Recommend some tactical pants for a guy with thick legs

[EBuff75]

I accept that I'm extremely uncool in my pants selections.  My daily wear is almost always a pair of Lee Carpenter jeans and has been now for probably 15 years.  I like how they fit me without being too tight and the thigh pocket is just perfect for my cell phone.

I usually wear a 36 waist, 34 inseam (every pair is a little different, but that's my default), but the other big reason that I like those carpenter jeans is that they're loose fit.  Very loose fit.  See, my thighs are about 25-inches (I used to bike a lot) and my ankles are 10 inches before I add the ankle medical kit (17 inches with that).  Needless to say, I'll never be purchasing skinny jeans!

For CERT, I usually wear the jeans, but we're really supposed to wear some type of black "tactical" style pants.  Not only that, cotton jeans aren't the best if it's rainy and they can be hot in the summer.  I've tried searching for tactical pants that are loose fit and will be able to accommodate my measurements, but they seem to be hard to find. 

The only pair that I have currently is a pair of 5.11 Taclite Pro pants and while they're loose enough to wear comfortably, they're still too restrictive for the ankle medical kit.  Not only that, the thigh pockets are too shallow for big modern phones (I have a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra) and I despise the fly being a snap rather than a button (as soon as you start to move around at all, it comes unsnapped) and also dislike the angled rear pockets and the weird canvas loop on the back (not even sure what that's for, other than making it hard to get to the right rear pocket).

Can anyone recommend some tactical pants that will fit someone with big legs but a fairly average waist? Yes, I know I could just buy an oversized pair and have them tailored, but I'm trying to avoid that, as it would require finding a tailor / seamstress who could duplicate the stitching quality of the manufacturer.  I'd prefer something in ripstop fabric with reinforced crotch/seams and water and/or stain resistance would be nice too.  Mid / high waist is preferred, since that helps to keep things properly covered if I squat down! 

[Moab]

https://truewerk.com/collections/workwear-pants-shorts-bibs

These are pretty popular amongst guys who hunt and work outside. Really good stretch and ruggedness. Sort of tactical. They have a lot of pockets. They might have an actual tactical style to tho. And aren't overly expensive for what they are. Very well made and very popular amongst tradesmen and hunters.

www.lapg.com

They have a great selection of their own brand of tactical pants. And several like the Atlas iirc have a stretch crotch. And several have more stretch. Each model has its own selection of various pockets. From full on BDU to discrete tactical pants with pockets that are more hidden. They are very inexpensive. And LAPG always has sales. The good thing about the stretch crotch in LAPG pants is it lets your thighs move. It stretches around the back of your ass and thighs where things usually restrict.

If nothing else look for anything with stretch. It makes a huge difference in your ability to move. I have big legs too. I'm 6'3" 260. I've been buying normal jeans and chinos from Old Navy. Because they come in varying degrees of stretch materials.

I had to start looking at poly or spandex content. Anything greater than 60% natural fiber - like cotton - is not going to give any. I try to find 30-40% poly.

But pay attention to fabric weight. The heavier the fabric the more hot it will make you. Find a pair of pants you like, try to find the fabric weight in its specs - and buy based on that.

I ended up buying alot of stuff to test and then return. But eventually found the sweet spot for myself. Write it down. And save styles on each website.

The biggest thing I have done though. Is having things tailored. Drycleaners don't usually charge that much. Even with like Old Navy - which has like 6 different cuts of each style - slim, athletic, loose, boot cut etc. And various different natural fiber vs poly content fabric. Has to be tailored some. I have found even the best fit for me - slim - when in my size. Still has to have the legs taken in in the inseam. No off the shelf pant is going to come fitted just for you.

You might find the perfect pair of tactical pants. The thigh width might be perfect. But the waist is to small. Or the legs and cuff are to big around.

Save yourself a shitload of time, money and hassle. And get stuff tailored.

I bought several pair of Truspec tactical pants. That were basically BDUs. In Multicam. Before tailoring they weren't the best fit. But I got a great deal. And spent another $10-$20 having them tailored. And they fit perfectly.

You might try those brands Truspec and Propper for tactical pants that stretch. Those are the two too military brands. Propper is actually a military contractor. 

But ignore model names and marketing. Look at the actual fabric content. If they make anything with say 60% cotton and 40% poly your good. Or anything close.

Lastly, stretch doesn't mean thin or weak fabric. There is of course alot of thin poly pants that wouldn't last a day at work or in combat. But they make work and tactical pants, and now even jeans and chinos in a heavy enough weight of fabric, that stretches but is still tough as your old Levis. Even the jeans at Old Navy look and feel like Levis denim. But it also stretches. Alot. But they are also made with enough cotton, and not to heavy of a fabric, that they are breathable. And not to hot. You buy a high poly or spandex content fabric and they will stretch alot. But they will also roast your ass off. Not true with a 60/40 or similar mix of natural fiber and poly.

[Anianna]

On a whim, I searched "boot cut tactical pants" and these came up:

https://www.amazon.com/CRYSULLY-Casual-Trousers-Cotton-Assault/dp/B07BLLDBZY/

They have a zipper at the ankle that may be useful with an ankle kit.  I've not tried these myself, but I'm tempted now that I see them, though I usually wear my pant leg inside my boot and that could be an issue with the zipper.

