The 13 Best Cargo Pants of 2024
I Have Been Wanting to Write About Cargo Pants Ever Since I Began My Fashion Journalism Career. Why? Well, 11 Year's Ago I Purchased My Very First Pair — from...
I have been wanting to write about cargo pants ever since I began my fashion journalism career. Why? Well, 11 years ago I purchased my very first pair — from the men’s section of all places — because baggy clothes were hard to come by for young girls at the time. I fell in love with that original pair, and since then my cargo pants collection has grown significantly. I find comfort in their oversized silhouettes whether I'm lounging at home traipsing around at fashion week.
The appeal of cargo pants lies in how laid back they make you look. Way before people started dressing like Kim Possible, cargo pants were worn as workwear for their mobility and ample pockets to carry tools. Fashionably, they became popular in the 90s in the hip hop and skater scenes. Nowadays, you can find renewed and reimagined versions of the cargo pants all over the world — but you don’t need to go far to find some of the top styles. We compiled a list of the 12 best cargo pants currently available. Read on for our favorites.
Best Overall
Asos Stradivarius Straight Leg Cargo Pants
Asos
What We Love: The 100% cotton material is very comfortable.
What We Don’t Love: They’re labeled as high-rise, but look to sit a bit lower depending on the size.
Since we just mentioned Kim Possible, we may as well bring forth the pants that most resemble the iconic character’s uniform. These pants are long enough to bunch up at the bottom, which give it that relaxed appeal. When it comes to cargo pants, you want as much space around your legs for ample movement and comfort, and these deliver.
In the front and the back you’ll find two oversized pockets stitched into the pants, with the waistline coming up to around your stomach. The brand calls this a high-rise cut, but in some of the pictures it appears to be low-rise on the models. Ultimately, the size you select will determine where the pants sit (if you want a baggier, low-rise look, go up one size, otherwise stick to your normal measurements).
At under $50, we’re pleasantly surprised to report that these pants don't skimp out on quality, as they’re made of 100 percent cotton. And as an added bonus, they are offered in quite a few colors including khaki, stone, and black. Whether you’re out on a butt-kickery mission or not, these pants will serve you style and comfort all day long.
Material: Cotton | Size Range: US 0—US 12 | Colors: 5 | Rise: High
Must Read
Best Budget
Cider Low Waist Knotted Cargo Pant
Cider
What We Love: There are drawstrings on the waist and ankles, allowing you to adjust for size.
What We Don’t Love: The material has a bit of a windbreaker feel to it, which may or may not be something you’re looking for.
Ahhh, drawstrings. They may be an underrated feature in many garments, but we can’t get enough of their convenience, especially when it comes to cargo pants. This pair features drawstrings around the waist and ankles, which allow you to adjust not just the size, but also how the pants look around your legs. The ankle strings help adjust the style to go with any shoes — when wearing heels you can easily tighten them to avoid trips and slips, but you can loosen them when wearing sneakers for a more laid back vibe.
On top of the two large side pockets, you’ll find an accent seam stitched around the sides. This adds a visual appeal to the pants and gives them a little more form. Just know that these don’t have that typical soft cotton feel, but rather a windbreaker texture to them. If that’s something you want, then great! If not, let’s move on to the next option.
Material: Polyester, spandex | Size Range: XS—XL | Colors: 1 | Rise: Low
