We’ve been talking about it for a while. We are now seeing the shift towards functional denim and we’ll soon see it in a lot of other clothing come next year.
Hi tech fabric is being incorporated into denim and soon other types of clothing will follow. Nike has filed a patent for “architecturally reinforced denim” that will provide “high tenacity and/or moisture management and/or stretch materials.”
Nike already does some incredible shoes such as their Flyknit line using knit construction but they are looking to make an impact in fashion culture with denim for extreme sports athletes such as skateboarders. Denim users from all different kinds of cultures will grab these up for certain. Competitive shooters, preppers, protective agents are just some buyers that would be happy to purchase ‘flex’ denim or ‘tactical’ denim. In other words denim that can be used for running, kneeling, kicking, and using for concealed weapon carry.
Back in the day they relied on gussets
Under Armour has led the way with tech infused clothing and more companies will follow. American Eagle Outfitters Inc offered a Flex Fit denim for students going back to school. I purchased a pair. Sweat pants, yoga pants are popular but flex denim will offer an alternative.
LAPG Terrain Flex Jeans (fully reviewed)
The Terrain Flex Jeans from LA Police Gear are the result of years of development, samples, blood, samples, sweat, tears, and more samples. We strove to bring a truly high-end jean that doesn’t compromise on fit, quality, features, and price. This tactical jean has all the features you’d expect – an amazing stretch fabric (that doesn’t look like it), rear hip pockets, a hidden handcuff key pocket, hidden knife clip reinforcements, and high-quality zippers, buttons, and stitching.
The Terrain Flex Straight Fit Jeans are the perfect balance between a modern and classic jean. The medium wash has just the right amount of distressing to make these jeans perfect for casual or more dressy settings. For the fabric, we added in just 2% of spandex to give it that flexibility you need without sacrificing any looks. The Terrain Flex Straight Fit Jeans in Dark Wash have an amazingly stretchy fabric that looks clean, performs well, and can be dressed up or down. We were very careful to add just the right amount of stretch so they don’t look like traditional stretchy denim. The straight fit is the perfect balance of a flattering rise and fit through the waist and thighs, with a straight leg all the way down past the knee. Our jeans have a roomy waist thanks to the stretch fabric, making them a great choice for concealed carry.
9 Pocket Configuration:
- 2 front pockets with internal hidden clip reinforcement
- 2 front “watch” pockets modified to fit pistol mags
- 2 traditional rear patch pockets
- 2 rear hip pockets sized for rifle mags or smart phones
- 1 hidden handcuff key pocket (in rear center belt loop)
Features:
- Medium Wash – Perfect for casual or dressy settings
- Dark Wash – Clean, professional look
- Straight Fit – Classic fit in waist and thighs, straight leg past the knee
- Medium Wash, Vintage Wash, Charcoal, & Black fabric composition is 13 oz. stretch denim (98% Cotton, 2% Spandex)
- Dark Wash fabric composition is 13 oz. stretch denim (73% Cotton, 25% Polyester, & 2% Spandex)
- Prewashed to minimize shrinking and for natural feel and appearance
- Classic button waist with brass locking YKK zipper
- Reinforced, boot-friendly double heel fabric
- High end stitching with bar tacks in key areas
- 9 pocket design (see above for details)
From the jungles of Vietnam to the mountains of Afghanistan, jeans have been the unofficial pant of SOF units for decades. Our premier tactical jean, the Gunfighter, takes this popular benchmark and notches it up for the ultimate denim force multiplier. The Gunfighter mens jeans are constructed for best fit and comfort with a Cordura® stretch denim/nylon blend and feature an exclusive flex Cordura® crotch, offering uncompromised mobility & durability. With black arms specific equipment pocketing and padded waistband, they’re the perfect pant for your daily gunfight.
