I mentioned getting "tactical pants" (on 5/11, no less) yesterday. I wore a pair of the 5.11 pants to work yesterday, getting a feel for the pants and the (free) belt that accompanied them, and thought I'd give a few quick impressions of the pants while it was still fresh in my mind (and before teh awesomeness of the NRA convention pushed it right out).
The fit. One of the things that concerned me about buying a pair of pants over the internet was the fit. Different types of pants from different manufacturers will sometimes vary wildly, and the 32X32 Levis might be looser than the 32X32 Dockers and tighter than the 32X32 Gap cargo pants. The 5.11 pants are a little bit looser than the comparably sized Levis, but not significantly - really just the difference in material (the 5.11 pants "give" more).
The pockets. Oh, the pockets. I lurve the pockets. There are two "covert" (their terms) pockets in the front - basically a pocket inside a pocket with a zipper closure - as well as two "cell phone" pockets below the main pockets. The "covert" pockets have elastic pouches for magazines or speedloaders on each side with the idea that you place your pocket firearm in one side and your reloads in the other. Pictures will be forthcoming of the pants loaded with gear and typical pocket firearms (I already packed my camera, otherwise there would be pictures here.
It was sheer bliss being able to carry all of my gear and still have actual room in my front pockets.
The belt. The belt is thick (¼") leather 1 ½" wide, with plenty of support for the pants and, should one chose, an IWB or OWB holster. It would be overkill for a small autoloader or revolver, but this belt could easily support a duty gun all day long without wearing on your back or sides. It's tough, thick leather reminiscent of my dad's State Police gun belt - as I moved, it made the same "leather creaking" sounds my dad's belt used to make. For a moment, I was 10 years old again watching dad go off to work. There's even a spot to hide a spare handcuff key!
Miscellaneous. 5.11 claims that these pants are teflon-coated for stain-resistance, and I'll back that up. While pulling the trash bag out of the garbage pail, I bumped the old coffee grinds and spilled them down the front of my brand new tactical pants. I cursed a bit, brushed off the larger chunks, and started looking for the Shout wipes when I realized that there was literally not a speck on them after a single brush-off.
Color me impressed!
Are they worth $70? Perhaps to some - I'm far too cheap for that. Are they worth $20? Hell yeah. The belt alone is worth the $17 I paid for a pair of these pants; I'm glad I got two pairs when I did because the belts are long gone. I'm contemplating ordering some more from 5.11 based on my most favorable impression of their 5.11 Tactical Pants - and getting me to pay full price for anything should be a ringing endorsement right there!
5.11 Tactical Pants get two enthusiastic thumbs-up here at MArooned.
That is all.
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10 comments:
It's funny, I have several pairs of 5.11 pants but they still say "mall ninja" to me when I see them.
Same reason I never wear cammo anything.
I wish I hadn't packed my damn camera (two is one, one is none LOL) because they really don't look any different than any other dress-type slacks I own.
Guess I'll have to do a follow-up.
I wonder if I can get my G30 in the hidden pocket...
In my neck of the woods, they just scream "College Student!" Cargos are pretty common up here. And, while not worth full retail price, 5.11's tactical pants do look pretty nice for cargos. They don't get all rumpled and poofy like others. Their TDU pants do scream cop, though.
From what I see, Jay is referring to the Tactical Covert pants, since he says they look like any other dress pants he wears to work.
I've been wearing these for the past 18 months or so, and almost no one realizes that the side pockets are even there.
Great pants that hold up well, the teflon is great in my profession, were little kids spit up on me, adults sometimes bleed, and I can't always get out of the way!
I managed to order a pair when they were coming with the free belt and free murse er...rangebag. I already had one of the range bags they were giving away and thats the real reason I bought them- all three items cost me less than the cost of the first range back I picked up from them. I should have ordered more, I love the pants. I hate having stuff in my pockets but these make it much more tolerable to carry spare mags, keys, wallet, phone & iPod on super tacticool stealth mode.
I have 3 pairs of the "covert tactical" 5.11 pants now. They are a bit different in having the thigh pockets concealed except for the zipper, but the same double waist pocket. I love them! Having a convenient waist zippered pocket I'm comfortable moving my wallet to during travel (where I'm more concerned about pickpockets) is great, and the pants in general are really comfy. Plus, my snubby sits nicely in a pocket for "just running outside to empty the trash" at 11pm at night.
Good to know they are working out well - bought three pairs myself (one of the "normal", one of the "covert", and one of the "live for a week out of your pockets"), htough I do wish you had mentioned them back when more things came with them for free ;).
Hey Jay! Love your review of the 5.11s ... we just published the Ultimate Guide to Tactical Pants (http://tacticalpants.com/tactical-pants-guide) and will be adding a full review of the 5.11 covert cargos soon enough. Glad to hear that you liked them though.
If you come across any other tactical ninja pants you'd like us to include, definitely let me know.
Thanks Jay for the great review! It sounds like you are describing the Covert Cargo Pants as others have mentioned above.
Please feel free to let me know if I can provide more information about other 5.11 products.
Thanks,
Brian
Brian, if you're affiliated with 5.11 Tactical I'd be more than happy to discuss doing further reviews...
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