If you’re looking for a pair of men’s or women’s tactical pants – you’re in the right place.
Why? Because I recently switched from wearing “hard pants” (i.e. jeans) to comfortable tactical pants FULL TIME.
Since I’ve made the switch I’m more comfortable and ready for anything!
No matter what your day brings, from the job site to the backcountry, tactical pants are lifesavers.
I’m talking about pants made out of lightweight, abrasion-resistant materials.
Pants for combat, the harsh sun, fierce winds, or torrential downpours.
Pants with lots of pockets tactical gear and emergency supplies
Because a good pair of tactical pants will have all these features and more!
That’s why today, we’re going to share with you my favorite tactical pants. Specifically, I’ll be covering the following:
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5.11 TacLite Pro Pants
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CQR EDC Assault Cargo Pants
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Dickies Canvas Tactical Pants
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Helicon-Tex Urban Tactical Pants
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AKARMY Combat Work Pants
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5.11 Stryke Tactical Pants
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Under Armour Storm Tactical Patrol Pants
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Best Tactical Pants For The Modern Age
1. 5.11 TacLite Pro Pants
5.11 TacLite Men’s Tactical Pants
First off, 
5.11 Tactical is a trusted name in the gear market. They’ve earned this reputation for a good reason – they just design and sell quality gear!
Their TacLite Pro pants are an upgrade to their original Tactical cargo pants.
These pants are built with a newer, lightweight ripstop material, made of a 60/40 poly/cotton blend.
This means they breathe and dry quicker than the original – and they resist tears and punctures!
It’s also Teflon coated, so water and dirt roll right off the surface.
The TacLite Pro pants feature a gusseted crotch, which is essential for mobility.
That’s why these are an excellent choice for a bug out situation.
5.11 TacLite Women’s Tactical Pants
They also have plenty of pockets in all the right places.
This puts them high up on my EDC pants list as well.
For example – cell phones, extra magazines, and knives get their own dedicated pockets. And each is complete with Cordura reinforcement.
For everything else, use the large thigh pockets, deep hip pockets, and diagonal slash back pockets.
And IF you manage to run out of pockets (not an easy feat), take advantage of the oversized belt loops.
These loops are reinforced to stand up to a heavy utility belt full of gear and weapons.
Note: Here’s a link to the 5.11 TacLite Pro Tactical Pants For Women.
2. CQR EDC Assault Tactical Cargo Pants
CQR EDC Assault Tactical Cargo Pants
If you looking for tactical pants at a reasonable price, look no further than the CQR EDC Assult Cargo Pants.
These CQR tactical pants are constructed with a hint of both military and law enforcement performance.
Made with a ripstop fabric blend of 65% poly, and 35% cotton – so they resist wrinkles, fading, and shrinking.
They have 8 Multi-purpose cargo pockets for various tools and equipment, making them great pants for everyday carry.
Lastly, these pants include high-strength, high-density metal alloy snap buttons, and zippers.
3. Tru-Spec 24/7 Women’s Tactical Pants
Tru-Spec 24/7 Women’s Tactical Pants
These Tru-Spec Tactical Pants are one of the best tactical cargo pants for women.
They are made with a combination of 65% Polyester and 35% Cotton. And includes a comfortable fit slider waistband that eliminates the need for gathered elastic.
You’ll enjoy the extra deep front pockets, 2-knife/accessory pockets, 2-cargo pockets with hook & loop closure, and bellowed side gussets.
Plus, 2-internal magazine compartments in both cargo pockets.
Finally, these women’s tactical cargo pants include reinforced knees with an inside opening for knee pads.
4. Dickies Canvas Men’s Pants
Dickies Canvas Men’s Tactical Pants
I’ve always associated Dickies with the overalls my Jeep mechanic wears. So I was a bit surprised to see they have tactical pants as well.
Like most of their workwear lines, their pant is made out of 100% cotton canvas. It’s cut with extra room in the seat and thighs, which makes them comfortable.
The wide tunnel belt loops distribute weight well, so a heavily-load shouldn’t be an issue.
The double-layer seat and reinforced interior pockets help with durability. And the double-layer knee panels allow you to add knee pads.
They look great, and the Teflon-treated outer surface keeps stains to a minimum, so they stay that way.
My only real concern is the water resistance. But in dry conditions (or minor spills), the cotton material should be fine.
Yet, if the weather turns bad or you take an unexpected dip, it could take a long time for the heavy 8.2oz material to dry.
5. Helicon-Tex Urban Men’s Tactical Pants
Helicon-Tex Urban Men’s Tactical Pants
The Helicon-Tex Urban line has a more aggressive cut and style than some of the other pants on the list.
With a total of 12 pockets, both interior and exterior, there’s a place for just about everything.
The tailored feel of the pants is offset by the slight stretch in the material.
This leaves you with a full range of motion and no binding when you need maximum agility.
The reinforced stitching and ripstop material mean these pants can take a beating.
But with the internal pockets with strategic, tactical padding means you don’t have to!
