Now that you’ve read the guide, you probably know all there is to possibly know about tactical pants, right? Wrong.

While it may appear that way, we still think there’s more to learn. Our goal is to constantly expand and update The Ultimate Guide to Tactical Pants for as long as tactical pants exist on this planet. So, basically forever.

Eventually we will include an in-depth look at all 30 plus styles of tactical pants. For now, we started with the basics—the original tactical pant from each manufacturer. Later on, we’ll add high-quality photos to give you a better idea about what each pant looks like before you decide to buy a pair. Essentially, this is our non-fiction War and Peace, if you will. We want it to have as many chapters, as many details as possible—no matter how minuscule.

In order for us to improve upon this guide, please let us know what we’ve missed. Is there a certain style or brand that should be included? Was there something we forgot to measure? Anything specific you’d like to see photographed? Tell us!

And if you’re a manufacturer, please send us your pants! We might have some or most of your styles in-house, but unfortunately we don’t carry every tactical pant under the sun—at least not yet. If you do send us your pants, we’ll gladly test them out, take a lot of pictures and tell you what we think.

Feel free to leave a comment or drop us an e-mail. We’re here to help. We’d like nothing more than to provide you with the most comprehensive information and be a resource for tactical pants enthusiast worldwide.

Do you like tactical pants? For us, this is pretty much a rhetorical question. Yet, that very question was posed on the Utah Concealed Carry forum.

Below are the results from the site’s poll. With 40 votes, more than half said they wear tactical trousers. Surprisingly enough, the other half either didn’t know what tactical pants were or believe that “tacticool pants are for mall ninjas.”

On the forum, those unfamiliar with the pants said they wear cargos from Wal-Mart or classic Wranglers. Both 5.11 and LA Police Gear’s pants were mentioned by tac pants fans as well as Propper and Woolrich. Someone admitted wearing their tactical pants to meetings with fortune 500 companies with no one even raising an eyebrow.

However, other brands like Blackhawk, Vertx and EOTAC were left out of the conversation. So, now we ask a very non-rhetorical question … What’s your favorite tactical pants brand?


Remember, every vote counts! And what makes you loyal to your brand? Is it the fit? The fabric? The price?

What if these were all tactical pants?

We’re reporting today from underneath a mammoth pile of tactical pants.

No joke.

See that picture on the right. Well, imagine that is all tactical pants. Yeah, that’s what our desk looks like today. Did you know that there are more than 30 different styles of tactical trousers on the market today?

That is just mind boggling. And it explains why the Tactical Pants Guide had grown from 10 pages to 17 and probably won’t be finished for another week. We sit here measuring pockets, snapping pictures and interviewing loads and loads of folks about the nuances of the greatest type of pants ever made. Believe it!

No, we haven’t lost our minds. We just want to know EVERYTHING about these glorious pants.

Want to know what type of pants will be outlined in this amazing guide? Check out the list below. See one missing? Let us know, and we’ll include it.

24-7 Series

• Men’s Cotton Canvas
• Men’s Poly-Cotton Ripstop
• Women’s Poly-Cotton Ripstop
• Men’s Convertible

5.11 Tactical

• Original 5.11 Pants
• Convertible Cargo Pants
• Flannel-lined Pants
• Women’s Cotton
• Taclite Pro Pants
• Women’s New Fit
• Women’s Taclite Pro Pant

Blackhawk

• Warrior Wear Tactical Pant
• Lightweight Pant
• TNT Pant
• TNT OPS Pant

EOTAC

• Men’s Tactical Pants
• Men’s Lightweight Tactical Pant
• Men’s Operator Pant
• Women’s Lightweight Tactical Pant

Propper

• Canvas Tactical Pant
• Lightweight Tactical Pant
• Genuine Gear Tactical Pant
• Women’s Tactical Pant

Vertx

• Men’s Pants
• Women’s Pants

Woolrich

• Cargo Pant
• Lightweight Pant
• Lightweight Operator Pant
• Elite Pant
• Women’s Elite Lightweight Pant

(Image via Flickr)

Yesterday we showed you how to turn a tactical pant into a really sweet water bottle sling. But if you’re like us and don’t have a crafting bone in your body, here is a more applicable project …

Turn a ratty pair of pants into a brand-spanking-new pair!

How does one perform such a slight of hand without any sort of trickery? First you must sacrifice a pair of your non-Blackhawk tactical pants in order to participate. And don’t look upset. We’re sure you’ve got a few in the back of the closet. Just dust off the cobwebs and clean out the pockets before you send them off.

Next you must fill out this form and mail your pants directly to Blackhawk’s headquarters in Norfolk, Va. For the trade-in, Blackhawk will give you 50 percent off any of its tactical pants.

This offer only lasts for a limited time. Yet, there is no limit on the number of pants you can send to them. However, the pants you order from Blackhawk should be similar in size to the ones you swap.

Oh, and the offer works on any color or design of Blackhawk’s Warrior Wear.

Coming to an glacier near you…

As if he wasn’t tactical enough, we added some Propper lightweight tactical pants, Rockport military boots and a Blackhawk compact belt slide holster. We’re currently working out a sponsorship deal with him at TacticalPants.com.

View the original, non-Photoshopped all-black penguin here.

(Photo via National Geographic via Say Uncle)

Even members of law enforcement must answer to the fashion police. And you thought you were exempt! Oh no. When we all want to wear our tactical pants seven days a week, things can get a little tricky. If you don’t have enough shirts that pair with khaki, black or olive drab pants, peruse the shopping list below.

