Some price high-ticket items based on solid construction, unique design and quality materials. Others select a price tag based solely on the brand, retailer or demand.

And sometimes for quick moment a product falls in both categories.

The world of trousers is no different. The Ultimate Guide to Tactical Pants outlined a variety of pants at a range of prices—from $39.99 (MSRP) to $160 (MSRP) to be exact. Each pant offers something distinct at its price point.

The New York Times recently posed a simple question: “Why does this pair of pants cost $550?” It is a very logical question that consumers ask all the time no matter the item or the price.

The pants in question? Basic cotton gabardine khakis from Band of Outsiders sold, of course, at Bergdorf Goodman. The reason for the pricing? It’s never too much if that’s what people are willing to pay.

“The cost of creating those things has nothing to do with the price,” David A. Aaker, the vice chairman of Prophet, a brand consulting firm, told The Times. “It is all about who else is wearing them, who designed them and who is selling them.”

As a recent addition to the tactical pants guide, Kitanica’s $160 (MSRP) PNT X.A has sent heads spinning with its cost. Nobody summed up this astonishment better than commenter Drang on The View From North Central Idaho. He wrote, “And… $160.00 a pair? WTFBBQ?”

But before you completely rule out the pants based on price alone, do realize that all-American parts and labor goes into every pair. To top that, the pants have 100 separate pieces that need to be assembled. While not everyone will jump on the $160-pants bandwagon, someone out there is bound to appreciate its outstanding aesthetic.

Believe it or not, there are pricier tactical pants out there. For instance, Crye Precision sells Combat Pants AC for $179 (MSRP). Granted, these pants are also completely USA-made; additionally, they are Berry compliant and come in MultiCam. On the more militaristic side, TAD Gear offers a tactical-like pant for $189.95 (MSRP) and Rail Riders has a cargo pant for $98 (MSRP).

The real question is: How much are you willing to pay for a pair of quality tactical pants?

(Image via Flickr)

Summer vacation can’t come soon enough. But when you’re standing on your suitcase, even jumping on it a bit, in order to close the sucker, having a few extra pants pockets would be nice. Especially when cruising through airport security.

That’s where Scottevest comes in. With 16 pockets, Scottevest’s Ultimate Cargo Pants might not be specifically labeled as “tactical” though certainly qualify.

The $70 pants have a linen/cotton blend making them exceptionally breathable, even in desert-like conditions. And if things get too hot on the range, easily zip-off the bottom portion of the pants creating cargo shorts. The lightweight material is treated with Teflon®. One downside is that there’s just a single color option—sand.

Designed for on-the-go travelers, the 16 pockets and compartments includes a handful of trademarks—HangingPockets™, DeepPockets™ and ChangeStopper™ pockets. Oh, and don’t forget airplane pockets.

What do all these trademarks mean?

Without inspecting the pants firsthand, we can only assume these pockets are similar to the hanging/deep pockets often found on most tactical pants. As for the ChangeStopper, it apparently uses a special stitch pattern to keep loose change from slipping down to the bottom of the front pockets. There’s also a key holder, a secret pocket and a pen/stylus pocket.

Another pretty cool pants feature is its personal area network where you can connect wires to devices while in your pockets. Actually all of Scottevest apparel contain some sort of wire-connecting network.

On the Scottevest site, the pants tout many positive reviews. Many say the pants are comfortable (even when packed with gear) and excellent in sweltering temperatures.

Never heard of Scottevest? Founded a decade ago, the company wanted to provide travel gear that didn’t include a “man-purse” or fanny pack. Now they even make a vest that includes a special iPad or Kindle pocket.

Recently we asked our devoted readers who they’d like to see in the Tactical Pants Guide and someone mentioned the Swedish brand Blaklader. Naturally, we cruised over to their US site. And the curly haired, intimidating cross-armed man who greets visitors was wearing a … tactical kilt?! Seriously.

Pictured on the right, that strapping man paired his kilt with lumberjack-esque plaid and some pretty fierce black work boots. What would you wear with yours?

Initially created as a tradeshow spectacle, the Glaskow kilt comes in black and has two reinforced utility pockets that can actually be tucked in when not in use. The pockets are also angled so it’s easy to access any of your items on the go.

Now the inherent nature of a kilt probably makes it the least tactical item on the planet. Can you imagine trying to perform drills in what essentially is a skirt? It would definitely be distracting for those around you.

The kilt also hosts a reinforced rule pocket with a pencil pocket and knife holder. There’s also two back pockets with bellows and a hammer loop.

In addition to its fabulous kilt, Blaklader offers some fairly tactical work gear that seems to be quite resilient when put to the test. Check it out in the video below.

Here’s another crazy commercial from Blaklader celebrating the mystical art of Parkour.

