8 Best Long Cargo Shorts for Men [12-15 Inch Tall Inseams]


Most cargo shorts typically have a 10 to 11 inch inseam, but if you want long cargo shorts, you still have plenty of options. Long inseam cargo shorts not only make sense for those who have long legs, but they also work nicely for those who don’t like short shorts that ride up above the knee.

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These are my choices for the best long cargo shorts:

  1. Unionbay Men’s Cordova 15 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts (click here to view)
  2. Dickies Men’s Relaxed Fit 13 Inch Flex Cargo Shorts (click here to view)
  3. Lee Men’s Sur 15 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts (click here to view)
  4. Dickies Men’s Loose Fit 13 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts (click here to view)
  5. Free Soldier Men’s Lightweight 12 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts (click here to view)
  6. AE Flex Men’s 12″ Longer Length Cargo Shorts (click here to view)
  7. Red Kap Men’s 13 Inch Cargo Shop Shorts (click here to view)
  8. *Big & Tall* Boulder Creek Side-Elastic 12 Inch Cargo Shorts (click here to view)

There’s quite a bit to consider when shopping for long length cargo shorts. Perhaps the biggest decision you’ll need to make is the type of material you need. Do you need a heavy duty material, or will a lighter-weight, flexible material work for you?

Some of the shorts on this list are designed to function as work shorts, while others are designed to be casual shorts. The work shorts tend to use a more durable material, and may have additional utility pockets in combination with the cargo pockets.

Some options may use a flexible fabric material in combination with a gusset to help increase the comfort of the shorts, and improve your range of motion. If you are unsure what a gusset it, watch this quick video below:

In this article let’s take a closer look at the best long cargo shorts so you can find an option that fits your needs. Let’s also discuss several things to consider when buying these types of long length cargo shorts.

Best Long Cargo Shorts for Men

Unionbay Men’s Cordova 15 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts

These Unionbay shorts are one of the longest options on this list. They have a 15 inch inseam, which means these shorts will finish below the knees for most men.

Here’s what these Unionbay 15 inch inseam cargo shorts look like:

This is the current price of these Unionbay 15 inch inseam cargo shorts available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about these long cargo shorts:

  • Material – These Unionbay cargo shorts are made with 100% cotton. The material is washed to give the shorts a vintage, worn-in appearance.
  • Fit – These are 15 inch inseam cargo shorts which means they will finish at or below the knee for most men. They have a classic fit that isn’t too loose or too tight.
  • Pockets – These shorts have stacked cargo pockets. The cargo pockets have top flaps that cover the pocket. The back pockets on these shorts also have a flap cover.
  • What Makes These Unique – Two design details that make these cargo shorts unique. First, they come with a belt. Second, they have adjustable tabs at the hem of the shorts so you can tighten them near your knees if you so choose.

Click here to buy these Unionbay 15 inch inseam cargo shorts available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These cargo shorts are machine washable.


Dickies Men’s Relaxed Fit 13 Inch Flex Cargo Shorts

These Dickies cargo shorts are a good option for those of you who prefer a flexible fabric. These are 13 inch inseam cargo shorts, which means they will fit a little bit shorter than the Unionbay cargo shorts we discussed above.

Here’s what these Dickies 13 inch inseam cargo shorts look like:

This is the current price of these Dickies 13 inch inseam cargo shorts available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about these long cargo shorts:

  • Material – These Dickies cargo shorts are made with a polyester/cotton stretch twill fabric, which means they will feel flexible in comparison to 100% cotton shorts. This type of fabric blend also helps prevent the material from shrinking.
  • Fit – These are 13 inch inseam cargo shorts which means they will finish at or below the knee for most men. They have a relaxed fit with extra room in the seat and thigh area.
  • Pockets – Yes, these shorts have expandable side cargo pockets, but they also have a phone pocket on the right leg for extra storage space.
  • What Makes These Unique – Not only is the material on these shorts flexible, it is also made to be wrinkle and stain resistant. The easy stain release might be a nice feature for those looking for long cargo shorts for work.

Click here to buy these Dickies 13 inch inseam cargo shorts available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These cargo shorts are machine washable.


Lee Men’s Sur 15 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts

These Lee cargo shorts are another good option for those of you who prefer a stretch fabric. These are 15 inch inseam cargo shorts, which means they will fit a little bit longer than the Dickies Flex cargo shorts we discussed above.

