Have you ever gone to work with your pockets stuffed to the brim with all of the things you’ll need throughout the day? It is uncomfortable, we know! The best tactical pants in 2024 allow you to carry more gear, more comfortably because there aren’t many things worse than feeling lousy and uncomfortable in your clothing. Fortunately, gone are the days of wearing dingy, no good pants to work. Whether you need combat tactical pants, everyday tactical pants, or something in the middle, we have you covered.
Short On Time? Here Is The Bullet List
- Best Lightweight Tactical Pants: Blackhawk Lightweight Tactical Pants
- Best Tactical Combat Pants With Knee Pads: TRU-SPEC Men’s 24/7 Tactical Pants
- Best Tactical Pants for Everyday Wear: 5.11 Ridgeline Tactical Pants
- Best Women’s Tactical Pants: 5.11 Stryke Tactical Pants
- Cold Weather Tactical Pants: Vertx Original Tactical Pants
**Below are our more detailed reviews. Click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Tactical Pants 101
Whether you are an avid outdoorsman or one of our valued service members, we can all agree that having your essential needs met is a top priority. Tactical pants are geared toward those adventurous and hard working people who want superior protection from the elements and longevity out of their purchase.
Tactical pants are not to be compared to jeans or cargo pants. Quality tactical pants are typically made of ripstop nylon or canvas material with reinforced seams to maximize its ability to resist the pressures of your job. In addition, tactical pants typically have a surplus of pockets for your gear and thick belt loops for anything you clip on for the ride.
Multiple styles of tactical pants are available to suit whatever your needs may be. There are cargo options with extra pockets to store all of your supplies as you roam the forests. There are also combat pants with knee pads maybe for those infantrymen out there. The options are seemingly endless.
Perks of Tactical Pants
Some of you may be thinking of that pair of jeans you wear every time you go shooting or hiking. They seem to serve their purpose, right? Allow me share a quick story with you:
Last November during the Carolina Whitetail hunting season, I was on the prowl for that elusive monster Whitetail Buck. I was about a mile deep in the woods, mowing through hoards of undergrowth when out of nowhere, the sky opened up and sheets of ice-cold rain began to fall. In a mixed state of shock and panic, I began to hustle back from where I came to take shelter in my truck. After about ten minutes of jumping over small creeks and busting through briar patches, I finally reach my truck – exhausted and soaking wet. As I begin to crank the heat, I notice a gaping hole in the back of my jeans. I lost a little bit of blood from the briars, but most importantly…my wallet.
Had I been wearing my tactical pants that day, I could have avoided being drenched and cut up from all of those briars – chances are that wallet would still be with me today too. What is the moral of the story? Don’t be me. Jeans simply don’t do the trick. The best tactical pants will fight your battles with you and keep all of your valuables in one place with secure pockets. There are tons of options to wade through when choosing your gear. Here we will help guide you through the muck and show you what is most important about the best tactical pants on the market.
What to Look for in the Best Tactical Pants in 2024
Tactical pants were originally designed for mountaineers, but today the scope has broadened significantly. Law enforcement, military, and firefighters don these trousers because of their resilience and practical use. No matter your intended purpose, here are the most important qualities to look for in the best tactical pants.
Durability
A wide variety of materials are out there in the world of tactical gear for you to take into consideration. Often times you will find yourself in a rugged environment that can be demanding of you and your clothing. If you intend to be exposed to the elements, choosing tactical pants made of ripstop nylon or canvas material should be a priority.
Weather Resistance
Should you find yourself outside in the weather with any regularity, you are going to want some waterproof tactical pants. Be on the lookout for Durable Water Repellent (DWR) tactical gear. This is a coating applied to gear designed to help resist liquids, which will help provide you with longer life out of your purchase.
Cost
Unless you have a money tree you can stand under and shake whenever it’s convenient, the cost is of the utmost importance. There are some cost-efficient options out there, which we will review for you later in this post. However, it is crucial that you spend your cash on the tactical pants which will suit your needs best. If it costs you $10 extra for what you need most, go for it – you will thank yourself later!
Practicality
Don’t forget the basics of clothing. You will need practicality out of your tactical pants. You will want to move comfortably throughout your day and access the gear you carry easily. In addition, if you are military personnel, you may need camouflage patterns. Be on the lookout for gusseted, pleated, or elastic waistbands. These features are key to give you extra flexibility as you move along. For premium accessibility, tactical pants with deep pockets are desirable. If you are a shooter, the best tactical pants offer magazine compartments and hidden pockets for your knives or other supplies.
The Best Tactical Pants on the Market
For your convenience, we have completed a short list of the best tactical pants. Rather than rambling about the surplus of tact pants, we have narrowed it down to a few important categories. Each of the most important qualities listed above has been considered. If you’re looking for a nice tactical flashlight to go with your tactical pants, check out our Best Pistol Light Buyers Guide or our Best Survival Flashlight Buyers Guide.
