What are tactical pants? These pants are made for heavy-duty actions and are sometimes confused with cargo pants. They are durable and can stand up to the most severe conditions. They are tougher but remain comfortable for those who work 12-hour shifts and more.
Tactical pants are for casual hobbyists who like extreme sports and activities. This includes law enforcement officers, fire and rescue workers, military service members, and more.
Choosing the right tactical pants can be quite a challenge for many. Note that the perfect pants should not only keep you comfortable while working. They should also give you some kind of protection. Regardless of your working conditions, the right tactical pants for men should be hard-wearing and comfortable.
How to Choose the Right Tactical Pants
Choosing the right tactical pants shouldn’t be such a challenge. In reality, however, this can be a daunting task. That’s because you shouldn’t have to buy expensive pants that don’t meet your expectations. Such kinds of pants may be those that come apart at the seams or only last for a few days.
When buying tactical pants, avoid getting influenced by the promises of famous brands. You shouldn’t be tempted to buy the most expensive pair right away. It’s best that you choose men’s tactical pants, but only after considering various factors. Below are the factors to consider before making your decision.
- Durability
The first aspect to consider when choosing tactical pants is durability. That’s especially if you’re going to wear pants for outdoor or construction sites. Let durability trump the price tags always.
Work pants should last for at least six months to one year, even if you work in challenging conditions. However, durability isn’t only about the value for money. Durable tactical pants for men provide an additional level of protection during work.
Some of these pants also have water and flame-resistant features. The water-resistant feature in work pants helps you to stay dry. This way, you don’t have to change clothes while at work.
Durability can be a tricky trade-off with comfort. Usually, the perception is that strong pants are less comfortable while the softer fabric is less durable. But if the working environment is not a high abrasion environment, go for tactical pants that are a few points lower on durability.
If the working environment is tough, choose a heavier and more studier fabric with a high-denier count. This will give you an extra level of protection.
- Comfort
Comfort is another factor that should be considered when choosing police tactical pants. Because what purpose will highly durable, yet uncomfortable tactical pants serve?
Initially, buying sturdy and stiff work pants may seem like a smart decision to make. But note that this might be a decision you regret in the long run. As such, you must strike a balance between durability and comfort.
Remember that you’ll need to wear those pants for extended periods and in challenging work conditions. So apart from durability, choose men’s tactical pants that allow you to have easy movement and breathability.
Pick a pair that will enable sufficient ventilation. You should be able to work in sunny weather conditions without getting drenched in sweat.
- Functionality
Functionality is a consideration that you must have in mind when buying tactical pants. Start by thinking of the usage when you’re wearing your pants. Some of the most significant factors affecting usage are the environment and temperatures. So ask yourself the following questions before purchasing the pants:
- Will you be wearing pants in extremely low temperatures? If yes, go for pants with thermal insulation features. That can include the linings of G-LOFT and face fabrics that are windproof.
- Will you be wearing pants during periods of high temperatures? If that’s the case, go for lightweight, breathable, and fast-drying fabrics.
- Will you be wearing pants during periods of heavy rain? If that’s the case, go for waterproof laminates like the GORE-TEX and similar materials.
Once you have addressed the three questions, find the right combination of features for a particular situation. Some features may be must-haves given the scenarios you operate in.
Apart from the questions you ask yourself, below are some of the key features to consider:
- Belt loops in case you’ll be using a duty belt.
- Knee protection if you need to wear knee pads.
- Closure systems are based on your preferences between Velcro, buttons, or zippers.
- Pocket configuration. How much gear do you need to carry in your pockets? Do you need special pockets for small knives or chemlights?
- Quality
Believe it or not, quality is one of the most objective considerations. That’s because the quality of a piece of clothing can be quantified. The quantification can be done using a variety of tests. Some of the tests include:
- Seam strength tests
- An elastic fabric test
- A color shading inspection
- Thread directionality test, which is the grain of the primary fabric
At an individual level, you may not have the means to conduct any of the above tests. Thus, we recommend men’s tactical pants that are made from recognizable brands of materials. They should also be manufactured by the best-in-class manufacturing technologies.
- Fabric
Fabric plays an important decision-making role in the durability, comfort, and breathability of tactical pants. In Australia, for instance, cotton fabric is the most common given the climatic conditions. Some of the characteristics to look for in cotton pants are:
- The fabric’s blend
- The fabric’s weight
- The fabric’s weave
The cotton fabric blends used in work pants are 100 percent cotton and cotton blend. Cotton has become popular in recent years. That’s considering that the stretch fabric provides an added level of comfort and wearability. So choose the fabric blend of your tactical pants based on what matters most to you.
The main cotton fabric tactical pants come in heavyweight, midweight, and lightweight. Fabric weave refers to how the fabric is woven together. The weave is selected based on your preference.
Conclusion
When choosing a professional piece of clothing, keep in mind that you can’t compromise style for comfort. That’s because it’s possible to strike the right balance between style, comfort, and functionality.
In this article, we have given you a guide on how to find the right tactical pants for men. With these factors in mind, we know it will be easier to find the most suitable pair of pants.