[Raptor]

I agree with the tailoring comment. It sounds like all you are having done is to have "the length adjusted". That is a simple adjustment and many places will do that for a minor cost. Dry cleaners is a good place to start.

When I buy jeans I always buy them a bit longer than I need. I then wash and dry them twice, wear them outside and get them broken in a bit then wash and dry them one more time. Only then do I get the length where I want it and use a safety pin to fix it in place so I can have the length adjusted.

The mismatched stitches are not noticeable.

The other thing I have noticed is that there is a lot of variation in stated size. That was always the case but now especially in jeans, khakis and typical off the rack stuff, just because it says 36x34 does not mean it is 36x34. I have seen as much as an inch when I do the above process. Don't get me started on shoes!

Always try on the item and check the fit before keeping the item.

It may not be you it may be the sloppy manufacturers!

BTW it helps to also use a tailor's tape measure to get your current measurements as a starting point.

[MacWa77ace]

I used to have the same issue back when I was bodybuilding. So I had to buy a 38" waist and my mom took that in to 35". The 38" waist fit my thighs and butt. It's actually pretty simple to take in a waist. But you can't do it in one spot. For that much it's done in 2 or three locations to total the 2⁺ inches so it looks right.

Nowadayz I still buy a 38x34 even though I'm a 36" waist [pant size not actual size, that's still 35"] but I don't take that in because the extra 2" is for CC IWB. This works for any brand pants for me. Pleated works better but that's a more dress look.

Hagar comfort fit waist are what I like these days for really comfortable daily wear, but they aren't tactical. I have three pairs of black.

Also if you do get tactical/cargo pants to use at CERT event, can't you just fill a pocket instead of using the ankle? The MedTec's I see I my church carry a sling pack.

[Moab]

I agree with the tailoring comment. It sounds like all you are having done is to have "the length adjusted". That is a simple adjustment and many places will do that for a minor cost. Dry cleaners is a good place to start.

When I buy jeans I always buy them a bit longer than I need. I then wash and dry them twice, wear them outside and get them broken in a bit then wash and dry them one more time. Only then do I get the length where I want it and use a safety pin to fix it in place so I can have the length adjusted.

The mismatched stitches are not noticeable.

The other thing I have noticed is that there is a lot of variation in stated size. That was always the case but now especially in jeans, khakis and typical off the rack stuff, just because it says 36x34 does not mean it is 36x34. I have seen as much as an inch when I do the above process. Don't get me started on shoes!

Always try on the item and check the fit before keeping the item.

It may not be you it may be the sloppy manufacturers!

BTW it helps to also use a tailor's tape measure to get your current measurements as a starting point.

Great points I did not mention.

Always wash them a couple times. Wash on hot and dry on hot. Or at least at the temps you normally do. But hot will take up any future shrinkage. Definitely do that before having them tailored. 

My dry cleaners actually pins everything for you. You change in a small changing room. He pins everything completely until your satisfied with the fit. Then sends them off to his seamstress. Usually done within a few days. Taking in the legs or bottom hem is usually around $10-$15. Same for like short shirt sleeves. But call around. Actual tailors charge alot. And some dry cleaners do to. Most of my stuff is not a suit either. I don't need an Italian tailor fresh from the Sicily runways to see my stuff. A seamstress is fine. If I could find a local woman just doing this in her living room. That would be great too.

But I have them do all sorts of things. It's rare that I find an item of clothing that generally fits. Or that I really like. But there is always something subpar about off the rack clothing. And they do vary in size even within the same brand, same model, same size item. 

But I have stuff like cuffs taken in on jackets. Often times the zippers suck. So I have them put in a matching YKK zipper. I've even had them move snaps on the cuffs of a jacket. It's more expensive. But I don't buy expensive clothes. I figure if I spend $20 on a sale jacket. And another $20 on a new zipper or it taken in somewhere. $40 is still cheap for a jacket I'm actually gonna wear. As I like it in the first place. Probably will wear well. And it will fit right after tailoring. So I'm more likely to wear it. Than a $50-$75 jacket. That may or may not fit right either.

Plus I'm like you. I have a non normal body. I think a lot of people are in that category. I'm 6'3" 250. Have a big ass and thighs. Wide shoulders. Big calves. Long body. Always need a long in a jacket or shirt. And those are hard to find in the first place. And Ive had to wear weird fitting clothes since I was a kid. I've never been one of those people that could try something in a store. And have it fit perfectly. I can take 10 items into a dressing and maybe find one that fits ok. 

So tailoring saves you a shit ton of time and money. For a fairly small expenditure. 

[Moab]

5.11 BOGO deal in pants.

https://www.511tactical.com/promotions/flash-sale.html?utm_campaign=Batch_Promotional_06-23-2024_SummerSaleBOGO50PantsLastChance_US_AM_365day-OpenClick_Pants_Summer-Sale_Multi-Discount&bxid=8e2d55811291d166e692c27a7242c503a3229a03dc2805798af617da30b95c85&utm_medium=email&utm_source=zeta&bt_ee=yQ41mqYxuIyrrmZH3GkmX9raVfrRc2WvBrH4yqCwK6aXJ94fMo0mMzKh%2B7IldrQS&bt_ts=1719155890241