Truewerk T2 Werkpant Review: 10 Years of Wearing an Icon

On May 9, 2016, I published my original review of the Truewerk T2 Werkpant. I still remember the day Truewerk founder, Brian Ciciora, called me up for the first time and explained his concept of workwear inspired by what Rocky Mountain backcountry guides wear. It was a groundbreaking idea at the time, but am I still impressed 10 years later?

While I don’t have my original T2s anymore, I’ve got the latest version, and I’ll share what I’ve learned from wearing these iconic work pants, er, Werkpants, for nearly a decade.

Truewerk T2 Werkpant Basics

Key Features

• Materials: 50% nylon, 40% polyester, 10% spandex
• 4-way Stretch: Moves with you in any direction
• Double-stitched Seams: Improves durability
• Double-woven Softshell Fabric: Improves comfort with a softer feel and easier movement than cotton while providing abrasion-resistance
• Soft Fabric Backing: Feels comfortable against your skin and glides over it easily without chaffing
• Articulated Knees: Improves flexibility, comfort, and durability
• Gusseted Inseam: Improves flexibility, comfort, and durability
• Two-button Front Closure: Extra security from accidentally coming undone
• Water-resistant: Sheds light rain, snow, and splashes
• Windproof: Won’t allow chilly air to penetrate

Pocket Loadout

• Left/Right hand pockets
• Right hip small zippered pocket
• Right thigh phone pockets
• Right thigh pencil pocket
• Left thigh utility pocket with hook and loop closure
• Left/Right rear pockets

Men’s Fit

• Waist Sizes: 28 – 44 inches
• Lengths: 30 – 36 inches
• Colors: Sand, Deep Grey, Olive, Black, Brown, Navy
• Regular waist and seat with medium rise
• Athletic thigh
• Darted knees
• Straight leg with boot-friendly opening

Women’s Fit

• Waist Sizes: 00 – 18
• Lengths: 30 – 32 inches
• Colors: Sand, Deep Grey, Olive, Black
• Regular waist and seat with medium rise
• Athletic thigh
• Darted knees
• Straight leg with boot-friendly opening

Wearing Truewerk T2 Werkpants

What’s Changed in 10 Years?

Several things have changed since the first T2s hit the market. For one, they’ve shifted from a Small, Medium, Large sizing to inch-based sizing, so it’s easier to find just the right fit.

The pockets are slightly different, mainly on the thighs. They’re a bit more dialed in now, even though the original concept worked well.

There are also more colors available. I had the original Wolf Grey, which was great for jobsites, but not really my style. Now, Black and Olive are my go-to colors.

Finally, we have women’s fits available today. With as game-changing as these pants were when they came out, it made perfect sense to extend the benefits to tradeswomen with a fit that works with their shape.

Comfort and Flexibility

Interestingly, the T2’s material blend is exactly the same. That just goes to show you how dialed in it was in some of its original design choices.

Even after 10 years, when I put on a new pair of T2s straight out of the package, there’s a relieving feeling of comfort and freedom of movement you just don’t get from other work pants. Whether it’s my favorite pair of jeans or another cotton-based pant, they don’t move like my T2s, no matter how long I’ve had to break them in.

If you’re new to Truewerk, imagine having pants durable and protective enough for general construction yet flexible enough to wear to the gym. You can access crawl spaces, maneuver around in attics, climb ladders… heck, do some lunges if you really want to. The T2 can work with it.

Durability

But what about the durability factor? If you go back to pre-2015, sure, you could get pants this comfortable and flexible in the outdoor sector, but not from a workwear brand. Backcountry hunting, hiking, and the military were all on board.

That’s where Brian’s vision was so well-developed. The outdoor and military industries had to make their gear durable. Double-stitching, articulated knees, and gusseted crotches weren’t new inventions, but they hadn’t crossed over into the North American trade sector with this kind of material.

By starting with comfortable, flexible material, designing pockets that make sense for tradesmen, and constructing it in the most durable way possible, Truewerk developed something cotton couldn’t, and still can’t, compete with.

I remember talking to a plumber I met at a trade show who had switched to Truewerk pants. He told me that for every pair of T2 Werkpants he buys, he would have gone through six pairs of what he was wearing before—all because the knees would blow out.

So when you’re done with those lunges, go ahead and crawl around under a house on a repipe job or eight. Not only will the most stressed seams avoid ripping, but the knees will also hold up far longer than most any traditional work pants.

Seasonal Considerations

Have you had the question lingering in the back of your mind… is ever going to talk about why they’re called T2?

We’re going to answer that now.

T2 stands for Temperature 2. T1 is for the warmest weather, T2 in the middle, and T3 for the cold.

That means the T2 is a three-season pant, but that kind of depends on where you live. For most of the country, it’s your go-to pant for spring, summer, and fall.

But I live in central Florida, so the script is a bit different. I actually wear the T2 all year, switching to the T1 or Cloud pant on the hottest days, and occasionally wearing the T3 if we decide to participate in winter for a few days.

Price and Value

Truewerk T2 Werkpants are $99. That’s not a cheap pair of work pants. But let’s consider a few things.

If we take my plumber friend’s example, what would six pairs of cotton-based work pants cost you?

I’m a value shopper, so I shop sales and I could get most of mine in the $30 – $40 range. Even on the low end, $30 x 6 pairs = $180, so the T2’s price tag looks pretty dang attractive from where I’m sitting.

Unsurprisingly, Truewerk now has some competition as more outdoor brands see the potential of workwear. However, the ones I’ve tried have all been significantly higher priced by 50% or more.

Just for kicks, we can even talk about inflation. The T2 came out at $79. Based on an inflation calculator, that $79 price tag in May of 2016 would be about $107 as of January 2026. You’re even beating inflation when you buy the T2.

So, even though the T2 Werkpants isn’t as inexpensive as other options, it is an excellent value for what you get.

Should You Buy Truewerk T2 Werkpants?

Considering the comfort, flexibility, and durability of the T2, it’s hard to imagine anyone in the trades who wouldn’t benefit from wearing them. Yes, they’re more expensive than some popular work pants, but there’s value is in how much longer they last.

While I do think they’re a good fit for most tradesmen, they’re not always the best choice every day. As a three-season, windproof pant made from synthetic materials, pick your battles.

One of the biggest concerns is sparks, flames, and other intense heat. Just like other non-FR synthetic work pants, the material can melt. If you do a lot of grinding or welding, these probably aren’t your best option. Truewerk’s newer fire-resistant pants might be, though.

Keep the weather in mind, too. On hot days, the T1 Werkpants or Werkshorts are a better choice. If the work you’re doing isn’t particularly abrasive from the waist down, the Cloud pants or shorts might be even better.

On the other side of the spectrum, consider lined options such as the T3 when temperatures plummet.

Of course, when you and the weatherman aren’t getting along, you may need something waterproof, like the S1 Stormshell.

The point is that while the T2 Werkpant has you covered most of the year and should be the foundational pant in your work wardrobe, Truewerk still has you covered on days when the T2 isn’t the right choice.