When you see someone with 5.11 Gear or any brand Name Gear

by **Ajira** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:33 pm

oldsoldier wrote:Wear Hawaiian shirts. That's the ultimate camo pattern. I get overlooked all the time!

Yea, because everybody is looking the other way in horror :lol:

by **Jsimmonsgr** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 11:03 am

Ajira wrote:
oldsoldier wrote:Wear Hawaiian shirts. That's the ultimate camo pattern. I get overlooked all the time!

Yea, because everybody is looking the other way in horror

Hey , don't knock it till ya try it! I figure there are three types of clothes. Those that offend the wearer, those that offend the viewer, and those that offend both. :lol:

Seriously thought, when it comes to 5.11 gear I try to have a open mind but sometimes I cant help it. If its a tech guy wearing the tactical pants to stash his tech gear? More power to 'im. If its a 5' 350# guy with a thigh rig and 'CCW Badge' then let the ridicule begin! The worst offender I have seen so far was a fella wearing the ( If I'm lyin I'm Dying) 5.11 Tactical KILT! With a thigh rig and a 'HK SOCCOM" ( freaking USP tactical, not a MK23 :roll:

). Scary thing is according to him he was wearing it 'traditional'. :shock:

Myself? I tend to were carpenter pants and t-shirts, if I have to conceal then its Dickies button up short sleeve work shirts. ( black works best for concealment, something about a optical illusion? All I know is my guns, even when they print, don't seem as noticable. Unfortunately tan is more common and get less looks during summer.) I never have a issue with my EDC in these clothes. I thought about getting some 5.11 pants but on a guy who open carries every day they just seem to scream LOOK AT ME! I"M A MALL NINJA!!

by **Power Fail** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:56 pm

Jsimmonsgr wrote: The worst offender I have seen so far was a fella wearing the ( If I'm lyin I'm Dying) 5.11 Tactical KILT! With a thigh rig and a 'HK SOCCOM" ( freaking USP tactical, not a MK23 ).

I can't quite picture this setup. Was the thigh rig under the kilt, or did he somehow strap it on over the kilt?

by **Jsimmonsgr** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 1:49 am

Over the Kilt. With a big "instructors belt" and enough reloads to supply a spec ops team on a 6 month deployment.

by **hutchb25** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 3:00 am

Around here they seem to mostly be Johnny Red Lights...volunteer fire/EMS who have their cars decked out in lights and have like five pairs of 5.11 EMS pants and pack a radio everywhere instead of a pager. We do have a lot of people who run around in BDU pants, but in north Idaho that just sort of goes with the territory I think

I hear they make good work pants. I'd get some myself if they didn't stick out so bad...

I guess I do make some assumptions, but different ones than it seems like others do.

by **Kommander** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:46 pm

Jsimmonsgr wrote:Over the Kilt. With a big "instructors belt" and enough reloads to supply a spec ops team on a 6 month deployment.

Was the guy at a range or just grocery shopping?

by **Jsimmonsgr** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:33 am

Walmart, then spotted him later at the olive garden.

by **charlie505** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:02 am

I like to walk everywhere I go here in NYC. I also like to keep my hands free. I wear a 5.11 denem jacket or a 5.11 vest.
Holds my ham radio, surefire light, knife and 1st aid kit.

When I work i also carry a Mapedition bag -my CERT ID my kindle, pad and pencil, water bottle, 1st aid kit - other stuff

The bags are popular here in NYC and the hipsters wear BDUs - new fashion trend!

by **Kabong30** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 5:54 pm

I wear cargo pants, usually either my BCM or Magpul hat, a Suunto Core on a NATO strap and I carry a Maxped. Malaga in digital camo with morale patches. While most of it is fucntional I do it because I think it looks cool. I try not to be a "mall ninja" about things and make up wild scenarios about why I carry what I do, but I know how it looks and just don't really care. Some folks are intimidated by it, but I'm a gregarious guy and they get over it. Some folks are intrigued by it, and I talk to them about prepping and guns and other fun things I do. Then, some folks simply nod and I nod back and we go about our business.

