TAD Gear Review: The Best Nightopping Trouser Made?
Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 1:56 am
Today I am coming to you with a picture heavy review of what I believe to be, and certainly in my own experience, the best, most versatile trouser for opping that money can buy. And speaking of money, I'm going to go ahead and break it to you, these pants are not cheap.
The Pant:
TAD Gear Force 10 RS Cargo Pant
Price: $120
Please excuse the pleb tier iPhone photos, I am by no means a photographer and phone camera pics are about the best I can manage. Hopefully they will suffice.
Unrestricted freedom of movement
Where's the Beef?
These pants are made from a ripstop NYCO blend of 52% nylon and 48% cotton. Unfortunately, TAD does not offer these in any camouflage patterns, but I find the "Battleship Gray" color to be perfect for blending into an urban/industrial setting at low light. These pictures don't do the color of the pants justice, it's a deep and rich gray, I highly recommend the color. The D-rings are marked "WJ", but I'm not sure who made them. However, they feel to be a high quality plastic, and things like d-rings have never really concerned me because the fabric they are connected to is much more likely to fail before the ring itself does. The zipper fly is a YKK Vislon style zipper (which is the version with plastic teeth). All buttons are Canadian style with 500-cord sleeve fastening them to the fabric. The leg drawstrings are also made from 500-cord sleeve. One thing can be certain about these pants: TAD did not cut corners with materials. But enough of me sounding like a sales rep.
The Cut
According to TAD's website, these are relaxed fit, straight cut pants. That doesn't quite do these pants justice. Quick disclaimer: I ordered these a size above what I needed. TAD was out of stock in my size and they restock notoriously slowly. I took them to a tailor and had them hemmed and brought in to my specs. These pants make you feel like you belong in them. Nothing feels stiff, uncomfortable, or awkward. Everything fits impeccably.
As someone who practiced martial arts for over seven years, I know when a pant is restrictive of movement and when it isn't. Our gi's needed to be tight enough to not be baggy, but cut to allow for kicks. These pants incorporate two features that I find to be essential for any active use pants: a gusseted crotch and articulated knees. Contain yourselves, ladies.
The diamond shaped piece of fabric in my groin area is the crotch gusset. These are absolutely essential for freedom of movement, and the gusset on the Force 10's is extremely generous. A gusset like this means that you can take large steps without having the pant pull up, or fatiguing the stitching.
The two almost parallel stitches are the articulation at the knee. These cause the direction of the pants to be less straight and more curved, as human legs tend to be. Articulation like this means that the hem won't pull up to your shin when you take a knee or crouch. Also evident in this picture is the knee reinforcement: To allow for knee pads, there is an extra layer of fabric sewn on at the knees with a velcro enclosed opening at the bottom. This also doubles the amount of fabric in this high-wear area. Here's a detail shot of the knee with the velcro closure:
These two factors combined makes these pants feel almost as nonrestrictive as one of my old gi's, and that's saying something. They are certainly more nonrestrictive than any other trouser I've ever worn.
The Pockets
Opping pants need pockets, bottom line. Headlamp, flashlight, lockpicks, knives, multitools, wire cutters, the list goes on and on.
These pants have pockets. A lot of pockets. Then they have pockets in the pockets. Pocketception. Buckle up.
The slash pockets have a steep slant to them which makes them easy to access. The bottom corner is reinforced to prevent wear from pocket clips on knives. The pant material is strong enough to hold up on it's own I think, but the reinforcement is a nice touch. These pockets are very generous in size and have the perfect angle of cut to make accessing them a breeze. No funny body manipulations just to get your hands inside like a pair of tight fitting jeans.
Inside of each of the slash pockets are change pockets. Simple rectangles of fabric sewn into the fabric of the pocket itself. As much as I expected these to snag on everything I put in my pockets, they didn't bother me a bit. For a size reference, the change pockets fit a credit card nicely.
The cargo pockets are closed with two Canadian style buttons. The flap is double layered to prevent the button from being exposed. This protects the button, makes the pocket less likely to snag on objects, and adds to the aesthetic of the pant, but makes the pockets slower to close if you want to fasten the buttons. It should also be noted that buttons are silent, while velcro and snap rivets would make noise. I shouldn't have to explain to night oppers why that's important.
