I had the opposite problem. I tried 34’s first as that is what I wear in everything else; usually with room for IWB. If I pulled them to my natural waist they constricted my junk and I had to fight to get my wallet in and out of the back pocket.
I traded them for 36’s and they fit perfect after a few washes.
I’ve worn a 36 in Eotacs, Woolrich, and 5.11. My Vertx are the same. The Vertx waist is a little more snug, but still good.
Note, I never put my pants (or most of my knits) in a dryer, and always hang-dry them. That can make a big difference.
Overall fit for me is truly outstanding. Best fit in a “tactical” pant I’ve found yet. Superior build quality to the 5.11 too.
Obs 5.11: With high quality pants like the Vertx and Eotacs available, 5.11 isn’t even a thought for me anymore.
The Eotac is a different fit than others. Whether or not it’s better depends on you. I didn’t like their first fit type at all but lived with it for the benefits of other attributes they had. The revised fit is better for me.
Ditto
I wear 32/32 in 5.11 and in Woolrich
I had to get a 35/32 to fit and their 32 was like a 34 or 36 in length so now I have to get them taken up.
All my other pants are 34/32 (even though my last tape test I had a 37" waist.:D), I just placed an order for a navy pair of vertx pants to test the waters. Hopefully the bottomside fits in them.
I wouldn’t go so far as to call them garbage, but the VERTX 36 is tight as hell. No way I could fit IWB. Good pants, but disappointed with sizing.
Got mine in yesterday, tried them on before the wash in case the size was off but the fit was on the spot. Like others have said they arent overly baggy like Woolrich Elite pants, but movement doesnt seem restricted at all, you dont even feel the knees tighten up when running up stairs or squating. Im going to wear them to work tomorrow to see i I like them enough to buy a few more pairs, just need a cheaper vendor than Galls. So far they seem like really good pants.
Couple of Q’s:
How do you guys think these will wear in hot weather? I really don’t like shorts, but I normally wear jeans in the Texas summer because I can’t find khaki’s I don’t blow the crotch out of…
I’ve seen the posts on sizing, but want to confirm something if I were to order a pair… I normally wear a 38 when I’m not carrying and a 40 when I do (IWB). In your opinion(s) - should I still order the 40s or will I likely need 42s in the Vertxs?
I’m wearing Vertx almost exclusively now. Temps are coming up and they’re staying very comfortable. They are a comparatively lighter weight overall than competitors, and breathe well.
- I’ve seen the posts on sizing, but want to confirm something if I were to order a pair… I normally wear a 38 when I’m not carrying and a 40 when I do (IWB). In your opinion(s) - should I still order the 40s or will I likely need 42s in the Vertxs?
Most folks carrying IWB recommend going a size up. Variable to consider: Are you on the small or larger end of your size? That may make a difference as well.
I wear the 38s and have no issues. I may be closer to a 37, mine were snug but IWB is no problem and I carry every day. I ordered a set of 40s just to try, but returned them as they were way too large. I’d order a pair of each and return the ones that don’t fit.
Use in heat has been fine here in central Va so far this year (80s). I was in the woods all morning last Saturday doing SAR training with ropes and a Stokes and didn’t overheat. I’ve been wearing 6 pairs of these pants since January with lots of washes and they still look great. Have totally replaced my Carhartts, Rail Riders, MKs, etc. Still like the Tad Spartans but they are second to the Vertx. I like the ability to carry a TQ, Primed or Combat Gauze, gloves and face shield in the cargo pockets without really noticing they are there. The inside pockets of the cargo pockets hold all but the gloves securely. If they would add the two front pockets like the Spartans I’d never wear anything else.
The cargo pockets on these things: are they a true thigh pocket?
Or are they the usual setup, in which anything of moderate weight placed inside the pocket is garuan-damn-teed to slam into one’s medial-colateral ligament when you have to run? You know, a “we-don’t-know-the-difference-between-a-knee-and-a-thigh” thigh pocket, or a “we-don’t-understand-that-the-thigh-is-ABOVE-the-knee” thigh pocket?
jim, i’m wearing my vertx pants at work today, coincidentally 
on me, the bottom of the cargo pocket ends right above my knee cap. also, the internal pocket really helps a smaller-midsize item from ending up at the rear bottom corner of the pocket, where the most flopping/banging occurs. the fact that it’s a flat, low profile pocket instead of a bellows pocket helps minimize floppage, as it keeps the contents closer to the leg. from my limited experience, it’s probably the least annoying of all the cargo pants pockets i’ve tried.
and…correct me if i’m wrong, but isn’t the MCL on the inside of the knee? the lateral collatoral ligaments are the ones on the outside.
Same observations for mine.
I carry a flashlight, speed strip, cell phone, keys, and folder between the two leg pockets. Occasionally, an AR mag. They stay stable in high activity.
and…correct me if i’m wrong, but isn’t the MCL on the inside of the knee? the lateral collatoral ligaments are the ones on the outside.
I suppose you could hit your MCL with overloaded pockets if they were really overloaded. 
Let’s just all agree that everybody in the world is lucky I’m not an orthopedic surgeon. 
I wear them over here on the FOBs when not working, and it is hot as hell right now. No issues at all with the pants and the heat. But, this is a dry heat.
I wear a 36 and bought the 38s. Perfect fit after washing.
I noticed on leave that the water quality or soap made them feel softer after the wife washed them. Not sure how KBR washes our stuff, but it ain’t the best.
I have a couple pair and wore them to during some land clearing at our ranch. It was only 93 that day, far from what Iraq Ninja is in, but they were very comfortable even near a fire. I will never wear blue jeans outside “playing” again. Great investment imo.
We need a CHART to sort out which pants are in style at any given time. People need to know how to avoid showing up to a class in last season’s attire.
5.11s are out right? Long gone! (someone needs to tell those poser cops to quit wearing them. :p)
Force 10’s? I think those are out too. Too fancy/Too boutique for hardcore internut commandouches?
Carharts? Undercover cool?
I’m not familiar with the other brands really… 
There needs to be a chart… and don’t just post it in the MOD’s forum!!!
I have two pair that I wore for three days during the VTac 1.5 Pistol here in Lakeland back in May. Temp Avg 94F, pretty humid, with an occasional light breeze. They were very comfortable, functional pockets, and lots of ballroom. I never felt hot in them.
…and the ONLY reason i have a clue where the MCL is, is because i strained mine years ago skiing. you quickly learn the names of body parts that you f*** up.
This just had to be quoted.
Vertx should consider a “Lite” cotton/poly version of these pants. My 5.11 Taclites- or whatever they’re called- feel like PJs after a few washes.
Vertx shrink, but not nearly as much as the original Woolrich Elites in my experience.