LEO vs. My 5.11 Pants!

[Guns_and_Labs]

I checked the Royal Robbins website and they don't call their pants 5.11 anymore. There is a new company called 5.11 Tactical that sells the pants. Does anyone know if RR owns the new site and if the pants they sell are the same?

Royal sold the company a while ago, and the buyer recently split it into two companies and then sold one-half (the touristy one, not 5.11 Tactical) further. He kept the similar Blue Water shorts too. So the 5.11 pants are still made by the same firm, sort of.

I've been wearing them climbing and hunting for as long as they've been making them, and only recently figured out that they'd be decent on the firing line.

One interesting point...the poorly placed "magazine pocket" was only recently enlarged...it's original size made it obvious what it was for IMHO...it fit a swiss army knife perfectly. To cut the salami and open the beer at the top of the climb. And the strap on the back never worked well for carabiners; it's perfect for a beer bottle on all except overhanging routes.

 

[KLR]

Didn't fully appreciate my 5.11 pants until sub-machinegun training. The rear pockets are great for storing partially loaded magazines during a reload.

Until I got one of the instructor belts, they would sag under the weight of gun, magazine, baton, cuffs, etc. etc. As soon as I got a properly designed belt, I realized how great they were.

My first draft of this post included the words"trouble", "keeping", and "up". Not a good combo.

Never did like the pants for day to day wear, but when I wear shorts, it always seems to be my 5.11 shorts. Just ordered one of the vests- looking forward to receiving it.

 

[CAPTAIN MIKE]

Got Quite a Laugh from this Thread

Some of the comments here are HILARIOUS !!!

As for me, my Firearms Fashion ranges from Range Wear to Business Wear and everything in between. I try to be practical above all else so that if I'm wearing a suit and tie or going "business casual", my firearm is well-concealed but readily available.

I guess the LEO who confronted you on your 5.11s doesn't understand they were built for Climbers, not Shooters. A lot of shooters have adopted them as part of the "Tactical Look" but I just like them because they're great for almost any outdoor activity including climbing, rappelling, camping, picnics, barbeques, shooting, archery, ....you name it.

I like how comfortable they are....and they have become a familiar friend, just like my jeans and desert boots.

Let's see what else might inspire "such Comments:

1. Driving a Ford Crown Victoria.
2. Eating Donuts.
3. Using the Family Service Band or GMRS band.
4. Sitting with your Back to the Wall in Restaurants
5. Practicing Situational Awareness.
6. Looking at People's Hands and Watching Body Language
7. Profiling

Hmmmmm......Guess a lot of us are guility. But thanks for the insight and all the HILARIOUS responses!!

 

[ShaiVong]

4. Sitting with your Back to the Wall in Restaurants

I ALWAYS do that! Even when not wearing my uber-federali-tactical 5.11s!

 

[PATH]

With Fathers Day coming up I think I know what I want! No it is no the kilt version!

 

[Andrew P]

Great all this interest in pants, I had to order some from the American Backyard guys. Really nice folks and good prices.

 

[LiquidTension]

$40 seems to be the going rate for these pants. Supposedly the uniform place next to one of the local shops has them for cheaper...I'll find out one of these days. I plan on getting a pair of the pants but may end up coming home with a vest and some shorts as well. Gotta see if they live up to the hype

 

[pahrumpcaveman]

Free shipping on 5.11 gear http://www.lapolicegear.com/

 

[Tamara]

I've heard of the Fashion Police before, but that's just over the top.

 

[VaughnT]

Just had to run out and buy a set. Even went so far as to get the khaki FBI Academy version so now I'm going to be in hot water with the feds, not just the local constabulary.

Hope they last.

 

[Andrew P]

FYI, for those of you in the military and you can access your PX website go to the Brigade Quatermaster link and you find the the 5.11 pants can be had for 35.95.

 

[ExtremeDooty]

Can anyone beat $39.00 for civilians? That's the best I can find so far. I have a doctor's appt coming up soon and want to look the part.

 

[TechBrute]

$38

http://www.lightfighter.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=189

 

[Treylis]

I own a pair of Utilikilts and I see folks around Dallas wearing them from time to time. In this heat and humidity it makes the day much more bearable. For those 'certain' occasions, they do have 'modesty snaps'.

You know, I've seen plenty of people openly carrying guns around here, but I've NEVER seen an average guy on the street or in a restaurant wearing a kilt.

