It’s hard to tell the weight of the fabric online, but these have good reviews.
https://www.lee.com/shop/womens-ultra-lux-comfort-with-flex-to-go-loose-utility-pant-WUP333.html?_gl=1*k0pdfd*_up*MQ…_gsMQ…&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2tHABhCiARIsANZzDWrMBXjphcOSQBEmzz8yKkS94D27i9C2LTf6Ujz7VzMq0v670U5gtGMaAvXpEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Searching for “lightweight cargo pants” brings up things like this
Also, just FYI (and maybe you know this), most zippers used on pants have a little brake mechanism that’s activated if you flip the zipper pull down. It feels kind of “clicky” as you rotate the zipper pull. An old school version is little teeth or a tab on the pull, but this is less reliable.
I’ve had a few pants use a regular zipper without this, and it should be illegal 
. But also these mechanisms can just break 
Anyway if you know, you can check while trying them on, or even just looking at them. Just flip the zipper pull down and try to slide it (by the body).
I have these and like them for warm weather outdoor work. might not be structured enough.
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=745290102&cid=3009736&pcid=3009736&vid=1#pdp-page-content
more structured: I also have a pair of Carhartt overalls in the rugged flex fabric, which is lighter-weight than the duck canvas. they have utility pants in the same fabric. I do find their mid rise a little low, but I also have a long torso, so ymmv https://www.carhartt.com/product/105113/womens-canvas-work-pant—relaxed-fit—rugged-flex
Thanks! I didn’t want to overwhelm with details at first, but I probably could have added more detail. 
Ok, structure but stretch. I don’t care if they’re soft (I don’t really like soft clothing) as long as they are cool/bearable when it’s 100 degrees and I’m walking a big ass dog. Ha.
Closer to jeans or more structured and “dressed up” but made for outdoors/function, less business.
Not very feminine, but structured in a way to look decent on my afab body. Thicker waistband, high rise, illusion of a zipper at least (or a real one), pockets on side and back, full length, not really into cargo styles but maybe there’s an ok cargo style out there for me?
Like
• Structured appearance of zipper
• Back and side pockets
• Lightweight
• Comes in black (I need to be realistic with myself, I’ll probably want black or dark blue even if that’s silly in the summer).
• Fairly gender neutral looking
Dislike
• Ankle length, I need full length or I look 8inches shorter, I swear.
• No belt loops
• I do kinda wish they went to XXL. XL will fit, but what if I want them baggier?
• The structure of the butt is good, but I wish the waist band was thicker and more structured. I don’t mind the waistband doohickey thing, but the waist band looks like it’s like 1/4” : /
• probably going to sound like “whoosh whoosh whoosh” when I walk
• Reviews are reporting that the waist closes with Velcro, which will wear out in like a month basically.
These are maybe a little closer, but look a little more like workout pants/less structured to me. Plus they’re mid rise. They have the thick waistband, but it’s floppity and lacks waist structure. When I view them in reviews on bodies similar to mine they don’t give the body aesthetic I want - likely due to the lack of structure and low waist. I’d be pulling them back up all day once I start sweating in them. Bummer.
Truly I look and feel best in jeans, and if I had it my way I’d wear them 365, but it’s simply too hot here. I’m already getting hot enough to feel a bit queasy when wearing my jeans all day, and it’s only May. Ooof.
These are even closer still, but no back pockets is pretty much a dealbreaker for me. When I view these in reviews on bodies maybe above a 28” waist they are not high rise enough to accommodate.
Also these aren’t very “attractive” generally (I do not know what I mean, lol sorry, it’s a feeling). But these are probably close-ish. The “wanoga” Columbia style is similar to these but with back pockets, but still doesn’t quite fit my hunt.
If these had back pockets, had a zipper that actually went the length of the front panel (weird), had a little more structure, didn’t have gold buttons, and looked like they’d last more than 45 days before ripping, they would be kinda close!
