"Tactical" Pants (5.11 Dress/Khaki/Cargo/etc)

[GlockSpock]

I have usually just carried while wearing jeans or whatnot. However, for multiple reasons, I am not interested in purchasing some "tactical" style pants. Some but not all of the reasons are:

 

1) Khaki's should be a bit cooler than jeans

2) (Office) work attire

3) Lots of pockets

4) Lost some weight, need new pants

 

I have never owned nor worn any pants designed by one of these "tactical companies". So far I've looked at 5.11, and like the looks of their Covert Cargo Pants. However, I'd like some input from anyone that has or does wear any of these pants with theoretical "features" for gun carriers. Open to any maker, if made in US a ++, and they should look pretty well too. 

[Erik88]

5.11 tac-lite pro pants and shorts are awesome.

[GlockSpock]

5.11 tac-lite pro pants and shorts are awesome.

 

For what reasons?

[BigK]

IMO, the best ones made are these: http://www.lapolicegear.com/blackhawk-tnt-tactical-pants.html They are slightly more discrete than operator pants and more comfy. I think they look fine for work attire. I own 2 pairs and wear them both every week. They're cool, stretchy, water/stain resistant and have just enough pockets to be useful.

 

EoTac/Woolrich are the best as far as features, IMO. However, they are NOT discrete at all and tend to be thicker and tougher (read: hot in summer).

Edited July 31, 2013 by BigK

[gjohnsoniv]

Personally I like Woolrich a lot better then 5.11.  The 5.11 quality I think has dropped a tad in the past year or so.  Having said that though I own many pairs of 5.11, Propper, and Tru Spec.

[Raoul]

I've worn Propper brand BDU's to work for years. I need the pockets.

[BigK]

Personally I like Woolrich a lot better then 5.11.  The 5.11 quality I think has dropped a tad in the past year or so.  Having said that though I own many pairs of 5.11, Propper, and Tru Spec.

 

I like the Woolrich pants better too, but one missing feature is there are no knee pad pockets, like the 5.11's have.

 

My favorite feature that Woolrich has that 5.11 is missing is a wallet pocket. The rear pocket on the 5.11 lets your wallet ride way too low. I also have no use for the 5.11 strap on the right side and the front mag pockets on the 5.11 are too tiny, it's hard to dig a mag out.

Edited July 31, 2013 by BigK

[gjohnsoniv]

I like the Woolrich pants better too, but one missing feature is there are no knee pad pockets, like the 5.11's have.

 

My favorite feature that Woolrich has that 5.11 is missing is a wallet pocket. The rear pocket on the 5.11 lets your wallet ride way too low. I also have no use for the 5.11 strap on the right side and the front mag pockets on the 5.11 are too tiny, it's hard to dig a mag out.

Agreed on all regards.  I like the dual magazine pouches and their size because I can fit a Galaxy phone in one.  I don't like reaching halfway down my leg for my wallet.

[Citizen_B]

I've got a pair of Tru Spec 24/7 pants that I really like. Coyote color is nice looking, more like a dark khaki. Pockets are plentiful and logical. They're ripstop poly/cotton blend and are definitely cooler than jeans.

[whitewolf001]

Duluth firehose pants, I have a pair in Desert Khaki and they are AWESOME!

[c.a.willard]

I have several pairs of the 5.11 pants and a couple pairs of the shorts.

 

What drew me to them was the number of pockets.  They allow me to carry everything in an organized fashion without my pockets bulging out. 

 

For every day carry of a firearm there are a few features that i really like.  The waste bands in most models have a little bit of elastic.  This allows you to carry IWB or OWB without having to go up or down in pants size. 

 

 

The magazine pocket is a great feature.  I use it for a mag only when i'm not wearing a shirt that allows good concealment of both the gun and a spare magazine.  The remainder of time it holds a gerber multi tool or various other bladed tools. 

 

More than anything i like that there casual enough for everyday wear but nice enough looking that i can wear it with a button down for a more professional appearance.

 

I tend to use one of the cargo packets to hold my wallet to keep it further from my waist line.  Mainly i do that to prevent accidentally displaying my firearm/holster or my mag carrier.

 

The back pockets are larger than typical pants and held shut with velcro and make them pretty good for pocket holsters

[101]

VERTX pants are the way to go. Check them out.

[MattCary]

I have several pairs of the 5.11 Taclite pants and love them.

 

They pass off easily as Khakis in the conservative world of insurance and as mentioned above, the pockets are very useful. 

 

I especially like the cell phone pocket on the right front.

 

They are teflon impregnated and have yet to develop any stains from crawling around on the ground while inspecting vehicles.