The pocket has a lanyard with a D-ring under the flap. These can be tucked away inside of the pocket to hide them if you find them unnecessary.
It's hard to see, but inside of the pockets are three divider pockets. There's still plenty of space outside of the dividers for larger objects. These dividers are great for organizing your possibles, like your flashlight, knife, multitool, picks, etc. Without these, your possibles would end up in a jumbled mess at the bottom of the pocket. Keep your things in the dividers and memorize their position to minimize the amount of time you spend searching for your equipment while you're on an op. That way, you can focus on the task at hand, and not, "is this my flashlight or the remains of the churro I was snacking on."
The right cargo pocket has a 1"x1" velcro patch for TAD's ranger eyes, which are glow in the dark PVC patches that offer a fun way to customize your pants. I would definitely remove these during an OP, but otherwise they're fun.
Here's a feature that I had mixed feelings on at first. The flap for the cargo pockets aren't actually sewn in the middle. This is done to allow fast access to the middle of the three divider pockets. I use this opening to stash my Esee Izula II, because I find myself using it frequently but it rides awkwardly in the front pockets or the slash pockets. Honestly, unless it's something small like change, I can't imagine anything coming out of these pockets unintentionally. I was nervous about them at first, but I've grown to love them and use them frequently.
The two rear pockets are pretty straightforward. Nothing special about them. They're closed using the same style as the cargo pockets, and I'm not going to lie, those buttons are a b&%$# to manipulate while you're wearing the pants. I keep the buttons undone.
Not pictured are two internal pockets at the same location as the rear pockets. They're useful for stashing things that you really, really don't want to get pickpocketed, like your wallet, passport, plane tickets, etc. They're difficult to access by design, so don't put anything in them that you need to use frequently.
Finally! My two favorite pockets! These are the pockets that you never knew you needed until you had. For size reference, my iPhone 5 with Otterbox Commuter fits very nicely inside, but anything much larger would be a stretch, so your &%@#huge Samsung notepads or whatever need not apply. The D-rings above these pockets are perfect for clipping on your keys and dropping them into the pocket, as you can see in this picture. I don't actually do that because I have too much crap hanging off my keyring for it to fit comfortably, I was just demonstrating.
Fastening
True to form TAD closes the pants with a single Canadian button and a strip of YKK Vislon zipper. The Vislon zipper is by far their smoothest and quietest zipper. If you're new to the game, YKK basically makes the best zippers in the business. I look for them on any piece of clothing I plan to buy. The belt loops are 1" wide and will accommodate even the largest web belt.
Ex Officio Give-N-Go briefs deserve a review of their own, but I'll save that for another time. I'll just leave it at this: I'm never buying a different pair of boxer brief again in my life. They're that good.
Miscellaneous
The fabric is treated with a DWR finish. These finishes never hold up for long, but if it's important enough to you, buy a can of ultradry and spray them down every once in a while. NYCO is naturally quick drying and somewhat water repellent, so that helps as well.
As far as noise goes, these are not the quietest pants in the world, but they're far from the loudest. Because they are loose fitting, they're a little bit swooshy, but that is the nature of all BDU's, and I believe this pant to be something of a BDU on steroid. Honestly, any type of pant in this category is going to be a little bit noisy, just because they're made out of more durable materials, which tend to be harder to the touch. Softer fabrics are always quieter, but less durable by nature. Yes, you could wear sweatpants opping and be damn quiet, but the bottom line is... You're wearing sweatpants opping. Wow. But if you're trying to go dead silent, these will not be the pants for you.
Another thing. I don't have pictures of this, but these pants used to have drawstrings at the ankles, like BDU's, so you can blouse your pants on your boots. As soon as I saw these I began thinking on how to tie them up out of the way. When I had these pants hemmed, my tailor just got rid of the drawstrings. I was kind of pissed she did it without me asking, but since I never would have used them anyways, I didn't make a fuss. I probably would've just pulled them all the way out.
Yes, those are shingles.
The price... These things hurt to buy. Like, physical pain. But now that I've used them a bit, I can safely say that I would buy another pair without thinking about it. I'm already looking at their other colors and styles wondering which I should get next.
