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.

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)

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.

Now that most tactical pants have a back pocket specifically dedicated to keeping wallets from sinking down the lower leg, it’s almost a requirement to get a wallet that’s equally as tactical.

As luck would have it, Toner Machining Technologies, or TMT, manufactures just that—a tactical wallet. What some have dubbed the “Swiss Army wallet,” the tactical wallet combines the functionality of your average-joe wallet with ninja-like slickness. In addition to credit cards, this bad boy totes a compass, tweezers, a glass breaker, a toothpick, a pen and some super-secret compartments for iPods, medication and other goodies.

How tactical is your wallet?

The patent-pending wallet is offered in two models: the TMT – H20 Sports Wallet ($85) and the TMT – Tactical Wallet ($125). However, don’t let the name of the sports wallet fool you—both wallets are incredibly tactical. Each are designed to survive extreme conditions, even as extreme as mall shopping on Black Friday.

In addition to the features listed above, the wallets have an o-ring sealing that prevents anything but your own grimy fingers from getting into it. There’s also a stainless steel money and credit card clip. If you do carry credit cards in your wallet like most of America, this wallet will block folks from stealing your information through RFID scanning devices. Take that, criminals!

One of its coolest features is a defense mechanism on its side. That means that this wallet not only kicks butt, it can help you kick someone’s butt. The outside of the wallet can also be engraved with your favorite tactical phrase. Or, you know, go the non-tactical route and etch your initials on it. We won’t judge. Promise.

Not completely convinced that this is the greatest wallet on Earth? Watch the video below for further evidence.

(Images via The Gadgeteer)

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.

Watch out: Bodice-ripping romance just got a lot more tactical.

Yes, you heard right. Tactical corsets are changing the face of tactical gear — literally. Those who squeeze into the black form-fitting foundation garment are encouraged to strap on pouches that carry fire-engine red lipstick instead of bullets.

Touted as “the new hotness,” TacticalCorsets.com is now taking preorders for its custom-made MILSPEC corset that features MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) modular pouch attachment webbing. While this site has no affiliation with TacticalPants.com or its sister sites, it was way too ridiculous and creative to ignore.

“For too long, women have had to compromise practicality for beauty,” its website reads. “Men got pants with cargo pockets and built-in knee pads, women got clothes whose only built-in feature was cuteness. But why should men get all the high-speed low-drag tactical toys?”

Yeah! Although we weren’t aware tactical vests were gender specific. Are they?

“I really think girls deserve to have the same kind of functionality,” said creator Alex Peake, in a YouTube interview. “My vest constricted me, and it made me think ‘this must be what a corset kind of feels like.’ But I could never be as beautiful as a lady in a corset, so I had to make something for them to be able to carry the kinds of stuff that I can carry.”

Alex constructed the tactical corset with three main selling points in mind:

• It makes pockets/purses obsolete. Plus pockets “bulge and take away from your beautiful figure.”
• It makes laces obsolete. Instead of the infamous lace-up back, the tactical corset has adjustable plastic buckles. “Laces slow you down and makes you a dependent lady.” And nobody wants that, right?
• Forget buckles, too. Wait, what? The tactical body constrictor features a front quick-release, high-speed/low-drag zipper for special “covert operations.” Sure, uh-huh.

“Your tactical corset is your gateway into becoming a tactical human being,” says Peake.

Now we’d just like to see someone model the tactical corset wearing a nice pair of tactical pants. We’ll be the first to forecast it as the fashion statement of the century.

(Image via TacticalCorsets)

Those familiar with Yahoo! Answers know that it has provided more laughs than information and more useless banter than thought-provoking discussion. Those unfamiliar with it should see it as a magical place where all those crazy questions dancing inside your skull become everybody’s to ponder. And by everybody, we mean everybody on the Internet.

Today we bring you quite possibly the greatest tactical pants-related questions ever posed.

Posted a week ago, this question is also one of the strangest that’s been asked to the community. Filed under “resolved,” the question involves six pairs of tactical pants and a truckload of Vegemite. What is Vegemite, you ask? Vegemite appears to be all the rage in Australia. Wikipedia describes it as a dark brown food paste made from yeast extract. Uh, yum?

So, what’s the question again? Yahoo user Hermie wants to know how much Vegemite his six pairs of tactical pants can hold. He writes, “Unfortunately, jars of Vegemite are not readily available for purchase in the US, so I will have to outsource that order from Australia. Not having a Vegemite jar in my possession at the time, I had to blindly buy the tactical pants, hoping to achieve the storage I was looking for.”

Yet, he fails to answer one burning question: What do tactical pants have to do with Vegemite storage? And if he wants to carry the paste in pants he’s currently donning, why on earth does he need six pairs?! The whole point of tactical pants is to be able to store all your gear in one pair of pants — namely the pair you’re wearing at the time.

During the four-day answering period that every question is given, Hermie’s dilemma garnered two responses. According to Mountain Baby’s post, Hermie asked a few other questions on this topic. “Why would you just wear pants around the house with vegemite in them, ad (sic) why would you need more than one pair of pants to do this with,” she asks. Good questions!

However, the best answer (not just more questions) came from Gorkbark, who estimated that you could carry 12 jars of Vegemite per tactical pant. “It would be a bit bulky, but you can manage,” he wrote.

Now let’s do the math: 12 X 6 = 72. So, six pairs of tactical pants will carry 72 jars of Vegemite. There you have it, folks! Although, we think the real question is: What’s he gonna do with all that Vegemite?

Not a tac pants fan.

Here at the Tactical Pants Blog, we work under the assumption that tactical pants are the greatest kind of pants on the planet.

Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with that fact.

“My least favorite trend is combat trousers or cargo pants, because I don’t like the baggy look, I prefer tight, skinny jeans,” Ashlyn was quoted as saying on Wayne Tippetts Photography blog. She confesses that her favorite trend is thigh-high boots “because they look very sexy!”

Well, we will have to kindly disagree with you, Ashlyn. Tactical pants are not only sexy, they are the hottest trend in the universe!

(Image via Wayne Tippetts Photography)

Patricia Cornwell: best-selling author, lover of tactical pants

You’ll never guess what type of pants international best-selling crime author Patricia Cornwell wears while she writes.

That is, unless you’ve managed to read the headline to this post AND the name of this blog. Then it should be pretty obvious…

Tactical pants, of course!

In a 20-question interview, Ms. Cornwell brought up her love for tactical pants at question No. 13: “You feel best in Armani or Levis or …?”

“What I call my ‘work clothes,’ which are basically tactical-type cargo pants and shirts with the Scarpetta crest and lots of pockets,” she replied.

She also discusses the greatest album of all time, her favorite brain food and more right here.

Woolrich Elite Series Discreet Pants

The question “Tactical or Practical?” was posed at Mossy Creek Custom when the blogger over there attempted to wear Woolrich Elite Series Discreet Pants to a Friday night dinner party, which his wife completely frowned upon.

Although his effort to be comfortable at dinner was ultimately met with failure, the blogger at Mossy Creek Custom, a full service Law Enforcement and Civilian company located in Nashville, brought up an interesting point: Why isn’t there a tactical pant discreet enough to wear on these types of occasions?

“Why not offer the Discreet Pant that is actually discreet?” he asks. “5.11 doesn’t offer one, Woolrich comes close, but in the end they are simply tactical pants. I love these pants, but they could be a little more refined … I’m not looking for Polo chinos, but something in between would be perfect.”

Unfortunately we cannot answer his question, but if there is a viable market out there made up of people who prefer tactical pants over run-of-the-mill khakis for dressier occasions, the real question is: how could you not make them?