Anyone use 5.11 tactical pants?

Discussion in 'Functional Gear & Equipment' started by Astrodokk, Mar 13, 2011.


  1. Astrodokk

    Astrodokk Monkey+

    I've read good reviews about them. I'm considering getting the cargo design. Do they wear well? I have a couple of work cargo pants and after washing them a couple of times, they already look very faded.
     
  2. Seacowboys

    Seacowboys Senior Member Founding Member

    I buy them a dozen pairs at a time from Lapolicegear.com. They run them on sale several times a year for around $25.00 a pair. I wear them exclusively at work and only wear jeans now when I feel like wearing my cowboy boots and carrying my ivory gripped 1911 in a croc El Paso holster.
     
  3. Valkman

    Valkman Knifemaker Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I've been wearing them since they came out and love 'em. Buy mine the same place as SC.
     
  4. Astrodokk

    Astrodokk Monkey+

    Thanks. I checked the site and there are so many designs that I don't know what to pick. I think the standard TDU ripstop is what I'm after. They have they're own item codes. I'll wait until they're on sale.
     
  5. Seacowboys

    Seacowboys Senior Member Founding Member

    hank2222 likes this.
  6. Valkman

    Valkman Knifemaker Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Man those are a steal at $20!
     
  7. RightHand

    RightHand Been There, Done That RIP 4/15/21 Moderator Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I've been wanting to try them. I know the photographer who does their catalog and was hoping he would send me some "samples" LOL
     
  8. RustyNail

    RustyNail Monkey+

    They don't fit me too well (6'7", 290). I have a larger postierior and find that they fit better on slimmer people (at least when I was slimmer). I love the way the pockets are set up. The QC from the first few years when they were still Royal Robbins to be much better. Still my favorite pair were bought in 2002 and they sit in my BOB.

    For some of the prices I dont think you can go wrong.
     
  9. Grand58742

    Grand58742 Monkey+++

    Yes, they are rugged and comfortable. Having owned several sets, they are built to last. And LA Police Gear is a good spot to get them from. Good hiking, work, tactical and even dressy type cargo pants. I think the originals might serve you better than the TDU myself for general day to day wear.

    I've only had one problem with them in four years and they (5.11) replaced the pair I sent back (bad button) with a brand new set. Good customer service and I'll buy again in the future.
     
    hank2222 likes this.
  10. Astrodokk

    Astrodokk Monkey+

    My boys are with me this weekend and I'll be buying some for us. Thanks for the tip!
    PS I just bought a pair of 40x34 green cargo pants off ebay for 4 bucks! Don't know what they're like, but the price was right. Cargos are great pants!
     
  11. mrghostwalker

    mrghostwalker Monkey+++

    I wear the 511 Tactical pants (they are a slimmer version on the BDUs) for work. I started wearing them all the time because they are long lasting, rugged, have multi pockets and are more comfortable than Jeans!
    $20 is a great price for these BDUs, I'll get several for myself and the kids!
     
  12. thebastidge

    thebastidge Monkey+

    I wear 5.11 originals a lot. It's almost a uniform for contractors in Iraq/Afghanistan.

    Pros:

    -VERY durable. They do show wear after a while, but I have pairs thatI've worn weekly for several years that are still functionally new condition: no rips, tears, or holes.
    -Knife pocket is very conveneitn for a folder.
    -If you're a righty wearing a paddle holster on your belt, the loop is nice for keep[ing your holster in place slightly behind your hip point.
    -The angled rear pockets make it possible to get into your pocket past a holster.
    -Wide belt loops.

    Cons:

    -The thigh pockets are low-profile, which means less capacity and less comfort when you use them.
    -Something about the way the front of the pants are cut makes them not as comfortable for walking a long way, especially when it is hot/muggy. They sort of drag across the fron of the thigh, in my experience.
    -The deep rear pockets make it uncomfortable to keep a wallet in there. It tends to ride just below the buttock at a point where it digs into the thigh/buttock juncture, just a bit to the outside where it is extremely uncomfortable while sitting in a car or chair.
    -The spacing on the belt loops is a little far apart.

    I also have a pair of the 5.11 Covert Tactical. Great pants: look good, comfortable, wear like regular khakis, but with the extra pockets. The magazine pockets inside your pockets are not as conevenient as they might seem. Once a mag is in there all the way, it's a but difficult to pull out quickly, but you do at least have them with and concealed, and the weight rides nicely, which is important over time.

    I also wear 5.11 tactical shirts alot. The velcro-closed map pockets are very nice for a passport holder, The discrete carry short sleeve shirts look fine for casual wear, but the informed person will know exactly what you're wearing and why, because there aren't that many styles available. The discrete carry long sleeve have a more formal look and while you can still tell, they blend in MUCH better becasue they look more similar to other business attire out there.

    I carry some of this stuff in my shop, and I may be my own best customer.
     
    AmericanRedoubt1776 and hank2222 like this.
  13. SoCal09

    SoCal09 Monkey++

    If anyone is a size 28 or 40 they're going for 5 bucks at gt distributers in austin, tx.
     
  14. mage2

    mage2 Monkey+++

    Yea I wear them, went from "army surplus" to them are pretty good.
     
  15. hank2222

    hank2222 Monkey+++

    i used to wear them everyday in the former job and i found them ok in some areas and a not that great in other areas..

    When wearing a drop leg holster alot i used to have the right side pocket flap sew shut to keep it down when the holster was worn dureing working hours ..The pocket would get under the holster and fold up causeing a pressure point on the leg so that why i had them sew shut..

    The two major colors that i used where khaki and blue color and the khaki color pants where more a dress type pants for wearing as they where need with standard blue color pants where worn everyday for work as they where needed..

    As the one person pointed out in there post they are good pants in a all around use of them if you need something like them to wear in your life
     
  16. Pyro

    Pyro Monkey+

    how do they fit on big guys i have large thighs do they fit loose like a bdu ore are they tight like blue jeans?
     
  17. Grand58742

    Grand58742 Monkey+++

    Not especially loose like BDUs, but not tight like jeans either. A slimmer design, but comfortable.

    I can't really think of a comparable design for you.
     
  18. Pyro

    Pyro Monkey+

    yeah picked up a pair to try em i love em new favorite pants
     
  19. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I like the 5.11 pants, but not the 5.11 shorts
     
  20. Pyro

    Pyro Monkey+

    Picked up another pair of the all cotton and 2 pairs of the Taclite Pros in Ripstop i must say the are both extremely comfortable and seem very durable the Ripstop ones breath and stay clean better than the cotton ones, with blue jeans i feel my movement is restricted in certain ways and these pant fit snugly no overly baggy like some BDU's are and not once has my movement felt restricted or felt like i was going to blow the crotch out (which happens often with blue jeans for me), The 5.11s are also formal looking enough that i can wear them to work without getting glares from the boss (business casual dress code, So in summary these pants are excellent and worth the money so far i may post a short followup review in a few months to see how they hold up.

    My one and only complaint and its kinda dumb is the back up button fly is a bit tricky the get closed sometimes as its in an akward position....
     
  1. Coyote Ridge
  2. DKR
  3. natshare
  4. RouteClearance
  5. Bishop
  6. chelloveck
  7. Brokor
  8. Brokor
  9. Brokor
  10. HK_User
  11. stimpy117
  12. monkeyman
  13. phishi
survivalmonkey SSL seal        survivalmonkey.com warrant canary
17282WuJHksJ9798f34razfKbPATqTq9E7