– Attackposture fit
– Cordura® stretch denim chassis
– Vented stretch Cordura® crotch gusset
– Padded waistband for comfort from heavy warbelts
– Oversized belt loops fit tactical belts
– YKK® brand front zipper for durability
– Magazine hip pockets
– Pistol magazine coin pocket
– Hidden waistband stash pocket
– Velcro® morale patch compatible
– U.S. veteran designed & developed
– 1 year workmanship & materials warranty
VIKTOS Gunfighter Jeans
From the jungles of Vietnam to the mountains of Afghanistan, jeans have been the unofficial pant of SOF units for decades. Our premier tactical jean, the Gunfighter, takes this popular benchmark and notches it up for the ultimate denim force multiplier. The Gunfighter mens jeans are constructed for best fit and comfort with a Cordura® stretch denim/nylon blend and feature an exclusive flex Cordura® crotch, offering uncompromised mobility & durability. With black arms specific equipment pocketing and padded waistband, they’re the perfect pant for your daily gunfight.
– Attackposture fit
– Cordura® stretch denim chassis
– Vented stretch Cordura® crotch gusset
– Padded waistband for comfort from heavy warbelts
– Oversized belt loops fit tactical belts
– YKK® brand front zipper for durability
– Magazine hip pockets
– Pistol magazine coin pocket
– Hidden waistband stash pocket
– Velcro® morale patch compatible
– U.S. veteran designed & developed
– 1 year workmanship & materials warranty
PENTAGON ROGUE (fully reviewed)
Crafted from hardwearing and highly breathable Cotton fabric with stonewashed denim finish, the new Rogue Jeans Pants from Pentagon feature self-locking YKK fly zip with button, multiple storage pockets, dedicated magazine pockets, diamond crotch for added freedom of movement, and triple stitching at stress points for extra durability. Thanks to its classic casual fitting jeans cut design and contemporary look; the Rogue Jeans Pants are perfect for everyday wear as well as for highly demanding outdoor activities such as hiking, hunting or paintball.
- Classic casual fitting jeans cut with tactical design
- Self-locking YKK fly zip with button
- Two regular front hand pockets with reinforced fillets and inner sleeve pockets
- Two classic rear pockets
- Two concealed magazine pockets above the rear pockets
- Small front tool sleeve pocket on right leg
- Diamond crotch for added comfort and freedom of movement
- Six belt loops with front loops reinforced
- Triple stitching on stress points
- Genuine YKK zipper
- Hardwearing stone washed denim fabric for contemporary look and feel
- Material: 100% Cotton
- Manufacturer: Pentagon
- Manufacturer’s number: K05028-40
DYNAMIS ALLIANCE (fully reviewed)
- Modern Taper
- 5″ inseam for custom fit
- Premium Candiani Italian Stretch Denim
- Dnamic Stretch
- Signature Slash Pockets
- Rivet-Less Construction
- Knight Gre 4 Wa Stretch Inner Waistband
- 9 pocket design
- Sewn in – USA AMERICAN MADE flag
- Black Thread
We do not think much more needs to be said, but if you want to know more details here is what we did. We took a premium Italian Stretch Denim and through a detailed wash process created a deep knight black color that is extremely well balanced. We also treated this denim to give it an extremely high quality feel. We removed all rivets and replaced them with strategically placed bar tacks to increase overall function and durability. This is the first pair of pants we have released with our American Made Flag placed into them and we are proud to say that we have fought through some battles of our own and this flag represents the resiliency it takes to hold true to what you believe in. Honoring why we have the freedom to even be given an opportunity to run an American made company will never be lost on us. Tier-1 Designed and Developed. Made in the USA
Särmä TST Tactical Jeans
Tactical Jeans – when you don’t want to use cargo pants or camo stuff for covert work, but find ordinary jeans cumbersome and lacking in features. Mobile and stretchy, these would probably be good enough for Chuck Norris (if he didn’t already have his own karate jeans).
- Elastic material and crotch gusset
- Hidden pockets with easy access for smartphones etc.
- High durability
- 94/4/2 % cotton/polyester/elastane, 403 g/m2 or 12 oz/yd2.
