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Best & Worst Tactical Pants for Hot Weather

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Tactical pants need to be a part of your wardrobe if you put in any amount of work outdoors, whether it is professionally or for leisure activities. A cursory search on the internet at any given time will throw up hundreds of different options when it comes to tactical pants. Many of these, however, are not built with materials that are suitable for hot and muggy weather conditions. This can be a dealbreaker for many people as there is a high chance of you sweating bullets when you’re out working your ass off in the sun.

In order to help you choose a pair of tactical pants that works well even when the weather is particularly hot and the sun is shining down on you, I have put together a comprehensive list of the best tactical pants for hot weather.

Best Overall Product

The first product on this list of the best tactical pants for hot weather is what I think is the best overall option for those of you seeking tactical pants.

TRU-SPEC Men’s 24-7 Tactical Pant

If you are looking for an understated pair of pants that are available in a range of colors like black, khaki, olive and more, the TRU-SPEC Men’s 24-7 Tactical Pant is the perfect option for you. Built using polyester and cotton, these pants are wrinkle resistant, breathable and dry very quickly. This makes these the ideal tactical pants for times when it gets unbearably hot outside.

What’s Included

  • 65% Polyester
  • 35% Cotton
  • 2 knife/accessory pockets
  • Expandable back pockets
  • 2 thigh cargo pockets

What Do I Think?

This pair of pants will give you everything that you need from a good pair of tactical work pants, which goes a long way in explaining its popularity. The reason why I turn to this pair of pants over and over again is its breathability. If you are working in the sun for long, you want pants that are lightweight and don’t make your legs feel suffocated.

Common Questions

  • Are they comfortable?

Yes, this is an extremely comfortable pair of pants, all thanks to its breathability and quick drying nature.

  • Is the material the best or is it cheap?

The 65/35 polyester cotton rip-stop fabrics used to build these pants are of great quality.

  • Are they durable?

The pants are very durable, all thanks to the materials used in its construction.

  • Is the design terrible?

The design is a classic. There are a range of colors available. Also, the design allows for enough storage space.

What I Like

  • The construction is fantastic, as the pants use polyester cotton rip-stop fabrics which are then coated with DWR water repellents.
  • As the pants are available in a large range of colors, there is a color for everyone.
  • There are plenty of pockets and loops across the pants so that there is space for all your gear.

What I Don’t Like

  • These are not particularly heavy-duty pants, which means that some people may face issues with their EDC load.
  • While the material used is great, the stitching could use some more work.

The TRU-SPEC tactical pants work very well for most people I know because of their basic yet sturdy construction, affordable price tag and wide range of colors available. Choose one — or more — that suits your style and you’ll be fielding a lot of questions about where you got your pants from.

Check them out on amazon for more info

Best Buy

If you are looking to get the most for your investment, the winner of the “Best Buy” category is just the pair of tactical pants for you.

CQR Men’s Tactical Pants

A good standard to judge your tactical pants by is figuring out how they stand in front of standards set by the military and law enforcement. Keeping these performance standards in mind, the CQR tactical pants are sure to impress you with their durability without compromising on being lightweight. Most importantly, you get all of this at an affordable price.

What’s Included

  • Duratex fabric
  • High-density metal alloy button and zipper
  • 8 multipurpose pockets
  • Fade resistance
  • Shrink resistance
  • Wrinkle resistance

What Do I Think?

One of the main reasons why I recommend these pants is because the manufacturers have found that sweet spot between great quality and affordable pricing. There are tons of color options available, which can be combined with the dirt repellant and wrinkle-resistant nature of these pants to give you a solid product.

Common Questions

  • Are they comfortable?

The fit is almost perfect, giving you enough structure without compromising on enough space. Overall, the pants are very comfortable.

  • Is the material the best or is it cheap?

These tactical pants are made with a 65-35 blend of polyester and cotton, which makes the pants both sturdy and breathable.

  • Are they durable?

While these pants are lightweight, that does not compromise on their durability.

  • Is the design terrible?

The design is in line with traditional tactical pants but the range of colors available will truly impress you.

What I Like

  • The fabric used to make these pants is just fantastic — breathable, dirt repellant, resistant to wrinkles, fading and more.
  • This is one of the most affordable pairs of tactical pants that you can get your hands on.
  • The fit gives you enough room to really spread around and get flexible.

What I Don’t Like

  • If you are going to be taking on a lot of heavy-duty work, this may not be the ideal option.
  • Some of the pockets can be a little small for putting equipment and tools.

If you are on a budget or just don’t want to spend too much money, these tactical pants give you the best bang for your buck. Your search can stop here.

