If you do not have the time to go through this whole article and you want to head over to my best-recommended product for this article then I would highly recommend the Free Soldier tactical pants as it is my top pick and also provides the best value for the money.

With such a large variety of tactical shorts to choose from, there can be a myriad of problems that go with it. I feel the pain when it comes to tactical shorts or pants as it is almost impossible to buy them from your local shop.

When it comes to clothes, the best way to know if it will fit is to physically test them out.

OK, I know what you’re thinking…

How the heck can I help you to choose the best tactical pants for everyday wear? It is actually much easier than you think and if you can get through the obstacle of knowing your size, then this article is for you as I will cover everything you need to look for in tactical shorts. The most important part of these pants is that they must be the type that you can wear at home or on weekends. 

Time for the good news.

In this article, I will cover important aspects such as the type of material, whether the fabric is coated with Teflon, The number of pockets available and also color available.

The First 5 Product Reviewed

(Click on one of the products below for more information)

1. Free Soldier (Top Pick)
2. LA Police Gear (Least Expensive)
3. 5.11 Tactical Stryke
4. TRU-SPEC Men’s 24-7
5. Propper ACU Pants

Feel free to go through the buyers guide below for more information.

Tactical Pants Buying Guide

For those looking into buying tactical pants, there are some things that you need to consider before even pressing that “add to cart” button.

If you are already familiar with tactical pants and you know the basics then you can skip this guide. If this is your first time buying these type of pants, then you might want to read this guide.

Below, I will go over some of the most important aspects when buying these types of pants.

1. The type of material it is made from

This is a huge factor and will determine the strength, feeling, durability, weight, and stretchability. There are 3 basic types of materials used in these pants and they include nylon, cotton, and polyester.

Let us start with nylon.

Nylon (Polyamide) is a material that is created from a liquid that is then spun and dried into individual strands of fibers. It is very tough, lightweight and it does not absorb a lot of liquid which makes it somewhat water resistant.

Polyester (Polyethylene Naphthalate) is also made from a liquid form and is also very tough and lightweight. What makes this material so special is that it does not easily wrinkle and is very resistant to shrinking.

Cotton, on the other hand, is a plant-based and natural material. It is not as strong as nylon and polyester but when combined with any type of fabric, it will give it a softer texture that is easier to wear.

Most of the times, these 3 materials will be mixed with one another and form a type of fabric that is called ripstop. It will either be cotton with nylon or cotton with polyester.

The cotton will make the material softer while the nylon and polyester will add strength to it.

2. Colors and patterns

This is not a factor that will influence the quality of the product but will have an influence on how it will look. Some people like to have a more urban camo type pants while other would love to have normal camo.

Most of the people prefer a simple unicolored design for everyday casual use. If you would like a pair of camo related pants then I would recommend the Propper ACU Pants tactical pants.

Most of the other pants will be unicolored and can range from light colors such as Khaki to more darker colors such as army green.

3. The price of these pants

Price is a huge factor when buying any type of product. Some people prefer to have the ones that are not that expensive but still has quality while others prefer the best and does not consider price an issue.

The price is also mainly influenced by the type of materials used, quality and craftsmanship of the product, additional pockets, anti moisture coatings such as Teflon and let us not forget about brand awareness.

If you would like to have the least expensive pair of tactical pants without sacrificing the quality then I would highly recommend the LA Police Gear which is the least expensive.

If you are the type of person that has a lot of flexibility when it comes to your monthly budget and you would like the best pair of tactical pants that the world can offer to the public, then I would highly recommend the Survival Tactical Gear which can also be used for airsoft.

4. The number of pockets

I do not think I need to explain to you what a pocket is but I will tell you what it can be used for. As a general rule of thumb, your side pockets should contain your heaviest items such as your wallet and cellphone.

The problem with putting these large items in your back pockets is that it is very uncomfortable to sit (not good for your cell phone) on them and it makes it easier for thieves to pickpocket your wallet from the back.

