Electricians need all the protection they can get, considering the danger they are exposed to on the job. Plus, you’re better off protecting your clothes from grime and dirt than replacing them regularly.
That’s the purpose of work pants and overalls, made of tough material that can withstand the rigors of electrical work.
When you finish reading this article, you’ll know the best work pants and overalls on the market, which we’ve identified based on research, online chatter, and discussions with other electricians.
Here’s a quick overview of the best work pants and overalls:
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7 Best Work Pants and Overalls for Electricians
If you were to search on Google and social media platforms for the best work pants and overalls, you’d get hundreds of almost identical options.
Trying to pick one from the bunch is like searching for a needle in a haystack—it’s almost impossible.
Luckily, we’ve created a shortcut by compiling a well-researched list of the top seven electrician work pants and overalls, explaining their key features and benefits. Let’s get to it.
1. Wrangler Riggs Workwear Technician Pants
Source: Amazon
These technician pants are 100 percent cotton and have a wide hem that sits over work boots. The trouser body has five large pockets that can hold work tools: two at the hip, two behind, and a small one for phones around the thigh.
Wrangler designed these pants for maximum comfort. They created a generous allowance in the crotch, seat, and knee areas, enabling electricians to crawl, bend, squat, move, and climb up and down ladders without experiencing wardrobe malfunctions.
Key features:
Leather tape reinforcement at the right pocket.
Rip-resistant cotton.
Light material is suitable for working comfortably in summer.
Pros:
Pockets are tear-resistant to the weight of tools.
The trousers’ material is resistant to wear and tear.
The trousers’ breathable material makes them comfortable to wear on hot days.
Comes in 21 different sizes and three colors.
Cons:
The pockets are sewn tight to the trousers, making it almost impossible to fit items into them.
Some customers complain that the trousers are a little tight in the seat area.
The advertised size is sometimes different from the actual size.
The material is a little too lightweight.
Price: $33.59 to $39.99
2. CQR Men’s Flex Ripstop Tactical Pants
Source: Amazon
These water-resistant work cargo pants are composed of polyester (63 percent), cotton (34 percent), and elastane (three percent). The stretchy material supports full-range motion during outdoor tasks, such as climbing ladders and crawling in tight spaces.
These pants are designed with eight wide pockets for maximum functionality. Electricians use these pockets to hold essential tools such as spanners, screwdrivers, and nuts instead of constantly searching their toolbox or work bag.
Key features:
Elastic waistbands at the sides.
Stretchy and breathable material.
Multipurpose cargo and back pockets.
Back and cargo pockets have a Velcro fastener and zipper to secure your belongings when working.
Pros:
Fits snugly to the waist without a belt.
Durable material looks new after every wash.
It is uniquely tailored at the knees to prevent the material from ripping when squatting or kneeling.
The quoted sizes are an exact match for the pants’ actual dimensions.
Cons:
Water-repellent properties diminish with each wash.
The color fades after a few weeks of consistent use.
When wearing the pants with a belt, the metal button on the waist presses against the stomach.
Price: $49.98 to $56.98
3. Carhartt Men's Rugged Flex Relaxed Fit Work Pant
Source: Amazon
Carhartt creates rugged clothing for people who work outdoors. These work pants are made mainly of stretchable cotton and spandex, which support a full range of motion. They also include a pocket for carrying basic tools.
Due to the double-layered material and a slit for slip-in kneepads, electricians can crawl and kneel in the pants for extended periods without suffering injuries or discomfort.
Key features:
Special phone pocket on the right leg.
Utility pocket on the left leg.
Comfortable seat and thigh fit.
Pros:
The phone pocket’s zipper prevents your cell phone from falling out.
The multipurpose pocket has a secure zipper and is large enough to hold various tools.
The stitching is of superior quality.
Cons:
The trousers are rarely true to size.
Price: $59.99
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4. Snickers Workwear Men's Ruffwork Canvas Work Pants
Source: Amazon
These work pants are designed with almost equal amounts of polyester and cotton, loosely woven to facilitate maximum airflow. They are also reinforced at the knees and have clean-cut openings for kneepads.
Key features include:
Four large holster pockets and an extra zipped compartment.