[Dave Keenom]

I have been wearing the LA Police Gear operator pants daily for the past 3 years. For 20.00 or less per pair they can not be beat. I have had to resew 1 button and that is the only repair I have had to make.

[2.ooohhh]

I love the 5.11 Covert khakis, have around a dozen pair but recently had to retire some of the first I bought due to wear, i'll post pics if the wife hasn't donated them yet.

[Lumber_Jack]

I've got a pair of Tru Spec 24/7 pants that I really like. Coyote color is nice looking, more like a dark khaki. Pockets are plentiful and logical. They're ripstop poly/cotton blend and are definitely cooler than jeans.

 

I concure here.

 

I have 4 pairs of the Tru Spec 24/7.  3 dark Khaki and one OD Green.  They are great.  They also come with a water/stain resistant coating, it does wash out over time, but still nice for new pants.  I wear them because as a Forester they are great for transistion from office to fieldwork.  you can dress them up to a semi-casual office wear but perform great outdoors in heat and brush. 

[Erik88]

For what reasons?

 

They are lightweight, comfortable and durable. Because they are part polyester they dry really quickly so I've gone swimming in the shorts a few times. They have really big deep pockets and the handle is actually pretty good for hanging tools. I used it as a hammer hook while working on my new house.

[Spots]

Duluth firehose pants, I have a pair in Desert Khaki and they are AWESOME!

I wouldn't consider those for what hes asking for two reasons. One they aren't really a tactical pant as much as a work pant. Which leads to my second point. They are very heavily built. Like way overbuilt for an office pant, and while they are great for manual labor, I dont think they would fit in or be comfy for office attire.

Tapatalk ate my spelling.

[Guest ThePunisher]

Academy Sports has just started carrying the 5.11 pants, and Bass Pro also carry them as well as Blackhawk pants. I bought the khaki and OD green this past weekend and really like them, and plan on getting the black and grey colors.

[Dustbuster]

I've worn 511, propper, tru spec, and even wrangler. 511 trousers are ok till the loop in the back gets yanked, over priced I think the rip stop from any mfgr is best for what I do and it breathes well, wrangler came out with 511 style khakis, green and black at a fraction of the cost.
Heck Wally World stocks it. The 511 stuff is now over priced IMHO. Made in Thailand no warranty worth a crap. I used to like their shirts although they tear real easy. At 40 bucks a shirt and 40 to 50 for trousers I'm back to wrangler and propper and the like. Also, fwiw 511 wear is a dead giveaway to bad guys....
I do like 511 shorts for summer theyre rugged and fit nice but I don't wear them for work.
Hope this helps. If you're in nashville Greene mil supply on Lebanon road has a nice variety of warez.also patriot surplus dot com has a awesome selection of stuff tax free Edited August 1, 2013 by Dustbuster

[Hershmeister]

I like the propper pants - generous in the seat, thigh and crotch.

Anyone know of other brands with a similar forgiving fit?

[Guest tdoccrossvilletn]

I like propper and tru spec

Sent from my mind using ninja telepathy.

[Guest tdoccrossvilletn]

I have been wearing the LA Police Gear operator pants daily for the past 3 years. For 20.00 or less per pair they can not be beat. I have had to resew 1 button and that is the only repair I have had to make.

La police gear makes good pants. I have and wear some of their rip stop black bdu style pants as part of my uniform for work.

Sent from my mind using ninja telepathy.

[Guest tdoccrossvilletn]

I've got a pair of Tru Spec 24/7 pants that I really like. Coyote color is nice looking, more like a dark khaki. Pockets are plentiful and logical. They're ripstop poly/cotton blend and are definitely cooler than jeans.

I concure here.

I have 4 pairs of the Tru Spec 24/7. 3 dark Khaki and one OD Green. They are great. They also come with a water/stain resistant coating, it does wash out over time, but still nice for new pants. I wear them because as a Forester they are great for transistion from office to fieldwork. you can dress them up to a semi-casual office wear but perform great outdoors in heat and brush.

I've got the od green and brown (fde). I need to get the coyote and black ones next.

Sent from my mind using ninja telepathy.

[whitewolf001]

I wouldn't consider those for what hes asking for two reasons. One they aren't really a tactical pant as much as a work pant. Which leads to my second point. They are very heavily built. Like way overbuilt for an office pant, and while they are great for manual labor, I dont think they would fit in or be comfy for office attire.

Tapatalk ate my spelling.

 

They are overbuilt BUT they are very comfy for what they are. I wear mine at my 13 hour a day office job but I also work in a parts dept so they don't get too picky with our apparel choice in all honesty, lol. If you need a pair that can take a lickin and keep on tickin, get them, they have cargo pockets in the cargo pockets, lol. :P