants for colder times of the year, and when my bely shrinks 2”.


Hanes Men's Short Sleeve Cool DRI T-Shirt UPF 50+, Graphite, Medium (Pack of 2)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KQFKTA0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

(Note, any oil or grease or molybdenum stains do not wash out very well. No biggie if it's your shop-only shirt.)


For those of you with money to burn, Origin Maine is now making blue jeans in America. Starting with the cotton grown in America, to the loom in Maine, to the cutting and sewing:
https://originmaine.com/durable-goods/bottom-game/factory-denim-jeans/

(I believe those are the only blue jeans made in America now, but not sure. Even if they aren’t alone on that, I be they are the most American blue jeans made in America.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutonomy#Origins

 

[jcbarry]

Theres always a lot of talk about supporting local business and buying American products. But when there is a product that is Made in USA and quality, it gets crucified for being overpriced and how we should go buy grandpa jeans from the discount store made somewhere is Southeast Asia. Yeah Im sure they aren't for everyone but they offer some less expensive models. Its the Snap on vs Harbor Freight argument that happens every day, 5 times a day.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Theres always a lot of talk about supporting local business and buying American products. But when there is a product that is Made in USA and quality, it gets crucified for being overpriced and how we should go buy grandpa jeans from the discount store made somewhere is Southeast Asia.

I'm not crucifiying solely on price. The material used is a terrible choice for the intended use. Even at $20.00 a pair they'd be junk to me.

Tommy

 

[dr_clyde]

I'm not crucifiying solely on price. The material used is a terrible choice for the intended use. Even at $20.00 a pair they'd be junk to me.

Tommy

Did you miss the bit where their fabric was rated higher than duck and canvas on the martindale test, and that they warranty their product for life?

 

[rlitman]

Did you miss the bit where their fabric was rated higher than duck and canvas on the martindale test, and that they warranty their product for life?

That's what I saw. But unfortunately I'm with you when it comes to synthetics and sparks and even more unfortunately I'm not familiar with any FR fabric that performs like cotton duck, let alone cordura.

Also (and this is strictly a matter of personal taste), I don't care for stretch pants.

Still, I don't think many here would scoff so brusquely at a $200 pair of American made boots, so I think these pants took an undeserved beating. Probably because none (or very few) of us are familiar with pants that hold up like a good pair of boots.

For my part, I've stuck with Levi's for the past few decades. I've tried the competition, but nothing I've tried in the same price league (right now about $30 a pair) wears nearly as well. I need to hem all of my pants, and I'd happily pay double for a pair if they last twice as long, as that means I'm doing half the hemming. And yeah, the $15 pants just don't last as long. I can't give martindale values, because I don't have them, but I have my suspicions as to where the store brands cut corners to cut price.

So if these $200 pants lasted 4x as long as my Levi's then there'd be some real value for me (notwithstanding my melt/stretch personal issues).

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Did you miss the bit where their fabric was rated higher than duck and canvas on the martindale test, and that they warranty their product for life?

I didn't miss any of it. I'm not comparing the wear factor of their fabric, I'm questioning the poor application of it. I agree on the durability 100%. I used to wear out the sleeves on a Carhartt cotton duck canvas jacket every year. I switched to the Arctic version, which is nylon. I'm only on my second one in 17 years since I switched and the first one still gets used to run the snow blower. My point is nylon ***** for shop pants. It's stiff, hot, doesn't breathe or wick moisture.

Tommy

 

[rlitman]

...My point is nylon ***** for shop pants. It's stiff, hot, doesn't breathe or wick moisture...

I think that's a generalization that wil get you into trouble. Particularly if the claims that the NFL uses this particular fabric for their on-field jerseys.

Remember, micro-fiber is made from polyester, yet the properties of the two are nowhere similar (except for that darned combustibility/melting issue).

 

[Fix Until Broke]

I think a lot of the reaction to this product is due to the perception of the material(s) instead of the reality.

Looking on the 1620 website, it appears that you have 15 days to return the product (unused, with all tags attached) for a full refund so all it would cost to try them out if you don't like them is the return shipping ($10 maybe?).

A few people should do this and report back with their personal experience with them.

Does 1620 get out to places where their products can be seen in person? Trade shows or exhibits of some sort? Even with generous return policies, I'm hesitant to buy things like clothes without being able to try them on, see/touch/feel them, etc.

There's a lot of "sticker shock" on a $200 pair of pants, but as someone mentioned above, that's what a good pair of work boots go for. The RedWings that I wear 16+ hours a day for a few years at a time are absolutely worth $200 to me, but others have different feet and don't like them. That does not make RedWings good or bad, just not the ideal solution for everyone. Same thing here with pants.

 

[K13]

. It's stiff, hot, doesn't breathe or wick moisture.

