It seems like these days you can take any piece of clothing or gear and put the word “tactical” in front to market it as a tough and functional item. But the truth is, tactical pants have been around for a really long time, essentially coming to life as cargo pants. Since then they have exploded in growth largely to the use by military personnel and emergency first responders.
Emergency medical technicians, firefighters, plainclothes law enforcement officers (such as FBI agents and undercover special police like SWAT), security guards, and military and paramilitary personnel—all of whom work in a variety of environments—should all wear tactical pants (particularly private contractors). Despite usually being solid colours, they are closely connected to cargo pants.
Originally worn by mountain climbers as more robust outdoor clothing, tactical trousers are now offered in a variety of styles. The belt loops, which are made of lightweight materials, are substantial enough to handle a large utility belt even when it is loaded with additional gear like handcuffs or a sidearm. There are frequently external knife pockets, and the double-reinforced buttock and knee portions offer improved abrasion protection. Interior knee holes can accommodate neoprene kneepads up to 6 mm (0.24 in) thick. Bar tacks, gussets, and Teflon coating are some of the reinforcement methods used in different fashions.
Although the cargo pants mentioned earlier can be compared to tactical pants, they are not the same thing. Tactical clothing can be seen as being built for action. But when shopping for tactical pants, what do you need to look for? It comes down to price, performance, and quality.
Price
This is a tough one to really answer as it comes down to your personal budget and everyone’s budget will be different. There is of course the question of what amount of money you find acceptable and that will probably vary based on the use you are looking to get out of your tactical pants. For example, a person buying tactical pants for work as a first responder might be more willing to spend a higher amount than someone just looking for some decent pants for range days.
I will say that tactical gear in general can be weird. The usual, you get what you paid for doesn’t really apply here. Don’t get me wrong, there are some really expensive tactical pants that are amazing but there are also some really “cheap” tactical pants that are built with the same quality and performance in mind. This probably does have something to do with marketing, as the “tactical” market has become so saturated that companies are really focusing on marketing efforts and in turn raising the costs of products. Either way, obviously keep a budget in mind but don’t be upset if you have to “settle” for something cheaper.
Performance
Performance is going to be what you are buying the tactical pants for so it’s important you really spend time here assessing what you need. For example, do you need the pants to get you through extremely low or high temperatures? This will determine whether you need a fabric such as G-LOFT which does great in the cold or a lightweight nylon fabric for hot temperatures. Are you going to be wearing these in wet conditions such as rainfalls or snow storms? Then you should really consider something made with GORE-TEX as it will be waterproof.
But don’t just stop there. Consider what you will you need the pants to carry (if anything) as this might change what pocket configuration you need or whether you want knee protection built in.
Finally, consider the comfort aspect when considering performance. Different manufacturers will size differently so it’s important you try them on and make sure they fit you as they are designed to fit. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for fit and wear and then assess how comfortable it is.
Quality
Probably the easiest category to assess. When you are considering the quality of tactical pants you should consider a few factors. First, check out the seams and elastic fabrics and straps. Give the pants a good stretch to see what effects it has on the seams and how much the elastic fabrics and straps stretch. Then consider what materials are used to make the pants. For example, did they use CORDURA or GORE-TEX? Are the zippers made by YKK? Try the zippers, move them up and down and see how they flow and whether they go off the tracks. Finally, inspect the pants for any color discrepancies (a sign of a poor build) and loose threads.
What’s best for me?
Well, if you still don’t have a good idea then check out some of our top 5 lists such as the Top 5 Budget Friendly Tactical Pants and the Best Tactical Pants.
Happy shopping!
Ben