5.11 Tactical Men's Taclite Pro Lightweight Performance Pants, Cargo Pockets, Action Waistband, Style 74273

So five stars should tell you what I'll be discussing but I'm also comparing these to my now 5 year champion TruSpec pants.Yes I've been purchasing ONLY TruSpec pants for 5 years now. I still have the first pair I purchased (A little worn but still wearable).I'll be discussing the differences and similarities.Compared similarities first.-MaterialSame stuff. Poly/cotton blend. Feels the same. Looks the same and has the same teflon coating.-StitchingSame again. Double stitching in most places. Hems and seams are all similar and of the same quality.-FitI ordered the same size I've worn for five years in the TruSpecs and they fit great. I'm a tree climber and these provide plenty of mobility and coverage.-DurabilitySince I've only worn them a few days I can't put a five year stamp on them. I feel confident they will stand up just fine.Differences-ColorGrey! That's the main reason I gave these a shot. Grey is a favored color of mine and I couldn't resist.-Pocket flapsThe cargo pockets on the knees and the clip/cell pocket have a cover. The butt pockets don't have flaps though. I haven't given them a good test. I am usually digging wood chips out of most pockets without flaps but I'm hoping the way these are cut will prove to be defensive against those pesky chips.-Waste bandThere are more belt loops. The TruSpecs have a very unique waste band though. It has a hidden elastic band. At first glance you wouldn't notice but it adds a lot of weight and under a belt can be a little painful after a long day. These are lighter and more comfy. I'm not a fan of the scrunchy stuff though.-Pocket ConfigThe TruSpecs also have unique pockets. Well, pockets in pockets. I don't use most of them so they are just added weight for me. I really like the cellphone/clip pocket, it's great! No more fishing for the phone. The butt pockets are a little tougher to get used to. Maybe just a learning curve. I'll report back on an Update. I do like the cargo pockets being lower. They don't get in the way of my climbing harness.-Gusseted CrotchHmmm.... I've never blown out a crotch on the TruSpecs. Never seen a need for a heavier seam. It may take some getting used to. There is a noticeable bit of extra material between the legs but it should soften after a few washes.SummaryOver all I really like these pants so far after two days of wear. Still not sure about the tool strap on the back pocket. May prove to be useful. It doesn't seem to get in the way of the wallet pocket like I thought.Without all the extra waste band material and the extra "Pocket pockets" which I think account for the weight difference, these 5.11s are the ultra light cousins of my TruSpecs. will be ordering a few more pair and wear these out in the field for some real testing and report back with what I hope is some positive findings.

I grew up wearing jeans. I like the feeling of "rugged and durable, but comfortable at the same time". I don't like wearing sweats or softer material pants because my legs feel... unprotected? That may sound crazy, but I've gotten so used to feeling something substantial on my legs and it gives a sense of security (yes, possibly false security and it's purely psychological). Jeans, however, can be heavy and restrictive. I always look for "relaxed fit" or "loose fit", and that seems to help.Over the past few years I've discovered that products designed for military and law enforcement use tend to be high quality and work very well for their intended purpose. I'm not in the military or a cop, and I'm sure those who ARE might laugh at what I just said, because they probably use some gear that was poorly designed or has other issues. My experience with tactical clothing and gear for civilian use has been very positive. So I thought I'd give these pants a try as a stubstitute for the carpenter jeans I normally wear for everything that isn't work or church. Town, hiking, around the house, etc.I couldn't be more pleased! These pants fit perfectly when I ordered my normal jean size. They are very comfortable and more flexible than jeans. I really like they way they feel. I don't think they are baggy, but I do prefer looser fitting pants. Because they are 60% polyester 40% cotton, they don't breath quite as well as 100% cotton, but this blend also makes them more durable and resistant to spills. I got caught in the rain wearing them, and when I got inside, I literally slapped the water off them leaving them mostly dry. They aren't waterproof if you really get soaked, obviously.I ordered a pair of Blackhawk Lightweight Tactical pants at the same time for comparison. The Blackhawk feel heavier and have more pockets. I probably prefer the 5.11 because of the lighter, more comfortable feel and more colors available. I like "charcoal" and "coyote brown" better than regular "khaki tan". Both are great pants and I put them right back on as soon as I wash them. One thing to note, the 5.11 Taclite Pro have an gathered material, elastic waistband, while the Blackhawk Lightweight Tactical have a smooth, expanding waistband (internal elastic bands and sliding tabs, instead of gathered material) which might be more comfortable, but again, heavier feeling.So bottom line, I use them for a wide range activities from shopping to weekend hiking and photography. They are handy for just about any activity. Are they worth paying a little more than jeans? In my opinion, definitely!

Comfortable and will last a good while.