Two of our major brands at Harrison’s offer similar technology in some of their most popular workwear styles. Ariat’s DuraStretch and Carhartt’s Rugged Flex are both built to move with you and to make your job easier. But they approach the problem from different directions, and knowing the difference in the two can help you to choose the right gear for your work environment. So how do you know?
Why Stretch Matters in Workwear
Traditional workwear has always prioritized durability—heavy fabrics that stand up to rough conditions.
But today’s workers demand more than just toughness. They also need mobility, comfort, and flexibility, especially in jobs that involve climbing, kneeling, reaching, or crouching.
That’s where stretch technologies like Ariat DuraStretch and Carhartt Rugged Flex come in.
Ariat DuraStretch: Performance-Focused Workwear
Ariat designed DuraStretch with mobility as the primary goal.
Instead of starting with heavy fabrics and adding stretch later, Ariat built a fabric system that behaves more like performance apparel while still delivering the durability needed for work. That includes flexible fabric designed for movement, a lightweight feel compared to traditional work pants, immediate comfort with very little break-in times, and a style ideal for jobs requiring constant motion.
You’ll find DuraStretch used in many of Ariat’s most popular workwear pieces, including Rebar work pants and work jeans.
These products are particularly popular among electricians, mechanics, HVAC technicians, ranch and agricultural workers, and anybody who spends the majority of their days climbing, kneeling, or crouching. For workers who want workwear that moves with them, Ariat DuraStretch delivers a noticeable difference.
Carhartt Rugged Flex: Classic Durability with Added Mobility
Carhartt took a different approach.
Instead of redesigning workwear fabrics from scratch, they took their legendary materials—like duck canvas and heavyweight denim—and engineered them to stretch. The result is Rugged Flex, which maintains the rugged durability Carhartt is known for while improving mobility. The style maintains traditional Carhartt toughness with added stretch for bending and reaching. The technology is built into durable fabrics like duck and denim, and is excellent for demanding jobsite conditions.
It’s commonly found in Carhartt favorites like Rigby work pants, double-front work pants, duck jackets, and work shirts. Rugged Flex products are especially popular with construction workers, heavy equipment operators, welders, and those in the industrial trades. If your priority is maximum durability with improved flexibility, Rugged Flex delivers.
So, which one do you need? Both technologies improve mobility compared to traditional styles. The best choice depends on your job and your personal preference.
Choose Ariat DuraStretch if you want:
- Maximum mobility
- Lightweight feel
- Performance-style workwear
- Comfort right out of the box
Choose Carhartt Rugged Flex if you want:
- Heavy-duty durability
- Traditional workwear feel
- Tough fabrics with added stretch
- Long-lasting jobsite protection
And while we can’t tell you which you’ll ultimately want to go with, we CAN tell you where to find either. Because at Harrison’s, we know there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for workwear.
Some folks want gear that moves like athletic clothing. Others want the toughest fabric possible.
That’s why we carry so many top workwear brands, and why you’ll find a huge selection of Ariat and Carhartt—two brands that approach workwear innovation in different ways, but both deliver the performance workers depend on.
If you’re not sure which one is right for you, stop by Harrison’s and our team will help you find the perfect fit for your job.