I used to buy the regular Carhartt jeans they were ok but my husband went through a lot of them.  My husband and brother both work construction and tear through jeans like paper.  I am not a great seamstress and even if I was by the time I could get one pair patched up anther one would need repair.  By the time all is said and done these are worth the extra money.  They still show the wear and tear but only one of them has a serious hole that I am going to have to take a needle and thread to.  The fit was a bit difficult to nail down we sent a few back without any hassle.  Once we had the right size after a couple tries its been smooth sailing.  My husband had gone down a size right about the time we decided to change jean style so it kinda threw things off but it was nice to know that returns were so easy.