Back pockets are mainly used for flatter and more lightweight objects such as notebooks or id cards. The rest of your pockets are ideal to contain car keys, some types of magazines and tools.

Also, keep in mind that some zippable pockets are best used for your most valuable items such as your car keys. If you would like to have the simplest pair of pants with the least amount of pockets, then I would recommend the 8. Under Armour Storm as it only has 6 pockets.

On the other hand, if you are like “Inspector Gadget” and you would like to have a lot of pockets for all of your gear, tool and gadgets I would highly recommend either the Survival Tactical Gear or the Jessie Kidden which has 16 and 13 pockets respectively.

5. Does it have an elastic waistband?

What makes this elastic waistband so damn comfortable is that you have more room to play with when it comes to size and it will fit around your waist perfectly without squashing your guts out.

If the elastic waistband sits a little bit too loose around your hips, then you can always make the use of a belt.

6. Teflon coating that helps with stain resistance

Teflon is a type of coating that they put on material that makes the material hydrophobic. This can also be put on almost any type of material.

This will ensure that any pigmented liquid such as oil or ketchup does not get sucked up into the material. When any liquid gets sucked up, then it is harder to wash it out.

This will also give you some resistance against rain as well.

7. Reinforced knees with or without kneepads

If your job requires that you crouch a lot, then you might want to consider pants that have reinforced knees. If the knees were not reinforced, then the knee area will pretty soon become weakened to such an extent where it will start to tear.

If you are on the ground a lot and you would like to have pants that are reinforced at the knee areas then I would recommend the TRU-SPEC Men’s 24-7 which are only reinforced with extra material or the Survival Tactical Gear which actually has kneepads for if you want to go next level.

#1 FREE SOLDIER (Top Pick)

If you would like to have high-quality tactical pants that are also durable, then you need to have a look at the Free Soldier tactical pants.

These pants also come in 5 colors/patterns which include Black, Brown, Dark Camouflage, Dark Green and Gray. These pair of pants are also not that expensive for what you truly get.

If you like hunting, hiking, climbing or any other outdoor activity, then this pair is for you.

Some very awesome features: 

1. Great quality material. These pants are made out of 50% cotton and 50% nylon. The cotton is there to give it that soft feeling while the nylon ads for strength and durability. It also has a YKK zipper.
2. Has a total of 10 pockets. It has a front concealed pocket above each knee. It also has a large hand pocket on each side and 2 small pen pockets on the left side. It also has pockets at the back near the buttocks and near the hamstring and one near the calf. One thing is for sure and it is this. You will never have to complain about not having enough pockets.
3. Has some molle on the left-hand side. It also has a molle system on the left-hand side near the hip area. The molle system is very nice for if you want to attach other items such as knives etc. The molle system also enables you to attach more pockets/pouches if you really wish.
4. No need to iron these pants. If you are like me when it comes to ironing, then you are in luck. The nylon material makes it very hard for these pants to crumble. Just remember to shake these pants enough times before hanging them.
5. Waterproof with ventilation. It is hard to find pants that are both waterproof and ventilated at the same time. They have a Teflon coating and also has a wider movement range.

These pair of pants will provide a large number of pockets and a large range of movement where they provide some flexibility. Overall, I think this is a perfect pair of pants.

What we liked

• Teflon coating.
• Wrinkle free.
• Good quality zipper.
• Has a lot of pockets.

What We Didn’t Like

• Somewhat expensive.

>> Check Price And Availability <<

#2 LA Police Gear (Least Expensive)

If you are a bit short on a budget and you want tactical pants that are not that expensive, then you should consider looking at LA Police Gear.

Though these pair of pants do not have all of the pockets and molle than the Free Soldier, it is still of moderate to good quality.

It is also going to be the least expensive pair of pants in this article. It also has 8 different colors available to choose from which include the following:

1. Sierra
2. Od green
3. Coyote Brown
4. Black
5. Charcoal
6. Khaki
7. Brown
8. Navy.

These pants are great for outdoors and working alike.