 

[AZLibertarian]

Regarding those Utilikilts, I make what I consider to be a fair living. I live in an older home in a nicer part of town, drive a nice truck, well--you get the idea. IOW, I'm doing OK.

Now I have to admit, I'm not much of a clothes horse, but that being said, I have never, not even once, considered buying a pair of pants that cost more than $175. I debate with myself excessively over whether buying a $39 pair of 5.11's will offer me a good way to carry, or just end up as another waste of money like that ridiculous fanny pack I bought years ago. How these Utilikilt guys can (apparantly) make it by marketing themselves to the young ultra-hip, or the construction-worker crowds, (who I presume have much less disposable cash than I do) is more than I can figure out.

 

[Strings]

AZ: from what I can tell (having been wearing my UK fairly constantly) is that they're comfortabe and duable. The normal wear points of pants really aren't present in a kilt. And I tend to blow through pants fairly quickly...

Of course, to each their own...

 

[Andrew P]

Well I have an update on my pants They are really nice and fit very well. Just to think if it hadnt been for this REALLY long thread about pants, well I might have never gotten any. Thanks for the idea

 

[Strings]

Well, thank the gods! Andrew is FINALLY wearing something on his lower half!

 

[fjolnirsson]

If you ever really stop to think about it,

A bifurcated garment just doesn't make a whole lot of sense on a man.
Reason # 275 to wear a kilt:

Because the boys, they like to swing!

I used to have a very nice kilt. However, it long ago fell victim to my rapid growth period after high school.
I'd love to own another kilt or two. Believe it or not, I know a guy who owns several, and they really stand up to wear. If I had the extra cash, it's what I'd be wearing. Nothing beats a kilt for comfort. The price is actually quite reasonable. If you work their booth at a trade show, they'll give you a kilt, btw.

 

[sendec]

There is something about the phrase "blow through pants fairly quickly" that's just not right

And if they attend any of the trade shows I go to they'd also need to provide an icepack and some methiolate.

 

[Andrew P]

Well I figure the guys in the office here might appreciate that. And being that I am from Tennessee oh wait sorry thats shoes, LOL! I love my pants.

 

[FPrice]

I find it hard to believe that we are still discussing this.

However, to add something - I just bought my second pair of 5.11s. The first time I unknowingly bought my usual waist size, which turned out to be about 2" too BIG! So I bought the next size down and they fit well. I can't wear an IWB holster, but at least they are not falling off me.

 

[Kim]

Tactical Burka

Since we have talked these particualar pants into the grouund, As a female on this board I've got a suggestion. I think someone could market the USA Burka. Kinda like the tent dresses in the 1970's. Just think if someone like lets say Madonna were to wear an USA Burka. They could be in a variety of colors. Some could be solid or bright colors. Some could be net see -through except at desired places. Just think of the women (or Men) who could wear such a thing when they ------don't wnat to be identified, have a bad hair day, or surprise want to conceal and carry in a very comfortable way. Who says you have to wear any underwear. The hell with bras and thongs!!!!

 

[Mike Hull]

Quote;
"I think someone could market the USA Burka. Kinda like the tent dresses in the 1970's. Just think if someone like lets say Madonna were to wear an USA Burka. They could be in a variety of colors. Some could be solid or bright colors. Some could be net see -through except at desired places."

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That will be happening soon enough, involuntarily, if kerry gets elected.

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

You know, I've seen plenty of people openly carrying guns around here, but I've NEVER seen an average guy on the street or in a restaurant wearing a kilt.

Treylis, I bought another (Utilikilt- a chocolate brown Workman) a week and a half ago at a local Scottish festival. I've been 'breaking it in' since then (it's made of heavy canvas duck, y'know) and I've worn it at least 4 days since then, to work and out afterwards. It's much more comfortable in this heat and humidity we have here than normal jeans.

I get the infrequent odd look, but honestly I get more positive comments than anything and not once has anyone dared say anything to me about it or my choice of unbifurcated trousers. Of course, this is Dallas. It can be a bigger freak show than me and I'm not too far up the 'odd' scale these days, just old.

And, yes, I'm packing. I had my pistol with me too


(edited to add, for Kim...)

Here you go, Kim. Guys, you may not want to click through some of these. They're not naughty, but Bubba's not gonna like it.

http://www.kiltmen.com/suppliers.htm#other

Regards,
Rabbit.