[budder]

I hear a lot of good things about the 5.11 pants and vest, but I just don't understand it. I know I'm coming at this from a gun guy's POV, but they absolutely scream gun/cop wannabe to me.

In the pants, the pockets are cut very differently (from normal casual pants), so they stick out. The velcro and tactical pockets don't really seem to help the image, either.

The vest is my favorite. There were two ICE agents/officers in the class I took this past Saturday. Upon seeing them, and before they identified themselves as such, I picked them both out. The "better" of the two was wearing a giant black fannypack in front of him and kept adjusting it and unconsciously kept a hand nearby (I later found out he had a 229 8)). #2, who I thought of as Mr. Tactical, was wearing a 5.11 vest (Keep in mind that this is a CPR class! What the hell?). Later, when he turned quickly, I saw the ICE badge on his belt, about 3" from the centerline of his body. Before I got close enough to ID the badge, I thought it was a concealed carry badge :roll: And it's not like the vest was being used to store anything. It was just there for "concealment."

For any of you guys that work with people like this: do they mean to conceal? Because, if they are, they're doing a terrible job. What's the point of 5.11 gear for people that aren't actually carrying a lot of stuff? It gets you picked out immediately. And I'm sure the BGs can pick out a pair from a mile away.

 

[tace]

There was an article in one of the gun magazines a few months back. The author who was an observer in a tactical class was making fun of the SWAT guys who were attending with all the cool 5.11 outfits but couldn't even get the basics right with the pistol. Yet, they wanted to do more cool drills.

So, there is always a way to look like a tool when you try hard enough .

Oh, and the fanny pack guy, probably gets made fun of by his buddies for being gay.

 

[budder]

There was an article in one of the gun magazines a few months back. The author who was an observer in a tactical class was making fun of the SWAT guys who were attending with all the cool 5.11 outfits but couldn't even get the basics right with the pistol. Yet, they wanted to do more cool drills.

So, there is always a way to look like a tool when you try hard enough .

Oh, and the fanny pack guy, probably gets made fun of by his buddies for being gay.

At least he's carrying a Sig. I was thinking he could only fit a G26 in that thing.

 

[Hawkdriver]

The 5.11 shorts look just like any other pair of shorts to me.

I do see some get out of control though with all the tacticool stuff.

 

[lsu_nonleg]

You're thinking too hard about it.

Like Ken said, the pants can just about pass for anything off the rack at Gap, Old Navy, etc., except they're sturdy and functional without being BDUs proper. The bellows pockets are smaller than BDU pockets and fit an extra mag and wallet or cell phone. Who cares if they're velcro? You don't put anything else in the pocket you have the mag in, and you only open the other one occasionally.

What exactly do you mean by the "cut" being different? They won't hang off your ass gansta style. Chicks seem to dig the 5.11 pants and shorts. And the shorts are on sale for $17 at Brigade.

edit: Although I will in no way defend a vest that isn't riding under a tux jacket. :shock:

 

[Marikhal]

The only 5.11 stuff I wear is their undershirts - it's extremely comfy!

 

[budder]

You're thinking too hard about it.

Like Ken said, the pants can just about pass for anything off the rack at Gap, Old Navy, etc., except they're sturdy and functional without being BDUs proper. The bellows pockets are smaller than BDU pockets and fit an extra mag and wallet or cell phone. Who cares if they're velcro? You don't put anything else in the pocket you have the mag in, and you only open the other one occasionally.

I don't think so. Like I said, maybe I'm just so used to them.

What exactly do you mean by the "cut" being different?

http://www.511tactical.com/index.asp?dl ... mber=74251
The rear pockets are diagonal. It's very different from anything else.

 

[lsu_nonleg]

Forgot about the rear pockets. Never used 'em. Wallet goes in left front pocket so I don't uncover while reaching for it.
Normally, non-work wear is jeans only, and I hate khaki's in general, so I'm coming from a more neutral stance. You can always de-activate the velcro and sew on buttons for the old-school BDU style, too.

 

[mswicord]

They are very functional and confortable pants. I frequently wear the pants and shorts both at work and off work. They are much nicer than BDUs. They are worth the $....thanks for the tip o the shorts.

Mark

 

[budder]

Not saying that they aren't comfortable. but do you feel like you're conspicuous when wearing them?

 

[mswicord]

no.....so many of the casual pants today have cargo pockets.....I feel they blend in well especially to the avg person...LE/PS/EM types will notice them as not very Joe shops at a tactical store.....you could say they are like a secret handshake....

 

[budder]

no.....so many of the casual pants today have cargo pockets.....I feel they blend in well especially to the avg person...LE/PS/EM types will notice them as not very Joe shops at a tactical store.....you could say they are like a secret handshake....

I didn't even think of paramedics! I'm still not sold on getting a pair, but I think I will not mock the pants. However, Mr. Tactical was wearing the vest and I don't think that's forgivable :twisted:

 

[Firearmz]

the 5.11 pants were originally mountain climbing pants, then the FBI started wearing them and they just grew. I wear them often on my job and out and around. I have no problem with people carrying a gun, so I do not even think twice about them.

As for the vest I admit I use to be a vest junkie and still have two or three of them in different designs. I eventually found them to be not that functional and gave them up for a nice loose fitting shirt, straight tail, that goes just to the top of the pants pocket. Like the Woolrich Discrete Carry Shirts.

 

[slabertooch]

gotta love this advert blurb

Smart look makes them excellent for tactical operations

Huh? we need a tacticool stamp for this kind of stuff.

 

[Kingmann]

Look around at REI or a similar outdoor store. Alot of the pants they sell for hiking look similar. If you want something more descrete 5.11 and woolrich sell the same type of pants without the cargo pockets.

 

[M249]

I get my tacticool gear from Old Navy.

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

I get mine from Brooks Brothers.

 

[tace]

I have a 5.11 trainer belt that works well since it is reinforced and I don't have to undo it to put holsters on/off. It was the only one of its kind I can find locally at the color and size I wanted without paying an arm and a leg for it.

 

[viper32cm]

I get mine from Brooks Brothers.

:rotfl:
Where all discriminating tactical operators shop!

 

[adcurt]

I wear the Academy shorts every day. They're the best shorts I've owned. Humble opinion.

And shooting birds in the tac vest is great - I love that vest.