Awesome features that should not be missed:

1. Good quality material. These pants are made out of 65% Polyester and also 35% cotton fabric. The polyester is a good material, but I prefer the nylon as it is much more durable. It has YKK Zipper Fly at the crotch area.
2. Very little waterproofing. These pants are also not treated with Teflon that helps with ventilation and waterproofing.
3. Total of 8 pockets. It has a total of 4 pockets on each side (total of 8) and they are located in the following areas. One “hand pocket” on each side. One concealed pocket on the side just below the “hand pocket”. One small pocket on each side next to crotch. One concealed pocket on the buttocks area on each side.
4. Will fit better. It also has a very nice elastic waistband for a better fit, but you can still use a belt if you wish. The knees are also articulated for better movement.

If you would like a pair of pants that have at least the basic features and you do not want to spend all of your Chrismas money, then I would highly recommend the LA Police Gear.

What we liked

• Least expensive.
• Somewhat good quality.
• Elastic waistband.

What We Didn’t Like

• Does not have Teflon coating. 

>> Check Price And Availability <<

#3 5.11 Tactical Stryke

If you would like the highest quality tactical pants possible, then you need to take a look at the 5.11 Tactical. I have a reviewed a lot of other products from this brand and almost all of them are of high quality.

These pants are very much the same as the Free Soldier pants and the price is also very similar. These pair of pants might also be too expensive for most people.

These pants also come in 8 different colors available which include the following:

1. Khaki
2. Battle brown
3. Black
4. Charcoal
5. Dark Navy
6. Storm
7. TDU Green
8. Tundra

Some quality features that we should not miss:

1. Stretchable, lightweight and durable. These pairs are made out of 65% polyester and 35% cotton material. This makes them lightweight and very durable. The cotton gives it that soft feeling and the polyester makes it tougher. This combo also gives it better stretchability which will give you a larger range of motion. This will then result in better flexibility.
2. Waterproof and spill resistant. The fabric is treated by Teflon to give it the water and spill resistant ability. This treatment can become expensive and that is why these pants are more expensive than most.
3. We can call this pocket heaven. The 5.11 Tactical Stryke pants also come with 12 pockets (6 on each side). It has “hand pockets” on the outer side of each hip, double deep cargo pockets on the side (just below the hip pockets), one small pocket next to each side of the crotch and them an enclosed container pocket on each buttock. The container pocket also has a small side pocket that has a YKK zip.
4. Very comfortable. These pants also have a self-adjusting tunnel waistband which makes it easier to fit. You can also attach a belt to these pants.

Please have a look at the video above for more info. 

Overall, I think this is a great pair of tactical pants and are best suited for the group of people that are serious when it comes to their gear.

What we liked

• Very high quality.
• Has Teflon coating.
• Has a lot of pockets.

What We Didn’t Like

• Can be somewhat expensive for most people.

>> Check Price And Availability <<

#4 TRU-SPEC Men’s 24-7

A nice pair of pants made by TRU-SPEC which can easily compete against the 5.11 and Free Soldier tactical pants. It is also on the more expensive side of the budgeting scale.

It also comes in 5 colors which include the following:

1. Black
2. Brown
3. Charcoal
4. Coyote
5. Khaki.

Some additional features that should not be missed:

1. High-quality material. The pants are made out of polyester and cotton where the exact formula or ration is not known. It also helps with the durability as well.
2. Knees are reinforced. The area around the knees are also somewhat reinforced and also contains pockets for knee-pads. This works great for if you are crouching around on the floor and your knees are starting to get sore.
3. Total of 8 pockets. The cargo pockets on the side also have internal pockets for magazines. You also have a small knife pocket between the deep front “hand pocket” and the enclosed pocket near the buttock. There is also a small pocket on the outside of the cargo pockets as well.
4. Stain and water resistant. The material is also coated with Teflon which makes it stain resistant and somewhat waterproof.

