An old school brand that never lost sight of their original goals and values… Bags, clothing, and other shit. It all rules.

Go back to them.

When 5.11 Tactical approached me about doing a review of some of their products, I was pretty fired up. I’ve always loved their bags and packs and couldn’t wait to get my hands on their offerings. So, I was pretty let down when I learned I was actually going to be reviewing their “Taclite Pro Vest” and their “Taclite Pro Pant.”

I mean, these are clothing items made for cops, military personnel, and other serious types. What in the hell was a hipster like me going to do or have to say about actual tactical goods? Especially a friggin’ vest!? I pressed on. Hunter Thompson wore a vest on assignment, why couldn’t I?

My first opportunity to wear the vest came a couple of weeks ago. I was headed to shoot a hot rod event that called for both film and digital photography. Armed with my Leica M8, M3, and a host of lenses, I headed out with my brand spanking new 5.11 vest and a hint of bashfulness. Admittedly, the vest didn’t make me look like some weekend warrior hell bent on my own brand of justice. In fact, it’s kind of subtle. I felt like I blended in pretty well with the other photographers on hand.

Disregarding my style concerns, there is no doubt that this vest is made with quality. It’s 65% polyester and 35% ripstop. In layman’s terms, that means its’ pretty damned breathable and is literally rip proof. Add that to the fact that the stitching is doubled up just about everywhere and all of the hardware (zips, buttons, etc…) is high-end stuff and it’s hard to argue the value here. The Pro Vest retails for just south of $80, but feels more like something in the $150 range. It’s that nicely made.

Even better, this thing is convenient. Typically, I wear a camera bag over my shoulders when I shoot. With this vest on, it wasn’t necessary. I count 17 pockets and I’m pretty sure I put everyone of them to use. Pockets typically used for some cop’s ammo clips became perfect for extra film. Another pocket was great for my backup point and shoot. Yet another was ideal for extra memory cards. I could go on… You get the point. There are lots of pockets and they are excellently and mindfully laid out. Hunter would be proud.

More so, there is also a D-Ring on the left chest as well as a small clip/carabiner type thing on the right chest. Both are handy for hanging things like key rings and sunglasses. I wasn’t convinced I would use them at all initially, but by the end of the day I was all over them.

Your aren’t gonnna catch me wearing a vest to the mall anytime soon, but damn fellas – I am converted on the issue if their usability when on a “mission.” And it’s hard to wrong with 5.11′s offering. More here.

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The Taclite Pro Pant features the same make up, materials, and quality as the vest. Obviously, I was much more confident about pulling these off. While these too are designed to be used by some guy that kicks ass for a living, they are much more usable on a daily basis simply because, well… a guy has to wear pants, right?

I’ve worn mine quite a bit over the past couple of months on occasions when I’m not too worried about looking like the style maven that I obviously am. They were most handy when we were doing our office remodel this summer. The traditional cargo pockets were great for holding things like screws and hardware, while the smaller velcro secured pocket on the left leg was seemingly designed to hold my iPhone 3. The small pocket on the right leg was also great for holding a multi-tool.

Of course, these are features that you can kind of/sort of find on cargo pants bought at a store like Old Navy. It’s the details that make the difference. The Pro Pant has a utility strap on the back/right side and it’s perfect for securing a hammer or even for temporarily stuffing a cordless drill to free a hand. The waist line is also pretty unique. It flexes with your body creating comfort, but isn’t so “forgiving” to allow the pants to slip off my skinny ass. More here.

Enough of the words, here are the shots:

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So, conclusions… What do I think as a normal guy with a short wardrobe of tactical wear? As expected from 5.11, the quality and value is over the top. Wearability, specifically the vest, is a bit of stretch though for fellas like me. The vest is usable as can be when faced with the appropriate task (like shooting people with a gun… or a camera… whatever the case may be), but there is no way in hell I’m going to wear this thing every day.

