BDUs vs Operator style pants?

[Gunney]

Alright gents yet another question for you,
I need to get another pair of uniform pants since one pair of navy blues aren't cutting it for up to 3 uses-- navy blue shows everything, from cat hair to dirt. I have a pair of dickies, but I decided that I want something else-- they simply don't have enough pockets, aren't entirely comfortable, and I have heard horror stories of them melting, which when you are a Fire-y is a bad thing... I narrowed things down to a couple pairs from LAPG (those in the Public Safety community know them well lol). Anyway my choice is between the BDUs and the Operator pants-- the difference is a dollar, a couple pockets, and zipper vs button. Any advice?

We take the paramilitary aspect quite serious, so they need to handle abuse as well as repeated washings-- getting covered in vomit tends to necessitate a washing or two... Also something with belt-loops that actually stay on-- I usually manage to tear the belt loops off my jeans within a few months... But yet still look sharp.

 

[russhatch]

I like these pretty we'll.
http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Pants/Tactical-Pants/Taclite-Pro-Pants.html

 

[Gunney]

I like these pretty we'll.
http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Pants/Tactical-Pants/Taclite-Pro-Pants.html

I am a poor cheap college student! Lol

 

[plato]

I am a poor cheap college student! Lol

I don't think you'll be able to afford what works then... Ramen it up for a month?

 

[Gunney]

I don't think you'll be able to afford what works then... Ramen it up for a month?

Im up to my eyeballs in ramen... lol

Nah I can afford it I was joking. I was specifically inquiring about that LAPG brand thats why I said that about 5.11. They are supposedly very similar, just generic.

 

[russhatch]

I was specifically inquiring about that LAPG brand thats why I said that about 5.11. They are supposedly very similar, just generic.

I can't comment on the durabilty of the LA Police Gear stuff, I was just offering a suitable suggestion to what you said you needed. I have found that trying to save a few dollars most always costs more in the long run. the 5.11 gear has proven to stand up and perform well.

 

[Gunney]

I can't comment on the durabilty of the LA Police Gear stuff, I was just offering a suitable suggestion to what you said you needed. I have found that trying to save a few dollars most always costs more in the long run. the 5.11 gear has proven to stand up and perform well.

I appreciate it, and I am definitely contemplating it. I know their stuff does have a reputation of being quality.

 

[dojpros]

LAPG stuff exceeed the intersection of quality and value. I have a pair of OD Green Operator pants as my go to long pants for Scouts.

I suspect that in Navy, they will not stay as dark, as long as the more expensive 5.11 or Propper brand pants. If you go with LAPG, I would wash them inside out, with cold water and line dry to extend the color life.

If durability is driving the train, I would look at Dickie branded work clothes. Dickie had an EMT specific pant on theire website at under 50 retail as well as a cargo at under 30 retail.

http://www.dickies.com/mens-clothing/mens-cargo-pants/Industrial-Relaxed-Fit-Cargo-Pant-2112372.jsp

 

[Gunney]

LAPG stuff exceeed the intersection of quality and value. I have a pair of OD Green Operator pants as my go to long pants for Scouts.

I suspect that in Navy, they will not stay as dark, as long as the more expensive 5.11 or Propper brand pants. If you go with LAPG, I would wash them inside out, with cold water and line dry to extend the color life.

If durability is driving the train, I would look at Dickie branded work clothes. Dickie had an EMT specific pant on theire website at under 50 retail as well as a cargo at under 30 retail.

http://www.dickies.com/mens-clothing/mens-cargo-pants/Industrial-Relaxed-Fit-Cargo-Pant-2112372.jsp

I ordered a couple pairs of the LAPG BDUs. I will definitely follow your advice though, since my pants due tend to fade-- even the Dickies that I have are starting to fade, and they are relatively new... At less than 20 a pair I got a couple, so we will see. I don't actually have a line to dry them on (third floor apartment, would be kinda tricky to string a clothes line without turning it into a zip line!)

Durability and budget. I am not at the point where I care to spend almost 50 a pair, although since I am taking my EMT (hopefully) next semester, I will indeed look at getting a pair.

 

[MrMurphy]

LAPG is ok for intermittent use, they won't last as well as 5.11s do. And 5.11 quality is down from where it started (i've been wearing them since people knew what the 5.11 stood for.....without being told)

Buy quality, buy once. BDU's are fine, but depending on how you're built you may need to size them a little odd. I always got mine longer than 'necessary' and bloused them a bit on my combat boots because otherwise i'd blow the crotch out climbing ladders, and hearing a "RIP" when you're 20 feet up a ladder aiming an M4 up it with one hand and hanging on to the ladder with the other is not fun.