There are two hip pockets secured by Velcro and another one across the thigh with a secure zipper.
Ventilation is provided by mesh-like material at the knees.
Pros:
Multiple pockets with fasteners secure basic electrical tools and mobile devices.
The pants come in various sizes and fits.
The material is breathable.
They offer maximum knee protection.
Cons:
The sizes quoted in the description don’t always match what’s delivered.
Lack of waterproofing.
Price: $104 to $119
5. Dickies Men's Tough Max Duck Double Knee Pant
Source: Amazon
Dickies creates reliable workwear designed to give its customers maximum comfort and protection. And the Tough Max Duck is no different.
The work pants are made of lightweight, breathable, and stretchy fabrics such as cotton, polyester, and lycra. As such, they allow electricians to work comfortably in any weather and perform work activities unimpeded.
Key features:
Stretchable.
Ample room below the knees.
Double-lined knees.
Solid stitching.
Pros:
You can wear the trousers for long hours without getting uncomfortable.
The space around the knees means a better fit with work boots and a full range of motion.
The extra knee protection prevents work injuries and material deterioration caused by prolonged kneeling, squatting, and crawling.
Cons:
The pockets are positioned too close to the zipper.
The depth of the coin pocket makes it harder to retrieve objects.
Price: $49.99
6. Dickies Men's Short-Sleeve Coverall
Source: Amazon
Dickies, a popular workwear manufacturer, designed this coverall with a fabric that’s stain- and wrinkle-resistant, helping electricians always appear neat and tidy.
The coverall weighs just 1.3 pounds and provides a perfect fit thanks to the extra allowance at the chest and shoulders. Elastic inserts at the waist give you a full range of motion.
Key features:
Velcro snaps secure chest pockets, and a large left pocket has a button.
Snaps hidden by flaps.
Two large back pockets.
Pros:
The fabric is tough and breathable.
The short-sleeved design helps provide ample ventilation.
Due to the zippered front closure, you can wear and remove this coverall easily.
With large, well-placed pockets, you’ll have generous space to store essential tools and secure valuables while working.
Cons:
The material doesn’t wick away perspiration.
The sizing isn’t always accurate.
Price: $37.90 to $44.99
7. Truewerk T2 Work Pants
Source: Amazon
Truewerk prioritized its customers' comfort and safety when creating these work pants. Hence, they used a proprietary material that makes the pants’ external surface abrasion—and water–resistant and enables the inner surface to absorb perspiration.
Stains rarely set into the pants and can easily be removed with a quick wipe or wash. This reduces the need to frequently wash the trousers, preventing wear and tear and making them maintain their appearance for longer.
Key features:
Fully-gusseted crotch.
Double-stitched seams.
Pockets lined with fabric.
Pros:
The pants’ warm interior provides maximum protection from cold weather.
You’re less likely to get fatigued working in these lightweight pants.
They provide an optimal fit without restricting movement.
Due to the reinforced stitching, these trousers hardly fray or tear.
Cons:
The trousers rustle whenever someone walks in them, caused by the fabric rubbing against itself. A customer said it’s like wearing a garbage bag filled with tin foil.
Price: $89.00
Why Do Electricians Need Specialized Work Pants?
Electricians must usually contort into uncomfortable positions when accessing wiring in narrow crawl spaces, attics, and basements. They crawl, lie on their sides, kneel, and climb and descend ladders.
Regular trousers can easily tear during these tasks and offer no protection against injuries. Conversely, electrician work pants are designed with unique materials that can protect your legs from injuries and allow you to move freely.
Furthermore, which is better: going back and forth between the workstation and your toolbox to grab essential tools like wire cutters or storing them in your work pants' multiple pockets? Of course, the latter is better since it saves you time and allows you to focus more on the job.
What to Look for When Choosing the Right Electrician Work Trousers
Comfort and protection should be paramount when selecting work trousers. You want a pair that keeps you warm in cold seasons, protects you from rain, and allows you to move freely on the job site.
Here are other factors to consider when choosing electrician work pants:
Pockets: You want multiple pockets large enough to contain small tools and equipment.
Fabric elasticity: The material should be stretchy to support a full range of movement.
Fit: Look smart and professional in your work trousers. That’s how you can earn customers’ trust.
