This topic is starting to remind me of listening to a bunch of ladies playing bridge on Sunday…
A lot of it has to do with all of the games out there like COD and such. That and the increasing amount of people that play airsoft and those that just think it is cool. There is also the regular Soldier/ Marine that wears it around. Those are the best. They sport all of this “Cool Guy” stuff that they would get in deep trouble for trying to wear while working. Those are the best. It is becoming a lot more common to see. You can’t turn on the TV without seeing someone who is dressed like an “Operator” or “Contractor”. Now days it can be hard to tell if someone is doing PSD or just going to Walmart. In a way it is good. Once people become desensitized to seeing it it makes it easier to blend into the background while wearing it.
Overall it is good. It brings the prices down and increases the amount and type of clothes and gear in the market.
How much 5.11 you got on right now bro?
Good thread idea, here is my $0.02. It’s worth what you paid for it . . .
My modus operandi has always been to be the “gray man”. I don’t want to draw attention to myself. You want urban camouflage, try donning a ball cap, t-shrit/sweat shirt and a pair of blue jeans. No one will ever see you lol.
I don’t own any “tactical” clothing but have invested in PRACTICAL clothing. Duluth Trading, REI, Rail Riders, etc. all make bomb proof clothing with lifetime warranties in Earth tones that have mesh vents and UPF sun protection for hot weather. If it’s SHTF that is what I’ll be wearing in the warmer months, articles that reflect heat from the sun and breath to keep me cool. 5.11 pants are nothing more than Royal Robbins, old school mountain climber pants. I cannot wear them due to there crotches. I only buy pants with gusseted crotches otherwise I’m singing soprano. This eliminates 99% of denim jeans for me as well. No loss there. I’ve been issued 5.11 tactical polos for my uniform at work (LEO) and can say they are complete POS. They tear, fade, blah waste of money at the tax payers expense.
It was a 106° F in the shade at my casa yesterday and that’s with about 70-80% humidity. In the hot months I wear Tru-Spec 24/7 shorts in Earth tones. I have owned just about every brand of cargo shorts out there and the 24/7 “tactical series” (aargh) works best. I EDC a spare G19 mag, Spyderco folder, SF white light, et al. on my person and the hidden pockets inside the cargo pockets hold all of my EDC items famously!
The clothing brands mentioned in your OP are imported crap. If you can buy them in the Cheaper Than Dirt or Sportsman’s Guide catalogs then I’d stay clear of them. Your typical gun show fodder eats this stuff up. Let them.
During the 70’s at the height of the Cold War there was a Survivalist movement. Lots of books, interest in all things firearms, etc. Now with all the “prepper reality TV shows” combined with recent world events, America’s social/political climate, periodicals like American Survival Guide, Off Grid, Be Ready, Survivors Edge, et al. things have come full circle.
Zero. That 5.11 is sooooo last week. Besides, I just got home from work. But I’m about to put on my camo, sling up my new gucci tactical satchel, and do some serious neighborhood ops! Want to come with? I need more people in my Wolf Pack. :jester:
Less worrying about others, more worrying about yourself.
Does it really matter what other people wear?
Vogue, Tactical would probably sell a shit ton.
That actually exists… I believe it’s called Recoil. 
But seriously, I have no problem with any of the tactical stuff. Yes, I own 5.11… exactly two pieces of clothing. is that like coming out of the closet on M4C? If so, I guess my secret is out. I have way more Columbia, REI, and Underarmor, but hey, variety is the spice of life and they all make good clothes.
I’ve got twop pair of Wrangler/Riggs Technical pants, bought them at Cabellas, tan/khaki and green, wish they had other colors, I really like them.
Cabelas probably only carries certain items from the Riggs line. According to Wrangler’s site they offer their Riggs Ranger pants in six different colors. Appear to have promo going where if you buy two pairs you save $10.
http://www.wrangler.com/store/WRG_STORE_US/en_US/category/men/riggs-workwear.html#currentPage=1
I have three pairs of 5.11 shorts I bought at the PX years ago for a good price. I cut the little blue tags off of them, and they look like just about any other brand of cargo shorts. They’re comfortable and durable, but they’re pretty heavy and hot compared to more “modern” designs. I discover Kuhl’s shorts a few years ago and wear those almost exclusively now. However, I have to admit that the stitching on the Kuhl belt loops took a beating from the Velcro on the rigger’s belt I had to wear on a previous deployment (which sounds silly, I know).
Dave
This was a question on the actual way of life, not just the clothing. I guess my real question I didn’t want to ask for fear of feeling stupid cause im new here was, do people actually go out into public with a backpack with a PDW in it, 30 round magpul in modular pants pocket, concealed tactical first aid kit on utility belt and Oakley assault gloves, because in some of these advertisements, it would appear that, this is the direction these companies are going with there marketing. I was just wondering if any of you had a ballistic helmet with NVG’s, plate carrier complete w/ glowsticks, mags, radio with folded antenna, first aid, a suppressed AR with AN/PEQ and ELCAN just sitting in your trunk in your car?
Although where I’m at is definitely pretty safe and I certainly don’t do this, there are areas of the US where I probably wouldn’t go without such a load out.
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well, in certain cases like the ones we have seen in the last couple of years like Ferguson and Baltimore, I think it would be wise to have a load out of some kind, even if it was a light load, you would need to get your family to safety.
All my vehicles have small get home bags.
I keep a Kalashnikov with side folder in a BFG Denied Area discreet bag and a bandoleer of mags for it in my truck. It goes in the house with me when I get home from work.
As for everything else, I just have my CCW and EDC (blade, light, extra CCW mag, etc). No battle rattle here. I cannot imagine someone leaving $10K worth of SBR, PC, suppressor, NODs, in an automobile while they are out buying groceries.
Brother…as a former OTR truck driver with well over 1.3 million miles driving around this country and Canada…I cant tell you enough how right you are, its actually worse than most know, I promise you.
Sad but true…
I guess there is a side to America that’s not on calendars and postcards and most people will probably never see.
No, not all of that list, but some of it is in my vehicle now.
It is the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. I was there, it sucked, it was dangerous and I wish I had been better prepared.
I now live close enough to Ferguson, MO to have had some candid discussions with local law enforcement. An acquaintance from the FBI recently described how he and his family rode out the Baltimore riots earlier this year. To each their own, but having a plan and the resources to execute the plan is never far from my mind.
Do I wear shoot-me-first 5.11 tactical pants to the mall? No.
Do some of us have a tactical mindset? Yes.
That is a good way of thinking, I guess its a little of whats in the trunk, but mostly whats in the mind.
Heck, I’m talking about people needing hidden rifles and mags on there person just doing day to day stuff. Many of the border areas, certain cities, certain wilderness eras. There are places in this country that have been hijacked by hyperviolent assholes. I may not be in these areas but I’m certainly aware of there existence.
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