If I notice another person carrying something "tacticool" that I like I'll compliment them, or we'll talk about it, but I've had that backfire and gotten stuck in 45 minute conversations about their experiences "in the shit", etc. and then I just get annoyed.

by **RepoMan73** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 3:57 am

I use my 5.11 RUSH 48 while traveling. It's a great travel bag but my wife always complains that it looks like I am deploying. :lol:

by **Blacksmith** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:09 am

I had to look up the tactical kilt because I thought you made it up. I find it is no longer for sale which makes me sad because I knew the perfect person to gift it to.

by **jeepinbandtrider** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:47 am

I also rock the LAPG pants. I love having the lower leg pockets and they are very comfortable.

I've got some 5.11 pants in the closet too that get cycled though my wear rotation.

I like these pants because they are cut similar to BDU pants so they are comfortable, they have cargo pockets for storing my crap, are usually long lasting because of their construction and just work. They are also dressy enough for most people that you don't look like a bum. When I CC (when not at work) I wear a Starter or UA shirt tucked into them with a good double thickness belt and then a regluar ol Wal Mart button up shirt over that for a concealment garment.

by **Volshan** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:26 pm

I'm not a gun person at all(except in games), and I found and buy 5.11 stuff because I think it looks good and I've read that it's durable... at least more durable than your typical dress khaki pant from a regular store. I do a lot of physical labor and run around a lot and sweat during my job. I work in an office but my job isn't that well suited to office attire due to the sweating and stress on clothing. So the 5.11 polo shirts really help me regulate my body temperature(over Under Armour which I also recently found out about) and the pen pockets are incredibly handy for me since I need a sharpie and a pen at any given moment.

I bought two pairs of 5.11 taclight jean cut pants for around the town wear and casual fridays at work, but honestly I found that I more like the vertx phantom LT pants. I bought some of their boots and just received them. I purchased them because they had good reviews and I was looking for something durable and comfortable... and I had already been exposed to the quality of the 5.11 polos.

Oh and I am going to be buying myself a 5.11 messenger bag in double tap as well... because it looks cool and functional and I need a bag for the first time ever.

Do you really think people might mistake me for a gun owner simply because I wear a particular brand of clothing and have pens in my sleeve pocket?

I hope not.

by **jeepinbandtrider** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:47 pm

Some people will no doubt. I would assume you have a firearm. But then again most people walk around in condition white.

Sent from my iPhone

by **Volshan** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:40 pm

jeepinbandtrider wrote:Some people will no doubt. I would assume you have a firearm. But then again most people walk around in condition white.

Sent from my iPhone

I always have my polo tucked in, and it's not baggy on me either. I don't know where someone would think I have a gun tucked away.

I think some people think too much into brand of clothing.

by **jeepinbandtrider** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:17 am

Inside the waistband bolsters are common. Allows a nice tucked shirt.

I wouldn't care you were carrying I'd just make note of it. Most likely you aren't dressing that way of you're about to Rob a 7-11.

People do judge others by their clothing. If I see two young black males walk into a store wearing very baggy clothing and being obnoxious I'm going to take extra notice of them.

Sent from my iPhone

by **Volshan** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:43 am

jeepinbandtrider wrote:Inside the waistband bolsters are common. Allows a nice tucked shirt.

I wouldn't care you were carrying I'd just make note of it. Most likely you aren't dressing that way of you're about to Rob a 7-11.

People do judge others by their clothing. If I see two young black males walk into a store wearing very baggy clothing and being obnoxious I'm going to take extra notice of them.

Sent from my iPhone

Surely it's not because of the clothing. Baggy clothing is ubiquitous among youth, law abiding or not.

by **Akin** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 10:06 am

Volshan wrote:Surely it's not because of the clothing. Baggy clothing is ubiquitous among youth, law abiding or not.

And when a law abiding youth chooses to dress in the manner of "gangstas", they get lumped into that category and are going to be treated that way. Their choice... I see them, I'm not going to waste time trying to analyze their behavior and theorize about their possible motivations for wearing clothing of that style... I'm going to assume they're with Calle 18 (or whatever) unless proven otherwise.

by **jeepinbandtrider** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:23 am

+1 people judge you by the way you dress period. If you don't think so you are naive like to the real world. If I see a chick in booth shorts with a shirt that barely covers her chest I'm not thinking she's a fine upstanding young woman I'm thinking she's probably making bad life choices.