In honor of Earth Day, we are featuring a pair of pants that Mother Nature would most certainly approve: Tree climbing pants.

When the grandfather of the tactical pants, the rock climbing pant, failed to impress, Arborwear created a pant ready to handle the swift movements of scaling trees while packing enough durability to fend off branches and twigs that can get in the way.

A blissful marriage between a canvas work pant and the rock climbing paint, these 12.5-ounce canvas bad boys also host a Rugged Gusset™, industrial stitching and double knees.

But who wears tree climbing pants aside from the obvious?

Well, Arborwear’s “Pants in Action” illustrates that indeed some other interesting folks do. There’s a wild mushroom hunter (whose mushrooms we won’t be eating, no offense!), an Irish motorcyclist, an organic goat farmer, and the list goes on…

So, today when you’re out hugging trees, why not ponder climbing one. It will give you a spectacular view of the natural world, and it will connect you with the environment in a whole new way.

Now it’s time to watch someone try to climb a tree *without* the right pants. Huge mistake, right?

We already went over how to transform your old tactical pants into a nifty messenger bag. Well, now it’s time to find another pair of pants to repurpose.

We found directions on how to turn worn-out pants into a magnificent water-bottle holder. Click here to find out how.

Spring is in the air, and you know what that means — it’s lightweight pants time. Perfect for warmer weather, many lightweight tactical pants are made of a blend of 65% polyester and 35% poly-cotton ripstop.

In the video above, Japan-based YouTube gear reviewer MilPic sports a pair of 5.11 Tactical Taclite Pro pants, which he loves to don when the temperature rises. The pant ensures he stays cool and doesn’t perspire as much under the blazing sun.

At first, some of the smaller pockets might be closed off. MilPic says he was able to turn the pants inside out and open up a seam to make one of the pockets bigger. He describes the leg pouches as “very roomy” and wide-extending.

Despite all the pluses, he complains that the YKK zipper is too tiny and can get stuck if unzipped completely. “And it’s very tricky to get them out,” he says. “I don’t have the smallest fingers, and this is a big-size pant, so come on — get a little bit bigger zipper for that one!”

For some, the noise when both pant legs rub together is another negative quality. Basically, it’s not stealthy enough. “I don’t go and use them as my special ninja pants to sneak up on somebody in the middle of the night,” he explains. “The color is actually very bad for that anyway.”

Oh, and one last thing: MilPic advises to never buy these pants in black. Why? Because they fade too quickly. “Man they have to find something to make them much better,” he says.

Who could have guessed that the “it” pants of the spring would have a slight tactical element to them. And by slight, we mean next to miniscule.

Meet the skinny cargos…Tight. Olive. Cropped. And with A-list trendsetters like Rihanna, Gwen Stefani and Hilary Duff rockin’ them, it’s only a matter of minutes until the masses will follow.

J Brand’s “Houlihan” Cargo Skinny Pants ($230) come in five colors (Vintage Olive, Sahara, Black, Vintage Navy and Sharkskin) and are said to “incorporate military-chic” in any wardrobe. The cotton cargos boast seaming details as well as front, side and back pockets, which one would think qualify it as a tactical pant. However, this women’s pant also happens to be cut-off-your-circulation tight. So, only an act of God will get something squeezed into those pockets.

Meanwhile Nordstrom is touting a pair of Alice + Olivia distressed skinny-leg cargos ($230) that are only a few sizes away from being roomy enough to be considered tactical. For those who wouldn’t ever ever spend so much on such a non-tactical trend, do not worry. We’re sure Wal-Mart and Target will be carrying skinny cargo knock-offs soon enough.

It’s true: Tactical pants wearers don’t care about trends; we care about getting the job done right. However, if you happen to love both tactical and fashion, you might be experimenting with the jeans/pants trend soon enough. Learn how to wear ‘em in the video below.

UPDATE: Since our post both The New York Times and The Huffington Post have picked up on the trend. So there you have it: The Tactical Pants Blog is beyond cutting edge .

(Images via Bloomingdales)

EOTAC's Discreet Denim

These aren’t your daddy’s Levis. Oh no. Discreet tactical jeans are more like your casual, off-duty ninja jeans. It give an Average-Joe look for those packing like James Bond.

So, why look like Joe instead of Bond?

With more and more folks receiving a carry concealed license, there’s a growing interest in bringing a gun along almost anywhere without being fanny-pack obvious. If you get stuck in an unsavory situation, the last thing you’d want is to become a target for being armed. Tactical jeans and other discreet wares keep your identity on the DL. So, when bad guys bust into a convenience store, they won’t even know what they’re up against.

But, what’s so special about tactical jeans?

For one, pockets are usually deeper and wider — much like its clothing counterpart, the tactical pant. That means when you switch from a tactical pant to a discreet denim, you won’t have to change the placement of your gear.

