5.11 Tactical Men's Taclite Pro Lightweight Performance Pants, Cargo Pockets, Action Waistband, Style 74273

So five stars should tell you what I'll be discussing but I'm also comparing these to my now 5 year champion TruSpec pants.Yes I've been purchasing ONLY TruSpec pants for 5 years now. I still have the first pair I purchased (A little worn but still wearable).I'll be discussing the differences and similarities.Compared similarities first.-MaterialSame stuff. Poly/cotton blend. Feels the same. Looks the same and has the same teflon coating.-StitchingSame again. Double stitching in most places. Hems and seams are all similar and of the same quality.-FitI ordered the same size I've worn for five years in the TruSpecs and they fit great. I'm a tree climber and these provide plenty of mobility and coverage.-DurabilitySince I've only worn them a few days I can't put a five year stamp on them. I feel confident they will stand up just fine.Differences-ColorGrey! That's the main reason I gave these a shot. Grey is a favored color of mine and I couldn't resist.-Pocket flapsThe cargo pockets on the knees and the clip/cell pocket have a cover. The butt pockets don't have flaps though. I haven't given them a good test. I am usually digging wood chips out of most pockets without flaps but I'm hoping the way these are cut will prove to be defensive against those pesky chips.-Waste bandThere are more belt loops. The TruSpecs have a very unique waste band though. It has a hidden elastic band. At first glance you wouldn't notice but it adds a lot of weight and under a belt can be a little painful after a long day. These are lighter and more comfy. I'm not a fan of the scrunchy stuff though.-Pocket ConfigThe TruSpecs also have unique pockets. Well, pockets in pockets. I don't use most of them so they are just added weight for me. I really like the cellphone/clip pocket, it's great! No more fishing for the phone. The butt pockets are a little tougher to get used to. Maybe just a learning curve. I'll report back on an Update. I do like the cargo pockets being lower. They don't get in the way of my climbing harness.-Gusseted CrotchHmmm.... I've never blown out a crotch on the TruSpecs. Never seen a need for a heavier seam. It may take some getting used to. There is a noticeable bit of extra material between the legs but it should soften after a few washes.SummaryOver all I really like these pants so far after two days of wear. Still not sure about the tool strap on the back pocket. May prove to be useful. It doesn't seem to get in the way of the wallet pocket like I thought.Without all the extra waste band material and the extra "Pocket pockets" which I think account for the weight difference, these 5.11s are the ultra light cousins of my TruSpecs. will be ordering a few more pair and wear these out in the field for some real testing and report back with what I hope is some positive findings.

I work at a hotel, where I do a fair amount of physical labor and often times that physical labor requires getting a little dirty. I don't mind getting dirty, but I also need to maintain a clean, professional appearance.For several months of employment, I dreaded the idea of sweeping dirt from the parking lot or cleaning out an HVAC closet because I knew my pants were going to be dirty for the rest of the day. Positive feedback #1 for TacLite Pro pants is that dirt and liquid wipe off pretty easily, keeping me looking clean all day for our guests.I carry a small Motorola handheld radio and an ink pen in the velcro magazine pocket (I tuck the velcro flap inside the pocket for quick access to the radio). I keep my iPhone in the cell phone pocket. I use the cargo pockets primarily for carrying checklists and similar items. My wallet sits comfortably in a back pocket. Positive feedback #2 for the TacLite Pro pants is that there are plenty of pockets to help keep me organized while maintaining a professional look.Before wearing these pants I went through a couple pair of carpenter's pants and cargo pants. While all of those pants were decent, they were heavy and when they got wet, they stayed wet. Positive feedback #3 for the TacLite Pro pants is that they are not heavy and they dry quickly after playing in the rain. That's not to say they are any less durable than my other pants were. If anything I would say they are more durable. I have had them get caught on corners of metal lockers without so much as a single thread coming loose. I can't say the same about other pants I've worn to work.My uniform is a charcoal gray shirt with black pants. I burned through black pants in the past partly because they would fade to gray like nobody's business. I have two pair of these and I've washed them both twice a week since April. They are still black. Positive feedback #4 for the TacLite Pro pants is that they retain their color well. I'm sure they will eventually fade, but in comparison to my old work pants, I will probably wear these out before I need to worry about noticeable fading.Another reason I would burn through pants in the past is because they would ultimately not fit very well. After repeated machine washing and drying they would either shrink in length or around the waist. Positive feedback #5 for the TacLite Pro pants is that they still fit the same after a few months of repeated machine washing and drying.Lastly, I'll say that even when I'm not at work I sometimes put these on because they really are that comfortable. In fact, my wife and I are planning a camping trip for August in the White Mountains. Can you guess which pants I'll be putting at the top of my pack?