For most of us who served in the military or even followed the guidelines of a more conservative and less practical public safety agency, the standard issue clothing has a lot of improvement requests from the end user. While some companies charge an ridiculous amount for a basic garment, and amazingly maintain a coercive monopoly on the market, others lack in proper fit, wearability and functionality. If that wasn’t the case, then the higher end after-market would not thrive the way it does.
A standard military issue garment is no different. While enduring changes and personal touches from each branch, overall what the service member gets is of less comfort and often lower quality than what the market as a whole offers. One caveat is that military issue clothing has to meet specific parameters, be made in a certain way, and fit a range of sizes within a size category, such as a Medium – Long, instead of 32×36. For all these reasons, I was curious if a higher end garment would hold up to the task.
Enter the Direct Action Vanguard Combat Trousers from Military 1st For years we have seen troops modify their issued trousers to meet a combination of uniform regulations and functionality. Customizing the trim to a more athletic fit, modifying the cuffs to avoid blousing, and more. I was curious if an item like the Vanguard Combat Trousers, also known on this side of the big water as pants, would fit the bill out-of-the box. Direct Action is a Polish-based company, which for years has met the need of higher end, more durable, practical and functional gear to the warfighter. While the end user while notice a higher cost compared to a more market-saturating brands, Direct Action is by no means at the top of the cost bracket. To me, the cost is generally manageable when doing an individual purchase and even more so when doing a unit order. At $282.56 sale price for Multicam at Military 1st, the amount of function offered by the Vanguard Combat Trousers is impressive. The price is very competitive when compared to other brads which hold themselves out to be high end and are typically considered as “Gucci gear” by even the highest end users. This little project took me several months, because of planned training, and my desire to really put these pants through the ringer. Speaking of, after several washes the garment has held up the color and fit, which is already more than can be said for some standard issue items. I used the Vanguard Combat pants primarily in hot weather of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and up, rain, wind, static training of office type setting, and active range environments.
The variety of features offered by the Vanguard Combat Trousers is unique, and prompted me to consider the varieties of uniforms used by other NATO partners, as well as the traditional number of features the U.S. Department of Defense has required for years. For example, the draw strings on boot line of U.S. issued trousers. In all my years in the military and public safety I have seen one guy use those the way they were intended. While we all understand the need for those draw strings, the functionality of them has been negated for years, with blousing straps, tucked into boots, or untucked in some situations and hot weather. They do make good ties in a pinch. The DA Vanguard CPS pants accomplish the same thing through use of hook and look adjustable cuffs, which are easier to use, do not come undone, and are just as easy to blouse according to one’s preference.
While most of the Vanguard Combat pant is made with a stretchy and comfortable Nylon, Cotton and Elastane materials, the harder use reinforced areas add 500 denier material, particularly on the knees, which also allow for knee pads to be inserted if you choose.
The pockets on the DA combat pants are cargo style, offering of a clean look and function, especially when compared to a more baggy standard issue. I appreciate the amount of pockets and compartments inside the main cargo area, without having too many. Aside from general storage, an AR/AK rifle magazine is a perfect fit for each sub pocket. The hand pockets – and we all know that those are mandatory hand pockets, are angled almost parallel to the waist, which allows them to be much more accessible, especially when in a kneeling or prone position. Probably my favorite pocket features is the fact that the zippers horizontal pockets are offset with the hook and loop ones, and offer a completely separate storage, positioned on top of the user’s thigh. To me, a zipper is much more secure, and often quieter than hook and loop, even when combined with a draw string as in some of the original OCP (Operational Combat Uniform). Not the least unique thing about the pocket features, is the lack of back ones to include pocket flaps. While another traditional feature for the U.S. market, for years I have resorted to tucking the flaps inside pockets and barely using them. A nice touch are the functional smaller pockets at the bottom of each leg, which many of u came to appreciate from the upgrades of the standard issue. The athletic fit of the trousers is an amazing enhancement, especially for those who are in between the US sizes, AKA medium husky, and have for years settled with a somewhat baggy appearance. In my opinion it adds to a more professional and dressed appearance.
This brings me to one of my favorite features. A wide, flexible and slightly padded belt line of the Vanguard Combat Trousers. The slight padding make long house in uniform, tucket combat shirts, combat belts and so on, immensely comfortable and professional in appearance. I also noticed that the waist line padding offers a nice moisture wicking feature, when combined with the wider belt line and heavy duty belt loops make these trousers rock stars in my book. Also much appreciated was the placement of those belt loops, so as not to (coincidentally) interfere with holster placement. The elastic feature of the belt line seals the deal. While a belt line draw string may be more useful than an ankle one, I much prefer a stretchy and adjustable one.
This brings us to a couple features notable and historically useful on the standard issue trousers. Button fly and button front. The Vanguard is a modern trouser, and as such comes with a zipper fly. I like the fast access and quality zipper. I also like that I don’t have to worry about using gloved or dirty hands on number of buttons which over time may get loose and need to be resecured. The hook and loop front of the trousers was initially concerning to me, although unfounded. I was not sure how the front would hold up under rigorous use. However, the overlapping tab, adjustability offered by the hook and loop and wider belt all add to the fact that those pants are staying on with no issues, and do not interfere with user’s gear. Additional features include integrated zipper covers at corners of the pockets, subtle logos and traditional gusseted crotchal (yes, its a word) area.
From the manufactures, the additional features offered by the Vanguard Combat Action Trousers are
- Two large hand pockets
- Two zippered pockets at the front with internal organizer
- Two expandable cargo pockets with hook-and-loop closure and internal loop fields to use as improvised dump pouch
- Two lower leg pockets with hook-and-loop closure
- Adjustable knee area and cuffs
- Cordura 500D reinforcements on knees that work as pockets for knee pad inserts
- YKK zippers throughout
- Material: 60% Nylon, 39% Cotton, 1% Elastane