Here’s what these Lee 15 inch inseam cargo shorts look like:

This is the current price of these Lee 15 inch inseam cargo shorts available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Here’s what you need to know about these long cargo shorts:

  • Material – These Lee cargo shorts are made with a cotton/nylon/spandex stretch fabric blend, which means they will feel flexible in comparison to 100% cotton shorts.
  • Fit – These are 15 inch inseam cargo shorts which means they will finish below the knee for most men, giving them that messenger-cargo style. They have a relaxed fit that won’t fit too tight or too baggy, making them versatile for a wide range of tasks.
  • Belted – These cargo shorts come with a D-Ring belt.
  • Pockets – Yes, these shorts have expandable side cargo pockets. The back pockets also have a flap covering the top.

Click here to buy these Lee 15 inch inseam cargo shorts available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These cargo shorts are machine washable.


Other Long Cargo Shorts to Consider

  • Dickies Men’s Loose Fit 13 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts – These Dickies Loose Fit Cargo Shorts have a 13-inch inseam, and unlike the first Dickies cargo shorts we discussesed earlier, these shorts are not made with a stretch fabric blend. If you prefer a more traditional material, these will be the better option. This fabric is wrinkle and stain resistant, and the shorts feature large side cargo pockets. Click here to view these Dickies long cargo shorts available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
  • Free Soldier Men’s Lightweight 12 Inch Inseam Cargo Shorts – Looking for lightweight cargo shorts? These Free Soldier cargo shorts are made with a lightweight, quick-dry stretch fabric blend that might make them a great choice for warmer weather. The material is also coated to be water-resistant. The side cargo pockets are zip-close pockets, give you a secure place to store essentials on-the-go. Click here to view these Free Soldier 12 inch inseam cargo shorts available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
  • Boulder Creek Side-Elastic 12 Inch Cargo Shorts – Do you need extended sizing? These Boulder Creek shorts are offered up to a size 68 waist and have for garment washed for extra comfort. Side-elastic panels on the waistband. Double-stacked cargo pockets give you plenty of storage space. Boulder Creek also makes a full-elastic waist option. Click here to view these Boulder Creek shorts (affiliate link takes you to kingsize.com).

What to Consider When Buying Long Cargo Shorts

Fit of Your Tall Cargo Shorts

Most long length cargo shorts will have a relaxed or loose fit design that doesn’t hug too tight against your legs. This is the fit that most people prefer, whether they are working, hiking, or just running errands around town.

long-cargo-shorts

If you prefer a slim design, it can be harder to find options. To read more, I would advise you to visit our article that discussed the best slim fit shorts.

Crotch Gusset

As we discussed earlier in the article, a crotch gusset is extra material sewn into the crotch to add comfort and flexibility to your shorts (buying a stretch material is another way). To read more, visit our article about work shorts with gusset crotch.

The size of the gusset can vary. Some crotch gussets will be smaller (diamond shaped) and confined to the crotch area, while others will run the full length of the short.

Here’s a look at two gusset shorts I own:

wrangler-cargo-shorts-gusset
cargo-carhartt-force-gusset

In comparison, the full length gussets will provide you with more range of motion when hiking and running. But for simple bending and crouching on the job, both types of gussets work just fine.

Buying long cargo shorts with a gusset adds flexibility and comfort. The Red Kap shorts on our list at the top of the page feature an inseam gusset.

Other Cargo Shorts to Consider

If you don’t like any of the long cargo shorts on this list, perhaps some of these other types of cargo shorts might work better for you:

Moisture Wicking Cargo Shorts

Buying long inseam cargo shorts that are designed to wick moisture away can be a very helpful way to stay cooler and drier on the job. When moisture wicking shorts pull sweat away, it gets dispersed on the outside of the short allowing it to dry quicker.

Another small benefit from this is the evaporation process can naturally pull a small amount of heat away from your body. This quick dry evaporation is a sort of win-win process, and might be a nice option for those of you looking for long cargo shorts to wear in hot weather.

Paul Johnson

Paul is a lead content creator for Workwear Command. He has had several blue-collar jobs which have provided him a wide range of experience with tools and gear. He also has a business degree and has spent time in business casual office settings.

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