I really liked this one although it does not have as many pockets as some of these pants do.

What we liked

• Very good quality.
• Unique pockets.
• Teflon coating.
• Contains pockets for knee pads.

What We Didn’t Like

• Can be too expensive for most people.

>> Check Price And Availability <<

#5 Propper ACU Trousers

If you are someone that does not have a problem wearing camo, then these pair of pants are for you. They where also the best pants in the camo section that I could find anywhere online.

What stands out for me regarding these pair of pants is that they come in patterns which gives them a camouflage look. They are also on the more expensive side regarding when it came to price.

There are also 6 different colors/patterns available.

More on the features:

1. Somewhat good quality material. The materials being used are 65% polyester and also 35% cotton which is the same as some of the previous product on this page. This ratio or combination allows these pants to be wrinkle free after washing.
2. Adjustable waist. It also has a drawstring waist for a much better fit. You are also free to attach a belt to these pants if need be.
3. Stain and water resistant. The fabric in these pants is also coated with DuPont Teflon fabric protector which enables it to be resistant to stains and liquids such as water. This also contributes largely to the durability and price of the product.
4. Has 8 pockets available. It has 4 pockets on each side of the body which include the following. One deep “hand pocket” below the waist. One cargo pocket above the knee. One smaller pocket below the knee. One enclosed pocket on each side of the buttocks area.

If you are a huge fan of camo wear, then these pair of pants are ideal for you. 

What we liked

• Good quality.
• Has Teflon coating.

What We Didn’t Like

• Can be expensive for most people.
• Only limited to camo patterns and colors.
• Not so many pockets.

>> Check Price And Availability <<

#6 Survival Tactical Gear Airsoft Pants

If Airsoft is one of your hobbies and you would like to have a pair of pants associated with this sport, then you need to take a look at the Survival Tactical Gear airsoft tactical pants.

These pants also come in 9 colors/patterns which will give you more options to choose from. These colors include the following:

1. Black
2. FG
3. Coyote Brown
4. Typhon Camo
5. Ranger Green
6. AU
7. Mandrake Camo
8. Multicam
9. Nomad Camo

You also need to be aware that these pants are also more expensive than the previous ones in this list. I would advise these pair only for those that are serious about sports such as Airsoft and Paintball.

Features included:

1. Made out of very tough material. These pants are made out of ripstop fabric. This fabric is usually made out of Nylon and also uses a special reinforcement technique that makes is more resistant to ripping and tearing.
2. More flexible. The waistband is also stretchable which usually gives it a better and more comfortable fit than most other pants.
3. More pockets to choose from. These pants have a total of 16 pockets. The main pockets will include the 2 hand pockets, 2 back pockets, side pockets and also 2 small gear pockets. There are also more pockets that are also smaller for specific gear.
4. Knee protection system. You will also get 2 kneepads which can be inserted in the knee area. They can also be removed without any trouble. This works great for when you are crouching on your knees a lot and you are tired of having sore knees.
5. Works great for ventilation. There are 2 areas that can be opened which will also provide airflow. The first area is next to the groin which you can zip open which is also protected by mesh. The second area is your knee protection pockets which are also lines with mesh.

As you can see, these pants are quite unique with their ventilation system and removable knee pads. This is especially useful for those hot humid summer months.

What we liked

• Knees are protected.
• Works great in hot weather.
• Very good quality.

What We Didn’t Like

• Can be very expensive for some people.
• Some people might also complain about it not fitting according to size.

>> Check Price And Availability <<

#7 CQR EDC Assault Cargo Pants

If you would like to have a pair of very inexpensive tactical pants and you did not fancy the LA Police, then the CQR is will be a great althernative.

The CQR tactical pants are also in the same price class as the LA Police tactical pants (which is also the least expensive).

These pair of pants also comes in 9 colors which gives them a larger variety to choose from.

