I have read several articles in Recoil/Offgrid magazine relating to “SHTF” scenarios. It seem that this is a popular movement lately and I have noticed a huge shift when it comes to awareness and preparation. Anyways, I see a lot of tactical clothing and gear lately that seems to be focused or centered around the urban “SHTF” minded consumer. There are pants with intergraded pockets for 30rd magazines, over the shoulder bags for concealing a SBR or PDW and plate carrier vest that are styled in a non military tradition and fashioned in a way to be less aggressive and more “excepted by society”. I have even seen advertisements from manufactures that have entire lines of tactical clothing designed to fit in without drawing noticeable attention from others. I like the idea and I even like the “outdoorsman” look . In your honest opinion, would this be considered extreme today or totally normal in todays times. Is this a way of life for some people, in regards to always being prepared? Would you draw negative attention from law enforcement if you were to wear pants with a 30rd magpul in its designated pocket while carrying a concealed PDW in a over the shoulder bag? Or is this just a “when society breaks down” type of gear. I ask because I few local military surplus stores I shop at are always sold out of all their 5.11, Voodoo, Blackhawk, Maxpedtion and Condor clothing and accessories within a few days after delivery and it seems that more and more products are being sold and more business are entering this market.
Wearing tactical clothing is stupid. If it isn’t SHTF you look like a complete douche. I see guys all the time wearing Oakley boots and 5.11 pants. At McDonalds on the beach in Florida. Are those pants going to do something for you that shorts won’t? Then again, I care what I look like because I actually get laid. Some guys might not be into that.
If it is SHTF wearing tactical clothing is even dumber. If I’m sitting back in my house with the window open looking out for bad guys, who am I going to shoot first? The Middle Aged fat guy wearing jeans and a t shirt or the wanna be war hero? It’s called “shoot me first” gear for a reason.
The tactical clothing thing is not a sign of the times nor is it “accepted” by society. It is simply clothing manufacturers hyping product to a gullible full retard segment of gun owners who think that’s what is needed to succeed in a (mythical) gunfight
that was mostly on par with how I felt about this. I see a lot of people lately dressed like Blackwater contractors and I think they look ridiculous. I went to a Texas Rangers game and I saw more people wearing desert tan operator hats with the American flag patches, desert tan Oakley boots, some type of desert tan tactical shirt and one guy was wearing a afghan scarf and I was like “were not in the freaking desert”! I like the idea in the fact that its a better alternative than wearing surplus military clothing and the fact that I like to wear North Face clothes and they resemble that look.
Only the neighborhood? Mediocre. Btw, you in Vegas right now?
Seriously though, I wear what’s comfortable. Living in an actual desert, it’s light-colored and breathable clothing. Sometimes in fall or spring when it’s a little chilly, I wear my one pair of Propper “tactical” pants.
I don’t take it everywhere, but my SBR lives in a tennis racket bag with suppressor, extra mags of federal softpoint 5.56, and sling. I also do play tennis so that helps. If you use the tennis bag carry method but you don’t look like you’re ready to play tennis, load up a gym bag and bring that too for your “towel, shirt, shorts, socks, tennis shoes, extra balls, grip tape, water, sweat headband, sweat wrist band, etc.”
Ill say this about some of the tactical clothing…some of that stuff is really comfy. Plus…if you carry a lot of EDC gear, they work far better than jeans. THAT said, I 100% agree that A LOT of guys, mostly WANNABE’S…go way overboard with it. They are almost always posers, and a 2 minute conversation with them will usually bear this out.
I LOVE my shirts from Bowling Concepts, the Charlie Sheen shirts are AWESOME to CCW under. I try to look like the biggest schmuck in town when Im out. aint too hard for me either!
I’m not saying that all of that clothing is for posers, although my post may have come across that way.
Oakley boots and breathable 5.11 pants probably makes sense if you live in the desert.
When it’s 95* and humid as hell and you’re in Miami FL at a gun show? Not so much. Additionally if you are wearing tactical anything and your waist size starts with the number 4 your priorities are wrong. A heart attack is going to kill you much quicker than a bad guy wth a gun.
When it’s 95* and humid as hell and you’re in Miami FL at a gun show? Not so much. Additionally if you are wearing tactical anything and your waist size starts with the number 4 your priorities are wrong. A heart attack is going to kill you much quicker than a bad guy wth a gun.
Amazing when I see those youtube videos with their tactical operator tier 1 beards too. Going to the mall around the area you can spot them a mile away including the previous description in clothing options.
I do own exactly one pair of 5.11 pants in Khaki, or maybe it’s called “Coyote”, I don’t really remember. I have a pair of shorts as well, same color. Both are comfortable, look good, and most men here wear cargo pants/shorts and T-shirts in the 100-115F desert summer, so nobody would give me a second glance.
As for the “cool factor”, I did buy a set of multicam (pants and shirt) a while back just for fun, and I have worn them exactly zero times. They’re too heavy for backpacking, and for everything else they’re too… camo. I’m not sure what I thought I’d use them for, I just thought they were cool. Damn it all, I bought into the fad in a moment of weakness. Maybe the camo will be fun on Halloween when I’m out with my little kids. Or maybe I can sell them to some tacticool genius operator with a beard. He has to have a beard though. If he doesn’t have a beard, he’s not legit.
I think this “tacticool” stuff is a fad, and I think some people are (slowly) starting to wake up and realize that looking like a supersecret ninja-rifle battle ranger is a bad idea for a whole bunch of reasons. Hence the shift toward more “civilian friendly” options as the companies try to move with the times. I think it’s a good business model- they do a good job of making it look enticing, but whenever I stop to think about it, I realize it’s all hideously overpriced, and I don’t need any of it. When (if?) I have money to burn, ammo and practical training is ultimately more fun and much more useful.
I’m a size 40, but I’m also 52, and I did 28 years before I got blowed up. Sometimes I miss the Army, and want to relive my youth, so I’ll wear my 5.11 pants. However, I don’t walk around with my SBR in a bag over my shoulder.
But yeah, I get where you’re coming from. I used to make fun of fat guys. (still do, if they’re fatter than me) I too find the current fad of so many out there trying to walk around acting like they’re on a mission in Iraq or the 'stan is insanely funny. Just remember that while most fat guys may live up to the stereotype, there are old, fat, experienced, combat vets out there too. Some of us even walk with a cane.
Many criminal types would probably think of a fat guy with a cane as an easy target, until they’re on the ground seeing stars, or staring at a 1911. This must be why so many bad guys are pack hunters. As much as all these “operators” are funny to watch, I find the “street thug” even more funny… but so damn irritating. At least all these fake operators can pull their tacticool pants up past their ass.
You seem to have a good grasp on things. Nothing wrong with a bit of tactical ninja play or using the best gear available for actual real hard use, but some people will insist on buying crye to go to Walmart and an air soft match.
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I have 5.11’s but they were required by a former employer.
I wear them around the house as work pants which means I also wear them at Lowe’s or Home Depot.
Dickies are my pants of choice (for now).
There is a difference between wearing 5.11 pants, and wearing 5.11 pants with desert tan boots, a riggers belt, an American flag patch desert camo hat.
I’ve been really digging my recent dickies pants purchase. I think they were the cargo ones? Either way they have gray, tan, green, black, navy (I think). 20$ bucks at Walmart and their cut pretty decent. 100% cotton so they should wear in to be pretty comfy eventually.
I personally enjoy the influx of new products on the market.
It is awesome that you can buy what looks like a normal messenger bag that is actually concealing a pdw and plates.
I prefer the grey man style (wearing J.Crew chinos and a polo shirt with a G19 ), but to each his own.
