I like to wear 511 Tactical Pants, when I’m camping or lounging/working around the house. I like the material they’re made of. I like the Velcro pockets. I don’t generally wear them in public places, because they tend to draw attention.

This is my dilemma. They aren’t true to size. For that matter, I can pick up two of the same style of 511 pants, with the identical size label on both and one is an inch longer than the other. This has happened to me several times, at different stores, so it’s not a bad lot. I really like the fit and feel, WHEN I can find a pair that actually fits. That’s the problem.

I was wondering if perhaps any of you could recommend an alternative to 511 that fits true to size and is labeled properly. Thank you in advance for your help. I appreciate your replies.

I have no recommendation for other slacks.

I think the only solution is to keep going into the stores and trying them on.

I wear lose fit jeans now, but when I did not, even Levis Jeans can have this problem. If you wear them a bit lose, that would stop being an issue, but then you are going to have to wear a belt or suspenders.

 

I should have stated my issue has been with the length. The waist fits just fine. Thanks for your comment!

 

Have you tried Propper? I have some that I like.

 

No, I haven’t. I have never even heard of them. I’ll give them a look. Thank you!

 

Riggs work wear,
ranger pants

 

I really like these LA Police Gear BFE Stretch Pant
The cargo pocket has a zipper and hidden inside the pant leg. No weird looks from people.

 

I really like these LA Police Gear BFE Stretch Pant
The cargo pocket has a zipper and hidden inside the pant leg. No weird looks from people.

I came to talk up LAPG pants myself. Every bit the quality of 5.11, TruSpec, or others for far less. They make numerous different styles to fit everyone's needs.

 

I have been wearing Duluth products for years now. They are not inexpensive but the quality, comfort and wear can't easily be beat.

Men's DuluthFlex Fire Hose Standard Fit Cargo Work Pants | Duluth Trading Company

Liberate your limbs with the easy-moving freedom of DuluthFlex Fire Hose Trim Fit Work Pants. And they're cut trim just the way you like.

www.duluthtrading.com

 

TAD Gear. Made in USA. Real serious clothing and gear. Not cheap.

 

LA Police is also good. But be careful of the Teflon or waterproof or stain resistant finishes. These are “forever chemicals” and endocrine disrupters. The boys don’t need that exposure.
VertX was a fave too.
RailRiders but haven’t checked them in a while.

 

marsgear.com they have great prices too

BRANDS

Shop Mars Gear for elite brands like Condor, Viktos, 5.11 Tactical, Blue Force Gear, Haley Strategic, HSGI, Kershaw, Magpul, Nitecore, Olight and more!

www.marsgear.com

 

5.11 has gotten too expensive for what it is. I have switched to propper.

 

I own LOTS of 5;11's
And lots of the LAPGear pants too
And a few Propper slacks also
I wear them ALL the time and never get a glance other than LEO's who know what I am wearing.
Hell,I even wear them to the gym as my daily workout pants.
Being an older guy,no one thinks I am being tacticool.
But any who know me,know I walk heavy .

 

I find them handy to haul extra stuff, like epi pens. Just be aware that these are "shoot me first" pants. Not exactly grey man.

 

Try Royal Robbins who was the original designer of 5.11's before the 5.11 verged off into their own brand. They make a near exact version of the 5.11.

Also, there are some other clones of the original 5.11 -

• Proper
• Tru-spec

 

As others have suggested, propper and truspec are solid alternatives. I prefer truspec as the waste has elastic included which makes bending over or squatting more comfortable, especially when carrying appendix.

For a less tactical look, I would recommend you look into Prana. Extremely comfortable and usable in all situations (I used to rock climb in them etc etc) but a bit pricey. They go on sale often though.

 

Duluth

 

My favorite 'tactical style' pants are actually Carhardt's. They fit true to size unlike 5.11. They have a good selection at Tractor Supply usually.....very rugged quality.

I have also recently got some from Amazon called GIGISY (Chinese of course) and am very impressed with the fit and apparent quality.

I know what you mean about the 5.11 fit, I ordered online and had to send back a couple because the waist ran small, had to go up a size. Length was fine. Quality is good, I just wouldn't buy them online, go to a retail store....

 

Dickies carpenter pants....go grey man, carrt sll the stuff anyway.

 

I noticed the same when I tried on some 5.11 pants at the Base store. Fit is all over the place. Finding pants while tall is hit or miss with most brands though.

There is always....

 

I'm happy with Tyndale FR cargos. They are heavy but really good quality.

 

Wrangler Rigg pants.

 

TRU-SPEC

 

This here is the answer you seek.

 

Which specific style of 5.11 pants are you having that issue with? I've been wearing the 5.11 Stryke pants for about 6 years now and have bought the same size on several different occasions and they have always fit the same. They've certainly gone up in price in the last 2 years but I'll keep buying them as I know exactly how they fit.

 

I have had issues with the length of two different styles of 511 pants. I don’t see a model number or anything like that on the labels. The best way I can think to describe them is one style has back pockets that just Velcro shut. There is also a metal ring that hangs off the belt loop.

The second style has back pockets, with a flap and no metal ring. I attached two pics.

The nearest retail store to me that has a decent selection, is an hour drive. They had three identical pairs, with the same label. Only one fit. One was too long. One was too short.

I ran in to i the exact same issue, at another retailer a couple of years ago, in another state.

I like the fit and feel of the 511’s that actually fit. I would like to find a brand that’s true to size and consistent. That way I could mail order them, after I purchased one pair from a retailer that worked out.

 

Wrangler Riggs, seems to be a slightly thicker material then 511 but much more durable. Plenty of pockets but looks more construction/ranch wear then 511.

Duluth firehose work wear is also very good, many different styles.

 

I love them, and I'm a short guy, not a easy fit. My solution is to buy a size larger than I am, and get them hemmed. I also buy mine on Ebay for $25-$35, so small cost to hem them is no big deal. I put my first pair on about 2 year ago. It's all I wear now.

 

Levi’s for decades. Nuff said

 

Levis don't stretch for your seasonal beer gut, and they don't have a included spare mag pouch.

 

I’ve tried 5.11. They are ok. I’ve tried LAPG ( eh ) and popper, truspec and dickies.

The BEST brand so far is tactical distributors. The Braddock pants, McQuade jeans and Carlos Ray shorts, the Carlos ray pants are not bad either but not as good as the Braddock. The carlos ray shorts are great. My only issue is the colors for the Braddock and the shorts pants are limited. I prefer navy, light tan or black.

The Carlos ray pants are the same style as Braddock with better colors BUT not as stretchy or durable. They are a few bucks cheaper.

The McQuade jeans are a few dollars more than the Legend Jean they also make. But they ar r worth it. Very stretchy , extra pockets. Perfect waist and belt loops for carrying a gun.


If I couldn’t wear tactical distributors. I’d wear Vertx. Their jeans are pretty good and their “cutback” shorts and pants are GREAT. 5.11 competes with the cutback , I have sone but they are not as good ( defender flex /urban).

I have some LAPG pants. Never wear them anymore. I do however wear their jeans. And they are decent. About 25 bucks cheaper than TDI and maybe a little heavier fabric ( but less stretch and not as good pockets ). They are a solid deal.

I have not tried Viktos pants and jeans. I’m
About to buy some so we will see.