HOME


High Performance/Tactical Clothing - Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4
This section features High-Performance Wear that is not specifically targeted for overt military use, but could be used anywhere.

As a sizing reference: I'm 5'7", 155 lbs (yeah, I'm a little guy), medium build (BDU top medium/regular, BDU pant medium/short), waist 32", chest 43". Keep this in mind when you read my comments with respect to sizing, so you have an idea of how the garments featured below will fit on you. ALL garments in these pages are size Medium, unless stated otherwise.

Many of the professionals (and civvies) I know are avid outdoors enthusiasts, and are not always looking for military-styled clothing when they're out backpacking or around town. While they will work just as well for Military or Law Enforcement use, the garments listed on these pages will definitely be of interest to anyone just looking for high-performance outdoor clothing.

TO VIEW FULL SIZE IMAGES: USERNAME and PASSWORD are both "mm"

TAD Gear Limited Edition Striker Leather Flight Jacket

12/4/07 - Just like they did with their Legionnaire Classic pants and Garage Jacket, TAD Gear has yet again given another classic design the TAD Gear treatment. The Striker Leather flight Jacket is patterned after the German military (Bundeswehr) issue flight jacket (flieger jacken), which is issued to pilots in the Air Force (Luftwaffe), Navy (Marine) and Army (Heer). It's a superb example of current issue military style and design that's versatile enough for every day wear just about anywhere you can think of. Patrick at TAD Gear bought his first current issue Luftwaffe jacket back in 1987, and really liked the design as it was unlike anything else on the market. The cut was designed for every day wear, like a baseball or letterman jacket. It was a more casual fit, and less restrictive than a close-fitting motorcycle jacket, but still a great military/”industrial” function-first type design. He had been wanting to do a higher quality version for a long time, so finally, the Striker jacket was born.

TAD Gear's website states that "Our Striker Flight Jacket is perfect for everyday street wear, adventure travel, motorcycling, pilots, 4 wheeling, and anyone looking for a totally distinct, and excellently made EDC leather jacket. Looks great with your favorite pair of jeans, khakis, or cargo pants. From the first moment you put it on, you'll feel like you're wearing an old broken-in favorite." I'm inclined to agree.

Material - The Striker jacket is cut on the exact same pattern as the current issue German Pilot and Air Crew Flight Jackets, and custom made in one of the finest bespoke (tailored) leather shops in the USA, specializing in Motorcycle Police and Competition Racing leathers. TAD chose select American Free Range Goatskins for their superior strength to weight ratio. Goatskin is a strong, supple leather with a proven track record for durability and its long-lasting properties. Compared to cowhide, it has the same durability for less weight compared to cowhide and even more comfort from their supple characteristics. The Striker jacket is constructed out of 3 oz goatskin. Many foreign-made leather jackets and coats are made of 1 oz leather. It's determined by taking a 1 ft x 1 ft sample cut from the finished hide and weighing it, and comparing that weight to the thickness. 2.5 oz or 3 oz leather is considered the optimum leather weight for flight jackets, providing a good balance between durability and suppleness. Each goatskin hide is unique and displays distinct grains & textures from free range goats.

Instead of the gray colour that the German flight jackets are made of, the TAD chose a unique colour they've dubbed as 'Terra Green'. It's difficult to pin down as it looks different depending on the lighting conditions. It looks more brown under yellowish light (in the late afternoon light above, for example) and greenish-brown under artificial (fluorescent) light and overcast days in the photos below. Whatever it is, though, it's a smart-looking shade that goes well with just about any other colour. In the far right photo below, the Striker is shown right next to a dark brown leather A2 flight jacket.


Striker and Legninnaire pants



Inside pocket locations and lining

Compared to brown leather jacket (Striker on right)

The main features of the Striker Jacket are as follows (size 42 shown):

  • TAD Gear Green Label - Premium American Aviation Grade 3 oz Goatskin which is exceptionally supple yet durable.
  • 100% custom made in San Francisco, CA, USA.
  • Similar in fit to US MA-1 or CWU flight jackets.
  • Leather hang loop.
  • Upgraded to solid full back with no center seam - Patrick also wanted to do a solid back instead of the issue back with a center seam. Solid backs indicate a much more expensive process as a whole hide is used for the back; not pieced together with 2 smaller hides.
  • Heavy duty charcoal-coloured nylon lining - This is heavier duty than the common polyester/silk-weight material used in most leather flight jackets. It's more resistant to abrasion so a concealed pistol in a shoulder or hip holster won't wear holes in it.
  • YKK metal zippers - these are nickel plated steel (like the original A2 jackets, not the yellow brass more recent versions). They provide a nice contrast to the rest of the jacket. All zippers have same-leather pulls.
  • Terra Green colour
  • Available in chest sizes 36"-48" - German Issue Military sizing, order a size up for a looser fit.

Inside collar details


Collar details

Collar zipped up
  • Front map pocket on left chest - This is a front-entry pocket with 6" zipper opening, and is about 7" tall and 7" deep.
  • Two side hand warmer pockets - The original German flight jacket does not have hand warmer pockets. Hand warmer pockets are a feature I'm used to having on a jacket, and I'm glad that TAD chose to add them. The Striker hand warmer pockets are about 7" deep with a 6" opening. Both the front map pocket and hand warmer pockets are lined with a heavy duty fabric - even heavier than the jacket lining.
  • Left sleeve admin/accessory pocket - This is about 5.5" x 5.5" and patterned exactly after the German flight jacket pocket. It has a 3.5" zippered opening and small items can be stored inside. The bottom of the pocket is sewn into a box, so it actually has some volume and isn't flat. On the outside are 3 pen slots. These are pretty narrow, and will only work with slim pens. They're 4" deep, and won't fit longer pens. A small 2" wide x 3" tall slot pocket is sewn on top of the pen slots.

