I’m moving from general patrol to a different assignment at work soon and I’m needing to pic up some more “general public” clothing for work. I have several items from 5.11 and EOTAC as well as old Woolrich clothing.
The assignment will be a lot of time in and out of vehicles as well as surveillance. I’m needing to pick up some less tactical clothing other than what I have. I generally wear the outdoors styled clothing anyways when off-duty so I was wanting to look at the TAD gear line. I have some of their outerwear and fleeces and I wear them not stop during the fall and winter.
My questions are how do their pants run in sizing? Big, small, short, long?
How does the color hold? Are they as durable as their outerwear?
These will get washed a lot as foot chases and searches through less than favorable buildings are common.
If anyone has any other recommendations as well they would be appreciated.
The look I’m going for is the baggy cargo pant that is popular with the climbing, outdoos, and college community. This is a college town and I’m needing to blend in that environment (since I’m still young looking enough to pull it off as a grad student, though not much more).
I’m not familiar with TAD gear, but I am familiar with your job description.
I prefer Carhartt Cargo or Carpenter Pants and Hoodies. Though there are other brands like Columbia, Dickies, etc that are similar.
Wears like iron and not crazy expensive. Blends in with people who work for a living, outdoors, casual (wore a new pair to court before…just a prelim), etc. Lots O’ Pockets for all the stuff you’ll need to carry and not be seen.
Subdued colors don’t draw the eye. Just watch sometime. A grey / tan / OD coat or shirt just isn’t “seen” in the crowd on the first pass.
Sometimes those ‘tactical concealement’ garments, while very nice, just don’t blend because the only people wearing them are ‘tactical’. In other words, get what many people wear in your AO.
+1 on the Carhartts.
They tend to blend in loads more then TAD, 5.11, etc. etc. You’ll save some coin too.
However, I have never heard one negative thing about TAD gear products. If that is the route you want to go, then I believe you won’t be disappointed with their products.
I’ve ordered from TAD gear and I am happy with their products, but I would caution how you order from them. I got an email a while back from them stating that their credit card database was hacked and some numbers were stolen. So, if your credit card company offers the service, use a “one time use” number. Basically, they generate a credit card number for you to use that is only valid for one purchase. It’s a simple process. You normally just have to log into your credit card account online and generate one. That way you’ll be protected from identity theft or credit card fraud. Other than that, shop away!
I agree with the poster who mentioned the fact that even low-viz “tactical khakis” stand out to people who are even a little bit switched-on. I am sure TAD is good kit, but will it stick out the way 5.11 gear does?
I am a civilian and I abuse outdoor clothes a lot. I have found Kuhl Cragrunners to be tough, abrasion resistant, and low-viz.
I bought a pair of their shorts and pants at Cabelas, and have been quite pleased. They are very durable, and also breathe - something we can appreciate here in Texas.
Also consider The North Face Paramount pant. I wear those frequently to include overseas and they are very popular. Another good one is the Columbia Sportswear Challenger II pant.
I forgot to add, Cabela’s has a coupon on their website. Get an extra $20 off when you order $100 of stuff, and I think they also have free shipping right now.
Yeah for a college I would go with Carp jeans before anything like a 511 or even the Cabelas trail hikers look tacticool I would go with a Carhart painters pant in Tan or some Carp jeans
The North Face and Columbia are along the lines of what I’m looking for. I’m looking for the best combo of lightweight material and durability and I know it’s a give and take.
The Carhartt Duck Work Dungarees are also very close as well.
I also prefer a bootcut or at the least a straight leg fit. More room to move.
I’m looking for colors in the black, tan, OD, and gray color scenes too.
Thanks for the info guys and keep the suggestions headed this way so my wife won’t pick based on which on “looks better.”
i have to give a vote for cabelas cargo pants also, they are pretty much all i wear.
when i get a new pair, the first thing i do is take them to the tailor shop and have them sew a inner pocket in to each cargo pocket, then in one pocket they devide the inner pocket into 3 sections for two glock mags and a surefire, in the other pocket they just put one pocket to hold a magpul mag.
If you want to blend into a college environment, I’ll second what others have said about not using TAD. Also, while they’re outerwear is fantastic (I’ve got a battle hoodie that I wear overseas) I also have a couple of pairs of Spartan pants that aren’t really any better quality than regular utilities that cost 1/3 as much.
I’ve ordered a couple of the North Face pants and I’ll give them a run.
I’m trying to stay away from a uniform BDU pant but something that is more functional than jeans. More of a climbing/hiking pant. Thanks for all of the suggestions.
I’ve also got a friend that ordered several pairs of different Carhartt designs and colors. I get to pick what I want and he can retail the rest.
