Field Supply Pants vs Clarkston Double Front Pants: Which to Buy
By Filson - Better Outdoor Clothes & Gear | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: Comparisons
Compare Filson's Field Supply Pants and Clarkston Double Front Pants on fabric, fit adjustments, pocket design, and durability for work and everyday wear.
Quick answer
Choose the Clarkston Double Front Pants if you need reinforced leg fronts for heavy abrasion and prefer a brushed, ribbed cord fabric. Choose the Field Supply Pants if you want adjustable waist tabs for a custom, beltless fit and a heritage wool-blend design with buttoned rear pockets.
Fabric and reinforcement: where each pant earns its keep
The Clarkston uses midweight Bedford cord with a double layer on the leg fronts. That extra layer is the key difference for tasks that wear through fabric at the thigh and knee, such as kneeling, climbing, or handling rough materials. The dense vertical rib and brushed interior add comfort against the skin, so the reinforcement does not automatically mean a stiff feel.
The Field Supply Pants are patterned after Filson's 1980s whipcord wool trail pants. The catalog does not specify the exact fiber content or weight, so treat the wool reference as a design lineage rather than a performance guarantee. What is clear is the construction: urea buttons, adjustable waist tabs, and patch pockets without pocket bags. That points to a trim, heritage-style pant rather than a double-knee workhorse.
Fit and adjustment: fixed waist versus tabs
The Field Supply Pants include adjustable waist tabs, which let you fine-tune the fit and wear them without a belt. That is a real advantage if your waist measurement falls between sizes or you want to skip a belt on light days. The Clarkston has a standard waistband; the catalog excerpt does not mention waist tabs, so plan on belt-based fit unless you confirm otherwise.
Neither pant lists a rise or leg opening in the supplied facts, so do not assume a specific silhouette. Use the size chart and your usual Filson bottoms size as the starting point, and expect the Field Supply tabs to give you a little more margin for error.
Pockets and hardware: access versus security
The Clarkston keeps it simple with two front patch pockets and a single back patch pocket, all easy to reach. The Field Supply adds buttoned flaps over the rear pockets and a center-back belt loop to keep the waistband from rolling. If you carry a wallet or phone in a back pocket on uneven ground, the flaps are a meaningful upgrade. If you prefer uncomplicated access, the Clarkston's open patch pockets are quicker.
Key trade-offs to weigh
- Durability versus simplicity: The Clarkston's double front layer protects against abrasion but adds bulk and a workwear look. The Field Supply skips the reinforcement, so it suits lighter duty and everyday wear better. If you regularly kneel or handle rough edges, the Clarkston's reinforcement is the deciding factor.
- Adjustable fit versus standard waistband: Field Supply's waist tabs give a custom, beltless fit. The Clarkston relies on a standard waistband, so you will need a belt for a secure fit. Between sizes or prefer no belt? Field Supply is the safer choice.
- Pocket security versus easy access: Field Supply's buttoned rear flaps keep items more secure; Clarkston's open patch pockets are faster to use. Neither is objectively better—match it to how you carry your gear. Carry a wallet in the back pocket on trails or ladders? Choose the flaps.
Product facts at a glance
- Clarkston Double Front Pants - Labrador Brown: Midweight Bedford cord with a double layer on the leg fronts. The reinforced front adds abrasion resistance exactly where work pants tend to wear out first.
Clarkston Double Front Pants - Labrador Brown - Field Supply Pants: Adjustable waist tabs and urea buttons, patterned after 1980s whipcord wool trail pants. The tabs let you dial in fit and go beltless, while the heritage pattern signals a trimmer, casual silhouette.
Field Supply Pants
Who should choose which
Best for
- Clarkston Double Front Pants: tradespeople and outdoor workers who need abrasion-resistant leg fronts and like the feel of brushed Bedford cord.
- Field Supply Pants: buyers who want adjustable waist tabs for a precise or beltless fit and a heritage wool-trail-pant look with buttoned rear pockets.
Not for
- Clarkston Double Front Pants: anyone who wants waist tabs or a dressier, less bulky silhouette.
- Field Supply Pants: heavy kneeling or rough-surface work where reinforced leg fronts are a priority.
