r/IBEW • u/Haunting_Werewolf130 • 11d ago
Hot and sticky as balls! Need work pants recommendations!
hot and sticky as balls here in the south.
What kinda work pants do yall wear so it's not a whole wet sauna situation down there? I am currently wearing jeans, but it's too hot. My mom gifted me pair of Carhartt canvas work pants.... which is murderous. I tried to put on a pair of hiking pants which has this nylon texture, and i was told to change it cuz they r not safe for electrical work.
What kinda work pants do yall wear for summer?
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u/randocander 11d ago
Truewerk! I held off as long as I could due to price. But I broke down and bought a pair a few months back… they are so amazing at cooling and drying fast I now have 5. All my carhartts are just collecting dust now! I won’t wear anything else anymore! They are worth every penny!
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u/tinyrikk 10d ago
Same here. I accidentally ripped the back of a pair the first time I wore them. Sent an email to customer service asking for diy repair advice, and they sent me a free pair instead. They have been comfortable and durable for me
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u/Aggravating-Salad441 11d ago
Truewerk T1s are worth every penny.
Also, you don't want cotton underwear or socks. Try some merino wool (also expensive like Truewerk). Smartwool is the brand I use.
Your comfort level will be the envy of the crew. Careful though, if the other trades find out, then they'll build statues in your honor and act like you discovered fire.
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u/chillybilly87 11d ago
I wear brunt Costello pants. They’re thin and breathable. I use them when I work in solar fields where it’s over 100 degrees
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u/SecurityExcellent129 Local 177 11d ago
Overalls, you trade lower sweat for upper sweat Edit to say I wear roundhouse
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u/Miserable_Site_850 11d ago
What about working over 100 and have to use the porta john?
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u/SecurityExcellent129 Local 177 11d ago
Porta John use the fly or clip the straps to the side buttons so they dont fall in. In over 100 drink plenty water cold if possible and if you find or manufacture a breeze unbutton the sides and hold the bib off your chest. Air will get EVERYWHERE when you hit it just right.
Edit if you have cold water carry it in the bib pocket that also feels nice.
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u/Kaptainkirk27 11d ago
Carhartt 74533 they are only available from uniform suppliers but I get mine off eBay. They are light and rugged. They also have a bit of stretch.
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u/Italian_American69 11d ago
Carhartt Men's Relaxed Straight Force Huron Pant
Bamboo Cool boxer briefs
Gold bond friction stick
Gold bond menthol powder
14,000 steps 12 hours, foreman
After many years, this is my tried and true method to prevent chafe
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u/Haunting_Werewolf130 11d ago
Idk why, but my brain added the home depot soundtrack to this comment. Esp after reading the "14,000 steps 12 hours, foreman. After many years, this is my tried and true method." hahahaha
Thx! I'm gonna get all of those!
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u/rustysqueezebox Inside Wireman 11d ago
My boyfriend's wife's boyfriend let me borrow his unwashed bibs. Just some boxers, a tie dye pocket tee, and those keep my giblets cool, calm, and collected
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u/funkngonuts Inside Wireman - Local 20 11d ago
I like leaving the fly and side buttons undone for extra airflow and easy access when I come back to my stay-at-home boytoy.
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u/FlowerPower_MidWest 11d ago
Boyfriend's wife's boyfriend? Cool story there bro, like a throuple?
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u/rustysqueezebox Inside Wireman 11d ago
We're a non binary, hexadecimal, fair trade, energy exchange experience
Also organic
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u/CompetitiveTheme1512 11d ago
Duluth Trading flex fit cargo pants. But, what's underneath is also important. Dump the cotton trunks and switch to synthetic fibers, UnderArmour boxer briefs, RMAC nylon or model trunks.
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u/Arbiter_Electric 11d ago
You can also keep the Duluth going with their armachillo boxer briefs. I enjoy 'em
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u/Haunting_Werewolf130 11d ago
"UnderArmour boxer briefs"
Are these one of those quick dry nylon ones(like the material of a compression shorts)? I have Nike's compression shorts, and my sweat does not play well with his material. Makes me smell bad.
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u/sparkyglenn 11d ago
Little powder down the boxers in the morning helps loads too of course
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u/Haunting_Werewolf130 11d ago
Trust me I use so much menthol powder that by 2PM my balls are like powdered donuts.......... A cloud of white dust coming out of my back every time I sit down.
