Pants/Shorts for Pocket Carry

[jad0110]

Hello all. I currently carry a J-Frame S&W 642 in my front pocket in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster. I've noticed that something that is not often discussed on THR are the best brands of pants/shorts to pocket carry with. So, here it is!

For me, I found the best shorts so far at Wally World. The No Boundaries line of cargo shorts works pretty well for me, and cost somewhere around $10-14. They have 4 front pockets. I carry my keys in my left front hip, 2 speedloaders in the bottom left front, my wallet and cell phone in my bottom right, and my 642 in the right front hip. I do generally wear longer shirts that come down over my hip pockets to ensure that the grip cannot be seen. There is some inprinting as they are 100% cotton, but it just looks like a large wallet. The long shirt usually hides this as well.

The other shorts I found at Wally World are denim Faded Glory cargos. These are my favorite as they are denim, there is very little inprinting, so I bought 3. Pocket arrangement is the same as above. The only drawback is that the pocket opening is a little small (which does totally eliminate the possibility of the grip being visible), but with some extra practice this isn't an issue unless you have bulky hands.

Any other recommendations? I haven't found in good pants for pocket carry, so I'll probably carry my 642 IWB in the winter months. I'm 6'7", so 36W 36H pants are hard to come by. Suppose I could sew in larger pockets, but this seems like it would be a big pain-in-the arse. Anybody else care to share what works for them?

 

[cookekdjr]

I've had good luck with the Gap's cargo shorts, and Union Bay's Cargo shorts (available at the southern chain Goody's) as well. I've also carried in Polo's cargo pants, but I'm not sure if they still make them. I've found I can carry an alloy J-frame in almost any pair of trousers or shorts. The one's I mentioned by name can easily carry an alloy Sig p232 in either front pocket.
-David
p.s. I'm a big buy myself, 6'5" 225.

 

[distortion9]

OLD NAVY!!!!!

Kind of like a "Gap-lite". Great prices and great cargo's.

 

[10-Ring]

Must concur...the day to day wear from Wally World works great. I've started calling their stuff urban tactical just because it doesn't scream out gun toter but still I can have my gear on me w/out advertising the fact!

 

[conwic]

LL Bean, Columbia and Royal Robbins all have good cargo shorts for pocket carry. I've used each to carry a Kel-Tec P-11 in my right front pocket for years quite happily. The pockets are large, they have the cargo pocket over them to break up the gun's outline- esp. with a handkerchief in the pocket , and the pockets are sewed to the leg seams on the rear so the pocket- and gun- doesn't move around.

All the pants I've found- and I've looked hard- are much less satisfactory. Unlike cargo shorts, the front pockets including cargo pants are simply free hanging socks. The pocket is only sewed to the leg seam for the top one third of its length, allowing the gun to flop around much too much when you walk. What I've done is have a seamstrest deepen the pockets by 2-3 inches and then attach the rear of the deepened pocket to the side seam. Cost me $5 a pocket. Makes a big difference both by moving the gun more to the side of your leg and by keeping it from floppng about. I've done this with LL Bean and Carhart cargo pants and been very happy with the results.

(To see what I mean, try attaching the rear bottom of your pant's pocket to the leg's side seam with a safety pin and then walkign around the house, sitting, etc..)

Regards-conwic

 

[45Broomhandle]

CHECK OUT HABAND

I have a number of their 11-pocket pants AND 11-pocket shorts. They're inexpensive, look contemporary, wear VERY well, come in a variety of colors, and the pockets are deep - deep enough for large frame handguns, both autos and wheelies - at least on the slacks. Large pockets in short are only slightly smaller.

For extra capacity shirts, they offer their very popular Guyabera-style shirts in several configurations: button, zipper, or snaps - also long or short sleeves. I also have a number of both Haband and some from Sears that ran me $70 each (double Haband's price) and didn't perform any better. For those not familiar with the Guyabera - popularized by Latino gentlemen and often featured in the Baldo comic strip, they have FOUR pockets. The lower pockets are quite comfortable for totin' a .25acp hideout.

None of these pieces "advertises" that you're packin' iron. I love 'em and wear both daily. Check 'em out at their online catalog. 45Broomhandle

 

[gazpacho]

I like Carhartt pants and shorts. They are a heavy fabric that wears well expecially in high heat (Vegas). Their sizes are a bit strange. I wear them one size higher in the waist and one size shorter in length. My 340PD prints like a generic lump.

 

[flip180]

I wear Old Navy everything. I use a Milt Sparks holster for my 642 and, it hides well in everything I have. Some of my shorts have low cut pockets so someboby seeing the grip is a very slight concern. I either just wear a longer shirt or put my hand in my pocket.

Flip.

 

[Leanwolf]

I've been carrying my old S&W Mdl. 60 in a Kramer pocket holster in my Wrangler jeans for many, many years. Never been "made."

I don't wear short pants. They're for little kids.

L.W.

 

[Joe Gunns]

For a clumsy guy like me, cargo style pants have too much loose cloth and stick-out thingamajigs on 'em. They catch on protruding gimmicks at the drop of a hat, tumbling displays in stores, impeding progress in tight spaces and brushy areas, and allowing pocket contents to jingle, jangle and clunk into hard exterior objects. Regular cut jeans are my choice for pocket carry. When I wear slacks I use inside or outside belt carry, depending on what coat or jacket I'm wearing. Dunno about shorts, I think they may have cost the Brits the Empire in the end.
James

 

[Kor]

It's tough to recommend a particular brand or style, as pocket sizes can vary from one style to the next, or from one year to the next, or depending on the size of the pants/shorts themselves.

I just test the pocket of a pair of pants/shorts I'm thinking of buying - if it will swallow my hand past my wristwatch with all 5 fingers extended and spread, it's big enough to hold/hide my S&W 642 in its Kramer pocket holster.

 

[RioShooter]

I don't wear short pants. They're for little kids.

That's fine for Idaho. But, a day at the range in August, in South Texas, might change your opinion.

 

[Srigs]

Pleated front kacki shorts work great. Pleats help with drap over the gun.

 

[LiquidTension]

Pretty much anything with fairly heavy fabric will work. I really like my Old Navy cargo shorts. My absolute favorite pair of shorts for carry came from Express (before they turned into the Pastel Paradise). They're almost like corduroy but the ridges are smaller. Unfortunately they were only made for one season and I've never seen them since Shoulda bought more when I had the chance, but they were expensive.

I rarely wear jeans - they don't work well for me as far as pocket carry. A big problem with lots of jeans is the stupid way the pockets are cut. A straight pocket cut is ideal for drawing a weapon. The curved pockets found on most jeans are too tight to get a good draw, and the pockets are often not as deep as they are in khaki-type pants.

 

[spooney]

I reccomend Steve and Barry's cargo pants. Gigantic pockets, and everything in the store is around $8.00 very comfortable and soft fabric as well.

 

[Manedwolf]

Pleated front kacki shorts work great. Pleats help with drap over the gun.

While civilians and police are unlikely to notice anything in those, I believe to the Fashion Police, pleated front shorts are cause for on-the-spot execution.

 

[Tequila jake]

What to Wear?

Regular pleated Dockers pants work fine.

Tequila Jake

 

[45Broomhandle]

LOOKING FOR SHORTS WITH DEEP POCKETS...

Nope, Haband didn't have any shorts with pockets that would fit these little .22rf pistols. 45Broomhandle

Yes, there IS a place for all of God's creatures: right next to the potatoes and gravy.