More features worth mentioning:

1. Made out of Ripstop Fabric. This type of fabric is a combination of nylon and cotton. The cotton provides a softer texture into the pants while the nylon provides more durability.
2. Somewhat liquid proof. These pants are covered with Duratex which works the same as Teflon. This chemical has the ability to repel any type of liquid which might leave a stain.
3. A large variety of pockets. These pants have a total of 8 main pockets which are located in the following areas. You will have 2 hand pockets on the side with 2 no flap pockets below them. Then you have 2 pockets on the side near the knee area and then 2 on the back.
4. Also compatible with knee pads. These pants also have inner lining pockets for when you want to insert knee pads (knee pads not included).
5. No need to iron. The type of material from which it is made out off will also allow it to be wrinkle resistant.
6. Better comfort around your waist. The waistband of these pants is also stretchable which makes it much more comfortable than other normal pants.

As you can see, this is a great alternative which is also not that expensive. Is great for those on a budget.

What we liked

• Very inexpensive.
• Good quality.
• Is knee pad compatible.
• Somewhat spill resistant.

What We Didn’t Like

• The minority of people might complain about the zipper that broke.

>> Check Price And Availability <<

#8 Under Armour Storm

If you are a huge fan of Under Armour and you would also like to add some pants into your collection, then you need to know about the Under Armor tactical pants.

These pants are in the same price range as the Free Soldier and the Tru Spec tactical pants. If I have to choose between the Free Soldier and these pants, then I would still go for the Free Soldier (this is just my personal preference).

These pants also come in 5 colors which include:

1. Desert Sand
2. Marine OD Green
3. Black
4. Coyote Brown
5. Dark Navy Blue

Some of the features worth mentioning:

1. Durable material. These pants are made out of 100% polyester which is very durable and lightweight. Next to Nylon ripstop, Polyester is the second best choice.
2. Anti-microbial properties. These pants contain chemicals that will prevent the growth of any type of odor-causing bacteria.
3. Stretchable waistband. These pants also have a very nice and stretchable waistband that will drastically help with comfort around the waist area. You can also attach a belt for a more solid feel.
4. Has waterproof capabilities. These pants also contain waterproofing chemicals that enable it to resist any type of liquid. This makes the pants also somewhat stain resistant.
5. Has a total of 6 pockets. These pants will have a pair of 3 pockets which will result in a total of 6 pockets. These pockets will be located on the sides and the back. You will also get cargo pockets above the knee area that are also enclosed.
6. Better durability. The knees and crotch areas are also reinforced which will give it better durability. This is especially true for the knee areas.

These pants have a very clean and modern look that is also suitable for casual wear as well. This product does not contain a lot of pockets as some of the other pants do.

If you are someone that would like to have a simple pair of tactical pants from Under Armour that is not that expensive, then these are for you.

What we liked

• Anti-microbial.
• Is also waterproof.
• Good quality.

What We Didn’t Like

• Does not have that many pockets.

>> Check Price And Availability <<

#9 Jessie Kidden Cargo Pants

The pants from Jessie Kidden is also a very inexpensive option for those that do not have much flexibility when it comes to their budget.

These pants are also in the same price class as the LA Police gear and CQR tactical pants. The main difference is that these pants are only made out of cotton which will result in a much softer texture but does not have the same strength and durability as the others.

These pants are perfect for those working outdoors and if you are not afraid to get dirty.

This product also comes in 13 different colors which give it a larger variety to choose from. The colors also range from khaki to army green.

Some of its features:

1. Moderate durability. Because this product is made out of 100% cotton, it will not be as strong and durable as some of its other counterparts. This will also result in a heavier product.
2. It has 9 pockets total. These pants have 2 side pockets for your hands, cellphone or wallet, 2 cargo pockets on the outside of each thigh, 2 smaller cargo pockets just below each knee and 2 back pockets located near buttock area. There is also a smaller zipper pocket on the left side of the crotch area.
3. Tightness adjustment at leg openings. On each leg opening, you will find drawstring attached that can be used to tighten those areas of the pants.