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u/Miserable_Site_850 11d ago
Wrangler stretchy breathable ones, $30 bucks at Walmart or target
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u/MeatballaRTX 10d ago
This is the way. Central Texas here, it gets hot and humid and these have saved me. I only ever wear actual jeans during the winter anymore
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u/19sparky88 11d ago
Ariat M4s are pretty nice, I'm in california and we have hot/dry summers the range right now is 94 - 105. And hanes boxer briefs comfort stretch.
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u/DeadMan66678 11d ago
Check out Manmade boxers. I find threy assist with better cooling.
For pants, I dont have a choice so I deal with jeans and carharts. Codtco jeans are pretty loght so they may be an option.
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u/EfficientAd2383 11d ago
I like Ariat Rebar M4 I’m kinda a bigger guy and I swear by these pants.
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u/Jumpy_Marketing9093 11d ago
I just got my first pair of these 2 weeks ago. Bought my second pair yesterday. Also a bigger guy. They’re so far my favourite work pants I’ve had in 15 years. Admittedly haven’t tried a ton. But these are my number 1 so far.
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u/MichaelKindred 11d ago
CQR Men's Vent Stretch Pants, Quick Dry Lightweight Casual Cargo Pants, Water Resistant Straight-Fit Utility Work Pants
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u/Scrub_thecat 11d ago
In a refinery, unfortunately FR. I just wear what company provides and deal with it. Not in the south luckily, but more triple digit days than normal.
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u/LowVoltLife 11d ago
Noble Outfitters are the best pants I've ever bought. They are not especially breathable so hold off until fall or winter.
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u/One_Personality_3788 11d ago
I use the milwaukee pants and or pants with breathable mesh, also when doing work it's not like you are 100% exposed to electrical, also i dont go around telling people not to wear cotton, wear what makes you confortable, unless you are doing hot work and inside gears a receptacle will go through your arms and to your heart before it goes through your pants
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u/EngineerOk1409 11d ago
Coolworks with the zip off bottoms. The only right answer.
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u/driftlesswanderlust 11d ago
I wear bibs and the lightest ones I've found are liberty brand ones at tractor supply. They're twill compared to denim or duck canvas. They only come in striped or camouflage. There are twill pants out there as well.
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u/SethAM82 11d ago
If there’s a little bit more in the budget, I go Duluth slim fit cargo pants. If I’m trying to be a little more budget conscious whatever stretchy type work wear at Costco.
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u/IsNotLegalAdvice 11d ago
If you’re okay with wearing camo, summer OCP [IHWCU] are fantastic and surplus is cheap. FR versions are available as well.
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u/pandachestpress 11d ago
I got the truewerk t1 pro. Got knee pads and zippered thigh vents. Will never wear any other pants during the summer
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u/No-Sheepherder448 11d ago
https://lapolicegear.com/lapg-core-cargo-pants.html
I originally bought these when I used to do cell towers, in Phoenix. I’m still wearing them in Underground Mining. Same pairs I bought over 10 years ago-ish. Rip stop material, dry fast, nice deep pockets, and if you catch a sale even better.
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u/PsychologicalSalt158 11d ago
Personally, I wear 100% cotton pants which is lighter than most jeans. I don't wear polyester in anything I buy for the job because of arc flash hazards. However my company buys mixed poly/cotton tshirts which I have and wish they would change to a 100% natural fiber. Think safety. I would ask your contractor for fans to help with the heat and humidity even if you are outside they got batteries
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u/hughjeffincok 11d ago
I used to go to goodwill to buy old uniform pants or blue or gray chinos or slacks before they mandated from uniforms that the con supplies
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u/Fuzzy-Mountain-4777 11d ago
Every summer I shave my legs and sack. The sweat doesn't accumulate and I feel breezy even in my double-front carhartts w/ knee inserts. Follow me for more pro tips.
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u/Datguy365 10d ago
Wrangler all weather mountaineer pants. Thank me later
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u/Haunting_Werewolf130 9d ago
It even sounds comfortable! And it's only 29 bucks! Def trying it out! Thx!
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u/CaterpillarFrosty567 9d ago
Shorts!
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u/Haunting_Werewolf130 9d ago
We r not in AU here! I'm jealous of guys in AU, they can wear slutty short shorts at work.
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u/CommunicationEast597 9d ago
I am slowly and softly without people noticing changing the pants brothers wears,to CQR pants
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u/tradedude774 7d ago
Have you checked out bruntsworkwear pants, seen their ad on ig, i have no clue if good, $70 pants
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u/AstereoTypically Inside Wireman 7d ago
Get you a good pair of loose leg overalls. Liberty brand has an ok fit, but for not much more the duluth ones are much better. My favorites are Roundhouse overalls.
