Our friends over at Tactical Gearhead recently did a side-by-side comparison of 5.11 Tactical TDUs (tactical duty uniforms) with Traditional BDUs (battle dress uniforms) and found while there are many similarities, there are also an equal number of differences.

This 10-minute video (above) covers all the bases. Here are the highlights:

• Both pants large pockets on the front and back.
• TDUs have a self-adjusting strap without a metal drawstring, which can “get in the way.”
• Area between belt loops is wider on TDUs to accommodate a canteen or pouch.
• TDUs have gynormous pockets with Velcro closures, while BDUs have buttons.
• BDUs also feature fly buttons as well, which the reviewer believes was developed for troops in the field because it was easier to repair. TDUs not only have a zipper system but a snap button as well.
• TDUs are water resistant. He demonstrates this by dumping water on the TDUs and quickly mopping up the mess with the BDUs. He also makes a reference about a Mrs. Gearhead, for those of you who were wondering…
• TDUs have removable kneepads, which can get very uncomfortable in warm weather if left in place. “Especially if the sun is beating down on your leg… it will really heat up and you will sweat some more,” he says. KZG65VR62PGG