Front map pocket

Side pocket opening

Left shoulder pocket

Left shoulder pocket details


  • Armpit vents - A 2.5" slit at the armpit provides ventilation where it's needed. It's reinforced with a circle of leather on the inside of the jacket.
  • Two internal chest pockets - There's an internal chest pocket on either side, with the opening reinforced with leather. The lining is the heavier nylon. The opening is 5.75" wide and the pocket is about 8" deep.
  • Mil-spec, aviation grade, lycra reinforced wool knit cuffs, waist, and collar - TAD used the same supplier for the knit cuffs that makes them for the best G1’s. These are chocolate brown in colour. The collar is 3.5" tall, the cuffs 3" wide and the waistband 2.75" wide.

Pit vent

Inside pit vent

Inside chest pocket

Waistband details

Cuff

The Striker jacket is cut right at "flight jacket length" - just below the waist. The fit is relaxed (on me); not tight at all, but not baggy either. As mentioned above, it fits very much like a letterman jacket. There's enough room to fit a sweatshirt or the TAD Scout Hoodie under the jacket for added warmth. The Striker has no insulation other than the lining. TAD spared no expense on the Striker, and it shows. The materials, stitching and workmanship (even inside the jacket and pockets) are simply excellent. The leather is thick, yet supple with an attractive grain and that scent. I don't find it heavy or too warm; I find it very comfortable for temperatures around 70°F and below. It's ideal for cool or windy conditions, as leather stops the wind completely, yet remains breathable. The collar can be worn open or zipped up to form a turtleneck.

My only other non-motorcycling leather jacket is a 17-year old Avirex "AVG" A2, which is still going strong and a nice jacket (even though the Avirex A2 is only a loose approximation of the original A2 design, which I didn't know back then). I tended to wear it less over the years as it became such a common design, with cheap knockoff 'bomber jackets' sported everywhere. The Striker/German flight jacket style is much less common than the A2 or G1, and is classy, stylish and functional. Overall, it's a more streamlined jacket without the shoulder epaulets and flap pockets. This jacket will not go out of style anytime soon. The Terra Green shade further adds to the uniqueness and distinctive look of the Striker. I've been wearing it all over the place - every day wear to work, around town, on my motorcycle, and have found it to be a very comfortable and versatile jacket. The colour also goes well with the pants I wear most often; OD green, khaki and jeans. While I love my synthetic jackets made of the latest high-performance rain-shedding breathable membrane materials, they just don't have the character of a well worn classic leather jacket.

Shown below is the Striker Jacket with MM graphic designed and custom printed by Andrew Bawidamann. This is the same graphic as found on the MM T-shirt.


with MM graphic

TAD Gear V8 Garage Jacket

9/9/07 - So the story goes, the "Garage Jacket" had its origins as a simply-styled jacket worn by mechanics working on cars - both as protection from the cold concrete floor of the garage and when it was chilly at the drag strip. This "working-man's" jacket has become a classic American garment used for casual outerwear, no longer worn only by gear-heads and hot-rodders but by anyone appreciating its simple and practical style and cut. For the debut of their first dedicated urban street wear jacket, TAD Gear has taken this classic American garment and "supercharged" it without changing its familiar, smart, straight lines.

As you can see from the photos below, the TAD Gear V8 Garage Jacket is a great looking jacket, but doesn't look too unusual at first glance. TAD took the subtle route with the V8, infusing it with neat TAD features that are more covert than overt.

The V8 is made from rugged 100% cotton canvas, and only available in True Black. It's a substantial fabric - but not so thick as to be stiff. What sets the V8 fabric apart from other cotton jackets is that it's Epic Nextec treated, which encapsulates the fibers in silicone. This produces a highly water-resistant, windproof, breathable and washable cotton. Water beads up and doesn't penetrate the fabric, and it's also much quicker drying than standard cotton as the fibers don't want to hold water.

I took the photo above one and a half hours after putting the water on the jacket. After I shook the water off and felt the fabric, it was completely dry with no 'wetting out'. In my experience with other Epic-treated fabrics, I've found that they are highly water resistant as advertized, but not water proof, so take note of that distinction. The V8 is not intended to replace rain gear, but it will defintely keep you drier for longer than a regular jacket.


Zipped up

Open

Back

Inside pocket locations

Here's a rundown of the features on the V8 Garage Jacket (medium size shown):

  • TAD Gear Green Label - Natural 100% Cotton shell.
  • Special modified cut to minimize and reduce printing from shoulder or waist carry - Two inches was added to the normal work jacket length (like Dickies). While still a waist length jacket, those extra couple of inches provides just enough room to cover many waist carry holsters. Since the work style jacket is inherently “boxy” the torso cut follows a less tapered pattern which creates a nice space for most shoulder holsters. Imprinting is at a minimum with the V8 cut. The cut is generous/loose without being baggy.
  • Reinforced elbow patches - double layer of fabric on the elbows for durability.
  • Zipped cuffs with 'time check rotation' - Instead of being located on the outside of the cuff, the zippers are rotated so that they're directly over your watch face if you're wearing one. Unzipping the cuff exposes the watch to view. The idea behind this is to allow easy access to check the time on the watch instead of pulling back the cuff. Not really needed for a quick glance, but intended more for times when you want continued access to your watch - like looking at a countdown timer, or using the stopwatch function. Opening up the zipper provides unrestricted access to all the buttons on your watch.
  • Accessory pocket on left sleeve/shoulder - This is a 6.5" tall x 6" wide zipper-opening flat pocket. It's fully lined with sateen fabric. A D-ring is sewn at the rear of the pocket for dummy cording items to.
  • Two hand warmer pockets with internal Quik Draw mag slots - In each side entry hand warmer pocket is a 5.75" deep slot pocket, angled for easy access. Sewn to the opening of the slot pocket is an 18" length of tape/webbing with velcro on the end. When an object is inserted into the slot pocket, the tape is wrapped under it and is inserted into the pocket with it. The velcro is then secured on the outside of the slot pocket. When velcro tab on the tape is pulled, it ejects the object into your hand. The pocket is sized for most pistol magazines. I haven't decided whether pulling on the tape is faster than just reaching into the slot pocket (if the mag baseplate sticks out, it's easy to grab), but it does help with shorter mags like Glock 19 mags, which sit further down within the pocket. If you choose not to use the tape, just roll it up and shove it into the pocket - you won't know it's there. The slot pockets will also fit flashlights.
  • YKK Covert Zippers used throughout with zipper garages

