Best Tactical Pants [Hands-On Tested & Reviewed]

Have you ever worn out the edge of a pants pocket from continually clipping your knife there? Ever kneel into a good shooting position only to have a stick or rock grind painfully into your kneecap?

You're not alone. While normal trousers work for our daily needs most of the time, we can agree that occasionally, circumstances dictate something a bit more tactical. But is the added expense worth the cost?

I've used tactical pants in scenarios from mild to wild and even tested some newer ones just for this article to find out which ones are worth recommending. I'll share the results with you below, so get comfortable, and read on.

Tactical Pants Comparison Chart

What Are Tactical Pants?

Merriam-Webster defines the word “tactical” as “of or relating to combat tactics,” which is a good starting point for describing tactical pants. I think of them more specifically as pants that give you a short-term advantage over the regular variety--otherwise, we'd call them strategic pants.

Do you need to carry more magazines, ammo, or medical gear than usual? Are you going to be kneeling in gravel? Are you traveling in non-permissive environments and still want to carry some defensive options? Tactical pants are a great solution.

Granted, John McClane often suffered through his ordeals wearing khakis and a tank top, but it wasn’t ideal. He would have loved some tactical pants!

Plus, you don’t have to be on a SWAT Team or in the military to enjoy the benefits of these badass britches. There are a lot of practical reasons for people to wear them while shooting, but there are so many other uses!

Tactical pants are useful while hiking, traveling abroad, or hunting. I've even seen various technicians and drone even pilots find them to be of great benefit too.

How We Tested the Tactical Pants

Many of the pants in this article have been owned for years. I wore some while on duty as a law enforcement officer and firearms instructor. Others have less testing but have been used extensively on the range while attending firearms training or reviewing guns for Pew Pew Tactical.

I’ve been wearing tactical pants since I was a kid. In my day, it was normal to play Army in the woods with friends, so we’d equip ourselves in old military clothing from the surplus store.

This trend continued in my career, where I served as a deputy sheriff, search and rescue coordinator, EMT, SWAT Team Commander, and wildland firefighter—I’ve worn a lot of tactical pants!

In addition, I worked in retail as a young man during high school and college, which gave me a better understanding of materials, fit, longevity, and value.

Best Tactical Pants

1. 5.11 Tactical Apex Pant - Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick

5.11 Tactical Apex Pant

$75

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$75 at Amazon

5.11 Tactical (see price)

Sportsman's Warehouse (see price)

Quick Stats

• Materials: 67% polyester/33%cotton
• Sizes: W: 28-44 L: 30-36
• Colors: 10
• Pockets: 10
• Price: $75

I’ve worn 5.11 pants for decades and while earlier models offered more utility than average pants, they weren’t always the most comfortable. The Apex changed all that.

These pants are packed with tactical features, are extremely comfortable, and have a lower profile than the average cargo pant. The comfort comes from the poly/cotton blend and it’s actually stretchy so it doesn’t bind or pinch in certain positions.

5.11 achieved a more subtle approach by making the thigh pockets less obvious. They aren’t pleated and have a keenly hidden zipper that tucks toward the rear when closed; plus, they hold two PMAGs with an internal divider.

Despite this, these pants still have ten pockets. I love the dual rear pockets because I can keep my wallet in the back while still sticking a PMAG next to it.

The fit is regular with a boot-cut leg. They fasten with a button (plus French fly button) and YKK zippered fly. The Apex pants have reinforced knife clip areas on the front pockets, articulated knees, and a gusseted crotch.

The Apex are medium-weight and do well in warm to cool temperatures. I’ve had these pants for several years, and they have held up well, though some have faded a bit.

What do you think of the 5.11 pants? Rate them below!