There were only 2 minor problems that I had with these pants and they are the following. The first problem was that it is made out of 100% cotton which makes it less durable than most other tactical pants.

The second problem was that the waistband is not flexible. This means that you most certainly do need a belt to tighten these pants along with your waist.

Other than these 2 small problems, I still think these pants are great.

What we liked

• Very inexpensive.
• Has a lot of pockets.
• Leg openings can be adjusted.

What We Didn’t Like

• Has moderate durability.
• Waistband not flexible.

>> Check Price And Availability <<

#10 Helikon-Tex Urban

Last but not least, we will have a look at the Helikon-Tex tactical pants. If you would like to have a pair of pants that have a simple look where the pockets do not draw that much attention, then you need to have a look at these pants.

Most of the other pants will look saggy because of all the pockets but this one will have a much smoother look to it.

These pants will also be in the same price class as the 5.11 Tactical Stryke and the Propper ACU Pants.

These pants also come in 11 colors which include:

1. Black
2. Khaki
3. Mud Brown
4. Navy Blue
5. Taiga Green
6. Olive Drab
7. Jungle Green
8. Coyote
9. Shadow Grey
10. Adaptive Green
11. Camogrom

Let us not forget about some of the features:

1. Best quality material. The material used has a combination of cotton, polyester, and spandex. The cotton brings in some of the softness while the polyester makes it tougher. The spandex also gives it more flexibility.
2. Stretchable waist. These pants also have a stretchable waistband which makes it more comfortable and easier to fit and wear.
3. Kneepad compatible. This product also has internal pockets that have the potential for knee pads also some extra padding (kneepads not included). This works great for when you are constantly on your knees.
4. Has 12 pockets that do not stand out. One thing that stood out for me was that the pockets are low profile which means that it does not stand out like some of the other pants. You will get 6 larger pockets located on the sides below the hips and thighs and also at the back. Then it also has 6 smaller pockets.
5. Somewhat water resistant. The combination of materials used also give it some water resistant capabilities that make it suitable for most climates and weather.

Overall, I think these are great pant that does not have a lot of negative qualities associated with it. 

What we liked

• Low profile pockets.
• Stretchable waistband.
• Large variety of pockets.

What We Didn’t Like

• Some people might complain about the stitching standing out.

>> Check Price And Availability <<

Tactical Pants Product Comparison

Product Name	Colors Av	Pocket QTY	Price
1. Free Soldier (Top Pick)	5 Colors	10 Pockets	$$
2. LA Police Gear (Least Expensive)	8 Colors	8 Pockets	$
3. 5.11 Tactical Stryke	8 Colors	12 Pockets	$$$
4. TRU-SPEC Men’s 24-7	5 Colors	8 Pockets	$$
5. Propper ACU Pants	6 Colors	8 Pockets	$$$
6. Survival Tactical Gear (Best for Airsoft)	9 Colors	16 Pockets	$$$$
7. CQR EDC Assault Cargo Pants	9 Colors	8 Pockets	$
8. Under Armour Storm	5 Colors	6 Pockets	$$
9. Jessie Kidden	9 Pockets	13 Colors	$
10. Helikon-Tex Urban	12 Pockets	11 Colors	$$$

Conclusion

And there you have it, folks. In this article, I went through important information regarding the best tactical short such as the type of materials used, Teflon coating that helps with stains and waterproofing, colors available and also the number of usable pockets.

If you still could not find a match, then I will recommend the Free Soldier as it won the ranking of the best value for money.

Now it is your turn. Please leave a comment below and tell us what your favorite pair of pants is. If I missed any tactical pants worth mentioning in this review, then please name them in the comment section. If you want to learn more about tactical apparel, please click here.

Related Buying Guides and Articles:

• 10 Best Tactical Vests For Every Tactical Enthusiast (2018 Version)

• 10 Best Tactical Backpacks Proven To Be Superior

• Best Tactical Dog Harnesses And Gear (Updated 2018)