Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

These are the best tactical pants for all of your outdoor adventures

Your adventurous lifestyle is made better with the best tactical pants on the market

Vertx Recon Pant
Vertx

Few styles of pants have a more functional combination of features than tactical pants. Many of them are designed specifically for law enforcement officers and military personnel, meaning they have to be durable for the most demanding environments in the world. The best way to keep them in that arena and on the top of the list of options for the soldiers and officers that wear them is a combination of durable workwear and movable hiking gear.

Of course, you don’t have to wear a badge or join the military to find uses for these pants. Wilderness survival experts, photographers, explorers, hikers, and many others find these pants the best combination to support their lifestyle. Forget jeans or cargo pants; tactical pants for men are the way to go. While there are countless options for you to choose from, we have done what we do and put together a list of the best of the best for you to choose from.

Man kneeling in the 5.11 Apex Pant
Courtesy of 5.11 / 5.11

5.11 Tactical Pants – The Apex Pant

The more self-reliant they are, the more they can be relied upon. The more strength they build, the more they can protect others. This is the beginning of the mission statement for 5.11 Tactical. And with the slogan, “Always Be Ready,” they accel at providing some of the best products for the man on the go. The Apex Pant features 5.11’s Flex-Tac stretchable canvas, giving them maximum flexibility without losing any durability. And the stretchable waistband is CCW-ready, making these pants one of your go-to as you shop.

Man kneeling in water in Vertx Recon Pant
Courtesy of Vertx / Vertx

Vertx Recon Pant

When a top federal agency reaches out and asks you to give them low-profile tactical pants for their officers, you have to pull through. The way Vertx approached the request was to team up with some of the top operators of the field and leverage over 175 years of experience to produce some of the most popular products in the industry. The Recon pant offers maximum storage and balance to keep you on your feet and prepared.

Prometheus Design Werx Raider Field Pant
Prometheus Design Werx

Prometheus Design Werx Raider Field Pant

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo Da Vinci. Prometheus Design Werx is focused on simplicity. By their own admission, they don’t do racing stripes, garish flourishments, or superfluous details. Every part of every product serves a specific purpose to help you accomplish what your life necessitates. The Raider Field pant is the most feature-rich pant in their arsenal, with the four-way stretch allowing as much movement as possible. Of course, they also focus on the EDC crowd with tons of pockets that still allow for a streamlined look.

Viktos Wartorn Insulated Pant
Courtesy of Viktos / Viktos

Viktos Wartorn Insulated Pant

Made by veterans of the military and the law enforcement communities for those that still carry the burden, Viktos works closely with those who serve so they can offer the best gear and apparel for the lifestyle. Now, you don’t have to carry a badge or live on the front line of the most dangerous places in the world to wear these pants. But if their Wartorn insulated pant is good enough for that group, then they can absolutely handle whatever your life throws at them.

Recommended Videos

Winter weather means you have to wear more clothing because winter storms and polar vortexes won’t stop the people in the market for these styles of pants. This is the only pant on the list that is made for the cold weather. So if you are going to the front line in a winter environment or vacationing in Antarctica, these are the pants for you.

Zero Foxtrot Tac Pant
Courtesy of Zero Foxtrot / Zero Foxtrot

Zero Foxtrot Tac Pant

Zero Foxtrot is a company that embodies the philosophies of soldiers and veterans everywhere. When facing the world’s obstacles, you have to turn the noise off, drink water, and drive on to overcome them. Soldiers replace many words with phonetic alphabet placeholders, like the name Zero Foxtrot promoting the philosophy of giving zero f*#%s what others think while you do you. Their Tac pant is the perfect range-day choice with multiple pockets to carry your gear. But they also have everyday features like an action waistband and tapered leg, making these pants perfect for your EDC needs.

Tactical pants are the perfect addition to your wardrobe if you are a man on the go. Police, soldiers, first responders, explorers, and the men who want to be ready for anything the world could throw at them value the pant that supports that mentality. Of course, to enjoy good tactical pants, you can simply be someone who loves having a great pair of utility pants that can handle your everyday lifestyle. Whether you are mowing the lawn, working construction, or remodeling your kitchen, the best tactical pants for men are the ones that make your job easier.

When looking into which pair of tactical pants you want to invest in, keep in mind what you will use them for, but also have fun. You can upgrade your life with the right pair and eventually find that you can’t live without them. Whether you are the Adventurer Style Archetype or not, once you put your leg into your first pair of tactical pants, you will find your inner adventurer.

Mark McKee
Mark is a full-time freelance writer and men's coach. He spent time as a style consultant and bespoke suit salesman before…
Classy men’s winter fashion: Timeless staples to elevate your cold-weather style
Stay stylish with these timeless winter staples
Man in suede coat in the snow

The winter is here, and you are undoubtedly deep into your winter wardrobe as you find ways to guard against the cold. Every man's wardrobe needs specific staples that carry him from one season to the next, and the winter is no different. But it isn't just about buying new things every winter; it is also about picking up the right things that will last for years and never go out of style. It isn't about the trendy year-in and year-out items. It is about picking up those classic items that you can pass on to your kids after you invest in quality garments because they are iconic and never go out of style. Don't worry, we put together a list of classy men's winter fashion items that you can shop and elevate your cold-weather wardrobe.
The legendary flannel

There is no more iconic men's cold-weather staple than a good flannel. They are the ultimate in outdoor wear. While they started as a hardworking Welsh fabric to guard against the weather in the dreary UK, it has established itself as the quintessential American masculine shirt worn by everyone from lumberjacks to dockworkers.

Read more
Revelry dives into menswear to make your wedding day seamless
Popular bridesmaids destination adds suits to the collection
Men in Revelry suits

What started as a sorority dress shop designed for inclusivity towards all sizes of women turned into a massive success. The inclusive approach to styling dresses to look uniform transitioned seamlessly from sororities to weddings as Revelry went from a start-up to an eight-figure behemoth. Founder Michelle Deloach didn't let that success be the end of the journey, as she realized there was a whole other half to the wedding outfitting. Now, Revelry suits are making getting fit for a suit a seamless process for men. 

 Deloach shared, “Outfitting a cohesive wedding party on both sides has never been more seamless.  Our goal has always been to make the bride or couples' job easier while outfitting the people they love to create their dream wedding look.”
Seamless home process

Read more
Aran Sweater Market lets you find your clan
Wear the sweater of your Irish heritage
Aran Sweater Market McMahon Crest

The Aran Islands at the mouth of the Galway Bay off the west coast of Ireland have always been home to fishermen and farmers who worked hard and put their lives on the line to feed themselves and their families at the mercy of the Atlantic Ocean. One of the ways they kept themselves warm and dry to the relentless barrage of waves and weather was to develop what is still today one of the most popular sweaters ever to dominate the menswear industry, the fisherman's sweater. The Aran Sweater is functional and fashionable, but one company is doing more than keeping you warm and stylish. The Aran Sweater Market Clans allow you to reach back into your Irish history and wear something with ties to your ancestors as well as to your personal style.
A sweater that is rooted deep in your family history

The Aran Sweater Market is more than just a company selling quality sweaters; it is a group of people who want nothing more than to support the home they hail from. They see it as their duty to keep the story, beauty, and true essence of the sweater and the spirit of the Islands alive. As connected as they are to their history, they want you to be connected to yours. You can find your surname and the clan it is attached to and get more than a sweater. You can get a shawl, a scarf, a knitting kit, and even a family history. Wear more than a stylish sweater; connect yourself with your past while you build your future.
Aran Sweater Market Clans

Read more