I think that concludes my review. If you've actually read through this whole thing, then I have to ask: What the hell is wrong with you? Nah, but seriously. I know it's been a long write up, but if you're spending this much money on a pair of pants, then you're probably going to want to know everything there is to know about them, so I tried to be as in depth as possible. Thanks for reading.
The Pant:
TAD Gear Force 10 RS Cargo Pant
Price: $120
Please excuse the pleb tier iPhone photos, I am by no means a photographer and phone camera pics are about the best I can manage. Hopefully they will suffice.
Unrestricted freedom of movement
Where's the Beef?
These pants are made from a ripstop NYCO blend of 52% nylon and 48% cotton. Unfortunately, TAD does not offer these in any camouflage patterns, but I find the "Battleship Gray" color to be perfect for blending into an urban/industrial setting at low light. These pictures don't do the color of the pants justice, it's a deep and rich gray, I highly recommend the color. The D-rings are marked "WJ", but I'm not sure who made them. However, they feel to be a high quality plastic, and things like d-rings have never really concerned me because the fabric they are connected to is much more likely to fail before the ring itself does. The zipper fly is a YKK Vislon style zipper (which is the version with plastic teeth). All buttons are Canadian style with 500-cord sleeve fastening them to the fabric. The leg drawstrings are also made from 500-cord sleeve. One thing can be certain about these pants: TAD did not cut corners with materials. But enough of me sounding like a sales rep.
The Cut
According to TAD's website, these are relaxed fit, straight cut pants. That doesn't quite do these pants justice. Quick disclaimer: I ordered these a size above what I needed. TAD was out of stock in my size and they restock notoriously slowly. I took them to a tailor and had them hemmed and brought in to my specs. These pants make you feel like you belong in them. Nothing feels stiff, uncomfortable, or awkward. Everything fits impeccably.
As someone who practiced martial arts for over seven years, I know when a pant is restrictive of movement and when it isn't. Our gi's needed to be tight enough to not be baggy, but cut to allow for kicks. These pants incorporate two features that I find to be essential for any active use pants: a gusseted crotch and articulated knees. Contain yourselves, ladies.
The diamond shaped piece of fabric in my groin area is the crotch gusset. These are absolutely essential for freedom of movement, and the gusset on the Force 10's is extremely generous. A gusset like this means that you can take large steps without having the pant pull up, or fatiguing the stitching.
The two almost parallel stitches are the articulation at the knee. These cause the direction of the pants to be less straight and more curved, as human legs tend to be. Articulation like this means that the hem won't pull up to your shin when you take a knee or crouch. Also evident in this picture is the knee reinforcement: To allow for knee pads, there is an extra layer of fabric sewn on at the knees with a velcro enclosed opening at the bottom. This also doubles the amount of fabric in this high-wear area. Here's a detail shot of the knee with the velcro closure:
These two factors combined makes these pants feel almost as nonrestrictive as one of my old gi's, and that's saying something. They are certainly more nonrestrictive than any other trouser I've ever worn.
The Pockets
Opping pants need pockets, bottom line. Headlamp, flashlight, lockpicks, knives, multitools, wire cutters, the list goes on and on.
These pants have pockets. A lot of pockets. Then they have pockets in the pockets. Pocketception. Buckle up.
The slash pockets have a steep slant to them which makes them easy to access. The bottom corner is reinforced to prevent wear from pocket clips on knives. The pant material is strong enough to hold up on it's own I think, but the reinforcement is a nice touch. These pockets are very generous in size and have the perfect angle of cut to make accessing them a breeze. No funny body manipulations just to get your hands inside like a pair of tight fitting jeans.
Inside of each of the slash pockets are change pockets. Simple rectangles of fabric sewn into the fabric of the pocket itself. As much as I expected these to snag on everything I put in my pockets, they didn't bother me a bit. For a size reference, the change pockets fit a credit card nicely.
The cargo pockets are closed with two Canadian style buttons. The flap is double layered to prevent the button from being exposed. This protects the button, makes the pocket less likely to snag on objects, and adds to the aesthetic of the pant, but makes the pockets slower to close if you want to fasten the buttons. It should also be noted that buttons are silent, while velcro and snap rivets would make noise. I shouldn't have to explain to night oppers why that's important.
The pocket has a lanyard with a D-ring under the flap. These can be tucked away inside of the pocket to hide them if you find them unnecessary.