These if they had a MUCH higher waist and much more structured waistband. It’d also be cool if the sizes went to 16, same reasons for wanting both L, XL, and XXL - offers me a tight option, a standard fit option, and a baggier option. Those are probably my only complaints with these. They look lightweight, pockets yep, come in long and in black… these are close. 
These again are darn close. I want one size bigger as an option, back pockets, and a much higher waist. But very close.
I do think in addition to outdoor wear retailers I should look at scrub pants (some are more structured I think) and tactical/range pants.
Actually, these are damn close. I wish the waist & front was more structured, they looked less femme, and they had more general structure overall (I don’t love the front panel/style) but they’re close too.
These look like regular pants to me – do these look specifically like scrubs to everyone else? I bet they do : /
Have you ever been to a scrubs store? I think a lot of the pants just look like pants but easier to get blood out of.
I don’t know that they’ll be cooler in the summer, though.
Those look like regular pants to me!
I think scrub pants have an advantage of pants generally looking like, well, pants. That probably made no sense - I used to have a coworker that worked part time in a medical setting (a care home I think? She wanted to get some type of medical tech or nursing job in the future so this helped get her foot in the door while still keeping a full time job with benefits) and unless she was wearing a scrub top her pants didn’t stand out as scrub pants.
I think scrubs and ‘regular’ pants have been converging in terms of looks, unless you go for one of the really hospital colours
The scrub pants just look like pants to me!
They also resolve a conundrum, I think, that structure tends to come from thicker materials that are more stifling in summer 
I think that’s past if what’s making your search hard (not impossible!)
The Title Nine pants you shared seemed to me a lot like the Duluth Flexpedition line (although they are “swooshy” which you didn’t like). I share your ire that T9 doesn’t have extended sizing (and their sizing chart suggests their XL runs small, so I haven’t braved ordering anything).
I wonder if these are getting closer? The women’s firehose are def sturdy and structured but very thick. These from the men’s line claim to be made for summer (there is a black but you can see details better on grey IMO).
What about…chef pants? Made for working in hot kitchens but still looking profesh, idk about the swish factor but these say cotton blend?
https://happychef.com/cookcool-modern-fit-smart-chef-pants.html?color=151
ETA I like that they have a black denim option, intriguing
Thanks for this! I’ve just gone down a rabbit hole on chefs pants. I actually found one pair marketed as chef pants that were also on the scrubs website - We have lots of assigned jobs for pants, ha.
This is a good lead! Thank you
Weirdly becoming v invested in your Pant Quest!! Rooting for you!!
@ElleP Have you tried wide-leg leggings? I like them because they are comfortable, hold in the waist area while not clinging to my things to show every lump and bump. And usually have pockets, but I look for that feature specifically. Here are some examples form Amazon so you can see what I’m talking about, but of course you might find a better retailer if these appeal.
Scrub pants are super functional and I think they can look good/not specifically like they are scrubs. My only concern with them is I find them incredibly warm/not breathable. I sweat through them in a 20 min car ride in the Summer here (ofc it is 100-110 out).
You might see if there is a scrub store near you where you can try on a bunch of varieties. Carhartt actually makes a scrub line that seems more durable and a little more structured, might be one to try!
That’s so silly, you would think they’d be designed to be breathable, and maybe with thicker versions for cold weather. Hmmm I’ll look! Thx!
Hospitals tend to be frigid year round.
You want to look for something like a uniform outlet. They will have a bajillion different types and the person working there can generally direct you to the style you would prefer. Husband hates hates HATES the trend of more fitted scrubs and always has to ask for the most wide leg pants they have.
I also live in jeans and do not like flowy or unstructured pants. I bought these pants for hiking and I like them: https://www.rei.com/product/234695/rei-co-op-activator-pants-womens
They don’t look super like hiking pants when on, have some give and stretch while also having enough structure that I feel contained. I haven’t hiked in them in the summer yet so I can’t comment on whether they’ll be too hot.
Hospitals IME are so freaking cold, maybe that’s why!
Thanks for this tip!
