I have been searching for the “right” pair of pants for a while. I am always looking for something that is comfortable, durable, functional and doesn’t scream “I’ve got a gun!” For a long time that has seemed to be a tall order. Until recently when I stumbled upon the Cryder Dungaree from Carhartt.

Carhartt markets the Cryder Dungaree as a work pant with “Full Swing” and “Ruged Flex” properties to make it extremely mobile. The Cryder Dungarees come in Shadow (Dark Grey) and Yukon (Khaki). They are available in waist sizes from 30-46 and inseam lengths 30-36.

The Cryder Dungaree sits at the waist and is considered to be a loose fit pair of pants. This means that there is plenty of room through the seat and thigh area. The Cryder is finished in Carhartt’s “Rain Defender” repellent which keeps the pants from soaking up moisture and getting bogged down.

The Cryder is made from 59% cotton, 39% polyester and 2% spandex. It features a gusseted crotch and articulated knees with 4 way stretch panels sewn in for extra mobility. The combination of stretch fabric, gusseted crotch and stretch panels in the knees make the pants extremely flexible.

When it comes to comfort, I asses my pants based on the way they fit, the materials used, and the pants ability to move with me rather than against me. I don’t like pants that are restrictive in any way or have features that don’t work as advertised.

The Cryder Dungarees fit well through seat and thigh and they don’t taper much at the cuff so you can wear them with boots. Compatibility with boots is a must, especially for those wearing these pants on job sites. The pant cuffs are also reinforced with extra fabric to enhance the longevity of the pants.

The mix of cotton, polyester and spandex material creates a comfortable pair of pants that will stand up to the strain of work or play. They have the look and feel of a traditional work pant everywhere except the knee. The 4 way stretch panel sewn into the knee is a great feature to aid in the mobility of the pant but it isn’t exactly a common feature.

I have worn these pants as casual pants around town with great success. They work as well in casual settings as they do on a work site or shooting range. I wear these out regularly because they don’t make me stand out like the typical “tactical” pant does.

The Cryder pants work extremely well as shooting pants mainly because of their mobility. If you haven’t caught on yet, the best thing about these pants is how flexible they are. I have even worn them while working out to test the flexibility and comfort. The pants passed with flying colors, allowing me to move quickly and smoothly through a wide range of movements.

The traditional front pockets are deep and functional. One thing I hate is pants with small pockets. That is not a problem with the Cryders.

The rear pockets have a flap to keep your wallet or other belongings from falling out. I like this feature because the flaps are not too tight to restrict access to the pocket. I get peace of mind that my wallet won’t fall out, but I don’t have to ask for help to access my credit card either. The Crdyer Dungarees also have pockets on the legs that are perfectly sized for AR15 type magazines. A definite plus when using these pants for range work.

Nothing is perfect and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my two issues with the Cryder Dungarees. First, they are only offered in 2 colors. While that may not bother some I would love to see Carhartt expand the color line of these pants.

Second and most concerning is finding the pants that fit. Typically I wear a size 36. When I went to Carhartt to pick up the Cryders the 36 was too small but the 38 fit well. I grabbed another pair of the Cryders in the Shadow color but neither the 36 or 38 fit. A Carhartt employee told me it was somewhat common for different styles of pants to fit differently but it was rare to find the same style of pant fitting differently based on color. So, while I really like these pants, be aware that you may have to do some work to find the right fit.

At the end of the day I would highly recommend these pants. Whether you are looking for work pants, range pants or casual pants the Cryder Dungarees will work well. The features of the Cryders greatly outweigh the cons. Carhartt is on to something with the Cryder Dungaree.

MSRP: $59.99

Functionality: 5/5

Weight: 4/5

Durability: 4/5

Cost: 4/5

Comfort: 5/5

Overall Total: 22/25

Material Disclosure

I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer via Spotter Up so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.

Features/Specifications/Materials

Quick Duck®: 8-ounce, 59% cotton/39% polyester/2% spandex canvas keeps you moving

Rain Defender® durable water repellent finish

Comfortable gusseted crotch: there’s an extra panel to increase your movement and take stress off the seams

Bend and crouch with ease: articulated knees have a 4-way stretch panel