Useful, Non-"Tacticool" Pants?

[26 Inf]

How is the sizing? Are they "heavy" in terms of weight? Winter preferred or summer acceptable?

I'm very satisfied with fit. I'm right on the cusp of going up a notch and I hesitated buying the current smaller size, but I did, and they fit me fine - I'm 60 so I kind of like a little relaxed in the fit. If I compare them to a cotton duck/canvas pant - Carhart, Cabella's, Wolverine - they are just a little heavier. I washed before wearing, and they don't feel stiff. We are just now hitting mid - 70's, so don't really know what to say about summer. I would say that is the temp is acceptable for you to wear jeans these would be okay. We get into the 90's and low 100's in July and August - I wear shorts and lightweight trousers - I'd really like it if Wrangler/Riggs made their technical pants in something besides tan and green.

[Hmac]

Vertx tactical pants may be what you are looking for. Cargo pockets are low-profile. Crotch isn't baggy like some 5.11s. Well made and functional with multiple color options and types. I wear the Original Tactical Pants during cooler months and the Phantom LT for hot temps.

I have a pair of Vertx OTP. They fit the waist and butt superbly well. The thighs and legs turn them into virtual Clown Pants.

[Hmac]

my current favourite all-round pant for work and play is the Prana stretch zion pant which i got from REI:
http://www.prana.com/stretch-zion-pant.html

I was in REI today, looked for those pants but didn't see them. I am a particular fan of the REI Mistral soft shell pants. You can beat those suckers mercilessly, throw them in the washer and they come out looking like new.

[remington79]

I bought a pair of the Firehose pants last month and so far so good. I like how the front pockets are deep. I just wish the cargo pockets would bellow like they do on the Riggs. The Riggs I can fit 20 and 32 ounce gatorade bottles. The Firehose pants were soft from the start without any washing and are very comfortable. The regular ones are a little heavy but I've been wearing them in the 80s but so far so good. I use to survey in Texas and I would wear the Carhartt duck logging pants in the summer. If I can get another job surveying I'd wear the Firehose pants. Surveying requires a lot of brush chopping for making your traverse lines.

As for fit I ordered a size up because I like room and be able to layer or IWB carry. I accidentally washed them in warm water (I prefer to use cold) the last time I washed them and I think the inseam shrunk about 1/2 of an inch and the waist isn't as loose as it was. They probably actually fit better now. The Carhartt duck pants you have to buy about 4 sizes too big so they still fit after you wash them.

Duluth and Carhartt have some lightweight cargo pants I'm looking at. I saw some that were close to that in the last link but they had a couple of more colors.

[STAMarine]

Love these. If I'm not wearing a suit for work I usually have these or the regular carhartt cargos. I will say that they can be paired with certain shirts that bring you back into the "tacticool" realm though. Think more outdoor and less ninja.

Edited to reflect that I was attempting to reply to the Carhartt Force cargos.

[Moose-Knuckle]

How is the sizing? Are they "heavy" in terms of weight? Winter preferred or summer acceptable?

I have at no less than eight pair of Duluth Fire Hose pants, they offer the original Fire Hose Workpants in three weights. FLEX is their light weight paint fine for warm weather, the original is a medium weight a little too warm for TX summers here, and then they have fleece lined for cold weather.

[Moose-Knuckle]

While we are at it, does anyone have experience with Rail Riders Vers-Tac line? I read nothing but good things about Rail Riders clothing but don't know anyone who personally have any.

Edit to add: MM has a review on them on his site.

[Outlander Systems]

Dockers.

[Hmac]

Did M4C just lead me to the PrAna website?

I'm often in Elite Sports (authority) where they have a pretty large selection of PrAna. Gonna have to try these, stretch is soo comfy!

As I mentioned, I've been big into the REI Mistral soft shell climbing pants, but as often happens when MilitaryMoron posts something here, I was stimulated to try the prAnas Zion pants. Ordered a pair off Amazon ($79...$20 cheaper than the Mistrals) and they arrived Thursday. VERY impressed with the Zions. Fit is great, cut is great, material is excellent (same as Mistrals). They easily accept a 1.5 inch rigid belt. The cargo pocket is useful without screaming "tactical" and I suspect the pockets are better executed than the Mistral's. The Mistral's only come in black, there are other colors for the prAnas, although finding sizes in stock can be a challenge. I ultimately found them at REI's online store.

I don't know about winter temps, but these soft-shell climbing pants are pretty windproof, and I just add a layer of UA if it's going to be that cold.

I feel fortunate in that 6 years ago Beyond was making custom consumer stuff. I had them make me a pair of soft shell pants, multi-paneled with fleece on the front panels, lighter on the back sides. Those things have truly been through the wringer and they currently look like brand new. I'm a huge believer in the utility of this kind of non-tacticool gear, especially here in Minnesota where temperature flexibility is the order of the day.

[3 AE]

Blend in? Nobody really cares what you look like today in the "US of A". Look around you. The majority of people have there noses buried in their smart phones playing video games or texting about something and everything. You could have multiple body/facial piercings and tattooed up the ying yang and the most you'll get is a glance or a shrug and they're back to their phones and social media addiction. Unless you're open carrying, or you're a caucasian wandering about in a black neighborhood or vice versa, nobody cares. Wear what you like and move on. Society is too wrapped up in the lives of the Kardashians, Facebook, Twitter, etc., to notice anybody, anywhere, at anytime. The same goes for daypacks, shoes, caps, belts, etc. Peoples attention spans are so short, you're just another blip in a sea of blips. They don't care.