Best Lightweight Tactical Pants:
Blackhawk Lightweight Tactical Pants
The founder of Blackhawk, who was a US Navy seal, has committed to testing the design of their products extensively. Because of this, they are able to supply consumers with products with quality construction and desirable performance. These lightweight tactical pants offer 14 conveniently located pockets, a sliding expandable waistband along with a silicone grip strip that helps keep your shirt tucked in.
What’s to like:
- Designed with 6.5 oz. 65% polyester/35% cotton ripstop fabric
- Double layering in seat and knees for extra protection
- DuPont Teflon DWR treatment to dry quickly
- Gusseted crotch to allow flexibility and free movement
- Wide reinforced belt loops compatible with belts up to 1.75” wide
What’s not to like:
- The color of the fabric can fade easily if not washed properly
- Waist sizes are only true with waistband fully expanded – order a size up
Best Tactical Combat Pants With Knee Pads:
TRU-SPEC Men’s 24/7 Tactical Pants
As a major supplier of tactical apparel, TRU-SPEC offers products that are both rugged and versatile. This tactical apparel is used by a wide variety of our service members ranging from law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs and military personnel. With 14 extra deep pockets including knife/accessory pockets in the front and a sliding waistband, these tac pants could make your job easier. Should you need combat pants with knee pad inserts, TRU-SPEC pants might be the best option.
What’s to like:
- Designed with 8.5 oz. 100% cotton ripstop canvas
- Reinforced belt loops compatible with belts up to 2.5” wide
- Double reinforced knee with built-in knee pad pockets
What’s not to like:
- Fabric can be a bit stiff and noisy
- Designated cell phone pocket is not ideal for smartphones
Best Tactical Pants for Everyday Wear:
5.11 Ridgeline Tactical Pants
“Always be ready.” That is the descriptive but subtle motto of 5.11 Ridgeline Tactical Pants. These covert tactical pants are ideal no matter if you are a casual citizen using your tactical gear for casual shooting or perhaps an on-call EMT who could be on duty at any time. Everyday tac pants are key to any man’s wardrobe because of the slim cut and casual look. Fortunately, these trousers could also pass as tactical dress pants.
What’s to like:
- Designed with 6.76 oz. Flex-Tac ripstop fabric
- Teflon DWR finish for stain resistance and quick dry
- Two-way mechanical stretch fabric
- Gusseted inseam for added comfort
- Bartacking and double stitching at major seams and stress areas
What’s not to like:
- For the casual appearance, you will sacrifice the cargo pockets on each leg
- Low rise fit may add discomfort in the crotch area
Best Women’s Tactical Pants:
5.11 Stryke Tactical Pants
Some of the most distinguished members of our service branches are women. They are more than deserving of quality apparel as well. 5.11 tactical pants for women set a standard for clothing more suitable for women’s bodies without sacrificing any essential needs when out in the field. High-quality fabrics with 12 large storage pockets allow our women to be fully prepared as they are on the go.
What’s to like:
- Designed with 6.76 oz. 63% polyester/37% cotton ripstop canvas
- Mechanical stretch Teflon DWR fabric suitable for many conditions
- Reinforced knees with knee pad capability
- Gusseted crotch for added mobility
- Self-adjusting tunnel waist design
What’s not to like:
- Low rise design could be difficult to secure heavy things to your belt
- Difficult sizing chart results in varying fits
Cold Weather Tactical Pants:
Vertx Original Tactical Pants
offers world-class designed tactical apparel with excellent functionality comparable to combat pants with a low profile design. Original designs were geared toward law enforcement but now the scope has broadened to fit many different professions. The bad guys will never see you coming. These heavy cold weather tactical pants are wide in the lower leg to allow space for boots or concealed weapons.
What’s to like:
- Designed with 9 oz. 98% cotton/2% Lycra
- Advantage stretch water-resistant fabric
- Gusseted crotch to enhance comfort
- Articulated knee design
- Low profile design for a covert appearance without sacrificing cargo carrying capabilities
What’s not to like:
- Cotton concentrated design may absorb more water and dry at a slower rate
- No DWR or ripstop indications
Best Tactical Pants Final Thoughts
It can be difficult sorting through all of the options available to you in the tactical apparel market. While the casual and covert tactical pants the 5.11 Ridgeline offers may be tempting, they simply don’t offer quite enough in the cargo department. The Vertx Original pants are also intriguing because they will aid you in cold weather, but the material adds extra weight that may slow you down or absorb water in the rain. The Blackhawk pants still offer a plethora of cargo pockets so that you can carry all your gear and access it in a hurry, but they are costly. Our recommendation for the best tactical pants is the TRU-SPEC because they have a variety of pockets, are made of durable material, and come at a bargain price.
If you really want to be on top of your opponents, tactical pants are a must. Use your own discretion here and be mindful of the elements you will find yourself in on a daily basis. In the world of public safety personnel, it can be difficult to predict where you might find yourself next. Always be prepared for whatever could happen. Take your profession to another level by owning a pair of tac pants.
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