I think I found this via Uncle.
The Ultimate Guide to Tactical Pants.
I know, it sounds silly, but it’s actually a pretty good resource. Some months ago I was wanting cargo pants. I’m more of a blue jeans kind of guy, but there are things about jeans that just aren’t working for me any more. Cargo pants are good. But, much of your mass-produced cargo pants just don’t fill the bill. So, buying “purpose-built” pants are good.
Everyone tells me to just get a set of 5.11 pants and be done with it. Well, with GT Distributors here in town, I got to try on a bunch of 5.11 pants. They just don’t work for me. Something about how the pants are cut, something about how I’m built, they just don’t go together. Try as I might, 5.11’s just do not work for me. 😦 So I struggled to find something that would. LA Police Gear make their own, and I tried a pair of that… waste of money. Just lesser quality, and didn’t fit well either. EOTAC was going to be the next on my list to try, when something came into my inbox. It was a mailer from the NRA advertising their merchandise store and they had a set of Tru-Spec 24/7. Why not, tried a pair.
Man, they are awesome. They fit me well. Not too loose, but not skin-tight. I can move, no restricting, no binding. Lots of pockets and cargo area. The 5.11’s are full of pockets but the pockets aren’t that flexible or roomy, but the Tru-Spec are great. The side-leg pockets even expand a bit so you can really fit stuff in there. That’s great for carrying stuff but it also creates a downside of making you look a little “too tactical”, if you will. They just don’t blend in with your surroundings like normal pants, but it’s not a huge ordeal.
Anyway, that Ultimate Guide is a great overview of all that’s out there. While I like the Tru-Spec, I’m still wanting to try some others. EOTAC is still on my list as was Blackhawk, and the Guide lists a few others I had never heard of.
Of course, the Texas summer is in its way and what I really need are shorts. I’ve got tons of cargo shorts and most all of them just can’t fit the bill. Oddly, one set of 5.11 shorts works great (tho a couple of others do not, even tho they’re the same style and size… go figure). I really need to order a set of the Tru-Spec shorts and see how they work out.
Stuff From Hsoi 
Really glad you liked the guide. So many people just stop at 5.11s and never explore further. Definitely let me know if you run into any brands not included since we want to add more.
And I can’t imagine wearing tac pants in Texas heat… I don’t even want to think about it! 🙂
Thank you for making the guide! There’s no question 5.11 is a good “go-to” staple, but man… if I had stopped there I’d have been so unhappy. I just wish your guide existed back when I started my shopping. 🙂
As for a brand you don’t cover, I mentioned one in the posting, LA Police Gear’s stuff. I think this was the model:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/basic-operator-pant.html
It’s not horrible. The pair I purchased I still have and sometimes use. The biggest downside to me was the material was thin…. it’s overall “cheap”. You get what you pay for.
As for the heat, well… consider expanding your guide to also cover shorts too. 😉 I actually just ordered a set of Tru-Spec’s 24/7 shorts (finally got around to remembering to do that). My guess is they will be the same as their 24/7 pants, just shorts instead of pants. We’ll see!
What do you find doesn’t work about regular cargo shorts? I’ve got four or five pairs of Wrangler shorts and they all work perfect. The trick is finding ones with front pockets that are deep enough to hold a J-Frame.
As for the pants, the pants to end all pants come from TAD Gear. I’ve been a long time customer and their pants are bomb proof, a little looser in the fit (for comfort and IWB carry). They’re gusseted at the knees and crotch for extra protection. I’ve owned three pairs of the pants now and after 4 years of constant wear I finally destroyed my second pair (the first pair was also after 4 years of wear), when I fell/slid down a sandstone rock face working in West Texas. They are not cheap, but I guarantee that they are about the heaviest duty pants you will find and bonus, they are made in the USA (another reason they aren’t cheap).
-Rob
I’ve got one set of cargo shorts from Union Bay that are awesome.
Otherwise, it’s been a lot of strikeouts.