The pants are pretty damned golden. A fella can wear these regularly and not look like a bozo doing so. They are comfortable, fit well, and work as they should. I’m sold.

I know… I know… Flip flops? Buy hey, at least they are hand made and supposedly durable as all hell.

Check it.

So a pal of mine is a big time writer in New York City for a big time men’s magazine. It ain’t GQ, but it might as well be. He mostly writes about senseless stuff such as style and fashion, but every now and then he hits a tune that my ears can comprehend. Just this last week, it was Hamilton 1883 shirts.

What are Hamilton 1883 shirts all about? They are 100% American made button downs that cost a small fortune, but last a lifetime. Admittedly, I only own one shirt from the Houston based taylor, but I’ve owned and worn it since 1999. If you are doing a cost analysis, your calculator will tell ya that the shirt has cost me about $18 a year… and that number is getting smaller.

There is something to be said for quality… even if it meshes with fashion.

Check them out.

I know a lot of you fellas out there work with your hands – either by trade or by hobby. A lost tool to many of you is the shop apron. If you’ve never used one, you would have a hard time imagining their usability. It’s about more than keeping your shirt and pants clean. It’s about having a platform to work from. You should try it out… And if you do, you might as well use the best aprons in the world.

The best boot I’ve ever owned is a Red Wing 1178. I bought a pair when I was 17 years old. I am now 34 years old and while they’ve been resoled four or five times, I still wear the Red Wings almost every day. However, in the past few months the leather has finally started to give way – my socks are peaking.

As such, I decided it was time for a new boot. In the interest of adventure, I decided to try a pair of the new Wolverine 1ooo Mile Boots (Burton). Essentially, these boots were manufactured using the same patterns and materials that Wolverine used in the early 1900′s. They are spendy and a bit trendy (ironically), but the marketing got me.

I received the boots three days ago and was immediately impressed by the quality. My favorite Red Wings are affordable and made for hard work. As such, the attention to detail isn’t significant – they are brute over fancy. These Wolverines were built with love and it’s obvious – the stitching is gorgeous, the leather is simple amazingly, and even the laces are waxed to perfection. They look and feel handmade.

Comfort? Again, unbelievable… Typically, it takes a few weeks to break in a boot. These are cush right out of the box and completely wearable all day long.

The question of “staying power” remains… I hesitate to think these could outlast my venerable 1178′s, but I’m gonna give it a shot.

Editor’s note: If you are in Austin, you can check out a pair in person at The Luther Store.

A few weeks ago, I posted about Nau’s new twill cargo pants calling them “covert cargos” as they featured the look of sleek chinos, but the functionality of EDC cargos. Folks in the forum showed some interest, so I contacted the company about getting a pair to review. They arrived at The Gear Journal world headquarters just a day before I set out on two major expeditions – a vintage car rally in Tennessee and an adventure in Hawaii.

Before arriving in Tennessee, I had no time to even try the pants on. I literally cut off the tags, slipped em (one leg at a time-ED), and hopped in a ’32 roadster headed for the Tennessee country side in the middle of a downpour. Buying pants online is a risk – you just never know how they are going to fit and the return process is such a hassle, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that these jobs fit the bill perfectly. I run the scale at about 210 pounds and have a 6’2″ frame. The inseam was ideal for me and the waist was true.

Even more surprising was the material of the pants. I expected a cotton like material similar to a chino you might buy at the Gap, but the Nau cargos are actually made of a cotton/spandex blend. As a result, the pants have a hint of stretch to them and this provides excellent comfortability and maneuverability. I absolutely love the feel of these pants.

Further, Nau didn’t skimp on the details. All of the buttons are mounted with what appears to be gutted paracord, providing extremely secure fastening and a bitchin’ look. Also, all of the seams are double stitched, straight, and clean. These are $95 pants and Nau went the extra mile to make sure the value was there.

