quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:

We’re leaving out the most important part of the equation, is the 330# guy running and gunning at the range looking like Judge Dredd solely? Or is he incorporating it as part of a weight loss regiment? Cause let’s not forget.

He did show me a Mandalorian styled boba fett supposedly NIJ cert'd helmet the other day with a completely serious face in regard to purchasing it.... so you might be on to something.

I sent him the link to one of Mike's youtube vids a while back when they shot at those russian and Chinese face armor masks. But did admit it would look cool on a shelf...

Jl, thanks, I know condor makes a carrier for 11x14 plates (SAPI XL), and AR500 makes plates that fit it. I've got him determined to work his weight down to sub-300, he's shorter than me by a little (I'm 6') so I imagine at a reasonable weight he'll utilize normal plates. I have a chaplain friend in a weight loss journey who has a XL plate size setup for his duties.

quote:

Originally posted by jsbcody:
... with the emphasis being practical.

Indeed. Quality and practical. Buy once, cry once. Or is it Crye once...? My budget certainly cried when I started grabbing Crye gear.

quote:

Originally posted by KSGM:
It may be helpful to know what inspired this thread. I suspect the OP's intent wasn't to discuss cargo pants; maybe more on the lines of AKSuperDually's post above? I know I sure as shit probably qualify as someone's definition of "tacticool", during some practice events. The term is very subjective, and knowing Otto's definition could shape the conversation.

No Sir,

This is 2023, we don’t put labels on folks, cause if we did, all these folks wearing 5.11 pants with shaved heads, beards, boots, would be upset

Lot of folks checking 90% of the boxes here lol.

I kid I kid, love y’all.

My favorite is the guys I see around the agency. It’s almost 100% foolproof picking out the BUDS dropouts.

All joking aside, while I only wear the patches my uniform requires, I do have a small keepsake box with a few items.

Included are a few challenge coins that actual mean something and a few patches, including a Kentucky Swat patch I received maybe 12 years ago

quote:

Were you ever tacticool?

Never was. Too clumsy.

quote:

would be upset

I'd like to think that's not the case. This is the only forum I participate in, largely due to the fact that the majority of members here are mature, level-headed folks. You may be right though.

Nope.

Cant say at one time I wasnt a bit over the top. Still have my chest rig for 3-gun matches at the range as it just makes it easier.

Do have a few 5.11 backpacks (one for work (brown because I am a civil engineer in earthwork and stormwater scene); and one for traveling that gets kicked around pretty good.

Overall, I believe 5.11 makes some pretty nice short sleeve button ups as well as cargo pants. Only own a few of those so I guess I dont completely qualify. I will say they have held up well after 8 years of use though. The elastic band inside the pants definitely has been a blessing since my equatorial distance has been known to change from time to time.

Not me, ever.

I never was

But.. I knew those that were and sometimes they let me hang around with them.

It was during these times I realized why I never would be.

No. Kids call ordinary cargos dad pants/shorts and definitely not cool.

I like Duluth Ballroom pants with the subtle phone leg pocket but my wife says they are too baggy.

Nope. I do own one pair of 511 pants, buts that’s only because I like loose clothing and they are thin nylon(ish)…and I live in Texas…it’s hot as balls here. Mostly in the summer it’s shorts and in the winter it’s Levi s

I was contemplating becoming one of the tacticool about the time I attended a Magpul Dynamics training course (the one where my AR went Kaboom). Watching so many of those with some of the less practical gear struggle mightily made me realize that I was lucky not to have spent the money on such nonsense. I had my own struggles with things like slings and mag pouches that I was glad to have input from Travis to work out.

I kept thinking about a bug out bag, but never did one,

did toss an AR and a bag of mags in the trunk a few times, or a shotgun with a bag of ammo,


I have an Alice pack in the attic,
use to wear BDU pants (woodland camo) on my day off 20+ yrs ago (due to the comfort actually)

never bought plate carriers etc, that stuff was not big when I was young, , or even a thing,
if you wanted bullet proof you bought a flak vest

no I can say, we sold a pile of surplus chem suits and flak vests in the 80's,, to cold war believing folks,

I was labeled a gear-queer once or twice when I was in uniform. But it was always funny to see the same people a week later asking where I got my stuff because they discovered their issued gear was crap.

As for tacticool, a few years ago I de-BroVet my wardrobe. Except for a couple of T-Shirts I never wear because they have a meaning attached, I tossed any Navy stuff that I no longer needed. But I have been getting 5.11 for Khaki pants and other casual wear. And their kilts are nice for casual wear.

As for tactical gear, I have been thinking of a battle belt to keep for a SHTF situation. And I could use a few more TACO pouches for AR mags... Can never have enough primary mags on you.

No one will ever be as tacticool as Gecko45, the original Mall Ninja.

https://lonelymachines.org/mall-ninjas/

Remember class: ‘If Plan A is to take multiple .338 shots to the back, you really need to come up with a Plan B.”

I am not and have never been "tacticool." With regard to camo, if you're not active, on-duty military or hunting, you look foolish wearing it.

Can't say I ever was at any time.
No 5.11 pants, I prefer Carharrt.
No plate carrier or vest.
No battle belt.
No camo.
No thigh holster.
Pretty much nothing. To each his/her own though.

Not tacticool, but years ago, a buddy gave me a pair of chocolate chip utility camo pants he brought back from Desert Storm. I had them made into shorts and they have held up very well for the last 25+ years and are super comfy.
Nowadays, I usually get a pair of whatever utility pants are being phased out and have them made into shorts as well. Usually worn with a plain t-shirt and sneakers. Other than those, I usually wear jean shorts and a t-shirt.
I have worn a Wilderness 3-stitch belt ever since they were recommended by the instructor at my CCW class. They are super sturdy and hold up well.

I used to wear 5.11 tactical pants pretty regularly. Then, something happened. A guy who I consider a mall ninja dork loser went to an event that I did and was wearing the same exact 5.11 pants that I was wearing. I looked at him and thought to myself, this guy looks absolutely ridiculous. And I asked myself, do I look ridiculous too? I went home and never wore those pants again. I donated all my 5.11 tactical pants and never wore anything like them again. I looked like a dorky ass too wearing those pants and didn’t realize it.