One of the most important things for a police officer is his or her uniform (after their service weapon and handcuffs, of course). Alongside a vest and comfortable shirt, law enforcement officers need tactical pants they can rely on in a pinch and that will be comfortable during a long day of walking, running, or cruising around in patrol vehicles.
Tactical pants often come with pockets so you can store additional tools and gear outside what you carry on your duty belt. They’re also usually made with durability in mind, making them less likely to rip or tear during a high-speed pursuit.
But not all tactical pants are made alike. Indeed, tactical pants come in a variety of colors to fit police officers’ different roles, including:
- Field officers
- Patrol officers in police cruisers
- Trainers at academies
- And more
It can also be tough to know which tactical pants are right for you. Today, let’s break down the top ten pairs of tactical pants for law enforcement officers. Each pair will be ideal for a specific user or situation.
5.11 Tactical – Men’s Stryke Tactical Pants
The Stryke tactical pants are a staple in many law enforcement officers’ wardrobes, and for good reason. These flexible yet durable cargo pants are supremely comfortable, but they have enough pockets that you can store most of your work gadgets or equipment in easy to reach places. As a bonus, the pants’ pockets have a little extra space compared to many other police pants on the market.
These pants are bolstered by a material called Teflon, which is a special and highly-regarded finish that can resist water and dirt stains. As a result, picking up these pants in lighter colors like beige is likely fine, even if you wear your tactical pants in dirty environments or outdoors.
Key Features:
- Extra-large cargo pockets
- Made with a special finish to resist staining
- Both comfortable and durable
- Flex-Tac mechanical stretching technology ensures the pants will last for quite some time
- Available in seven colors
5.11 Tactical – Men’s Taclite Pro Pants
Taclite is one of the most popular tactical gear brands, and their Pro Pants are well worth a look if you are a law enforcement officer, EMT, or similar field operative. These are lightweight yet durable pants and are perfect for outdoor operations due to their increased toughness.
They are also fairly versatile in terms of their aesthetic pairings, as they come in a whopping ten colors total. There’s a shade of pants here perfect for any shirt or jacket combo.
More importantly, these pants feature double-reinforced seating and knees. No matter how much you bend, squat, or run, they should not stretch or tear. The pants come with extra-sized pockets and a relaxed fit, ensuring all-day comfort and stretchability.
Key Features:
- Very stretchy compared to other tactical pants
- Eight extra-large tactical pockets
- Available in ten colors total
- Made of proprietary lightweight and durable Taclite fabric
- Triple stitched for added durability
VIKTOS – Operatus XP Tactical Jeans
Sometimes police officers need jeans that blend in with the crowd. In that case, these Operatus XP Tactical Jeans could be your best choice. Made of stretch denim and available in three colors, these tactical pants nonetheless share tons of similarities with other tactical pants varieties.
For example, they come with nine pockets in total and a secure, double zip fly that’s accessible even with a gun belt. The pants are also designed with a crotch gusset, which adds maneuverability and comfort at the same time. Four of the pockets are external slash-style, meaning they allow easy access for equipment like handcuffs or magazines.
All in all, these tactical jeans are perfect for veteran police officers, undercover work, and everything in between.
Key Features:
- Double zip front fly for access with gun belt
- Made of specialized durable denim
- Nine total pockets and oversized thighs
- Come with one-year materials and workmanship warranty
- Three colors available
Under Armour – Men’s Enduro Cargo Pants
Some of the best tactical pants are cargo pants as well, and this pair from Under Armour is a great example. With five colors to choose from, these loose but durable pants are extremely comfortable for long foot patrols or for spending hours at a time in a police vehicle.
Even better, the pants feature specialized and proprietary UA Storm technology. Without getting too technical, this chemical layer repels water and ensures the pants breathe in hot environments. Naturally, these pants come with anti-odor technology so you’ll smell better than usual when you come home at the end of a long shift. The ultra-durable ripstop fabric is fairly tough, even if you use these pants outside while running or vaulting in urban environments. Ultimately, these versatile pants are a great choice for field agents or cops who are active in hot climates a lot of the time.
Key Features:
- Made of breathable, 100% polyester fabric
- Full cut for complete comfort
- Durable ripstop fabric
- Five colors available
- Features UA-specific tech to reduce odors and repel water
First Tactical – Men’s V2 Tactical Pants
The V2 Pant from First Tactical offers a neat, clean, and sharp professional look that you’d expect for law enforcement. Made to handle a variety of law enforcement and tactical duties, the entire pant boasts features you’ll appreciate on the job. The Stretch Waist offers comfort in motion, moving with you during the stresses of the job.
The running gusset offers plenty of mobility in scenarios where you need to act and move fast. Every pocket on the V2 is useful for stowing gear, and each one features a reinforced pocket flap for a professional look. Available in a wide variety of colors, there’s a V2 with your name on it.
Key Features:
- Gusseted pockets ensures plenty of space for gear without added bulk.