I see a guy wearing "tactical" pants I'm just going to assume he's carrying. Though like I said I note it but don't give it much thought cause you're probably not gonna knock over a connivence store. Is it possible? Yeah but not as likely as mr. Gangsta over there

Sent from my iPhone

by **hutchb25** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 4:13 pm

Akin wrote:
And when a law abiding youth chooses to dress in the manner of "gangstas", they get lumped into that category and are going to be treated that way. Their choice... I see them, I'm not going to waste time trying to analyze their behavior and theorize about their possible motivations for wearing clothing of that style... I'm going to assume they're with Calle 18 (or whatever) unless proven otherwise.

Thank you!!

My little sister always lectures me when I berate that demographic. If they're imitating a trend originating from a group of people with criminal inclinations or who glorify such things, they most likely relate to the ideals in one way or another.

Am I judgmental and cynical? Because I can't see how this doesn't make sense.

by **Volshan** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 6:23 pm

jeepinbandtrider wrote:Indubitably, my good sir and/or madam. people judge you by the way you dress period. If you don't think so you are naive like to the real world. If I see a chick in booth shorts with a shirt that barely covers her chest I'm not thinking she's a fine upstanding young woman I'm thinking she's probably making bad life choices.

I see a guy wearing "tactical" pants I'm just going to assume he's carrying. Though like I said I note it but don't give it much thought cause you're probably not gonna knock over a connivence store. Is it possible? Yeah but not as likely as mr. Gangsta over there

Sent from my iPhone

Don't you think there's a big difference in "how you dress" as opposed to what brands you dress in, and what particular style you dress in?

I mean, nobody but a fashionista is going to notice somebody wearing chinos as opposed to khakis or slacks. Yes, the scenario of dressing in baggy hip hop style clothes like you mention is a "style of dress", but you're going to think that regardless of if they're wearing one particular hoodie or one particular brand of baggy pants that they like. But really, with the baggy clothes I don't think trouble maker. It has to be in the behavior to me because I just see way too many kids wearing that style of clothing who aren't up to bad stuff.

With a polo and covert styled cargo pants on, I hardly think I look 'tactical'. I look business casual and that's what I think most people are going to take from it. I mean really, can you guys tell one cargo pant from the next or do you scan for a logo? I doubt most badguys are going to know all the physical characteristics of a vertx pant or a 5.11 pant, which have logos barely noticeable at all. They're going to see someone in cargo pants which a ridiculous number of non gun wielding people wear.

by **jeepinbandtrider** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 6:56 pm

I'm not looking for specific brands but style of dress. Cargo pants and dressed nicely. Either a cop or an armed citizen. No biggie.

Guy wearing a button up shirt untucked with cargo pants. Probably armed.

by **Volshan** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:37 pm

Anyway, I just wanted to point out that I think it's dangerous to make those kind of assumptions. Automatically assuming somebody has a because they are dressed in certain clothes and are very aware of their surroundings.

You'll be surprised by how many people like to be incredibly aware of their surroundings. Not everybody who is paranoid carries a weapon.

The assumptions you make might lead you into a sense of false confidence by thinking you know who your potential threats are around you.

by **jeepinbandtrider** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:12 pm

Volshan wrote:Anyway, I just wanted to point out that I think it's dangerous to make those kind of assumptions. Automatically assuming somebody has a because they are dressed in certain clothes and are very aware of their surroundings.

You'll be surprised by how many people like to be incredibly aware of their surroundings. Not everybody who is paranoid carries a weapon.

The assumptions you make might lead you into a sense of false confidence by thinking you know who your potential threats are around you.

Am I just supposed to ignore possible threats? Do I need to go ask everyone I THINK might be carrying if they really are? I can make assumptions on folks based off of many criteria clothing is only one. The way they're dressed (what we are discussing in this thread which is why discussion is focused around that in case you didn't read the OP) is just one of many signs you can see in/on a person that they may or may not be carrying or may or may not be a threat.