Various reasons. They may not fit right. They may be “cargo pants” in name, but the pockets are too small to actually hold anything. I found a set that use buttons and the button hole is one of those ones where it’s hidden so the buttons don’t show on the outside, which makes it tough to button and unbutton but in their effort to ease that it makes the buttons not hold very securely. Flimsy construction. Just various little nits.
But I will say, finding cargo SHORTS that work tends to work out a lot better than finding PANTS.
Never heard of TAD Gear before, but looking at their produts on their website, those do look pretty good. I’ve got a set of Tru-Spec 24/7 shorts on the way, which I reason I’ll be happy with given I like the pants. But I am still constantly surveying because there’s always something else to try and it may be more “ultimate” than the last “this is the ultimate” thing I found. 🙂 So I’ll put them on the list to eventually try. Thanx!
Hsoi, the Wranglers I wear are velcro closures on the pockets, not as secure as buttons, but then I admittedly do not carry much in the actual cargo pocket of cargoes. So, I am looking more for wider flat bottomed front and rear hip pockets for all of my associated gear.
The three pairs I have came from Academy last year I think there are similar styles out this year, if you shop around some of them are actually made in the USA (if that matters to you, to some it does or doesn’t).
The TAD stuff is pricey, but exceptionally well built and their customer service is top notch. I’m a little biased, because the company prez/founder is a friend of mine. Conversely, knowing him, I know that his strive for perfection, quality, and customer service is second to none.
-Rob
Actually, velco can be more secure, justdepends upon the buttons. If you saw the way the buttons were done on this one pair of cargo shorts I have, you’d agree it was pretty worthless. As shorts, they’re ok… just consider the “cargo” portion to be a design and style, not useful. :-\
I’ll check all of this stuff out tho. It’s summer. I need more shorts, especially since my favorite and most useful pair just got ruined by a pen exploding. 😦
We have considered adding TAD to the listing… that and Rail Riders, but both might be too much on the military side. If that makes sense 🙂 Great looking pants though!
After trying a number of “tactical” shorts, my absolute favorites are my Wrangler Riggs. They are constructed from ripstop nylon and are indestructible, and fit well. I can’t stand 5.11 shorts, the inseam is ridiculously short. Good for Reno 911 episodes, not comfortable for me…
I’ve been looking at the TruSpec pants and have been considering trying a pair. Knowing they fit you well concerns me considering the size difference in our asses! ;0)
Another manufacturer to consider is Woolrich, they make fantastic clothes. I have a pair of their tactical pants, they are fully functional but do not look tactical.
Those Riggs actually look pretty good. Rob (above) also mentioned Wrangler shorts… I wonder if they are the Riggs.
The thing about the TruSpec’s is that they are generously cut. As the “pants guide” says about the TruSpec 24-7’s
So, they may well fit your big ass. 😉
I have to wear the 5.11 Tactical Pants (in Black) for the Academy.
Once I got mine “broke in” and got used to them (I’m used to wearing jeans and regular BDU pants), I’m starting to like them.
However, they are freakin’ hot and the only pockets that I actually like are the rear pockets, the way they are slashed. The “spare mag” pocket doesn’t hold any of my mags, and the cargo pockets are at something of an odd angle for me. I also have problems getting stuff like pens out of my regular pockets when sitting down.
Plus, as it’s starting to get hot and it’s still fairly humid in the mornings, everyone loses about a gallon of water the 15 minutes we are outside for inspection.
Well, hopefully once you’re out of the academy you can wear something other than 5.11 pants. That is, to find a set of pants that fit you and your needs better.
Sorry to hear about the heat but hey… you’ve lived in Texas how long? You should know this is how it goes. 😉
That’s interesting that the spare mag pocket doesn’t hold any mags. and i’m sweating just thinking about wearing black pants in the heat. urgh!
It’ll hold full size magazine just fine (1911, P220, P226, G22, G21, 92FS/M9 etc), but it won’t hold my G23 magazines. The G23 mags slip down to the bottom of the pocket, and you have to fight it to work it out. With full size mags, the floorplate fits perfect, so all you have to do is grab the floorplate of the mag and pull it out.