If you need a less military look and a closer fit Vertx makes very good quality uniform cargo pants with a lot of pockets, but if you're doing a lot of highly athletic stuff and like me (big thighs, even when i'm a skinny guy) the 5.11s may work better.

Dickies cargo pants are good to go for quality without costing a ton and they come in the right colors and won't fade. A lot of the EMTs in my area use them to supplement issued ones.


On quality gear.....I own a pair of Justin lace-up cowboy boots. I am 36 as of yesterday. 18 years ago, yesterday, I bought them. For the first 10 years they got worn about 3-7 days a week and I've worn them for everything from dancing, hunting, working in an office and traveling the world. Still on the original sole. $120 was a hell of a lot of money at the time, but.....they were worth it. Do your research, buy good stuff, it will last. For uniform pants, the LAPG will work long enough for you to save $ and get some quality ones, and see if you like the style. They're not bad, but they're also not 5.11, Vertx, Blauer or Kuhl either.

 

[igasho]

LAPG is ok for intermittent use, they won't last as well as 5.11s do. And 5.11 quality is down from where it started (i've been wearing them since people knew what the 5.11 stood for.....without being told)

ok, I'll bite. Why 5.11?

 

[neo71665]

ok, I'll bite. Why 5.11?

Rock climbing term for the toughest route.

 

[dojpros]

Shoot, I am so old I was wearing 5.11s before they were 5.11s. Back just after rope was invented they were call Royal Robbins. Still have a pair in OD green for Scout use.

 

[Gunney]

I got the pants, pretty damn nice for <$20... surprisingly no real stitching issues (I read some of the pants had issues).

That said, anyone know what it would cost to get the stitching reinforced in a pair of pants? Pretty much the belt loops, buttons (fly, cargo, etc), and groin. I have the uncanny ability to rip the belt loops off pants...

 

[petr]

5.11 pants can can found on sale.

they are tough and I love that they have hidden knee pad slots in some.

 

[Gunney]

5.11 pants can can found on sale.

they are tough and I love that they have hidden knee pad slots in some.

These ones have those same kind of pockets I believe. I will probably get some of that foam stuff for technical rescue trainings and such, but otherwise fire and foam don't really agree-- on enough of a limb wearing polyester... lol

 

[Lord Vader]

You should take a look at Tru Spec 24-7 pants. I have two pairs and I love them, and plan to get more. My first pair I got about 4 years ago and are still in fantastic shape. It features an elastic waistband (very handy), and additional side pockets below the main pockets which fit my lighter and cigar cutter or my iPhone. The pocket openings are cut at an angle to make opening them quicker and eaiser.

I got mine off OPSGEAR for $33 a pair! They are just as good as 5.11 without the 5.11 price tag.

 

[OkieStubble]

Buy quality, buy once. BDU's are fine, but depending on how you're built you may need to size them a little odd. I always got mine longer than 'necessary' and bloused them a bit on my combat boots because otherwise i'd blow the crotch out climbing ladders, and hearing a "RIP" when you're 20 feet up a ladder aiming an M4 up it with one hand and hanging on to the ladder with the other is not fun.

This made me Lol'd. Listen to Murphy. He speaks from experience. I have ripped a few Propper's and LAPG's in my time. I would rather shell out the money for 1 pair of 5.11's and wash them everyday, over owning 3 pair of a lesser/cheaper quality. The one pair of 5.11's will still be intact when/if you can buy another pair.

My advice? Go to a thrift/surplus store and find you several pairs of used 5.11's, and you will have met your requirements. 1. Cheap.
2. Quality.

 

[djsmiles]

At my job, they initialy gave us BDU's. Then we switched to 5.11's. I prefer the BDU's. I think they are more comfortable.

 

[Gunney]

At my job, they initialy gave us BDU's. Then we switched to 5.11's. I prefer the BDU's. I think they are more comfortable.

I tend to like them. I mean apart from the button fly which seems to make business a bit difficult, and the back pockets that make you look like a bafoon trying to get your wallet out.

I don't blouse my boots simply because I don't really want to look like a GI Joe wanker. That said I do see what you mean about rubbish sizing. I am relatively tall at 6-2, but even a regular length is almost too big on me, and being 200lb+ (not actually sure, seems I am getting the reverse freshman 15... gonna have to start plumping back up!) the XL's have me with enough room for another albeit thin person-- with the side tabs cinched everything is okay.