While it seems fairly simple, there are definitely some tactical fashion don’ts. Like don’t wear khaki on khaki (unless there’s a good reason, like if it’s part of a uniform or going on a safari). Oh, and never sport clashing khaki or black. That’s *way* worse. You can also mix and match your tactical shirts with your other non-tactical clothes … like jeans. Or sweatpants perhaps.

And ladies, keep an eye out for the women’s tactical pants fashion police update. We’ll post it next week.

Elite Short & Long-sleeve Tactical Polos ($34.99-$39.99)
Polos are probably the best pairing for tactical pants. Nothing looks more classic or clean-cut. Woolrich offers multi-functional polos in black, khaki, range officer red and navy that will help you keep a low profile undercover or off-the-clock. Choose either a short or long sleeve polo with moisture-wicking fabric, keeping you dry and cool for whatever might come up.

5.11 Tactical Shirt Long Sleeve ($59.99)
It’s only natural to wear a 5.11 shirt with tactical pants since they basically invented the pant and have garnered a cult following. With colors like black, khaki, olive-drab green, navy and desert sand, finding a match for your pants will be simple. What’s cool about this shirt that differs from mainstream military-style fashion is its patented hidden-document pockets perfect for a cell phone. With six pockets total, your shirt will be competing with your pants to carry all your equipment.

Warrior Wear Tactical Shirt ($46.99)
Whether you choose olive drab, navy or black, this durable shirt features added ventilation and wrinkle-, fade- and stain-resistant cotton. With extra breathability, you’ll be able to move freely and comfortably both on- and off-duty. And when the work gets really dirty, easily roll your sleeves up and fasten them with a button on the side. There’s also a hidden zipper pocket aside from the shirt’s main pocket along with a cell phone catch pocket.

Covert Casual Plaid Shirt ($39.99)
Since plaid is all the rage right now, there’s no way you could go wrong with this 5.11 lightweight shirt. While you might be able to find similar looks in department stores, none will have the same moisture wicking capabilities or functionality. Ideal for undercover wear, this shirt has been specially designed for concealed carry, whether it’s a shoulder holster or at your waist. The shirt’s lining is CovertMesh, a lightweight fabric that won’t bunch around your concealed gear. Blackhawk’s 1700 shirt in blue, green, green or brown plaid boasts a similar look and features.

Men’s Operator Grade Zip-Up Shirt ($61.99-$66.99)
This all-cotton poplin shirt becomes very tactical when it comes to taking it off and on. Instead of fumbling with buttons, it boasts a hidden zipper down the front while still visibly hosting a series of buttons. However, the shirt’s collar still is a button down. Another tactical feature is its multiple pockets—a sleeve pocket for pens and two chest pockets with hook and loop flap closures.

TNT OPS Tactical Pant

Already a fan of Blackhawk’s Warrior Wear? The line that features everything from cotton polos to tactical shorts is expanding. And with options for both duty and casual wear, 2010 is appearing to be a promising year for Blackhawk.

According to the Virginia company’s president and CEO, the brand expansion came like most do — because of Warrior Wear’s overwhelming popularity.

1. Blackhawk’s TNT OPS Tactical Pant ($79.99) joins the lineup with a modern pant design and built-in performance features such as extra wide belt loops made to support a fully loaded duty or tactical belt. Made with lightweight TNT material that prevents tears as well as stains, it’s hard to resist such a durable pant. You can sport the TNT OPS Tactical Pant in either clay or navy.

Performance Cotton Tactical Pant

2. Although not part of the Warrior Wear collection, the new Performance Cotton Tactical Pant ($59.99 – $69.99) carries all the same features (aside from the Molle webbing on the hip). Said to be able to beat any wrinkle, fade or stain no matter color (available in black, khaki, navy and olive drab), the pants also have a mag pouch on each leg, a zippered rear wallet hip pocket as well as large rear pockets to store all your tactical goodies.

3. Other additions for 2010 include the 1700 Shirt and Light-Weight Tactical Shorts. Probably the most interesting aspect of the 1700 Shirt ($44.99) is its ability to provide SPF 30 protection as well as its hidden side-entry zipper pocket.

4. Treated with Teflon, the Light-Weight Tactical Shorts (59.99 – $69.99) have a hidden waistband that expands while rubber strips keep your shirt from becoming untucked. Because nobody wants to look sloppy while wearing tactical shorts, do they?

Check out more 2010 wares from Blackhawk here.

Got an old pair of tactical pants? Regardless of what brand, color or condition they are in Blackhawk wants them! Send in any pair of tactical pants directly to Blackhawk and they will give you a 50% credit toward the purchase of any Warrior Wear brand pants. Not a bad deal, but keep in mind that buying Warrior Wear clothing directly from Blackhawk.com through this trade-up program also means you pay full MSRP.

Fresh video breakdown of Blackhawk! Warrior Wear lightweight tactical pants just posted on YouTube. Review by George Bess from Blackhawk.

When you need the functionality of a tactical pant without the look, the Blackhawk tactical non tactical (TNT) pants are perfect.  The pants have an office appropriate look that allows you to carry all of your accessories.  The pocket on the left leg is perfect for an extra magazine or cell phone.  TNT pants can be matched with the Blackhawk CQC pistol belt for an even dressier look.  The CQC pistol belts are perfect for supporting your weapon, magazines, or handcuffs all without the overly tactical look.  The TNT pants are very versatile and should be a part of every tactical lover’s wardrobe.