Elbow reinforcement and zipper cuff

Left shoulder pocket

Left shoulder pocket interior D-ring

Hand warmer pocket

Quik-draw mag slot in handwarmer pocket
  • Heavy "Super Fly" Sateen lining - The V8 is fully lined with luxurious olive green sateen. It's heavy enough to provide some light insulation and warmth, and very comfortable.
  • Two internal breast pockets - Inside each breast is a 6" x 6" flat pocket with zippered opening. Each pocket is organized on the inside with a pen slot and 5" deep x 3.5" wide slot pocket for iPods, sunglasses, cell phone etc.
  • Waistband Hideout Pocket - Hidden in the waistband behind the left hip is a Hideout pocket for small, flat items like a couple of keys or money. It's 7" long and 1.8" wide. It has a fine zipper closure, and when closed, the zipper is hidden. Only the small metal tab is visible.
  • Lapel Hideout Pocket - Another secret pocket is located under the right lapel. It's 6" long and tapers from 2" at the end to 2.5" at the opening. There's no zipper, and the opening is secured by an overlapping piece of fabric. A small D-ring is sewn inside at the bottom of the pocket, for securing a small hideaway knife sheath or dummy cording a key. The D-ring isn't meant to be frequently accessed, as you have to scrunch up the length of the pocket to expose it.

Sateen lining and internal pockets

Pen slot and internal organizer

Waistband hideout pocket

Lapel hideout pocket

One thing I've really begun to appreciate with just about all of TAD Gear's clothing is the organization offered by 'pockets within pockets'. So much so that I miss those features when I wear 'normal' pants or jackets. I like being able to segregate my keys, cell phone, pager, sunglass case and change instead of putting them together to collect at the bottom of my pockets. Having separate compartments also keeps movement of items within the pockets to a minimum when running around. The V8 offers the same kind of organization in a more subtle manner and I'm sure will be popular with those wanting TAD's features in a non-tactical looking jacket. I'd rate V8 as a light-medium to medium jacket, as far as usage in cool weather. For colder weather, TAD showed the V8 layered over their Scout Hoodie, which needs an outer layer if there's a wind blowing. The V8 is sized more generously than TAD's stealth hoodies, and cut such that the lightweight Scout Hoodie layers underneath without feeling bulky, and looks good when worn as a combination.

The V8 is a great urban-casual jacket with a Classic American look, but with the added bonus of modern features and fabric technology.


Worn over Scout Hoodie


MM Graphic

TAD Gear Force 10 Cargo Shorts

6/7/07 - At first glance, I thought that TAD Gear's Force 10 Cargo Shorts were simply a short version of their Force 10 "Legionnaire' Classic Cargo Pants. Upon closer examination, I found that the shorts combine features from both the Legionnaire pants and the Force 10 Cargo Utilities.

The Cargo shorts are available in two fabrics - a Desert Tan 100% 7.5 oz cotton twill gabardine (like the Legionnaire pants), and a lightweight 100% nylon 'Amphibious Cloth' in Khaki. TAD Gear's Green and Black labels refer to their garments made of natural fibers and blends/synthetic fibers respectively.
The heavier weight cotton twill is very rugged-feeling and would be suitable for those individuals who wear shorts year-round. They'd also do well for bouldering and rock face environments, as the thickness of the fabric offers some protection against sharp surfaces. Like a pair of Levi's, they'll get softer over time with each washing and wearing.
The 'Amphibious Cloth' nylon is very similar to Supplex nylon, and the nylon shorts are suited for hot weather, surf, water and sand, as they're quick drying and very lightweight and breezy. The khaki colour is the warmer of the two fabrics in the photos.

The Cargo shorts come in even waist sizes from 30" to 44" , with a 10" inseam for sizes 30" to 34" and 11" inseam for sizes 36" to 44". On me, the size 32's come down to mid-knee level.


Cotton Cargo shorts

Rear

Small hammer in right cargo pocket

Nylon Cargo shorts

Here's a rundown of the features on the Force 10 Cargo shorts (size 32 shown):

  • Button waist and Zipper fly - A Delrin-tooth YKK zipper fly for convenient donning/doffing with a Canadian-style slotted/taped waist button.
  • Seven 2-1/4" belt loops fit rigger belts (the Cotton shorts shown here with an SOE Cobra rigger belt and the Nylon shorts with a Liger belt). The front two belt loops have YKK D-ring gear keepers for dummy cording the contents of the front pockets - these will be useful if you're wearing the nylon shorts around water.
  • Gusseted Action Crotch - for full mobillity without the worry of splitting them.
  • Reinforced double seat.
  • Two rear 7" x 7" pockets with slotted button closures - These are exactly the same as the ones on the Legionnaire pants. All pockets are made from the same fabric as the rest of the shorts instead of a lighter weight material. Pocket flaps corners are angled off.
  • Two 6" deep x 4.5" wide welted cell phone/utility pockets in the front - no closure. I use these more than the side pockets for small items - I miss them on pants that don't have them. They're deep enough to be pretty secure and don't restrict movement.
  • Two side/slash pockets - these have TAD's reinforcements for pocket knife clips. The extra reinforcement helps with the wear associated with the repeated carrying of knives with pocket clips. Inside the right pocket is a small 3" tall x 2.75" wide coin pocket which also fits my cell phone or pager.
  • Large, side bellows cargo pockets - These have a 'true bellows' design instead of the more common pleated BDU style. This results in a cleaner appearance overall. The roomy pocket has bellows in the rear only, for a lower profile and less snag potential when moving forward. They're about 1-1/2" shorter than the Force 10 cargo pants pockets. The pocket opening is slanted forward, for easier access. The flap corners are angled off and the flap is secured by slotted buttons, like the Legionnaire pants. There are no internal compartments as it was found that the shorts pockets are best used for bulkier, less dense items than small dense ones. This is due to the fact that the leg opening on the shorts is larger than that on the pants, so there is more swaying of the contents under high impact movement (running/jumping). The pocket flap top has a slot for momentary stowage of a longer object down the pocket like a ruler or tool (shown here with a small hammer). There are water-drainage grommets on the Nylon short pockets, not the cotton ones.