3. 5.11 Tactical Defender-Flex Regular Jean - Best Jeans

Best Jeans

5.11 Tactical Defender-Flex Regular Jean

$64

at Sportsman's Warehouse

Prices accurate at time of writing

$64 at Sportsman's Warehouse

Amazon (see price)

5.11 Tactical (see price)

Quick Stats

• Materials: 78% cotton/24% Lycra
• Sizes: W:28-44 L:30-26
• Colors: 3
• Pockets: 7
• Price: $64

Jeans often get a bad rap because they’re usually made of cotton and aren’t great for survival situations. Plus, they don’t make it into the tactical category because they don’t have features outside of normal pants.

5.11 set out to change that and came up with a great pair of jeans in the Defender-Flex. While they look like normal jeans, they have some great features that make them totally applicable to tactical settings.

First, they’re made with 24% Lycra. Women have been enjoying the benefits of some stretch in their jeans for years, so it’s nice to see it come to men’s clothing.

This material makes the jeans comfortable because they give more and have a wider range of motion. Better mobility is a tactical advantage compared with a stiff pair of jeans that pinches and binds.

Depending on your style, 5.11 offers slim, regular, and straight fits. All of these have the traditional 5 pocket setup with three up front and two in the back, but also two hidden ones.

These two pockets are located just under the waistline, above the rear pockets at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions. They fit a PMAG perfectly and are a great option for extra gear.

I wear these while conducting reviews quite a bit and love the durability, comfort, and utility of the mag pockets. Plus, they look pretty cool and come in three different washes.

4. LA Police Gear Atlas Tactical Pants - Best Value

Best Value

LA Police Gear Atlas Tactical Pants

$59

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$59 at Amazon

Quick Stats

• Materials: 65% Polyester/35% Cotton Rip-Stop Fabric
• Sizes: W:30-50 L: 30-Unhemmed
• Colors: 9
• Pockets: 10
• Price: $49

I found LA Police Gear to be a great resource for tactical gear during my career but they also started making clothing to fit the needs of professionals too. The Atlas Tactical Pant is a great example of what they accomplished.

The blended poly/cotton is pretty rigid and doesn’t stretch much, but it is durable and good for warm to cool temperatures. LAPG included some elastic give in the waist though, that helps with big meals or a tiny bit of weight gain.

The Atlas has stretch panels in key places that help with range of movement. This treatment benefits the crotch, seat, and rear yoke of the pants.

Tactical was the mandate when they put these pants together so ten pockets were sewn in, including a couple in the knees for (separate purchase) neoprene pads. The thigh pockets even have extra features that make them handier.

Located a little more forward on the thigh, these voluminous pockets have pleats that expand for overstuffing. They open and close with a zipper across the top.

The outside also has an additional mini pocket for knives or small accessories. Inside, LAPG added a couple of dividers and hung a D-ring on a strap for securing “no drop” items—pretty useful in the dark.

Front pockets have reinforcement for knife clips but this is echoed in the heels too so they don’t wear down. The Atlas fasten with a brass button and the fly has a YKK zipper.

These pants have proven comfortable and full of utility at a remarkable price!

5. Propper EdgeTec Slick Tactical Pants - Best Lightweight Option

Best Lightweight Option

Propper EdgeTec Slick Tactical Pants

$31

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$31 at Amazon

Sportsman's Guide (see price)

Quick Stats

• Materials: 100% polyester ripstop
• Sizes: W: 28-56 L: 30-Unhemmed
• Colors: 4
• Pockets: 6
• Price: $31

Sometimes, you want pants with some tactical features without looking like you just jumped off a Bearcat on a SWAT callout. Propper’s EdgeTec Slick Tactical Pants fit the bill nicely.

Made of 100% polyester, they are super lightweight and great for hotter weather. The material is also very tough and resistant to wrinkling, wear, and tear.

These pants have the normal four pockets front and rear, but there is also a hidden pocket inside the front right pocket. In addition, there is an external knife pocket on the front right thigh.

These pants do not have cargo pockets, which keeps them low-key—hence the name Slick. However, they do have some other features that add value.

The EdgeTec Slicks are comfortable. The front section has a generous elastic band that gives out a couple of inches on each side. They feature a regular fit that’s pretty generous, and the legs are a boot cut that drapes nicely.

