Outstanding Quality and Value (Yes, VALUE!)
I've done a lot of searching and a lot of trial and error with pants. People say these pants are expensive...Well, in my experience, the gold standard of civilian tactical pants are the Arc'teryx LEAF Combat Pants, and they're $350 retail. I'm going to use them as the standard to compare with the HELIKON-TEX pants, as no other pants on the market can compare with these two titans. Here goes. TL;DR The Arc'teryx LEAF Combat Pants are a little better, but the HELIKON-TEX pants are a far better value for the money. If you're shy about the price point, think of it this way: How often do you have to replace your pants because they wore out? Yearly? Every two years? Because I can guarantee you, the fabric in these pants will last much, much longer than cotton or even NYCO pants. You'll save money in the long run, and benefit from superior design in the mean time. Detailed Comparison Shared Features: * The fabric is perfect: 4-way stretch, durable, and comes with a layer of water repellent coating. Nothing else comes close. Cotton? NYCO? Garbage in comparison. If you're a firefighter, get nomex pants. Otherwise, settle for no less than the fabric in these pants. * The design of the pockets is outstanding in both pants, better than all others on the market. * The slimline design of the thigh pockets combined with the stretch fabric means that you can get these pants tailored to have a dress pant silhouette and most people will assume you're wearing dress pants. You get the best of both worlds, outdoing typical "covert" tactical pants. This is especially true if you wear a blazer, it covers the belt loops and thigh pockets. Just see a good tailor if you go that route. Arc'teryx Advantages: * Button closure for the front/crotch zipper. * Belt loops take belts up to 2" wide. More compatible with climbing harnesses and other specialized gear. * Bungee in the leg hem allows for tightening around your boots etc. if you don't want to tuck them in. * Flaps on thigh pockets may be tucked inside with velcro if you're stowing something big or tall. * Drainage grommet in thigh pockets. * Hip pockets are more versatile: They have a generous zipper pocket inside each pocket, so you can carry a wallet and phone easily on one side. With the HELIKON-TEX, I have to put my phone in one of the thigh pocket compartments and have my wallet alone in a hip pocket. * Hip pockets are deeper; one can pocket carry something like a Ruger LC9 without issue, whereas the HELIKON-TEX pants probably can support a Ruger LCP II at most without having the pistol dig into your hip when you sit down. * Design is cleaner looking if you want to be more covert about being a Tactical Ninja. HELIKON-TEX Advantages: * Lighter weight. * Hip pockets are more compartmentalized; this can be good if you have a specific loadout suited for them. * Much more variety of colors available. * Much more variety of sizes available, so you probably won't have to get them tailored (unless you want to be a Dapper Ninja, like me). * Costs around $95 instead of $350. Price is what you pay, value is what you get. And the value here is a major win. FINAL VERDICT: The Arc'teryx LEAF Combat Pants are still the pants to beat in terms of features and quality. Given the value for the money though, the HELIKON-TEX pants are now my first choice except when: 1. I need to use a belt wider than 1.5". 2. I'm pocket carrying a larger pocket pistol, like a Ruger LC9. 3. I need to carry bigger stuff in my thigh pockets. 4. I need to not make a ton of velcro noise when taking off my pants or preparing to drop a deuce. 5. I need just a bit of extra style points. Read more