Front details

Rear pocket on cotton short

Side cargo pocket details

If you own one of TAD Gear's pants, you'll be familiar with the features and build of the shorts. The shorts have no less than 58 bartacks for reinforcement in high-stress locations! I found both the cotton and nylon shorts to be equally suitable for every day, casual use. I found the heavier cotton fabric sways a bit less when carrying stuff in the pockets but the nylon ones are a bit cooler in hot or humid weather. If there's a chance I'd encounter water or needed light weight and packability, I'd pick the nylon ones. For dry, rocky environments, I'd pick the cotton ones. It also depend on personal preference whether you prefer traditional cotton or high-tech nylon. Either way, I'm well-equipped for summer.


Rocket World Force 10 Spartan Shorts

7/31/09 - Just in time for the rest of summer, the Rocket World Force 10 Spartan Shorts from TAD Gear are the short version of their Spartan Pants with some newly incorporated features. Like the Spartan Pants, the Spartan Shorts are sans side cargo pockets, which result in a more streamlined version of the Force 10 Cargo Shorts featured above.

Rocket World is another outlet for the creativity of TAD Gear's owner, Patrick Ma. Rocket World special edition TAD Gear apparel will often have subtle (or not so subtle) details that inject a little humour or fun into a tactical world that sometimes takes itself too seriously. With the Rocket World Spartan Shorts, the bartacks are done in green contrast stitching, and the buttons are taped using the same colour. It's a very subtle effect.

The Spartan Shorts are available in two colours - Arid Earth (shown here), and M.E. Green in a light weight 100% cotton ripstop. The fabric used is in between the heavier cotton twill gabardine Cargo shorts and the light weight 100% nylon 'amphibious cloth' in the previous writeup.

The Rocket World Spartan shorts have 'California Cut', with a slightly slimmer leg and longer inseam than the Force 10 Cargo shorts. If you look at the photos in the Cargo shorts review above, you'll see that they end right at mid knee. The Rocket World shorts have a 2" longer inseam (so they below my knee) and aren't as baggy.

The Spartan shorts come in even waist sizes from 28" to 44" , with a 12" inseam for sizes 28" to 36" and 13" inseam for sizes 38" to 44".


Spartan shorts

Rear


Here's a rundown of the features on the Rocket World Force 10 Spartan shorts (size 32 shown):

  • Button waist and Zipper fly - A Delrin-tooth YKK zipper fly for convenient donning/doffing with a Canadian-style slotted/taped waist button using contrasting green tape.
  • Seven 2-1/2" belt loops fit rigger belts. The front two belt loops have YKK D-ring gear keepers for dummy cording the contents of the front pockets.
  • Gusseted Action Crotch - for full mobillity without the worry of splitting them.
  • Reinforced double seat.
  • Two rear 7" x 7" pockets with slotted single button-through closures - These are the same style as the ones on the Spartan pants; with no flap. All pockets are made from the same fabric as the rest of the shorts instead of a lighter weight material. The buttons are taped in contrasting green.
  • Two 6" deep x 4.5" wide welted cell phone/utility pockets in the front - no closure. These are pretty standard on all TAD Gear pants and I use these more than the side pockets for small items. I miss them on pants that don't have them.
  • Two side/slash pockets - these have TAD's new hypalon reinforcements for pocket knife clips. The extra reinforcement helps with the wear associated with the repeated carrying of knives with pocket clips. Inside the right pocket is a small 3" tall x 2.75" wide coin pocket which also fits my cell phone or pager.
  • Small removable molded rubber Rocket World glow in the dark logo on velcro patch.

Front details

Rear

Hypalon knife clip reinforcement

Rocket World logo

Observations/Notes - Like the TAD Gear Force 10 Cargo Shorts, the Spartan shorts are bartacked at all stress points and are just some of the most practically designed shorts I've owned. The rip stop fabric on the Spartan shorts seems a bit lighter weight than the fabric used on the ODRP pants in the writeup below - but that was a couple of years ago and the current ripstop pants should have the same fabric as the shorts. It's really good stuff for hot weather, and when wet, it dries faster than the heavier ripstop or twill fabrics.

The new hypalon knife clip pocket reinforcements can work for, or against you, depending on the tension of the knife clip. Hypalon is very grippy material. It really does help increase the purchase that the knife clip has on the pocket, reducing the chances of it slipping out accidentally. However, on knife clips that are tight to begin with (like ZT knives), the hypalon can make it difficult to extract the knife quickly. The pocket wants to follow, and it requires a good tug to free the knife. On some other knives with less 'aggressive' clips, the feature works great.

As mentioned above, the Spartan shorts have a 'California cut', and they do have a bit of a board short look and cleaner/smarter appearance because of the lack of cargo pockets. I like this less baggy cut as I have skinny legs. After a few washings, the fabric breaks in nicely, and they're great for everyday wear or outdoor activities in spring, summer and fall.