What’s unique about these is the fact that they look unassuming, but there’s more than meets the eye. The cut and material offer mobility unmatched by any casual pants, and extra pockets are hidden in plain sight to keep things available for grabs. The special features are so sleek that if you don’t use them, you won’t notice them either.
Made in EU (Estonia) by Masi company.
Many people prefer Tactical Jeans with a smaller waist size compared to ordinary pants. Part of this is because of the stretchy material but also because of the roomy cut: as with Särmä Common Jeans, the waistbands of these jeans are two inches larger than the nominal waist size to let it ride lower than the navel.
Tactical Jeans of a smaller-than-usual size will not be glam rock tight so if you want a closer fit, give the sizing a moment of thought.
Below is a table of garment measurements:
The starting point was jeans as regular as possible, namely the Särmä Common Jeans. We added a crotch gusset to allow ninja moves, which are also easier thanks to a 2-Way Stretch material and elastane mixed into the fabric.
The fit is best described as “plain” or “regular”, although it differs slightly from Common Jeans. We didn’t incorporate any bagginess for pocket space, because the material stretch handles it. The belt loops are big enough for a 50 mm / 2″ belt but work fine with regular 40 mm / 1.6″ belts as well. Button fly.
- Mid rise waist
- Stretchy, non-restricting material
- 50 mm / 2″ belt loops
- Button fly
- Crotch gusset
- Ten useful pockets:
- Two ordinary side pockets
- Two (pistol mag size) smaller pockets inside each side pocket
- Two ordinary back pockets
- Two (assault rifle mag size) hidden back pockets
In addition to the usual front and rear pockets, the front pockets have two flat “coin pockets” per side. Even the smaller ones are big enough for a pistol magazine, folding knife or multi-tool.
In the rear, you’ll find two slash pockets behind the side seams. A yoke conceals the mouth, so it’s “not there”. The pockets are large enough for a smartphone or tourniquet, but by coincidence also fit something you can use to feed an Evil Black Gun.
In our trials, we have used the Tactical Jeans for all kinds of rough business, and even after wearing and washing they retain a good look. Natural fibers don’t melt or light up that easily, so the primary material is 94% cotton. A 4% polyester content improves durability and 2% of elastane.
Fabric weight: 403 g/m2 or 12 oz/yd2.
Machine wash at 40° Celsius / 104° F. The color bleeds so handle the whites and coloreds separately. May crock before the first wash, so don’t sit on your grandma’s white leather couch before that.
The colors are black and blue. When stretched, the fabric reveals light-grey fibers within the fabric, giving a lighter appearance. Especially the black ones may appear dark grey from a distance.
Särmä TST is Varusteleka’s in-house brand of clothing and gear designed for military and law enforcement end-users. Our clothing and equipment are made in co-operation with a number of experienced manufacturers with a strong background in producing clothing and gear for military and law enforcement officials, most notably for the Finnish Defence Forces. For further reading check out the Särmä TST corner of our website.
Särmä TST products are covered by a 12-month warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. For further information please read our detailed warranty guide.
HELIKON TEX
- 80% Cotton/19% Polyester/1% Spandex
- Imported
- Unique US and EU patented design – A well-known, Helikon-Tex best seller
- Thanks to its 2-way elastic fabric, you get a comfortable, slim look with an increased range of motion without unnecessary stress on its seams. Its stretchable waist gives you up to 2 additional inches for improved comfort
- Its lightweight and breathable materials provide an increased comfort during prolonged use in a magnitude of different climates
- The casual, low profile design combined with the jeans look gives the versatility and capabilities to fulfill the needs of professional users while in an urban setting
- It has a perfect, patented pocket arrangement for carrying all your essential equipment in an organized discrete fashion without losing your tactical advantage.
5.11 DEFENDER JEANS (fully reviewed)
5.11® brings you the comfort and styling of your favorite everyday pant with tactical functionality and stretch built right in. The Defender-Flex pant has been developed for 5.11 end users who are looking for low-vis tactical without sacrificing performance at the firing range or comfort for everyday wear. Crafted with a Cavalry Twill cotton/polyester blend, with just enough elastane for stretch, these pants are made to keep their shape with style. The five-pocket styling and soft fade finish look sharp, and the back mag pockets mean you’ll always be ready.