Another plus to tactical jeans is the elastic waistband. It was not created just for big meals or future weight gain. It’s for those fast-moving guys who might scale buildings and tumble across car hoods on a casual grocery store outing. Because you never know, right? That elastic waist cuts you some slack when needed.

Get these tactical blues at EOTAC, which has a 12.5-ounce 100% cotton denim pant for $56.99-$68.99 MSRP. Or stop by the NRA Store for a pair of 5.11 Denim Tactical Jeans for $34.95. Their jeans have a little bit of a darker wash than EOTAC’s light stonewashed look. Yes, stonewashed. That ’80s fad is actually kind of in vogue again. Luckily EOTAC’s stonewash isn’t as severe as an acid wash.

And if you’re ready to jump on the trend train (destination unknown!), watch how you can turn your own boring jeans into stonewashed gems.

Tactical kiddos

You’re never too young to be tactical. Believe us: In our infancy, we were scaling crib walls with a binky in the front pocket, a blankie in the rear pocket. Ah, memories.

But do they actually make tactical pants for babies? Of course!

While the itsy-bitsy look-alikes aren’t 100 percent replicas of daddy’s and mommy’s pants, these kiddie cargos were recently featured on People Magazine’s Celebrity Baby Blog as affordable and trendsetting.

Available in khaki, colored and pattern sets, the pants range in price from $6 to $38. The luxurious pocket space (miniscule, of course, compared to regular tac pants) is the perfect size for a rattle, teether or Micro Machine, though it probably won’t fit that giant ring of keys.

If your little one has moved past infancy, try tactical pants for kids in sizes 3-10. Tactical Daddy, as well as various other online stores, carries a 5.11 kids tactical pant. Or go with more of a G.I. Joe look with Propper’s BDUs for kids in both universal and woodland camo.

And for those Tactical Daddies: Marcus Melnick made a big splash three years ago by launching a Tactical Daddy Vest — his solution to the modern diaper bag. In the video below, view just how much baby stuff can be crammed into a 16-pocket 5.11 tactical vest.

(Images via TacticalDaddy.com)

It’s hard enough to find ladies tactical pants with a proper fit. Now try tracking down a shirt that not only matches but drapes properly and stylishly. That was more than a challenge a few years ago, before clothing manufacturers stepped up to offer for-her tactical clothing. Nowadays choices abound.

This type of clothing is geared for off-duty, outdoor wear, yet it still possesses a very tactical element. And even with more choices than ever, many women’s tactical pants only come in yawn-inspiring khaki. (No offense to traditionalists, but wearing khaki day-in and day-out can get, well, boring.) Sprinkle some flavor into your tactical wardrobe by placing emphasis on your top half.

5.11 Tactical Polo ($29.99)

One of the few major players to offer tactical women’s shirts, 5.11’s polo mixes durability with comfort. Even though this looks like an ordinary polo, it packs in tactical attributes with its moisture wicking finish and mic-loop pockets. Offered in white, black, silver tan and dark navy, this shirt is made with 100% cotton, treated to prevent fading, wrinkling and shirking. It’ll keep you looking sharp.

Classic Long Sleeve Safari Shirt ($50)

SHE Safari specializes in producing the best-fitting and most fashionable outdoor hunting and tactical wear. And it shows. Its long sleeve safari shirt constructed from 100% cotton 5-ounce French twill features tapered lines and pleated pockets. With a hidden button strap, the long sleeves easily transition into three-quarter length. Available in dark olive, khaki and light olive.

Short Sleeve Pleated Shirt ($55)

This has to be one of our favorite “tactical” shirts because of its ability to transition from daytime to nighttime wear (and just for its general non-tacticalness). Actually, this shirt would be better suited on a runway then on a shooting range. While it gives the wearer freedom of movement, it has no real tactical characteristics. That being said, we still think it’s totally ferosh.

Fly Fishing Short Sleeve Shirt ($57)

You might not be the fly fishing kind of girl, and that’s OK. This lightweight shirt is just tactical enough to sway your opinion. Offered in striking colors like desert tan, sunrise yellow and salmon, it has an active, flattering fit with adjustable cuffs and a core mesh venting system. The 100% cotton feather cloth will keep you cool on sweltering days. And with pockets on the chest and right side, there’s plenty of room to store whatever tactical doodads that cross your path.

Short Sleeve Shooting Shirt ($40)

Here’s another fashion-forward top from SHE Safari that flatters the female figure. Wear it in khaki or olive on a hunting excursion or even to the grocery store. Its 100% waffle-knit cotton with French twill accents adds spice to what would otherwise be an average polo. A shoulder and front pocket make it just tactical enough to make it on this list.