To everybody recommending Vertx jeans: I ordered a pair to see for myself. They are way too slim fit for me. And the ankles are nowhere near wide enough to work with my ankle gear. They are very nice jeans, they just don't fit my requirements.
I get it. I don't carry much on my ankles, except occasionally a g43 which I don't have a problem, but can see the vertx is tighter. I'm all about comfort above all else with jeans, especially as I get older and my body doesn't match these days with the way most jeans are cut. I found the vertx to fit my body type much more comfortably then My 5.11. To each their own, and I'm glad you found what works for your needs.
As a rancher's son, a bull and bareback bucking horse rider (long ago), and a rancher myself, I have worn Cowboy Cut Wranglers for over 60 years and still do. They work great for my concealed carry, both on my hip and AIWB.
I agree that Wrangler makes amazing jeans. Even their work/utility pants are excellent. Love them. But, I will also concede that the 5.11 defender (slim) jeans, are the so good that I seriously considered switching totally to the defender. But if you wear a full size pull on cowboy boot, the defenders slims are not a good option (the cuff is too narrow to fit over the boot)
Whenever possible, I refuse to buy product from companies that hate me and my opinions. That definitely includes Levi Strauss, as there are lots of options for pants.
Hi Brian, good video. I have worn these jeans for 5 years now and pick them up whenever they are on sale. You hit all of the best points of these pants; I would add that they last a long time. The mag pockets really make it easy for those extra mags.
I have 6 pairs of theses jeans and just wore out one of them after having them for 5 years, they are worth the price and they will definitely hold up too anything.
Comfortable and usable pants are a must. Two things for me (personal preference) I would like to see an additional "5th" pocket on the left side, and I do not like pants with that colored thread. I prefer the stitching to be more subdued or to match the pants. 5.11 makes good stuff imo.
I have been wearing these jeans for years, and lovve them. Then I found vertx Jeans, they are a must try, and for me even better then 5.11 for comfort. Same pocket setup as well.
I found that in comparison (I’m a big guy with big calf/ankles) that the 5.11’s are perfect. The Vertx jeans are nice, but calf and ankle are way tighter. IMO
I ordered a pair of Vertx to see for myself. They are way too slim fit for me. And the ankles are nowhere near wide enough to work with my ankle gear. They are very nice jeans, they just don't fit my requirements.
I have several pairs of these which I started wearing back in 2020 and 2021. They are the best jeans that I have ever worn. However, when I first bought them, they were going for $ 30 to $35 and now they are at $ 75 which is pretty pricey for jeans but I agree that beat the main brands by a long shot. The mag pocket is a big plus. I don't concealed carry but I do carry a large folder and the mag pocket is perfect. These jeans are very tough and durable as well.
While I've never had 511 jeans, I've owned other 511 pants, and they've worn out far too quickly. I've moved on to Fjallraven. So far they've out-worn 511, Carhartt, Kuhl combined.
I like going to the thrift stores even though you might not find what you want the first time if you have patience over time you could find the ones you're looking. I even luckily found an unused 511 tactical pair of pants for $7 a while back. Just go to the rich suburbs and you will find the better stuff.
Btw, I would recommend looking at Ammo Armor for carrying mags. I have them and they are awesome. Been carrying for about ten years (since I was 23) and went through multiple types of mag pouches before I found them
"...two squirrels fighting around my feet" ...i cracked up. LAPG has some jeans with adequate stretch and extra mag pockets in the back. Soft & comfortable but they run extra large in their sizing. They do have extra belt loops in the back but the spacing is off in my opinion. Not as expensive as your 5.11's there. I think i got mine for 35 or 40 something $. Still too much for my tastes but some yard sale shopper got a surprise of a deal on 2 pair.
Levi is also extremely anti-gun so that’s a nonstarter for me. I also love the 5.11, and agree with this assessment on the other jeans as well. Good review.
I’m rural and I’m sort of a walking hardware store and survival kit (before I retired, a friend at work called me Inspector Gadget). We’ll probably never find the perfect pants, but my favorite is 5.11 original cargo pants. I cut off two side belt loops on newer ones so they’ll be like the originals (I don’t quite have Batman’s utility belt, but close). Back around the time I started motorcycling, I decided to avoid much gear in back pockets (comb and handkerchief is about it. But I need those cargo pockets. I make my own knee pads because the ones from 5.11 are inadequate. But even original cargo pants were up to $55 last time I bought, so I’m always looking..,
I currently wear Levi jeans but after a couple of commercials they put out I’ve been looking for something else Not going to burn what I have but will replace them as they wear out
I've been looking for a better pair of jeans for quite a while now... won't buy Levi's *OR* Lees because of their political positions. Wranglers have been my go-to for years, but as you say, the price is good, but quality varies. I just checked with Amazon (Canada) and they do have the Defender - Flex in stock, and at $94.00 plus tax, they certainly aren't cheap! But over the last few weeks I've returned two different brands of "tactical" pants, as they did not suit my needs. So, I think you've found a winner there! I'll have to order a pair and see if I agree. I do like the deep watch pocket idea (for the same reasons as you!) and the extra one in back... plus the reinforcing. I don't "carry," but do have a knife, flashlight, and other odds and ends on my person all the time. Thanks for the suggestion!
