So, close to three years into working sawmills, here's my take on the gear I've worn and used.
I started with Dickies duck pants with cargo pockets. After this time, I still put these trousers in the middle of the pack. Here is an observation; Dickies makes a line of pants they call 'Ranger', these pants are made with light weight 'rip-stop' material. So far as I'm concerned that immediately moves them to the Do Not Buy category. The fact is I'd have a hard time accepting one of these pairs of trousers as a gift.
Next I tried the cargo pocket trousers made by Carhartt. In an attempt to mitigate the bad properties of 'rip-stop'material, Carhartt used a very heavy weight 'rip-stop'material for their cargo pocket trousers. IMNSHO these trousers are an absolute failure.
Next I purchased a couple pairs of cargo pocket trousers made by Riggs (a Wrangler brand, more on Wrangler later) these trousers are made from a medium weight 'rip-stop' material. Except for the fact of being made of 'rip-stop' material, I rather like the design and number of pockets 9 if I counted correctly.
Next I found that Wrangler is making a line of pants they call work wear. This is a medium weight canvas trousers. However Wrangler makes a fashion set of trousers that looks almost exactly like these. Be sure if you choose Wrangler and want work clothes that stand up to heavy usage Do Not Buy Wrangler's fashion clothing!
Next I tried a couple of pairs of pants made by the Noble Outfitters company. The ones I bought are called Hammerdrill cargo pants. These are an excellent heavy weight canvas trousers. They have pockets to spare without being too 'busy'. If you want heavy weight trousers and like to wear cargo pocket trousers, I definitely highly recommend these.
From there let's move on to shoes and boots. I'm a bit partial to a six inch boot if I'm working lumber (including the cabinet shop where I had a seasonal assignment this year) so far in that category, Danner boots win big.
Part of the reason I'm writing this now is that I had the opportunity to visit the Shasta Boot Company and try on a couple of pairs of Redwing boots. For the price I'll stick with Danner's.
I'm still looking (as long as I work for a place where I can wear them) for a casual weight shoe with a composite safety toe. As I've noted here already the pair I bought which is branded by the DeWalt tool company I not working well for me.
While in Redding I also stopped by Work World and looked at a pair of Keen shoes which may work. Part of problem seems to be that my feet are somewhat (EE) wide at the toe, and somewhat narrow at the heel...
Oh the reason why I was in Redding? My left foot has developed an ulcer on the ankle.