I’ve spent a good amount of time wearing and using the Propper Kinetic tactical pants sent to me and I’ll tell you that I really like them. There are a lot of “tactical” pants on the market for purchase and some are costly, pricing upwards of $100+, yet the Propper pants are something you should consider looking at before spending big bucks. Their price falls in line with the 5.11 Tactical Tac-Lite cotton/ripstop pants retailing for $49.00 with similar features, the over-priced Eddie Bauer cotton Cargo pants for $49.00 with way fewer features and the more costly Vertx pants which comes in at $79.00 but why pay more? At just $55.00 this is an item to throw into your checkout cart. I definitely recommend stowing one into your closet, vehicle or Bag of Doom (as writer Roger calls it) for a rainy day. They’ll get you where you need to go and for a bargain at that.

MATERIALS and FUNCTIONALITY

Propper uses what they call NEXStretch™ 2-way mechanical stretch that makes the pants comfortable for daily wear because it is stretchable. I’m able to squat in these while hoisting a barbell over my shoulders and I can hunker way down into an Asian squat for long periods of time, something I’ve been used to doing since childhood. Believe me, I know how to squat. You need to squat in order to shoot? Well, squat then. The gusseted crotch provides much-needed material in the lower area for those ninjas who like to do aerial kicking like Chuck Norris or just because they need that extra space to prevent pinching when, well… squatting, of course. For those who like to ride their bike or motorcycle, climb a hill or for those hunters who prefer to squat for long periods of time the pants are more than suitable.

Segmented pockets

The pants are made of 79% polyester and 21% cotton ripstop fabric.  Polyester as described in textile encyclopedias is, “resistant to most chemicals, stretching and shrinking, wrinkle resistant, mildew and abrasion resistant. Polyester is hydrophobic in nature and quick drying. It can be used for insulation because of the manufactured hollow fibers.” Excellent choice of material for the pants. The cotton ripstop fabric counters the polyester fabric and gives it a semi-softness however ripstop is a perfect utility fabric and it is used across a variety of projects. Products requiring a strong lightweight fabric use ripstop such as those used in outdoor clothing, backpacks, flags, banners and protective clothing for firefighters and other workwear.

The side pockets where your hands normally go has a horizontal cut to allow you to place a knife or Neomag or any item which uses a clip.

Ripstop tends to be woven and strong machine-washable fabric and is largely tear-and abrasion-resistant. It’s great for camping gear, camping tents and military uniforms or Nomex gloves. The ripstop cotton pants material isn’t soft as 100% cotton would be, rather it is semi-coarse but it is strong. The material is water-repellent and resistant to dirt and moisture. I recommend choosing your color based on what kind of work you do and what kind of elements/environment you’ll use it in. I chose black because it won’t show dirt as much as a lighter color such as tan.

The pants are great for working in the rain, or crossing rivers or streams, as they will hold up well, and dry quickly. They use bar-tack stitching in the areas such as the pocket flaps or joints that get the most use. Water beads off of it.

You can place your badge or eyepro in this slot

STORAGE

The pants have excellent storage options. Propper put some thought into designing the pants by putting in ambidextrous pocket configuration and each includes an internal divider. The front pockets, back and side are large and deep enough to stash 1 to 2 AR mags easily. The front pockets are useful for holding extra AR mags if you want or for a cell phone or car keys. Use it for what you like. I like the construction the offer users for speedy reloads or walking out to the target areas because it can carry more than 6 AR magazines. Clearly use a different arrangement for work purposes. Their belt loops are wide and use a flap of material for placing a badge or sunglasses.

A nice little draw string. This is great if you are wearing gloves on a cold day.

The pants are also good for Every Day carry (EDC) purposes. Conceal a knife, pen, flashlight, notebook and anything else you need to pass through those spooky and dangerous towns when TEOTWAWKI happens because there is enough room for them. I like the placement of the cargo pockets. The pockets aren’t as deep or wide, as found in traditional military trousers, to stow gear. I prefer the smaller, slimmer sized cargo pockets and I think they are the perfect size to store what you need but no more. Nothing worse than having pockets that don’t lay flat.

Good use of bar-tack stitching

I can put a water bottle into my pocket and not have it disappear into a black hole as it would with traditional military trousers such as ACU pants. This means the pants look more professional than most other tactical trousers which tend to be overly baggy and not slim. These have a slim look and with the smartly placed stitching on the pockets the pants have a very clean look. Travelers will find the pants useful for carrying a passport, wallet and EDC items simply by utilizing the different pockets while those who are medics are able to carry shears, a penlight and can separate their medical backup kit easily.

The side and back pockets use a hook and loop closure. On each side of the pants, nearest the hips, there is a pocket for a pen or knife a magazine clip like the Neomag. The side pockets will also hold extra pistol mags.  The waist of the pants utilizes an elastic slider waist with a slider waist band. The pants will elongate roughly an inch on each side when pulled. This is perfect for carrying an IWB holster. There is a rubberized shirt stay Gripper Waistband on the inside of the waist pant to prevent shirts from untucking. The waistband cinches together with a small, strong metal button.

CONCLUSION

Think about the size you want. I chose the 32×32 because I hover around a 32″-33″ waist but some 32″ fit just too tightly for me. They don’t offer a 33×32 and a 34″ inch waist would have been too big for me but the stretchy waistband was perfect to meet my needs. The simple layout of the pants provides a great way to store your gear and be able to move out in no time. $50.00 more or less is a great price. I would have liked a softer material but doing so may have made the pants less durable. The pants nearly has as many features as the Vertx brand of pants, with additions such as double reinforced knee with knee pad pouches and VELCRO closures, calf pockets (or more pockets), mesh thighs for air-cooling, or draw cord, but would end up costing more. Is this a $179.00 Vertx pant? No, but do you really need that in your load-out? $55.00 bucks is a steal even if it doesn’t have the knee pads. Overall I think this is a great pair of pants for the price.

The Propper Kinetic tactical pants are durable, and useful for everyday wear and they are priced well. Load em up and move em out!

• NEXStretch™ 2-way mechanical stretch
• Durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment to resist dirt and moisture
• Durable and rugged ripstop fabric with integrated stretch
• Updated, modern, professional design
• Gripper waistband
• Metal button waistband closure
• Cargo pockets with internal divider
• Wider belt loops with badge / sunglasses tabs
• Ambidextrous pocket configuration
• Gusseted crotch
• 79% polyester / 21% cotton ripstop

• Cost 4/5 
• Comfort (if applicable) 4/5
• Durability 5/5
• Functionality 5/5
• Weight 5/5
• Overall Rating 23/25

Material Disclosure

I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer via Spotter Up so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.

*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.