- Lightweight fabric blend of polyester and cotton
- Teflon shield repels waiter and stains
- Durable YKK zippers
Tru-Spec – Men’s 24-7 Xpedition Pants
The 24-7 Xpedition Pants come in seven colors, but each pair is made with double-woven fabric to ensure fantastic durability, especially on the back of the knees. Speaking of the back of the knees, you’ll find hidden pockets there, as well as front cargo pockets so you can store bonus equipment whenever needed. Those front pockets are particularly nice, as they feature hidden snap enclosures and internal D-rings for storing cards or other valuables.
The pants overall are water-resistant and are made of four-way stretch fabric. As a result, they will be comfortable even if you wear them for many hours on end. The pants feature a comfort fit slider waistband, a French fly inside zipper, and articulated knees for added mobility. They even come with a gusseted crotch and an extra layer of nylon webbing fabric near the boots.
Key Features:
- Very comfortable thanks to soft flex panels, gusseted crotch, and articulated knees
- Seven available colors
- Several easy access pockets
- Front pockets feature extra loops, enclosures
Vertx – Men’s Phantom LT 2.0 Pants
These Vertx tactical pants are an excellent choice through and through. The articulated knees give you a greater range of motion than you may be used too, making them great for tactical maneuvers or chasing suspects.
The pants are also boosted by a side stretch waistband and a higher rise in the back. The pants will remain well fitted and comfortable throughout your workday, in part because of the gusseted crotch, and the specialized soft nature ripstop fabric resists rips and tears.
The back pocket features a specialized credential flap to protect important items or cards, and there’s a concealed zipper pocket on the right side for additional security for any valuables. Both sides of the pants feature lined tool pockets and multipurpose cargo pockets. It’s safe to say that these pants are a great pick for law enforcement officers that need to carry a lot of gear or devices around.
Key Features:
- Six colors available
- Articulated knees for better flexibility
- Comfortable but durable ripstop fabric
- Tons of pockets for different purposes and security
Tru-Spec – Men’s 24-7 Series Pro Flex Pants
The 24-7 Series returns once again, although these pants are designed to combine comfort with tons of pockets. Therefore, they’re a great choice for police officers who spend a lot of time walking around and who need as much storage space as they can get.
These pants come in six colors and feature integrated four-way stretch soft flex panels. These are positioned above the knees and on the hip yoke. You’ll feel the difference between these pants and less comfortable tactical options as soon as you put them on. A seven-loop belt ring allows you to thread your duty belt through with extra support.
These feature a durable brass zipper and a gusseted soft flex crotch for even more durability and comfort at the same time. All told, you’ll get two knife or accessory pockets, four other accessory pockets, and two internal magazine or accessory compartments for hidden storage.
Key Features:
- Tons of pockets available, two of them hidden
- Several features for comfort, including a gusseted soft flex crotch and reinforced knees, plus an interior opening for kneepads
- Has comfortable waistband with seven loops for a belt
- Comes with durable brass zipper
5.11 Tactical – Men’s TDU Ripstop Pants
Ripstop fabric is favored for its durability, and these TDU pants make excellent use of it. Though they only come in two different colors, these are high-performance and lightweight uniform pants for police officers or instructors always on the go. A pair weighs only 7.5 ounces, made of a polyester and cotton ripstop fabric blend that’s both breathable and durable.
The self-adjusting tunnel waistband ensures adequate flexibility and prevents the waistband from grinding against your hips while wearing a belt. Several pockets for storing your equipment or gear, including several secure see pockets and cargo pockets sized for AR magazine storage.
The seat of the pants is double reinforced, and the legs have a Teflon finish for added durability. Durable zippers and snaps guarantee that these pants will last for a long time to come, even with heavy field use.
Key Features:
- Several pockets, including two for AR mag storage
- Has a double reinforced seat
- Teflon finish and YKK zippers
- Internal knee pad spaces
- Triple stitching for extra durability
Propper – Men’s Genuine Gear Tactical Pants
Last but not least, these Propper tactical pants are well worth your time. They feature extra-large belt loops, which makes them a perfect pair of pants to combine with a thick nylon duty belt. They also come with nine pockets in total, including two back pockets with hook and loop closures for added security.
The pants are available in six different colors and both front pockets have reinforced openings, making them useful for storing tool magazines, folding knives, and other tactical tools. The kneepads have internal openings as well, so you can wear knee guards during tactical maneuvers. The pants overall have a relatively relaxed fit, ensuring all day comfort.
Key Features:
- Nine pockets to use for your storage needs
- Specialized pockets for knives or secure storage
- Belt loops are very large to fit thick duty belts
- Six colors to choose from
- A relaxed fit for added comfort
Conclusion
Each of the above tactical pants could be the perfect pick for your work, depending on what kind of law enforcement you do. These are among the GovX community’s bestsellers for law enforcement personnel, so don’t forget to check out some of the reviews from other customers. Consider your options carefully and pick up a few pairs in different colors so you always have a reliable pair of tactical pants available.