6. AKARMY Combat Work Pants For Men
AKARMY Combat Work Pants For Men
Another budget-friendly option these are relaxed-fitting tactical pants for those who prefer comfort over style.
These AKARMY Combat Work Pants are 100% cotton, multi-pocket survival pants.
They are ideal to use as comfortable casual pants for outdoor activities such as hiking & camping or for relaxing weekends around the house.
However, the “front pocket” zipper is not really a pocket. It’s only there for show and style. But for this price, many people are able to overlook this minor annoyance.
7. 5.11 Stryke Tactical Pants (WOMENs Version)
5.11 Stryke Tactical Pants For Men
Another entry from 5.11 on our list?
While the 5.11 TacLite Pro pants are a traditional cargo pant cut, the Stryke pants have a more modern cut.
With a total of 12 pockets, these are pants made to carry it all.
In particular, the thigh pockets are higher and more streamlined. This keeps the pocket contents from swinging back and forth with every step.
This has always been a gripe of mine with all cargo pants and cargo shorts. Uncontrolled swinging is such a distraction and can affect your balance and agility in a run.
That’s why so I’m a huge fan of the streamlined feature.
5.11 Stryke Tactical Pants For Women
I also like the front cell phone (or magazine) pockets – one on each side. This means I can be ambidextrous with my gear, which comes in handy in certain situations.
Like most of the 5.11 tactical pants, the Stryke pants feature a gusseted crotch and reinforced knees.
It also includes a Flex-Tec material that has a 2-way stretch.
This makes them extremely easy to wear when you’re on the move.
Note: Here’s a link to the 5.11 Stryke Tactical Pants For Women.
8. Under Armour Storm Tactical Patrol Pants
Ok, I’ll confess that I didn’t expect much from Under Armour in the tactical gear market.
Sure, they’ve been making advances with their products recently but I still can’t shake the image of their signature skin-tight muscle shirts.
So, I was surprised to see how much they’d put into their Storm Tactical Patrol Pants. These are some great-looking and well-designed pants!
First off, they’re one of the few 100% synthetic material pants on the market.
While I love the feel of cotton, I’ve spent enough time mountaineering to know the saying “cotton kills.” Cotton can soak up water and be slow to dry, leaving you exposed to hypothermia.
Synthetic materials are way more efficient at keeping H2O away from the skin and drying fast. This is VITAL in cold, wet weather.
I’m impressed to see these survival pants taking a cue from outdoor pursuits.
Second, UnderArmor didn’t try to add every feature to these pants.
They’re just the essentials – standard cargo pocket configuration:
- Magazine holders
- Reinforced knees and crotch
- Unhemmed inseam
Really, I wasn’t expecting this, but these are contenders for my favorite on the list!
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Best Gear For Your New Tactical Cargo Pants
Now, everyone’s situation is different and what you stash in your tactical pants is your choice.
It depends on what other tactical gear you wear (such as a tactical plate carrier or tactical backpack, etc.)
However, I thought it might be useful for some people new to tactical gear to see a list of the most popular items to carry in your EDC pants.
Here’s a list of popular everyday carry items for your new tactical pants:
- Concealed Carry Firearm
- Spare Magazines
- Cellphone or Smartphone
- Super-bright Tactical Flashlight
- Tactical Wallet or Money Clip
- Tactical Knife / Survival Knife / EDC Knife
- Important Documents
- Fire Starters (Ferro rod / fire piston) / Survival Lighter
- Small Survival Water Filter
- Tactical Pen
- Portable Solar Charger
Of course, I didn’t list every possible piece of gear you could stash in your pockets. So if you feel like I missed something critical, leave a note in the comments below.
Final Thoughts
Tactical items are becoming mainstream for everyone. Why? Because they blend comfort, function, AND style.
Tactical products now range all the way from tactical backpacks to tactical watches…
And when it comes to down to choosing a pair of tactical pants it all comes down to your specific needs and requirements.
For example, if you’re looking for a solid pair of pants for the job site, I’d get a pair made out of canvas cotton. It’s got superior durability on its side.
But if your pair of pants is for wilderness survival – go synthetic.
The good news is no matter which you choose all survival pants will have these standard features:
- multiple pockets
- durable construction
- athletic cut for mobility, including gusseted crotch
- technical materials
- designed with utility belt (and holster) in mind – check out our survival belts article for a quality belt to add to your tactical pants
Beyond that, think about what you’d like in a regular pair of pants – since you might want to wear these daily.
- If you like a modern slim cut, look for tactical pants with some stretch and a closer cut.
- If you prefer (like me) a more relaxed cut, there are options with and without stretch material.
- Wet weather means you might want to avoid cotton, while hot, dry conditions might be perfect for it.
I know I don’t want to have to cross over to draw my tactical knife every time. So if you’re a lefty, make sure the pockets can be configured for the way you like to carry your gear.
And if you ever do get dropped off in the remote jungle without your pants, good luck with those palm leaves.
For everything else, choose a solid pair of tactical cargo pants.
Jason K.
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