I dont wear denim anymore ... weird . I used to love denim and then I just really didnt anymore. I think because theres so much more advanced fabric . I really like 5.11 taclite and stryke gear . propper kinetic too . I just go for that ripstop canvas type now I guess. Shame I really like the look of denim too . Just cant do it no more for some reason .
@@scottnewton6684 bout the same . the 5.11 tacliteshave elastic waistband so do the propper . I bought true to size and they fit well . even have a grippy strip around the inside of the waist so your shorts stay in place under heavy movement . Better pockets . I really like them better than the 5.11 I bought 3 pairs of the kinetic shorts ( Florida man , no need for long pants really ) and theyve quickly become my goto . Button primary closure too !!
Been eyeballing them jeans for a while. Like you said a little bit expensive. Might have to get a couple pair. There’s nothing wrong with hog holsters I don’t own one there’s just so many good ones out there you don’t have to explain yourself Brian. It’s a personal preference as you know. Nice hat as well. Stay safe my friend
I ordered a pair of Vertx to see for myself. They are way too slim fit for me. And the ankles are nowhere near wide enough to work with my ankle gear. They are very nice jeans, they just don't fit my requirements.
Looking at old news reports, Levis withdrew funding because BoA were discriminating against people for being gay or atheist. Which seems like a fair thing, no brand wants to be associated with discrimination.
It may not be the same with Defender-Flex model but one problem I've had with 5.11's has been that the crotch went so far down as to actually restrict movement. Maybe 5.11 changed that by now, I don't know.
I used to wear the 5.11 jeans. However, I had an issue with multiple pairs developing holes in the knees after less than a year of use. That’s completely unacceptable. I now wear Vertx jeans. Same concept, better execution. No holes. They’ve lasted much longer.
I ordered a pair of Vertx to see for myself. They are way too slim fit for me. And the ankles are nowhere near wide enough to work with my ankle gear. They are very nice jeans, they just don't fit my requirements.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose Well I’ll semi-agree with that assessment. I’ve found that when I’m ankle-carrying an IFAK and/or backup gun, I have to put them on before I put the jeans on. It’s nearly impossible to pull them over the top of ankle rigs, but stepping into the pants with the gear already on seems to work. As to the slim fit, I like the slim fit. It’s not 1994 anymore. Baggy jeans and parachute pants are long gone.
I guess that depends on what you consider high. All I can say is they seem to fit like regular jeans. They’re not hip huggers. Mine ride about 2” below my belly button.
The ongoing search for jeans that don't suck! I've looked and tried on some of the 5-11 but not these, have turned down those simply because made in China. So could you pass along that info my way? Thanks for the SOP infomercial because it is getting difficult to find decent jeans.
Sort of. They make Defender-Flex Slim Pants for women. Here's a link I found. Apparently they are really on sale at their website right now. Like, "maybe they are being discontinued on sale" for $15" right now
I normally wear a 32 waist. Do these have enough stretch to IWB carry wearing my normal size and not squeeze the hell out of me? I am lookin at the Defender Flex Slim jeans
Levi’s pays employees to work for gun control groups. I have several pairs of old Levi’s that I refuse to ware and won’t ever buy from them again. Check out Howitzer jeans they donate 5% to veterans and have “We the people” embroidered on the coin pocket also have a magazine pocket.
Not yet. I asked my friend James Yeager what works for him because I know he wears ankle gear. He has never steered me wrong. But, based on several comments on this video, I just ordered a pair of Vertx. We'll see.
I’ve got 2 pair of Vertx. The stretch is very good and they are comfortable. I carry a pocket holster in my back pocket for my secondary carry. The holster has worn holes in both pairs. That hasn’t been a problem with Wranglers. I’ll have to give these 5.11s a try.
I ordered a pair of Vertx to see for myself. They are way too slim fit for me. And the ankles are nowhere near wide enough to work with my ankle gear. They are very nice jeans, they just don't fit my requirements.