VIKTOS Operatus Jeans (fully reviewed)
Lo-vis enough to be your best daily jean, tactical enough to carry a full EDC load-out. Stretch denim chassis with a gusseted crotch and slightly oversized thighs designed with a fit to move with the operator through the myriad of combat postures and evolutions with comfort. The dual-pull zipper ensures you can conduct men’s drainage operations without having to de-militarize your waistline. The Operatus™ XP Denim Jean includes four external slash pockets allowing for instant access to your equipment: Two external leg slash pockets provide pistol magazine access and concealment, while front exterior slash pockets provide adequate depth for access to standard capacity AR style magazines for range days or if SHTF. Blades and flashlights also tuck away nicely for your EDC needs.
– Attackposture™ fit
– 12oz Stretch denim chassis
– Slightly oversized thighs for increased mobility
– Four external slash pockets for quick-access EDC
– Crotch gusset to eliminate saddle pinch
– Seven belt loops
– Double zip front fly for access with a gun belt
– U.S. veteran designed & developed
– 1-year workmanship & materials warranty
VERTX DEFIANCE
For decades, jeans have been the go-to pant whenever comfort, durability and an unassuming presence were desired. They transcend generations, occupations and get more comfortable every time you put them on. Our Defiance Jeans add superior utility to the Prepared Professional’s™ closet with 11 pockets that allow you to keep everyday carry items close at hand and they are ideally suited to teaming up with work or gear belts and any type of shirt or outerwear. They are the closest you can get to wearing a multi-tool. With just enough stretch to keep up with your activities and a healthy dose of Coolmax® to help regulate your body temperature in all environments, they’ll be in your regular rotation from day one.
Features:
- 11 pockets keep essential items handy and organized
- Deep front pockets are made of soft highly-breathable mesh
- Watch pocket in right front pocket
- Front pockets have a pass-through slot for comms lead or a RATS tourniquet
- Dual angled rear yoke pockets fit standard smart phones and rifle mags
- Wallet traps in both rear pockets keep wallet or passport secure
- 4 mini stash pockets let you pre-load key items from 1.75 to 2 inches long
- Keyring and lanyard anchor point in both front pockets
- Concealed DropLoop pass-through in each belt loop for flexible restraints or reinforced tether points for lanyards or gear
Construction:
- Relaxed fit is comfortable and allows free movement
- Articulated knees enable dynamic mobility and prevent cuff creep when sitting
- Full gusseted crotch allows greater range of motion
- Brass YKK® locking zipper
- 8 belt loops are 0.5-inch wide and fit up to 1.75-inch belts
- Boot-friendly cuffs
- All heavy-wear seams are double-stitched
- Bar tacks or brass rivets at critical stress points
Fabric and Technology:
- Stretch 10.5-ounce 71% cotton/4% polyester/7% Modal/17% Coolmax®/1% Lycra®
- Pre-washed for comfortable feel and natural appearance
- COOLMAX: Stay cool, dry and comfortable in hot weather or while being active. Never washes out.
CONDOR JEANS
Engineered for the urban operator in mind, the Condor Cipher pants blends modern aesthetic with technical performance. Constructed with lightweight quick-drying stretch fabric to ensure 24/7 comfort, micro mesh pocket liner to boost breathability, and a gusseted crotch for enhanced maneuverability. The Condor Cipher balances performance and comfort for the challenges ahead.
- Specifications
- Elastic waist band for IWB holster
- Two gadget pockets for phone or mag
- Two back pockets
- Zipper pocket on the right
- Articulated knee construction
- Imported
- Size W:30″-40″
- L:30,32,34
- *Slim Fit*
- Color Black, Charcoal
- Notifications Materials: 97% Nylon/ 3% Spandex
*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.
Motorcycle jeans made with Kevlar would definitely get a boost with Nike and Under Armour created more robust materials.