It's hard to see, but inside of the pockets are three divider pockets. There's still plenty of space outside of the dividers for larger objects. These dividers are great for organizing your possibles, like your flashlight, knife, multitool, picks, etc. Without these, your possibles would end up in a jumbled mess at the bottom of the pocket. Keep your things in the dividers and memorize their position to minimize the amount of time you spend searching for your equipment while you're on an op. That way, you can focus on the task at hand, and not, "is this my flashlight or the remains of the churro I was snacking on."
The right cargo pocket has a 1"x1" velcro patch for TAD's ranger eyes, which are glow in the dark PVC patches that offer a fun way to customize your pants. I would definitely remove these during an OP, but otherwise they're fun.
Here's a feature that I had mixed feelings on at first. The flap for the cargo pockets aren't actually sewn in the middle. This is done to allow fast access to the middle of the three divider pockets. I use this opening to stash my Esee Izula II, because I find myself using it frequently but it rides awkwardly in the front pockets or the slash pockets. Honestly, unless it's something small like change, I can't imagine anything coming out of these pockets unintentionally. I was nervous about them at first, but I've grown to love them and use them frequently.
The two rear pockets are pretty straightforward. Nothing special about them. They're closed using the same style as the cargo pockets, and I'm not going to lie, those buttons are a b&%$# to manipulate while you're wearing the pants. I keep the buttons undone.
Not pictured are two internal pockets at the same location as the rear pockets. They're useful for stashing things that you really, really don't want to get pickpocketed, like your wallet, passport, plane tickets, etc. They're difficult to access by design, so don't put anything in them that you need to use frequently.
Finally! My two favorite pockets! These are the pockets that you never knew you needed until you had. For size reference, my iPhone 5 with Otterbox Commuter fits very nicely inside, but anything much larger would be a stretch, so your &%@#huge Samsung notepads or whatever need not apply. The D-rings above these pockets are perfect for clipping on your keys and dropping them into the pocket, as you can see in this picture. I don't actually do that because I have too much crap hanging off my keyring for it to fit comfortably, I was just demonstrating.
Fastening
True to form TAD closes the pants with a single Canadian button and a strip of YKK Vislon zipper. The Vislon zipper is by far their smoothest and quietest zipper. If you're new to the game, YKK basically makes the best zippers in the business. I look for them on any piece of clothing I plan to buy. The belt loops are 1" wide and will accommodate even the largest web belt.
Ex Officio Give-N-Go briefs deserve a review of their own, but I'll save that for another time. I'll just leave it at this: I'm never buying a different pair of boxer brief again in my life. They're that good.
Miscellaneous
The fabric is treated with a DWR finish. These finishes never hold up for long, but if it's important enough to you, buy a can of ultradry and spray them down every once in a while. NYCO is naturally quick drying and somewhat water repellent, so that helps as well.
As far as noise goes, these are not the quietest pants in the world, but they're far from the loudest. Because they are loose fitting, they're a little bit swooshy, but that is the nature of all BDU's, and I believe this pant to be something of a BDU on steroid. Honestly, any type of pant in this category is going to be a little bit noisy, just because they're made out of more durable materials, which tend to be harder to the touch. Softer fabrics are always quieter, but less durable by nature. Yes, you could wear sweatpants opping and be damn quiet, but the bottom line is... You're wearing sweatpants opping. Wow. But if you're trying to go dead silent, these will not be the pants for you.
Another thing. I don't have pictures of this, but these pants used to have drawstrings at the ankles, like BDU's, so you can blouse your pants on your boots. As soon as I saw these I began thinking on how to tie them up out of the way. When I had these pants hemmed, my tailor just got rid of the drawstrings. I was kind of pissed she did it without me asking, but since I never would have used them anyways, I didn't make a fuss. I probably would've just pulled them all the way out.
Yes, those are shingles.
The price... These things hurt to buy. Like, physical pain. But now that I've used them a bit, I can safely say that I would buy another pair without thinking about it. I'm already looking at their other colors and styles wondering which I should get next.
I think that concludes my review. If you've actually read through this whole thing, then I have to ask: What the hell is wrong with you? Nah, but seriously. I know it's been a long write up, but if you're spending this much money on a pair of pants, then you're probably going to want to know everything there is to know about them, so I tried to be as in depth as possible. Thanks for reading.