 


TAD Gear ODRP Force 10 Cargo Utilities

7/14/07 - This is TAD Gear's 100% cotton OD Green ripstop version of their Force 10 Cargo Utilities, reviewed here previously in Crye MultiCam Twill. While externally identical, the 100% cotton OD ripstop Force 10's (also available in MultiCam NYCO ripstop and 100% cotton tan twill) differ slightly in some details from the MultiCam twill version.

I'm glad that TAD came out with these pants, as 100% cotton ripstop is one of my all-time favourite fabrics. I've got a 15 year old pair of OD green ripstop BDU shorts which I still wear frequently, as they're faded and worn just like I like 'em. While I like the feel of old BDU pants, I do prefer the 'modernized' features that the Force 10 Cargo Utilities offer. But before I continue, I must mention that these pants run about a half size large. This applies only to the OD ripstop, not the other fabrics. I normally wear a size Medium, with 30" inseam, so that's what TAD sent out first. TAD sized them on the larger side to account for shrinkage of the 100% cotton duing washing and drying, based on past experience. However, this particular fabric didn't shrink as much as anticipated, even after washing and drying on hot settings. I washed and dried the size Mediums, and the waist would fit about 34" to 37" (BDU size medium fits 31" to 35"). Patrick at TAD sent out a size Small, 30" inseam and I washed and dried that. They fit my 32" waist perfectly with a little room to spare. I'd say they'd fit to about a 33" waist and adjust down to 31". So I kept the Smalls and sent back the Mediums. As you can see from the photos below, they're a great fit all around. TAD tends to size all their pants generously, to accomodate inside-the-waistband holsters and such.


100% cotton OD ripstop




Here's a rundown of the features on the 100% Cotton Ripstop OD Green Force 10's (small/ 30" inseam shown):

  • Velcro waist tab adjustments - These provide about 2" of adjustment (total). I've mentioned it to TAD that more adjustability could be obtained by extending the portion of loop velcro behind the waist for the tab to stick to. Other than that, it's more comfortable than the metal BDU buckle and doesn't slip. On my MultiCam size Medium Force 10 Cargos, I cannot adjust the waist tight enough to wear with a belt. On my size Small OD ripstops, I can, and don't need a belt.
  • Zipper fly - A Delrin-tooth YKK zipper fly for convenient donning/doffing and a military-style taped tan button waist closure.
  • 1.75" belt loops fit rigger belts (shown here with an SOE QR Cobra rigger belt). The front two belt loops have tan YKK D-ring gear keepers for dummy cording the contents of the front pockets. The belt loops are also located to accomodate placement of a hip holster.
  • Diamond Gusseted Crotch - usually found on rock climbing and martial-arts pants for full mobility and the assurance that you're not going to split them.
  • Reinforced double seat
  • New triple reinforced knees - The knees also have a knee pad pocket with bottom slot over the double knees so padding can be inserted through the velcro-closed entrance at the bottom. They're sized to fit TAD's new T-Pro Impact knee pads, or Crye Precision knee pads. The knees are also articulated.
  • Two rear 7" x 7" pockets with flap/slotted button closures - all pockets are made from the same fabric as the rest of the pants for durability, instead of a lighter weight material. Pocket flaps are angled off.
  • Two 6" deep x 4.5" wide welted cell phone/utility pockets in the front - no closure.
  • Two side/slash pockets - these have TAD's reinforcements for pocket knife clips. The extra reinforcement helps with the wear associated with the repeated carrying of knives with pocket clips. The double material also makes the clip tighter and less likely for the knife to fall out.
  • Large, ACU-styled angled side bellows cargo pockets - These are the more expensive 'true bellows' design instead of the more common pleated BDU style. This results in a cleaner appearance overall. The roomy pocket has bellows in the rear only, for a lower profile and less snag potential when moving forward. The cargo pocket opening is slanted forward - ACU style, for easier access. The slotted button closure pocket flap corners are angled. Each cargo pocket has three internal compartments. The one in the middle is about 7" deep and will accomodate a 30-round M4 magazine, and the ones to each side of it are 4.5" deep, sized just right for .45 single stack magazines (they were too tight for my 9mm mags). Most small folding knives will fit in the side compartments, and longer/larger ones in the middle compartment. The pocket flap has an opening - the 'flashight slot' which allows access to the middle compartment without opening the pocket. There's also a D-ring sewn in for dummy cording. I've been wearing the MultiCam cargos for a while now, and really appreciate the idea of internal compartments, so that the contents of the pocket don't just collect at the bottom in a pile.
  • Drawstring cuffs - I found that I don't really use the drawstring, so I pulled slid them out. They can always be put back in if need be.

Construction and workmanship are excellent, with all points of stress bartacked.


Taped/slotted button and YKK zipper

Pocket knife clip reinforcement and front welted pockets

Waist adjustment

Rear pocket button closre

Side cargo pocket

Side cargo compartments with M4 mag in the middle one

Drawstring cuffs

One note about the taped/slottted buttons on the side cargos; I found myself grabbing the tape between the buttons sometimes when accessing the pockets. I trimmed off the tape between the buttons, about half an inch from the button, and used a lighter to seal the cut edge. The ones on the back pockets didn't bother me.

I found that the OD ripstop Force 10's are a lighter weight alternative to the Legionnarie Classic Cargo Pants, which I've been wearing frequently for the past six months. It's summer now, and the lighter ripstop material is better suited for the heat. However, I did find that the ripstop is pretty wind resistant, as I've worn these riding my motorcycle to work in the early mornings (6am) when it's still chilly. 100% cotton ripstop does tend to wrinkle in the dryer, so if you're the type that likes smartly pressed slacks, you're going to be doing a lot of ironing. Personally, the wrinkled look of cotton ripstop is one that I like and find comfortingly familiar, and I look forward to these pants wearing in like old BDUs. These pants are another 'instant fave' from TAD Gear.