Reinforcement at the knees: Consider trousers with reinforced fabric at the knees and an allowance for kneepads.
Durability: The material shouldn’t tear or discolor on the first wash.
Cost: Find the right balance between cost and quality.
If you need more options, watch reviews on YouTube and read electrical contractor magazines.
What Other Workwear Do Electricians Need?
Electricians need other work wear besides overalls and pants to offer full-body protection. They include the following:
Hard hats: Essential for protection from debris.
Winter gloves: When working in low temperatures.
Waterproof and rubber-soled work boots: To keep moisture off your legs and protect you from electrical shock.
Steel toe and puncture-proof work shoes: Protect your toes from weighty objects.
Safety goggles: Stop sparks from damaging your eyes.
High-visibility vests: Essential when working on electrical systems on highways.
Beyond Just Work Pants and Overalls: Streamline Your Electrician Business With ServiceTitan
Giving electricians work pants and overalls is essential to preventing work injuries.
However, when it comes to running a successful business, that’s just a small part of the bigger picture. Take the experience of Best Quality Electric (BQE), for example.
In 2018, the company generated $1.5 million in revenue. However, it struggled to grow and satisfy customers because it relied on inefficient processes that couldn’t scale, causing vital information to slip through the cracks.
Take BQE’s dispatching process, for example.
When leaving for the job site, every technician sent a message with the letter D for departure. After receiving the message, dispatchers entered the details into a whiteboard that often filled up and became complicated quickly.
The need to automate these processes became apparent once BQE joined ServiceTitan’s online communities and attended in-person conferences. Other electrical companies shared their wins with ServiceTitan, including the insane growth they achieved.
“That's when we started to really see that there were like-minded individuals, all focused on the goal of making their companies better and being successful,” says Vicki Gibiault, second in command at BQE. “We kind of owe our success to ServiceTitan and to the community that ServiceTitan built for us.”
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive software platform for trades, including electricians. To expand its operations, BQE leveraged ServiceTitan’s many tools, adding six more trucks and buying a commercial building.
When interviewed, Brian Quinn (owner of BQE) and Vicki Gibault attributed their company’s success to the following ServiceTitan features:
Payment and invoice processing: ServiceTitan allows techs to collect payments in the field and invoice customers directly.
Reputation management: ServiceTitan sends review requests to customers immediately after a job is completed and allows business owners to respond to reviews from one hub. BQE used this feature to quadruple the amount of its Google reviews.
Service promotion tools: Using Servicetitan’s Marketing Pro, BQE creates email, direct mail, and paid advertising campaigns and tracks the exact revenue each campaign generates.
Data reporting: Quinn and Gibiault have used ServiceTitan’s Financial Reporting tools to track their income and create custom accounting reports.
Technician tracking: BQE uses ServiceTitan’s Fleet Pro to monitor its techs' real-time location using GPS technology. It also uses the tool to fit its trucks with dashboard cameras that monitor techs’ driving behavior.
After using ServiceTitan for only one year, BQE nearly doubled its revenue from $1.5 million to $2.8 million.
“Until we started ServiceTitan, we didn't know that there was money on the table,” Gibiault said.
Currently, BQE aims at an even bigger goal: to generate $10 million in revenue in the next three to four years.
Over to You!
If you don’t have work overalls or pants, now is the time to get some. They will safeguard against occupational hazards and save you the cost of frequently replacing other clothes. Pick something that fits your needs and is of sufficient quality to be long-lasting.
Just like your body, your business needs protection. You can provide it with this protection by investing in electrical software like ServiceTitan, which automates key business tasks and improves your income.
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive software solution built specifically to help service companies streamline their operations, boost revenue, and substantially elevate the trajectory of their businesses. Our comprehensive, cloud-based platform is used by thousands of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, garage door, roofing, and chimney sweep shops across the country—and they have increased their revenue by an average of 25 percent in just their first year with us.
ServiceTitan Software
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive software solution built specifically to help service companies streamline their operations, boost revenue, and substantially elevate the trajectory of their business. Our comprehensive, cloud-based platform is used by thousands of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, garage door, and chimney sweep shops across the country—and has increased their revenue by an average of 25% in just their first year with us.
