I purchased these for my boyfriend who is a welder/iron worker.  He can ruin any pair of work pants in a matter of days, so we always have to purchase these if we expect them to last longer than a week.  The material is very strong and tough, maybe not the softest pair of pants you've ever worn but definitely worth it if you want a pair of pants that can withstand high heat and all kinds of torture on a day-to-day basis.  The pocket below the right rear pocket is perfect for putting his rods in.  We chose the rinsed timber shade which is a dark brown that looks slightly faded and it goes perfectly with his brown work boots.  I would definitely recommend these to anyone who works in construction or anyone who just needs a pair of tough pants.  The price is adequate considering the quality your getting.  We will definitely be getting more of these in the future!