While there are no external knee pads, Propper included some doubled material in the knees to reinforce them while keeping a low profile. Another great feature is the lines of shirt grabber inside the waistband, which anyone whose shirt has come untucked will appreciate.

Finally, the Slicks have a snap fastener and YKK zippered fly that also features a French fly button.

6. Vertx Recon Pants - Most Pockets

Most Pockets

Vertx Recon Pants

$196

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$196 at Amazon

Quick Stats

• Materials: 50/50 NYCO Ripstop (Multicam) 65% Polyester/35% Cotton Mini-Ripstop (Solid)
• Sizes: W:30-46 L:32-36
• Colors: 3
• Pockets: 12
• Price: $196

Did you know Vertx, famous for their concealed carry bags, makes really great tactical pants, too? The Recon Pants are comfortable, feature-packed, and very reasonably priced.

First, they have a whopping 12 pockets, starting with the traditional two front and two rear pockets (which have zippered closures). Above each rear pocket, there are also a couple of small pockets capable of holding a PMAG.

Below the rear pockets, Vertx included two more small pockets, each also capable of holding a PMAG. On the front of the thighs, there are bigger, pleated, cargo pockets that include a Velcro flap.

Finally, storage is wrapped up with a couple of inverted pleat calf pockets. I can’t recommend carrying anything heavy in these, though there are Velcro cuff straps at the ankles to cinch things down.

Vertx double-reinforced the knees, too, and included a pocket (accessed from the front) for extra protection. Straps were also added to lock the knee pad height into place.

The large and comfortable waistband has a little bit of stretch, but it is further assisted outside with Velcro pull straps that allow you to cinch it down. They fasten with a button but include Velcro a French fly done with Velcro and a YKK zippered fly.

Made from a poly/cotton blend, the material is on the heavier side and better for moderate to cooler temperatures. They have a normal, fairly generous fit and boot-cut legs.

I’m not covering all the features because there’s a whole lot going on with these pants. They’re also selling for a great price.

7. 5.11 Tactical V.XI XTU Pants - Most Tactical

Most Tactical

5.11 Tactical V.XI XTU Pants

$225

at 5.11 Tactical

Prices accurate at time of writing

$225 at 5.11 Tactical

Quick Stats

• Materials: 58% cotton/ 39% nylon Cordura/ 3% elastane ripstop, 5.7-oz, DWR finish
• Sizes: W:28-44 L:30-36
• Colors: 5
• Pockets: 8
• Price: $225

If you're ready to join a SWAT team, or you just want to look like you are, the V.XI XTU pants from 5.11 will get the job done! These are a more affordable alternative to Crye Precision and have excellent features.

As part of a uniform series, 5.11 makes XTU tops to accompany its pants. They come in five different colors, including the MultiCam camouflage pattern.

Extremely comfortable, the XTU pants have a wide waist (Ortholite foam at the back) that has a bit of stretch built in. The material was specifically designed to be no melt/no drip so as not to harm the wearer in heated situations.

I've had uniform pants and boots melt while fighting wildland fires. It's not a situation you want to be in.

One feature I love is the mesh vents on the cargo pockets you can unzip to allow more air flow on those hot missions. In the bootleg cut cuffs, you'll find a Velcro strap for tightening around ankles, as well as a shoelace hook to keep pant legs from crawling up.

Knee protection is turnkey, with a hard outer shell on the outside and a soft pad already installed on the inside. Ride height is important, so 5.11 included retention straps to allow wearers to get their knee pads in the right spot.

The voluminous, zippered, cargo pockets are front-oriented and include an internal magazine pocket. They also include folds for expanding if you need to overstuff them. Inside, there are also cargo straps with a cinch in each pocket, allowing wearers to secure items within.

The front pockets feature a heavily reinforced knife clip area on the outside corners. Rear pockets are secured with a zipper. The XTU closes with a button and zippered fly but also features a Velcro backup.