TAD has also introduced their T-Pro Impact Knee Pads, shown below. These are made in the U.K. by T-Pro, who specialize in body armour for motorcycle racing and other sports. The material slows down the impact and disperses it, very much like the visco-elastic foam from Oregon Aero that I've used in their Shockblockers insoles. TAD has the grey, 5.5mm thick material custom die-cut to fit all current versions of their Force 10 Cargos with knee slots. Aven though they're less than 1/4" thick, they'll take the impact of a medium-force punch when placed on a hard surface. They're highly flexible quite unnoticeable in the pants until you take a knee - then they're much appreciated.


T-Pro Impact knee pads

Knee pad pocket

 


TAD Gear 100% Nylon Amphibious Cloth HP Force 10 Cargo Utilities (2007)

7/7/08 - This is TAD Gear's 100% nylon Amphibious Cloth version of their Force 10 Cargo Utilities, which is one of the fabric choices for their Force 10 Cargo Utilities 2007 model. The previous models were reviewed here in Crye MultiCam Twill and above in the OD Green 100% cotton ripstop. Just as the 100% cotton OD ripstop Force 10's differed slightly in some details from previous generation MultiCam twill version, the 2007 evolution of the Force 10 Utilities have some slight updates from the previous version.

My previous experience with the 100% nylon Amphibious cloth was with the TAD Gear Force 10 Cargo Shorts reviewed above on this page. The Amphibious cloth is a lightweight yet tough fabric with a DWR (Durable Water Repellant) finish.

Let's talk about sizing first - The previous version of the Force 10 was available in S, M, L (and so on) sizes. The newest (2007) models are available in even waist sizes. Knowing that TAD's pant waists are sized generously with extra room for inside-the-waistband carry of a pistol, I wasn't sure whether a size 30 or 32 would fit me best. I'm a 32 on a good day and 33 after dinner. So, I asked them to send me both a 30 and 32 to try out.
When I got them, I fit the 30 better than the 32. It was a perfect fit, but I just wouldn't be able to put on an ounce of weight. So, it seemed that the size 30 pants would actually fit up to a 32 waist. Then I washed it and dried it in medium/low heat in the dryer. I was surprised to find out that even though it was 100% nylon, it shrank a bit overall. About an inch at the waist. But that was enough to be an inch too small now. What to do?
The 32 was a bit looser than I usually like, but that was before washing. So, I washed them to see if they'd shrink a bit, and sure enough they did. Also about an inch around the waist, making them fit me a lot better. I still needed a belt, but they were just right now, with a bit of room to spare (the 32 will fit up to a 33 actual measurement waist).
So, I estimated that the nylon Force 10s shrank about 2-3%. I recommend you buy your waist size or the closest one above it, and don't be alarmed if they're a bit loose when new, before washing. They'll shrink some. Since they're in even sizes, each size will accomodate about an inch larger than marked. The pants shown below are the 32 waist, 30 length.


100% nylon amphib cloth




Closeup

 

Features - Here's a list of the features on the 100% Nylon Amphibious Cloth 2007 model Force 10's. Much of it is the same as the previous version, but I've pointed out the differences where applicable. (32" waist, 30" inseam shown):

  • 2" Waist increments - the Velcro waist tab adjustments of the previous version have been deleted, and the new Force 10's offered in 2" waist increments for a better fit (instead of small, medium, large etc).
  • Canadian-style slotted military buttons - These are used for the waist, side cargo pockets and rear pockets. A notable difference between the 2007 and the older version is that the tape between the buttons is now sewn down so that there is no loop to snag on.
  • Zipper fly - A Delrin-tooth YKK zipper fly for convenient donning/doffing and a military-style taped tan button waist closure.
  • 1.75" belt loops fit rigger belts (shown here with a Crosstac D-belt). The front two belt loops have tan YKK D-ring gear keepers for dummy cording the contents of the front pockets. They have been changed to a heavier-duty part than the previous model Force 10. The belt loops are also located to accomodate placement of a hip holster.
  • Diamond Gusseted Crotch - usually found on rock climbing and martial-arts pants for full mobility and the assurance that you're not going to split them.
  • Reinforced double seat
  • Reinforced knees - The double-layer knees have a knee pad pocket with bottom slot so padding can be inserted through the velcro-closed entrance at the bottom. They're sized to fit TAD's T-Pro Impact knee pads, or Crye Precision knee pads (not included). The knees are also articulated.
  • Two rear 7" x 7" pockets with flap/slotted button closures - all pockets are made from the same fabric as the rest of the pants for durability, instead of a lighter weight material. Pocket flaps are angled off.
  • Two 6" deep x 4.5" wide welted cell phone/utility pockets in the front - no closure. These are one of my favourite features of the Force 10 pants and really miss them when I wear pants that don't have them. That's where I carry my cell phone, sunglass case or keys.
  • Two side/slash pockets - these have TAD's reinforcements for pocket knife clips. The extra reinforcement helps with the wear associated with the repeated carrying of knives with pocket clips. The double material also makes the clip tighter and less likely for the knife to fall out. Inside the right slash pocket is a 3" x 3" smaller pocket, which will fit my cell phone or keys. This is something the Force 10 shorts had, but not the previous Force 10 pants.
  • Large, ACU-styled angled side bellows cargo pockets - These are the more expensive 'true bellows' design instead of the more common pleated BDU style and results in a cleaner appearance overall. The roomy pocket has bellows in the rear only, for a lower profile and less snag potential when moving forward. The cargo pocket opening is slanted forward - ACU style, for easier access. The slotted button closure pocket flap corners are angled. Each cargo pocket has three internal compartments. On my OD ripstop Force 10s, the one in the middle was about 7" deep and would accomodate a 30-round M4 magazine, and the ones to each side of it were 4.5" deep, sized just right for .45 single stack magazines (they were too tight for my 9mm mags). However, on my Amphibious cloth Force 10s, the middle pocket is too tight to carry an M4 mag. I asked TAD about this and they were supposed to be the same. I think that minor differences in manufacturing dimensions accounts for this, and the pockets aren't specifically sized for M4 mags. Most small folding knives will fit in the side compartments, and longer/larger ones in the middle compartment. The pocket flap has an opening - the 'flashight slot' which allows access to the middle compartment without opening the pocket. There's also a D-ring sewn in for dummy cording. I find the internal compartments very useful for segregating items inside the pocket. Drainage grommets are provided at the bottom of the pockets.
  • Drawtape cuffs - As on the OD ripstops, I found that I don't really use the drawtape, so I slid them out. They can always be put back in if need be.

