BLUF (Bottom line up front): If you already want these pants, purchase from GORUCK Here.
You can also watch this review I did on YouTube:
Whether you’re still waiting on your mission call or have received it and are researching what your assigned mission is like, you will need to purchase many items of clothing and gear for your mission. The list is long and probably a little expensive. This is where I believe QUALITY is KING.
There are some items that you will not know that you need or don’t need until you get to your assigned area. However, pants are something you need immediately and I’ve found what I think are the best and most versatile pants for missionaries serving in just about any place in the world.
Embarking on a mission as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) requires careful consideration of various aspects, including attire. GORUCK 24.7 Simple Pants emerge as a top choice for missionaries due to their exceptional features and suitability for the demands of active missionary life.
In this article, I list five reasons why the GORUCK 24.7 Simple Pants stand out as the best option for LDS (also sometimes referred to as Mormon) missionaries.
1. Durability: GORUCK 24.7 Simple Pants are infused with Nylon. This ToughDry material is made to be fast-drying, abrasion resistant and lightweight. Renowned for their robust construction, this makes them ideal pants for elders facing diverse environments. Crafted from high-quality materials, these pants are designed to withstand the rigors of daily wear and tear, ensuring longevity even in challenging conditions.
In addition, they come with the Scars Lifetime Guarantee – you break it, they fix it! I’ve put my oldest pair to the test and sent back one time for repair, which was quickly fixed and returned. There is no better lifetime guarantee on the market.
Whether you’re riding a bike every day, walking, or sitting in a car, they are made to be worn often and hard.
2. Comfort and Flexibility: Comfort is a prerequisite for anyone, and GORUCK 24.7 Simple Pants deliver on this front. Full-time missions involve long hours and varied physical activities. The thoughtful design includes a comfortable 2-way stretch fit that allows for ease of movement without compromising style. Whether navigating crowded streets, walking long, dusty or muddy roads, or engaging in physical activities from an impromptu basketball or soccer game, these pants provide the flexibility required for diverse tasks.
3. Professional Appearance: While functionality is paramount, GORUCK 24.7 Simple Pants do not compromise on style. The clean and minimalist design ensures that wearers can seamlessly blend into diverse cultural settings without sacrificing a polished appearance. This makes these pants a versatile and suitable choice for Elders all over the world. I wear them to the office and they are my go-to for overnight travel.
I realize most missionaries can’t wear sport coats, but there are many times (and in some missions all the time) that you will not be wearing a suit coat; only needed are your dress shirt and pants. These fit the description of what you’ll need. From Guidelines for Elders: slacks should be conservative in color and may have small, simple, and subtle patterns such as pinstripes or checkers. Choose dress slacks that are professional and wrinkle resistant.
These are called simple for a reason–they don’t have hidden or zippered pockets, only two front and two back. They also don’t have any visible logos.
An additional note: if you prefer skinny pants, these are probably not for you. These are for movement and style. So your calves will not bulge in these b/c they have a straight cut at the bottom.
4. Easy Maintenance and Care: Missionaries often find themselves in situations where access to laundry facilities may be limited. Or, your time is very limited on P-day, therefore you’d rather skip doing all the laundry. GORUCK 24.7 Simple Pants simplify the maintenance process, as they are designed to be easy to clean and very quick to dry. These pants want to be worn often and even multiple times between washes. And they do not require ironing. Just wash in cold water, air dry and wear (they will easily dry overnight); allowing for a shorter turnaround time between washing and wearing again. It can’t get any easier, I promise.
5. Moisture Wicking and Water Repellant: GORUCK 24.7 Simple Pants are equipped with moisture-wicking properties, ensuring that wearers stay dry and comfortable even in humid or wet climates. My YouTube review shows me wearing the pants in the shower with the water rolling right off.
I wore the Simple Pants mid-weight for our annual Mark Forester 28 Mile Ruck in 2021. It was sunny the entire day, with the humidity of north Alabama, and temp in the 80’s (Fahrenheit). I had no issues with sweating or being too hot or restricted in movement. They provided protection so my legs were one less part of my body that could get sun burned since it took us 11 continuous hours.
Conclusion: Missionaries seeking comfortable pants, while committed to making a lasting impact, GORUCK 24.7 Simple Pants prove to be an indispensable necessity on your journey. In fact, I strongly believe that you’ll like them so much that you’ll continue to wear them after your mission. These aren’t the kind of clothes that you’ll want to burn or leave in your apartment before returning home after 2 hard-working years.
Their robust construction, versatile design, and built to last ToughDry fabric make them the go-to option for those seeking reliable and adaptable clothing. In addition, they roll up to the size of a can of Coke for easy packing for your transfers and return trip home. No worries about wrinkles.
These pants easily fit the Dress and Appearance requirements on the church’s website where clothing should be:
-free of wrinkles
-durable, easy to care for, and suitable for your mission’s climate; and
-easy to pack and fit in luggage.
I’ve been wearing the gray/charcoal Simple Pants Midweight for over 3 years, so this is an informed review. I’ve worn the coyote Simple Pants Lightweight for over 2 years. I ruck with them, travel in them, wear to work, cut my grass, hike and even exercise in them–especially when it’s cold and I need tough pants. These really are the hidden gem in the GORUCK catalog. They will last for years and still look new–mine do.
By choosing the GORUCK 24.7 Simple Pants, you can confidently navigate the day-to-day activities of your mission while maintaining a polished and put-together appearance, reflecting the professionalism and dress code of the church and your mission president.
These pants come in lightweight (about $105) and midweight (about $115). The obvious difference is lightweight is thinner, better for hot temperatures. I have both and use both, but prefer the midweight for colder weather. However, I’ve not found myself in a situation where the midweight was too hot in the summer. If you’re a missionary in a very hot and humid climate, I’d recommend the lightweight.
This may seem expensive, but for pants that are this versatile, easy to care for and will last, they are worth every penny. Here is another article I did explaining why they are worth the money.
Oh, and sizing…. they are true to size in my experience. I wear the same size in GORUCK that I wear in all other pants.
I’d love to hear from missionaries that have worn them on their missions. Where did you serve? How did they perform?
Here is my recommendation based on climate in the United States (FYI, I didn’t serve in extremely hot or extremely cold climates; I served my mission in Salt Lake City, UT long before pants like these existed): I’d get the lightweight and midweight for serving anywhere in the US, except maybe Hawaii and possibly southern Florida (then lightweight only). Even in these areas the midweight will probably not be too hot.
If serving in the far northern USA and Alaska, I wouldn’t bother with lightweight; only get midweight. This is just my two cents. If you wear them and find that my recommendation is way off, let me know, thad@patriottothecore.com. I’ll put them against any pants on the market right now.
You may want other tough, fast drying and versatile clothing from GORUCK for P-day and service projects. If so, check out what else they have. I wear GORUCK apparel almost every day.
Note: In full disclosure, I have the Lululemon ABC and Commission pants that feel great and that I love. I got these years ago before GORUCK’s Simple Pants existed. The limitation with them is I’d never wear them in the woods or get muddy. They would fray with the first briar stick and stain (and probably rip) the first time my knee hit the ground. Yes, they are stretchy and feel great, but the benefits stop there. And GORUCK Simple Pants are cheaper than Lululemon!