Tommy

When is the last time you bought a piece of sportswear? They are almost all exclusively nylon or polyester these days precisely because they do all the things you don't think they do. We are not talking about a 1970"s polyester suit material anymore.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

The manufacturer should post a video of the material in contact with a hot exhaust, angle grinder sparks and dripping solder.

 

[K13]

The manufacturer should post a video of the material in contact with a hot exhaust, pipe grinder sparks and dripping solder.

Why? If you actually read what he posted he said they are not suitable for those types of environments.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

Why? If you actually read what he posted he said they are not suitable for those types of environments.

You mean environments like a ... garage?
Hey, it's the garage journal and that is what I'd like to see, maybe especially if the product fails. ;-)

 

[eastbaysubaru]

I'm too vain to wear some of these suggestions. Rural King jeans look like something my father in law would pick out at K-Mart in the 1980's to me... And I love my father in law and all, but damn... I just couldn't pull that off.

I think that's why I wear Vans chinos every day. I can destroy them in the shop and only be pissed for a little bit and I can wear them to skate night and still be accepted by groms.

Skate or Die!

-Brian

 

[dr_clyde]

The manufacturer should post a video of the material in contact with a hot exhaust, angle grinder sparks and dripping solder.

I’ll be straight up with you, I go to pretty decent lengths to avoid all of those things no matter what my clothes are made from.

 

[dr_clyde]

I feel like a lot of guys here are just railing on these pants because they’re expensive vs a pair of wranglers, they could be made from pretty much anything and the cheapskates here would still hate.

I run a welding and machine shop. I do LOTS of grinding, torch work, and generally hot work.

The number one killer of pants for me is catching them on sharp things. One snag on a bar of steel in the rack and I lose a pocket or rip the front wide open, my leg too usually. Second thing is the fabric on the knees blows out from kneeling on concrete and then they are toast.

I have lost dozens of shirts to welding spatter and berries, but never a pair of pants. Hell, even the welding coats and leathers don’t hold up to direct spatter. It’s molten metal for Christ’s sake.

Next time I need a pair of pants, I might give these a shot. Hard to know until you try.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

I feel like a lot of guys here are just railing on these pants because they’re expensive vs a pair of wranglers, they could be made from pretty much anything and the cheapskates here would still hate.

I run a welding and machine shop. I do LOTS of grinding, torch work, and generally hot work.

The number one killer of pants for me is catching them on sharp things. One snag on a bar of steel in the rack and I lose a pocket or rip the front wide open, my leg too usually. Second thing is the fabric on the knees blows out from kneeling on concrete and then they are toast.

I have lost dozens of shirts to welding spatter and berries, but never a pair of pants. Hell, even the welding coats and leathers don’t hold up to direct spatter. It’s molten metal for Christ’s sake.

Next time I need a pair of pants, I might give these a shot. Hard to know until you try.

Sounds like what you want is cotton with nylon ripstop. Good rip resistance but less to melt. Still will turn to swiss cheese with overhead welding on your back.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I think that's a generalization that wil get you into trouble. Particularly if the claims that the NFL uses this particular fabric for their on-field jerseys.

Remember, micro-fiber is made from polyester, yet the properties of the two are nowhere similar (except for that darned combustibility/melting issue).

When is the last time you bought a piece of sportswear? They are almost all exclusively nylon or polyester these days precisely because they do all the things you don't think they do. We are not talking about a 1970"s polyester suit material anymore.

OK guys, I'm always willing to admit when I'm wrong. After poking around I'm starting to see what you mean, but I still have some questions. Is the 1620 pant material heavier than the sports clothing? Doesn't most sports clothing have ventilated panels or is perforated?


Tommy

 

[Strouty]

I love comfortable clothes, I essentially wear a uniform and have for years even though I am in no way required to. These look like nice pants and I would totally try them out, glad to know they offer some that are more up to the task of hot work. I know from experience that the synthetics tend to disappear when sparks are introduced. I have certain paints that are all cotton that I use when welding and grinding.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Duluth Fire Hose Pants (shorts here in FL) are pretty snappy!
Mine are stained bad but they are so darn comfortable and durable, it's worth the strange looks from the neighbors.

 

[OldeTimeEtc]

What a crock....i don't give a damn what these are made of. I can't see how they justify such a high price (except for plain ol greed) for clothing you're going to get greasy, dirty and torn or any other reason for wearing them. Most guys who earn a living in that type of shop or work environment don't make enough money to want to spend $200+ on pants on top of all the bills they are already saddled with. I'm not a cheap person and like quality but I'm already appalled at what they charge for most clothing at the retail stores. Their so-called Lifetime Guarantee is bogus too and offers no more than any other piece of clothing without a warranty and is a "safe bet" for the company to offer it because unless some stitch or seam comes loose you'll never collect on it. As far as i'm concerned...save your money and spend it on something else ....like a good tool that lasts