Tactical clothing fabrics
Everyone in this industry wants comfort and there is a difference between a Police Officers uniform comfort a Soldiers comfort and someone going to training on a firearm range. I hear so many nightmare stories from our Law Enforcement about all the bad tailoring the get, they get measure so it will fit properly, and then when it’s on them, it’s not right. We’ve noticed differences in fit, from tactical clothing company to tactical clothing company and it’s definitely there. Comparing pants with elastic waistbands to tailored clothing is a bad idea. One reason we have a fitting room is our customers have to decide for “themselves” of what is comfortable for them. Once you get the proper fit, there is another area of comfort and that is with the fabrics.
It usually starts with a varying degree off cotton to give breath ability because it’s assumed in this world that you will be moving and sweating. Most of your perspiration is release from you upper body so tactical pants won’t have ventilation like shirts due but varying degrees of durability is what is offered. 100% cotton ripstop is probable the most comfortable, but the least durable, but hot environments you don’t want to sweat to death, but the nylon stand prevents tearing which actually what it was designed for in the Pacific theater in WWII. Cotton canvas is durable but can absorb moisture, Poly/cotton ripstop is a stiffer feel and Blackhawk, Tru-Spec and 5.11 have made a big foothold in the industry with this material. Many Tru-Extreme or Combat Uniforms have poly/cotton or 50/50 Cordura. Spandex and Lycra are two other materials you will find in these products as well as Vertx tactical pants to give the material some ability to stretch.