Construction and workmanship are excellent, with all points of stress bartacked (over 60 reinforcing bartacks).


Waistband details

Pocket knife clip reinforcement and front welted pockets

Rear pocket

Side cargo pocket

Internal compartments in side cargo pocket

Knee pad pockets (T-Pro pad shown, not included)

Weather, and other considerations - The molded TAD logo that was sewn at the rear of the pant is now removable and located on a small velcro patch on the right cargo side pocket. It also glows in the dark. The Nylon Amphibious cloth Force 10s are even lighter weight than the OD ripstop Force 10's that I've been wearing. But, I wasn't sure which one would be better suited for hot weather, so I wore them on alternating days for comparison. The 100% cotton ripstop is pretty light material, but still thicker than the nylon, so it's slightly warmer due to the thickness of the material. However, the nylon is a bit less breathable, so it can feel a bit more stuffy than the cotton. Frankly, I couldn't really tell the difference in perceived temperature between the two under normal circumstances, wearing them on alternating days.

So I tried switching between them back and forth during some mild exercise - just enough to get a sweat going. I'd jog around the block with one pair on, change pants, then continue, then switch back again. This is when I noticed a difference. When I had worked up a sweat and was hot and sticky, the nylon pants were more comfortable. The nylon fabric is lighter and doesn't really absorb sweat, so it doesn't get heavy and damp with moisture. It remains light weight and airy which I think offsets the slight difference in breathability. It doesn't stick to my skin like I thought it would, and remains easier to move in. So, for hot weather, I give the edge to the nylon Force 10s.
If you're going in or near the water, it's a no-brainer as the nylon Force 10s will dry much faster and not get weighed down and soaked. If it's not cold out, and you're going to be in the rain, again, the nylon Force 10s would be my choice as the DWR repels water. They'll keep you drier than the natural fibers which soak up the water.

For traveling, the nylon Force 10s are the most compressible/packable of the difference Force 10 fabric offerings, which include the cotton ripstop and cotton twill. If you need to pack light and wash and wear, the nylon ones will be easiest to do that with.

Another thing to consider is that the nylon will not fade like cotton, so it depends on what kind of look you want. My cotton ripstop pants are wearing in nicely the way cotton does, but they definitely don't look brand spanking new. The amphibious cloth Force 10s will probably look the same, even after numerous washings and wearings, just like my Force 10 amphibious cloth shorts which pretty much look the same after one year as when I got them. The cotton and twill pants get softer and more comfortable over time whereas the nylon doesn't change much past the first few washings. It's comfortable in a different sort of way.

Which to get? - So, which Force 10 to get - ripstop, twill or amphibious nylon? Well, I'd pick the twill for cooler/moderate weather or if you're bouldering or around rocks, as the thicker fabric provides more protection against scrapes and bumps. The heavier twill also carries/conceals items in the pockets a bit better. Ripstop (cotton or blend) for lightweight comfort, general use and warmer weather. Nylon for warm or hot weather or if there's any chance of exposure to water. Whichever one you end up picking, it's hard to go wrong - they're all great pants

 

 


TAD Gear Force 10 Cargo Utilities, Rip Stop H (2009)

10/9/09 - TAD Gear has released their latest (2009) generation of their popular Force 10 Cargo Utilities in 100% cotton ripstop, with the addition of hypalon reinforcements on the knees and knife clip pocket patches. The new model is called the 'Rip Stop H'. Another update is that everything is colour matched, including the zipper, Canadian style slotted buttons and other hardware.

Materials and sizing - I've had the previous version called the ODRP Force 10 Utilities (reviewed above) for two years now, and they've worn in very comfortably, which is expected of 100% cotton ripstop. I expect no different from the 2009 version, which is made in custom-dyed TAD colours - ME Green (shown here) Arid Earth and Crye MultiCam. The ME Green is a grayer shade than the OD green fabric that the ODRP was made out of (see photo below). The new green and Arid fabric is also slightly lighter, which makes it suitable for warm/hot weather or those looking for lighter weight trousers.

The Rip Stop H is available in even waist sizes, while the older ODRP came in S, M, L etc with adjustable waist tabs. I normally wear 32 waist with a 30 inch inseam, and that's what I got in the Rip Stop H. Cotton rip stop tends to shrink after the first washing and dry (I use medium heat), and the 'shrinkage control' fabric is estimated to shrink about 3%; about 1" in length. The length is cut longer to accommodate this shrinkage, so don't be alarmed if they seem a bit large when new, before they're washed. I found that the 32/30 fit me perfectly after the first wash. All cotton rip stop I've owned gets wrinkly in the dryer, and these pants weren't any different, ending up with a familiar 'lived-in', casual look of cotton rip stop.