The only real complaint that I have is the result of an unavoidable compromise. The covert cargo pockets are secured by the way of a high quality zipper with a very small pull. While the diminutive size of the zipper does completely conceal the pocket on the pants, I wouldn’t consider them easy to access. Aside from that, the pockets were sized well and items placed in them were very secure.

In any regard, there I was… Rain was pouring down inside the roadster and it was pretty damned cold to boot. The pants did a great job of keeping me warm (even at 85 mph in an open car), dried quickly, and performed flawlessly during the two day rally. And I really grew to love the small cargo pockets as they proved to be perfectly sized for rally maps, stop watches, and my venerable iPhone.

With the first test passed, it was time for what I consider the most important – wash performance. So often, I buy a pair pants and love them the first time I wear them only to be disappointed after the first wash. That was not the case with the Nau pants – the material remained true, the size didn’t change a bit, and all was still glorious. Second step, passed… Just in time for the tropics.

Hawaii is warm and humid this time of the year and typically, I don’t wear pants in those conditions. BUT, my wife and I decided to take a hike high above Hanalie Bay one steamy day and the pants were chosen as the proper attire. They resisted snags and tears while in the jungle, the spandex flexed as it should, but more importantly – the fabric breathed. Even in the 90-degree weather and thick humidity, I was comfortable and stick free. Again, passed.

After reading this review, it might seem like I’m glorifying things a bit. I’m not. I’ve found a pair of pants that I love. So much so, in fact, that I’ve decided to buy another pair for myself. And my timing couldn’t be better… Nau is currently offering a special from now through October 31st. If you visit their website, you’ll find the “Changing Room,” where you can purchase select styles at half the price to test out yourself. Nau is convinced that once you try out their products, you’ll fall in love. And if you do, Nau will charge you for the second half of your Changing Room purchase in 30 days. However, if you’re not completely satisfied you can return the product within 30 days and get your money back, no questions asked.

No risk fellas… Get it on.

The latest rage in the tactical world is the use of “covert” equipment. You know, silly shit… like concealed holsters that don’t print, tactical knives that fit deep in the pocket, gear bags that look like book bags, etc… Frankly, I find most of this stuff to be a bit over the top. Then again I’m not in “the service,” so who I am to judge?

In any case, I found a “covert” use product that I actually dig. They are cargo pants that don’t look like cargo pants. You get all kinds of pockets to stuff your gear in, but you don’t have to look like a mall soldier. Pretty cool.

Check it out.

Skate or die homie… 686 is a manufacturer of skate and snowboarding apparel. They also make the above belt which has become famous with folks interested in EDC goods. What looks like your typical “hep cat” belt is actually a multi-tool.

Got your pants on? Then you’re ready… A #2 phillips, a #2 flat, as well as a 1/2″, 9/16″, and 3/8″ wrench is ready to go just as soon as you detach the buckle from your belt. Plumber’s ass is almost certain to follow.

Get yours here.

Looking for a seriously heavy duty work belt? I wasn’t, but I stumbled upon a belt that Chute43 was offering and just dug the way it looked. I dropped him a line, sent him some cash via paypal, and received my “Smokejumper” belt just a few days later.

The Smokejumper is a simple 50″ piece of 1.75″ wide military grade parachute webbing (rated at 6500 pounds) with an all metal “bar catch” clasp (rated at 2000 pounds) sewn on to one end. They are available in all kinds of colors and combinations, but generally have a military or “civil service” look to them – no-nonsense and industrial.

I’ve been wearing my belt for about a week now and am actually a bit surprised by how much I like it. Although this is a wide belt, it is extremely comfortable. The webbing is soft and pliable unlike many other forms of military grade webbing and the unit wears much smaller than it’s actual size. That said, you need to be aware of the 1.75″ width – some jeans such as Levis will not support the width. Lucky Brand, most cargos, and any BDU will, however, work.

And how bout that buckle? It works beautifully. Synch it up as tight as you dare and it won’t budge an inch…

All and all, I’ve got to say that the Smokejumper is a winner – especially at only $16. You can get yours here.