8. Crye Precision G4 Combat Pants - Top Tier Choice

Top Tier Choice

Crye Precision G4 Combat Pants

$322

at Evike

Prices accurate at time of writing

$322 at Evike

Quick Stats

• Materials: VTX RIPSTOP
• Sizes: W:26-46 L:29-37
• Colors: 7
• Pockets: 8
• Price: $322

No roundup of tactical pants would be complete without mentioning Crye Precision--even if that means we haven't worn any for this review. Founded in 2000 by Greg Thompson and Caleb Crye, the company set out to provide better tactical gear to military and law enforcement.

That said, I struggle to imagine paying around $300 for a pair of pants that aren't bullet-resistant. If you've had experience with the G4 Combat Pants, let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

9. 1620 Workwear Durastretch Cargo Pant - Most Durable

Most Durable

1620 Workwear Durastretch Cargo Pant

$298

at 1620 WorkWear

Prices accurate at time of writing

$298 at 1620 WorkWear

Quick Stats

• Materials: Cordura Stretch NYCO
• Sizes: W: 30-40 L: 27-36
• Colors: 5
• Pockets: 10
• Price: $298

These cargo pants from 1620 Workwear have one feature that simultaneously makes them tough and comfortable—they are super stretchy!

Whether your walking, running, or kneeling, the pants just flow easily and stretch when pulled. It’s counterintuitive because they’re still tough when caught or dragged against something.

The material reminds me of the old polyester gym coach shorts, but Cordura is arguably softer and definitely tougher. This Cordura is a heavier-weight material, so it's better for cooler weather, not hot.

Another great benefit stemming from the Cordura is its ability to repel water. Anything but a soaking simply runs off the pants.

The fit is regular, though generously cut, and the pants drape comfortably. The legs are a boot cut, and the inseams are hemmed to order.

Starting on the baseline of tough and comfortable, 1620 also added cool features like pleated cargo pockets on the thighs that have a zippered top. Inside, there’s another hidden pocket that can hold a PMAG.

Front pockets have accompanying knife/accessory pockets above them, and the rear pockets have zippered closures also. Ten pockets in all give wearers plenty of options to tuck gear away.

There are also knee pockets that hold accessory knee pads (separate purchase), though I’ve found the material so thick, I haven’t needed them. Though one problem with these is the design is a little flawed.

When you put your foot in, it tends to go straight into the knee pocket. Many other manufacturers use a different approach that doesn’t cause this, though pointing your toe and pushing past is straightforward.

Finally, these cargo pants fasten with a button and feature a YKK zipper in the fly. The fabric is woven in America, and the pants are also sewn here.

Meet the Experts

At the helm of this review was Pew Pew Tactical Content Producer Sean Curtis. Sean has been shooting since childhood but really began to delve into guns more during his law enforcement career. He spent over two decades in law enforcement, where he became a POST-certified handgun instructor and NLEFIA Red Dot Instructor and received CLEFIA Advanced Firearms Instructor Training and AR-15 armorer training. He has since attended a variety of training, including Tactical Performance Center Handgun Mastery & Carbine Mastery, and earned USCCA rifle instructor certification. Aside from training and prior to joining the Pew Pew Tactical team full-time, Sean wrote for several gun publications evaluating and testing guns and gear and has written hundreds of articles.

This review was edited by Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings, who runs Pew Pew Tactical’s experienced team of reviewers. Jacki is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association and has her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. She has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years, and has worked as an editor for five years. She uses her extensive professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards.

Final Verdict

In this article, we've covered a variety of tactical pants, giving readers choices ranging from low-key with extra pockets to overt and highly tactical. Depending on your budget, there is also a good range of prices to choose from.

Keep in mind, as a rule, the more tactical features you buy in a pair of pants, the more they cost. In addition, materials and construction factor into value. Less expensive pants probably won't last as long.

So pull up your tactical pants and go tackle whatever adventures life brings your way. With the right tactical pants (and gear in your pockets) you'll be ready for anything.

Did you load up on some new tactical pants? Let us know in the comments below. For some great matching tops, be sure to check out Best Gun T-Shirt Brands for Men and Women!

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