Note: This article was updated in January 2024 with updated results.
The tactical pants industry continues to grow drastically as it has over the last few years and the market has seen a lot of new players in manufacturers come to light. As a result, the tactical pants market has also opened the way for more economical pairs or ones that can be considered budget friendly.
Tactical pants are pants that essentially were originally adopted by mountain climbers who wanted more durable outdoor apparel. They are usually made with lightweight materials, belt loops think enough to support a large utility belt and lots of pockets. At the time, mountain climbers required pants that were tough, had lots of pockets for gear and big belt loops for their mounting equipment.
Since then they have also been adopted by police, military, firefighters, and other emergency responders. There are a ton of different applications to make tactical pants fit but with that said a lot of these have huge price tags attached to their products. Here we are going to show you the ones that will be friendlier to your wallet.
CQR Lightweight Tactical Pants – $80
These are not the cheapest in this list but they bring you a bit of everything you would need in a pair of tactical pants. The Duratex fabric is solid and repels liquids and dirt, so these are some durable pants that will last. They have 8 multi-purpose cargo pockets so you have tons of storage space as well. Best of all they are available in 35 colors!
La Police Gear Basic Operator Pants – $50
One of the cheapest pairs of pants on this list. There is nothing fancy about these pants, they are simply designed to work with basic pockets and color choices (9 total). You really cannot go wrong for the price point on these.
Tru-Spec 24/7 Tactical Pants – $50-$60
Tru-Spec utilizes a poly-cotton blend to design a solid pair of pants. They are durable and have lots of useful pockets all around. Even at a lower price point you still get things like reinforced knees and a self-adjusting slider waistband. Not bad for one of the cheapest pair of pants on this list.
5.11 Tactical Stryke Pants – $90
5.11 Tactical is a household name that has built a reputation on producing high quality products. Their Stryke line of tactical pants is a solid choice and the only reason they are lower on the list is because of what some of the competitors are offering in terms of features. With that said, the Flec-Tac fabric technology is pretty cool stuff. You’ll see stains, spills, and even rain just slip off the pants keeping them dry.
Under Armour Storm Tactical Patrol Pants – $90
Under Armour is obviously a big name in the apparel world but over the years they have stepped into the tactical realm. Their tactical patrol pants are solid, utilizing fabric technology that is highly water resistant but very breathable unlike other “waterproof” fabrics. They also happen to dry a lot quicker than other pants when drenched. One of the more expensive pairs of pants on the list but if you’re going to be wearing them for 8+ hours a day, in tough conditions, it might be worth checking out!
Stay safe!
Smooth