I am so at my wits end with trying to find a pair of pants that fit me! I’m 6’ 4", 200 lbs. Fairly fit. 33-34 in waist. 34-35 in inseam. And finding pants that fit me has been a curse my entire life. Most of what I find is, obviously, too short. But most of the stuff that is long enough is either too big in the waist, too tight in the thigh, or some combination.
I’m looking for s pair of tradition style, cargo type pants. Meaning, 6 pockets. 2 front, 2 rear, 2 cargo. Nothing with 10 pockets, slant cut rear pockets, or anything that screams tactical. Something that blends in and won’t attract attention. Preferably in a cotton or cotton blend of some sort (ie would prefer to stay away from nylon).
Here’s what I know does not fit: Carhartts, 5.11, Vertx, LA Police Gear, Columbia, most Levis. I’m sure I’m forgetting a few.
I’ve used the search feature but I’m hoping I may get lucky and get some feedback from someone about my size who has had good luck with a particular brand. And if it comes from someplace local where I can actually try them on before I buy, that would be awesome.
I know that you want to stay away from the pure tactical look, but have you tried anything from TruSpec? I have found them to be very comfortable as well as durable.
My current favorite are the Riggs Ranger pants by Wrangler. Gussetted crotch, cargo pockets and not 5.11 looking. I usually buy them on Amazon for around $35.
I’ve had really good luck with North Face, Carhartt, and some older Columbia cargos. The Carhartt’s are bombproof and can be found at many local stores.
hands down best pants ever. you can cram the 5.11’s and the other overpriced tacticool crap, the Riggs Ranger are excellent pants and have worn really well for me over the last two years. they will fade with washing like any cotton pant but they have a good fit.
the waist to leg length ratio changes at size 35 waist. with a 36 they get too baggy for me. I suspect they will change again at 32-33 waist.
As a bonus, they can take a 1/3/4" belt and my buddy says his glock 26 fits perfectly in the pocket and wont rotate around.
for me the 34’s were too tight around the waist but fit everywhere else. the 36 was just way too baggy but fit a little large in the waist, so the perfect solution was the 35.
their carpenter pant fits the same as the ranger but is cheaper and does not have the cargo pockets.
I haven’t put them through any serious paces but for every day wear I have had luck with Union bay as a decent pair. They do however have 8 pockets with 2 added small ones on the larger cargo. Might not get your fit though, for the most part the waists were to long for me or inseam not right but then I started to CC all the time so upgrading the waist was desired and now they just fit loose as hell otherwise. Then again I think I also had to decrease my inseam as well from past pants so they might have a more friendly cut for length. Dunno, something to try out. This just some Khols shopping experience so might not be up to tactical snuff but for every day wear and random abuse they are good.
Urban pipeline, just wouldn’t recommend due to quality.
I know you mentioned Vertx not fitting, but as they’re my favorite, I thought I’d remind that you can get them un-hemmed if it’s a length problem that you have with them. My favorite pants, and I’ve gone to the effort to have 4 pair hemmed to the proper length for me.
I really like the TAD gear pants, I have quit a few of the force 10 and covert pants. They fit great and are extremely well made. I normally will wear a 34 inseam and these are actually a tad long so that would be good for you. The cotton Legionnaire pants they have are also very well made and not so tactical. I have yet to destroy a pair of these pants and I use them for everything. Might have a hard time finding sizes due to the holidays but they seem to restock quickly.
Wrangler Riggs are hands-down my favorite pair of pants. I’m a 32x34 - most pants that fit my waist are way to tight in the thighs and crotch. They are very affordable and available in big and tall sizes. The colors are great, too.
+1 for Duluth Trading, especially their fire hose pants. OP I’m pretty close to your size (6’3" 190) I’ve tried out the fire hose in 33W 34&36L. These pants are durable as hell, the only reason I’ve tried 2 different lengths is that the 34 length are a little too short with shoes on, they tend to highwater up. Either length is good to go with boots, and 36 works for low cut shoes for me. They’re a little spendy at about $65, but they are bomb proof…I just ordered a pair of their new military style cut fire hose in 34x34, I’ll let you know how they work out.
I also use the Riggs pants by Wrangler. They are roomy (but not ghetto looking) and are durable. They come in earth tone colors to. One of my friends will go through a pair of the double layered Carhartt logging pants in about 6 months. He switched the the Duluth fire hose pants and they last him at least a year. Depending on what you do they should last a long time. He’s very hard on his clothes and gear.
I am particulalry fond of the “alpha green” rip stop and that has become my #1 training and knock around pant. I have worn them down to 20 ish and windy (merino longie underneath) up to 108ish and humid with very satisfactory results. They wash up well and will even press up nicely with some iron touch up if that is what you need.
I am 6’ 3’, 200ish and the 36/34 are plenty big enough to AIWB a full size gun and are on the long side of 34 inseam.
Finally, I confess that I razor the Wrangler tag off of the pocket flap so they appear even more “grey man” and less “tactical teddy”.
Since this got bumped I would also like to add to my recommendations. I’ve been wearing both Kuhl’s and Mountain Hardware pants with excellent results.
I’ve pretty much transitioned to climbing/outdoor pants over tactical pants. Better materials and better cut. I only wear the tactical pants for work related trainings when I have to wear a uniform-ish pant.
I used Vertx (I had to order one size up for a comfortable fit) and Carharts in AFG. Both are excellent in cool or cold weather. Vertx was also GTG in the summer (some find them hot), but the Carharts got way too hot & heavy for me as the day wore on. I tried a couple pair of the wranglers over in AFG. The inseam crotch area was too short and strangled my boys. I tossed both pair within a week.
