Cargo pants

Cargo pants or cargo trousers are loosely cut pants designed for tough, outdoor activities distinguished by one or more cargo pockets.

Cargo pockets on camouflaged battledress

A cargo pocket is a form of a patch pocket, often with accordion folds for increased capacity closed with a flap secured by snap, button, or Velcro common on battledress and hunting clothing. Variously, cargo pockets may be hidden within the legs.

Cargo pants are made of hard wearing fabric and ruggedly stitched. Increasingly they are made of quick-drying synthetic or cotton-synthetic blends, and often feature oversized belt loops to accommodate wide webbing belts.

The garments are characteristically designed to allow bending at the knee and hip and sewn with felled seams.

History

Cargo pants were first worn by members of the British Armed Forces in 1938, and were introduced to the United States in the mid-1940s during World War II. The large pockets characteristic of cargo pants were originally designed to allow paratroopers more room to hold radios and extra ammunition.

During the mid-1990s, cargo pants came back "into fashion," but were less popular after 2000. However, cargo pants have in recent years become more and more popular.

Variations

Cargo shorts are cargo pants shortened at the knee. Some cargo pants are made with removable lower legs allowing conversion into shorts.

EMT pants are cargo pants which have 6-way cargo/scissor pockets on one or both legs each with a hidden zippered pocket on top of cargo pocket, a bellowed flap pocket with increased carrying capacity, Besom pockets on calves for glove storage, and 3 slots for scissors (2 two fitted with snap closures).

See also

• Tactical pants
• Khaki