Check the out on Amazon for more info

Best Features

In this section, I will be delving deeper into a pair of pants, which — according to me — offer a good range of features.

LA Police Gear Men’s Urban Ops Tactical Pants

If you are looking to achieve that law enforcement professional kind of look but with a larger range of motion, the LA Police Gear Urban Ops Tactical Pants deserve a mention. Without burning a hole in your pocket, the company employs high-quality materials and a fantastic fit so that you can stay cool even when it’s hot.

What’s Included

  • 65% Polyester
  • 35% Cotton
  • Rip-Stop fabric
  • Zipper closure
  • Front slip pocket
  • Elastic waistband

What Do I Think?

It is not about which pair of pants offers the maximum number of features but which features are most useful. The LA Police Gear variant works better than a lot of others to give you just the right features — like the articulating knees and gusseted crotch — that keep you comfortable. The elastic waistband is another great touch for a better fit.

Common Question

  • Are they comfortable?

The manufacturers have allowed for a lot of space for movement within the pants, which helps make them extremely comfortable.

  • Is the material the best or is it cheap?

The 65-35 polyester blend is in line with the other tactical pants that have been discussed as a part of this guide. The YKK locking brass zipper is a good touch.

  • Are they durable?

Yes, this is a pair of pants that should last you a while.

  • Is the design terrible?

While the design is nothing to write home about, it works well when you are at work or just relaxing.

What I Like

  • The simple design and affordable pricing are definite positives.
  • There is a good range of colors but not an overwhelming one.
  • There are tons of pockets and 6 belt loops.

What I Don’t Like

  • It is not made in the US, which may be an issue for some.
  • The sizes tend to run a little small, especially if you are bigger.

None of the disadvantages are major deal breakers and this pair is easily one of the best tactical pants for hot weather. Nothing should be stopping you from getting your hands on this now!

Check them out on Amazon for more info

Fan Favorite

There are very few cases in which the crowds will lead you to the wrong place and this isn’t one of them. The “fan favorite” is a pair of tactical pants that you can turn to with your eyes closed.

5.11 Men’s TACLITE Pro Tactical Pants

The TacLine Pro tactical pants by 5.11 are the go-to pants for many people I know and there is no dearth of reasons for this. The wear-resistant finish of these pants allows you to use them without worrying about tears and rough use. An interesting addition is the fact that the waist molds itself to your shape for added comfort.

What’s Included

  • Polyester/cotton TACLITE ripstop fabric
  • Multipurpose pockets
  • YKK zippers
  • Stretch waistband
  • Hip-mounted D-ring

What Do I Think?

This is one of the most popular tactical pants that are readily available for sale, despite being on the slighter higher side in terms of price. This works better than a lot of other lightweight pants because the fabric used is wear resistant. If you work in the outdoors, you already know how easy it is to wear out your pants even before you get your money’s worth, so this is a welcome change.

Common Questions

  • Are they comfortable?

The pants are extremely comfortable to wear, especially because of the gusseted design.

  • Is the material the best or is it cheap?

The 65-35 polyester/cotton blend is the industry standard for tactical pants but this company takes it a step forward.

  • Are they durable?

Yes, the composition of these pants and the quality of materials used make it very sturdy.

  • Is the design terrible?

You may not find yourself feeling particularly enamored by the design but it works well.

What I Like

  • This is one of the most well-built tactical pants available right now.
  • There are eight different pockets and fun additions like a hip-mounted D-ring.
  • The gusseted construction allows for more flexibility in your movement.

What I Don’t Like

  • The price is a little higher than most other products on this list.
  • The sizing can be a little confusing.

If you don’t mind paying a little more, there are thousands of people who would testify in favor of these tactical pants, which makes them a great investment.

Check them out on Amazon for more info

Stay away from Product!

Not every pair of tactical pants that receive a lot of attention are worth your time and money. In this section, I’ll be looking at one that surely isn’t.

Condor Outdoor Cipher Tactical Stretch Pants

The main reason why I wouldn’t recommend the Condor Outdoor Cipher Tactical Stretch Pants is its construction. Built using 97% Nylon and 3% Spandex, these are not pants that allow you to breathe when the weather gets too hot. These fit more like skinny jeans. If that’s your thing, check them out.

While the material is very thin, there are instances where some of the color variants collect lint and make you look not so well put together.

Getting your hands on the right tactical pants that keep you cool and comfortable even in the sweltering heat is truly life changing. Depending on your individual needs and what styles suit you best, you can choose any of these tactical pants and I bet you’d be thanking me for this guide somewhere down the line.