Blaklader vs. Duluth Trading Firehose Pants

[Kodi Crescent]

Anyone have experience with both?  I'm looking for a durable work pant with the kneepad pockets.  I read some reviews that the Firehose pants are nice, but the kneepads shift readily.  Does this happen on the Blakladers?  Does anyone have experience with both?

 

[James Metcalf]

Have both Backlader and Duluth Firehose. No problem with pads on either. You will not go wrong with either. Duluth is my choice. Duluth has sales often, if you can wait for one. The knee pads you want for them are the cheapest and most light weight you can buy. When I wash them, I leave pads in with no problem. Your mileage my vary.

 

[bigjonh]

I have had both, my preference is the blakladers for the tool pockets and thicker knee pads.  They also lasted longer, at least a year of heavy use. I'm the opposite of a hobbyist so I'm pretty hard on them.  The fire hose are more comfortable like jeans, I like them a lot, but for me the fire hose material is too hot for the summer, or spring even, it was 90 here in MD yesterday.

 

[Connollyir]

I have both, but I find the Duluth pants to be more comfortable. I would say both are equally durable in my experience, I'm a professional at blowing out the knees in my pants and both are still going strong a year later. There are a couple holes in the cargo pocket section because I tend to keep nail-sets and other pointy things in my pocket, but thats my own fault. I do not use knee pads either so I can't comment on that.

I'm actually wearing a pair of Duluth pants right now, and I would say they are the most comfortable pants I own.

-Ian

 

[Iwood75]

bigjonh, I live near Baltimore, MD and am interested in Blakladers. Do you have a retail store nearby where I can try them on. I don't order clothing online... too much hassle before I'm fitted correctly. Thanks,  Joel

 

[builderbob]

I used to wear Blaklader until I discovered the Bjornklader line. My Blakladers sit in a corner now. For me the Blakladers were too loose and the knee pads were never where I needed them to be. The Bjornklader are a slimmer fit which to me is a bit more comfy for work and I like the pocket structure much better along with the knee pad alignment.

The pockets in the Bjornklader don't tuck away like the Blaklader do, but that's no big deal to me. They are also about double the Blaklader price but I wear them daily and they hold up amazing!  They're worth a look!

Bob

 

[bigjonh]

bigjonh, I live near Baltimore, MD and am interested in Blakladers. Do you have a retail store nearby where I can try them on. I don't order clothing online... too much hassle before I'm fitted correctly. Thanks,  Joel

Unfortunately, I can't think of one. Woodcraft carries their work vests but not the trousers. I get mine online, the last few pairs from Ace Tool.