100% cotton ripstop




Closeup

Features - Here are the features of the Force 10 Cargo Utilities, Rip Stop H 2009 model. Many of them are the same as the 2007 Force 10's, but there are some detail differences. (32" waist, 30" inseam shown):

  • 2" Waist increments - the Rip Stop H is available in even waist sizes 28" through 40", in 30, 32 and 34" inseam lengths.
  • Canadian-style slotted military buttons - These are used for the waist, side cargo pockets and rear pockets. The tape and buttons are colour-matched to the fabric.
  • Zipper fly - A Delrin-tooth colour-matched YKK zipper fly for convenient donning/doffing and a military-style taped green button waist closure.
  • 2" belt loops fit rigger belts (shown here with a Crosstac D-belt). The front two belt loops have colour-matched ITW Nexus D-ring gear keepers for dummy cording the contents of the front pockets. The belt loops are also located to accomodate placement of a hip holster.
  • Reinforced double seat with double needle stitching.
  • Reinforced knees - The double-layer knees have a knee pad pocket with bottom slot so padding can be inserted through the velcro-closed entrance at the bottom. They're sized to fit TAD's T-Pro Impact knee pads, or Crye Precision knee pads (not included). The knees are also articulated with darts. Mil-spec 10oz hypalon is sewn to the outside of the knee pad for additional reinforcement and durability.
  • Two rear 7" x 7" pockets with flap/slotted button closures - all pockets are made from the same fabric as the rest of the pants for durability, instead of a lighter weight material. Pocket flap corners are angled off.
  • Two 6" deep x 4.5" wide welted cell phone/utility pockets in the front - no closure. These continue to be one of my favourite features of the Force 10 pants and I really miss them when I wear pants that don't have them. It's the perfect size for my cell phone, sunglass case or keys, and very convenient.
  • Two side/slash pockets - these have TAD's new hypalon reinforcements for pocket knife clips. The extra reinforcement helps with the wear associated with the repeated carrying of knives with pocket clips and is also 'grippy', so the knife won't come loose as easily. Inside the right pocket is a small 3" tall x 3" wide coin pocket which also fits my cell phone or pager.
  • Large, ACU-styled angled side bellows cargo pockets - These are the more expensive 'true bellows' design instead of the more common pleated BDU style and results in a cleaner appearance overall. The roomy 9" deep pocket has bellows in the rear only, for a lower profile and less snag potential when moving forward. The cargo pocket opening is slanted forward - ACU style, for easier access. The slotted button closure pocket flap corners are angled. Each cargo pocket has three internal compartments. The one in the middle is 7" deep and accommodates a 30-round M4 magazine, and the ones to each side of it are 4.5" deep, and will fit double-stack pistol mags. The photo below illustrates a Tango Down ARC mag and a Glock 19 magazine in the slot pockets. Most small folding knives will fit in the side compartments, and longer/larger ones in the middle compartment. The pocket flap has an opening - the 'flashight slot' which allows access to the middle compartment without opening the pocket. There's also a D-ring sewn in for dummy cording. I find the internal compartments very useful for segregating items inside the pocket. A removable glow in the dark TAD Gear molded logo attaches to a small velcro patch on the bottom of the right side cargo pocket.
  • Drawtape cuffs

Construction and workmanship are excellent, with all points of stress bartacked (over 60 reinforcing bartacks).


Rear details

Hypalon knife reinforcement

Side cargo pocket

Internal compartments in side cargo pocket

Knee pad pockets (T-Pro pad shown, not included)

Drawstring cuffs

Observations/Notes - The first thing I noticed on these new Rip Stop H pants is that everything is colour-matched on them. Buttons, tape, D-rings, zipper, velcro all match; even the webbing for the D-ring inside the cargo pocket is now made from the same fabric as the pant instead of the contrasting nylon webbing of previous versions. The lighter weight of the Rip Stop H pants were welcome during the past few weeks of summer, which were hot and more humid than normal. They're cooler in hot weather than the Force 10 ODRPs, and the twill versions. I also perceived that they're more breathable than the nylon amphibious cloth, and feel less stuffy in humid weather. If I sweat, the fabric absorbs it, rather than let it sit on my skin. The new custom dyed ME Green is more remminiscent of Paraclete smoke green than the OD of the ODRPs, and is a very nice colour. As I mentioned above, the Rip Stop H pants aren't going to give you a smart, pressed look (unless you iron out the wrinkles), but more of a relaxed, outdoor/casual look that conveys their comfort and unrestrictiveness.

The new feature on these pants are of course the hypalon reinforcements. Hypalon is a very rugged, yet flexible material that feels rubbery and is used in Zodiac boats, mountaineering equipment and maritime/amphibious combat gear. I first came across hypalon on Kifaru backpacks, which use hypalon in their construction. The 10oz hypalon TAD Gear uses is a very flexible, thin and light weight version of hypalon. I was initially concerned that it'd make my knees sweat more, but I didn't really notice that to be the case. The hypalon patches on the knees are there more for abrasion resistance than padding, as they're so thin. Used for the knife clip reinforcements on the pockets, they do double duty by protecting the pocket from knife clip wear (which usually tears up my pant pocket edge), and adding some 'gription' so the knife clip grabs onto the pocket more securely. As I learned with the Rocket World Spartan Shorts reviewed above, which also have hypalon reinforcements, this can be a double edged sword, as very stiff/tight knife clips grab the hypalon so well that the knife can be hard to extract. I've found myself choosing folding knives with slightly looser clips to use with these pants.

The Rip Stop H pants have a 'action fit; roomy but not too baggy with a straighter leg', which is consistent with most of the TAD Gear pants I have. It's a very comfortable fit with a medium rise, and not as baggy as standard BDUs. The great fit and cut is something I really appreciate in TAD's pants, and combined with the practical layout of their pockets, make these another instant favourite.

 

 

 

 


ATTENTION! PLEASE DO NOT LINK DIRECTLY TO MY IMAGES -
IT RESULTS IN MY BANDWIDTH ALLOCATIONS BEING EXCEEDED,
AND MY PAGES GO DOWN. THANKS!

/ . PLEASE OBSERVE AND RESPECT OUR COPYRIGHT! . /
©opyright by MilitaryMorons.com. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, Duplication, Distribution Strictly Prohibited.

Unless mentioned otherwise, content and images are the property of militarymorons.com and are not in the public domain.
They are not to be used without permission. Please Contact me for permission to use any images or content herein.