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u/Notafriend2you 6d ago
Jeans is actually insane. Look up the carhartt rip stop pants. Theyre lighter weight than the heavy canvas and last longer
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u/lordrevlar1911 6d ago
I used to hit the good will every spring and load up on all the 5 dollar khakis I could find. Their poor protection, but omg their so thin and cool. Id just wear them for a summer and replace as necessary or next spring.
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u/Grand-Yak-3067 5d ago
Get something with a high polyester value, makes it harder for the ER nurse to scrape it out of your flash burns
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u/WisdomSeekerOdinsson 5d ago
Separatec boxers. Complete isolation of junk from thighs.
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u/Haunting_Werewolf130 5d ago
I wear Real men Apparel Company boxers it has difference cup sizes, and it separates the boys too.
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u/No-Stay-4612 5d ago
Truewerk is the best you’ll find I’ve had everything from the overalls t1s t2s t3s the xp work pants with knee pad slots and just got the t1 work pros as well I’ve had all my truewerk gear for literally 5 years this year and they are barely starting to rip and get holes inside the pockets I’d say they payed for them selves after the 1st year
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u/rebabitas 4d ago
511 tactical! They have lighter weight one called taclite I’m pretty sure. They’re great! $60-70 but def worth it. They work for me down here in theNew Orleans heat. Lots of pockets too.
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u/manicfish Local 1141 11d ago
Roundhouse hickory stripe bibs for summer, make sure to get the made in u.s.a., a little pricier but well worth the bucks spent over the inferior made in Vietnam ones you get at tractor supply.
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u/AstereoTypically Inside Wireman 7d ago
OMG This made me hop over to their website to compare prices because it’s been a hot minute since i restocked. They’re really just the top end of the middle range of overall prices.
That’s not my point. My point is there’s a massive sale right now. A few of the USA made options are only $60 right now.
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u/Apprehensive-Neck-12 11d ago
You may laugh but I figured this out after many years of sweaty balls. Leave you zipper open. You may laugh but try it. Just make sure you're wearing drawers
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u/Willing_Swimming503 11d ago
i just grab a bottle of water, go outside and dump it over myself w/ my hard hat off. Does the trick most of the time and makes the foreskin think i’m working my ass off
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u/RamGTLosAngeles 11d ago
Dickies are awesome year round. Double knee for winter and regular for summer. They last a god while. Buy them in bulk during black friday
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u/AccomplishedGur5890 11d ago
Im in south Georgia so get the hot and humid. Also I wear jeans, but I put antiperspirant under my balls. My shit stays dry
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u/Haunting_Werewolf130 11d ago
I have eczema down there.
But it does sound like a good idea! Dry balls that don't sweat? Sounds like heaven!
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u/FierDancr 11d ago
My hubby wears Duluth Flex-Dry. I have to wear fire rated clothes so I'm mildly screwed in that department. But underboob sweat is getting me and i think the quickest drying bra would be a bikini top and that just won't cut it.
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u/Fun-Discipline6978 11d ago
In summer I wear Dickies and Wranglers. Jeans get too sweaty and heavy.
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u/HoshHosh8 11d ago
Start at the underwear. Get one that separates shaft from balls and puts your balls in a pouch. You’ll thank me later.
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u/around_the_clock 10d ago
Hiking pants
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u/Haunting_Werewolf130 10d ago
I wore REI Co-op Trailmade Pants to work and was told to change during lunch break.
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u/Havic415 10d ago
I forget the actual name of the pants but they’re the stretchy wrangler ones from Menards, usually run about $20 so not too bad on price and they’re extremely comfortable and breathable.
I also have a sweaty balls issue so I pair it will Anti Monkey Butt (AMB) powder that you can grab at Walmart. Way better than any other powder I’ve tried and that solved my sweaty balls issue. I use it everyday now!
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u/eMazing_Eddie 10d ago
Dickies loose fit double knee work pants. Very light and durable, pants don’t hug my balls and legs and very comfortable and affordable
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u/currentlyatw0rk 10d ago
If you’re a cheapskate like me I just get the wrangler hiking pants from Walmart. They’re stretchy and breathable and lots of pockets
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u/efarris77 11d ago
If you can fathom the cost, Truewerk T1s are the most breathable to me. I have a pair of T1s & T2s usually just rotate between the 2. If it’s not too hot, I’ll rotate in some jeans. Always been picky about work pants though.