Non-uniform tactical pants have been a hallmark of 5.11 since the company’s very beginning. It all started with them — the entire low-profile tactical clothing industry (who even remembers that today?) was born from these pants. First came the iconic Tactical Pants and their lighter counterpart, the Taclite Pants, made from a fairly thick but extremely durable rip-stop fabric (interestingly, despite the passage of time, they remain bestsellers to this day). Everything else came afterward. The number of imitators among the growing competition would be hard to count today, and the standard has even made its way into the outdoor industry — a field where, ironically, 5.11 also has its roots. Back in the 1960s, Royal Robbins and his wife began sewing climbing pants based on military designs, adapting them to the needs of climbers. This is where the brand’s name originates — 5.11 was, at that time, the highest grade in the American climbing difficulty scale, marking a rock wall that required great physical and technical skill. A relic of those early days is the distinctive strap for carabiners above the right back pocket in the Tactical, Taclite, and ABR Pants. The brand officially launched in 2003, but even before that, Royal Robbins’ clothing designs had caught the attention of U.S. federal agents working undercover, starting a global trend.
It’s also worth mentioning that, alongside the pants, the Taclite shirts became equally iconic over the years. Together with the pants, they became a symbol of American federal agents, the CIA, and contractors in subsequent Middle Eastern wars (as well as war correspondents and, of course, self-respecting adventurers). The RUSH backpack family also proved timeless, recently updated to version 2.0 (in my opinion, a very successful refresh). Nowadays, when visiting trade shows like SHOT Show (the world’s largest firearms and shooting industry expo) in Las Vegas, the sheer number of people wearing 5.11 clothing and packs is striking. It’s quite a phenomenon, because even though the market has grown immensely over the years, the 5.11 label still carries enormous weight, and the company’s position remains rock-solid. New dealer stores continue to open around the world (we recently wrote about the new Centrum Strzeleckie Jammas store). And it’s no surprise why.
Everything, however, began with innovation in the approach to functional pants. Not long ago, I became a user of the Icon Cargo Pants model, both in the long version and as shorts. So, as their name and the manufacturer’s intentions suggest, do they have a chance to become the brand’s new icon?
5.11 Icon Cargo Pants
The cut of the pants is simple and fitted, but thanks to the addition of elastane, the slightly stretchy fabric makes them very comfortable to wear. The rip-stop weave adds extra durability to the material.
The waistband is made from a double layer of the same material as the pants. The belt loops, also made from this fabric, are 2.5 cm wide with a usable width of 5 cm, meaning they can accommodate any inner tactical belt up to 2 inches wide. The pants fasten at the waist with a double closure — a snap button and a regular button — which prevents the fly cover from curling up.
The core idea behind cargo pants is their ability to carry a greater amount of personal gear. The Icon Cargo Pants feature eight pockets, and including the internal compartments hidden within the side cargo pockets, there are a total of twelve.
The main pockets are made from stretch fabric, which also serves as a structural element of the pants, increasing the range of motion around the waist and hip area. The lower edge of each pocket is additionally reinforced and stiffened with a thicker piece of material to provide a more secure grip for the clip of any tool carried there. The main pockets are deep, and their shape minimizes the risk of losing contents when not in an upright position — something quite common during the activities these pants are designed for.
The rear pockets are also fairly deep, and their edges along the entire length are reinforced with a thicker piece of material, which actually makes accessing their contents easier. The side pockets are roomy (but not baggy), shifted slightly forward and properly contoured for more comfortable access to their contents, which are further stabilized by two optional internal pockets designed for AR-15 magazines.
The pocket flaps are sewn in such a way that even when left loose they almost close on their own. Additionally, they are fitted with pieces of Velcro (not along the full length), which is enough to prevent the flap from lifting by itself while still allowing easy access to the pocket in any conditions.
On the front of both thighs at the top of the leg, the pants have two small pockets also reinforced with thicker webbing to securely carry a folding knife or another small clip-mounted tool.
The legs are straight but feature darts that anatomically adjust the fit, helping the lower part of the leg stay roughly in place and preventing it from riding up during movement in any direction — especially when taking long or high steps.
5.11 Icon Cargo Pants in Use
Although the cut is fitted, the pants do not restrict movement — and I say this as someone with rather muscular thighs (I never skip leg day…) and a wide range of motion.
The pockets are roomy, hold their contents securely, and give you confidence that nothing will be lost during intense movement. The stretch used as part of the main pocket also allows its contents to settle more comfortably. Meanwhile, the internal pockets within the cargo pockets help to better stabilize and organize their contents. Although they are designed for AR-15 magazines or similar sized items, I use them for things like a clip-mounted multitool, a flashlight, or a monocular when I want them within reach but better secured. In this regard, I would add a stiffer edge under the clip and perhaps shorten them slightly. Since I carry magazines in a belt pouch, this adjustment would broaden their use while still maintaining their primary purpose and even making it easier to retrieve a magazine from the pocket.
I rarely use the rear pockets, and perhaps if they were wider, they would be more useful for me. They are standard in size, but with larger hands, it’s harder to dig something out from the bottom of the pocket. Of course, this is a matter of personal preference, but with these modifications, these would be almost perfect cargo pants for me. I greatly appreciate, however, the reinforced but not overly stiff pocket flaps, which are comfortable to grip when opening.
The pants are designed very aesthetically and versatilely, which has made them my number one choice for the shooting range, outdoor activities, mountain hikes, and travel — even for flights, where for long trips to the USA or Asia I used to choose regular black sweatpants for freedom of movement. That’s why I already own two pairs of 5.11 Icon Cargo Pants, and some time ago three pairs of shorts also joined my wardrobe.
5.11 Icon Cargo Pants (men’s and women’s) on Taiwan’s second highest peak, Xueshan Main Peak, 3,886 m above sea level (from the author’s archive, 2024)
5.11 Icon Cargo Pants (men’s and women’s) on South Korea’s highest peak, Halla-san volcano, 1,950 m above sea level (from the author’s archive, 2025)
Over a Decade with 5.11 Pants
I have witnessed the evolution of 5.11 pants since 2008, having used many models over the years. It all started, of course, with the somewhat old-school Tactical Pants and Taclite Pants. Over time, the cut was refreshed in the ABR (Always Be Ready) Pants, which are lighter than the originals, made of slightly stretchable material, but still retain all the essential features of their predecessors, including durability. I like them a lot, and despite being relatively simple by today’s tactical pants standards, this simplicity translates into an attractive price.
Another very successful model in my wardrobe is the Stryke Pants, particularly the TDU version. They appear as classic cargo pants but are modified and fitted where necessary, using modern materials. The stretch fabric on the hips, also part of the front pocket, just like in the Icon Cargo Pants described above, allows better adaptation of the pants and the contents of the pockets during movement, and the mesh rear pocket design is intended to provide drainage (a clever idea). Stryke Pants were my favorite for field and mountain use, but currently, Icon Pants have taken that spot.
The now-discontinued XPRT combat pants were aimed at specialists and featured a lot of innovative ideas for their time. They included armored Kevlar reinforcements on the inner thighs and crotch, and the use of magnets in pockets instead of velcro to allow silent opening. I was even spotted wearing them during last year’s Recon Squad competition near Gorzów. Not without flaws, but they clearly demonstrate 5.11 designers’ search for unconventional solutions. The more low-profile Ridge Pants also have their advantages—the hidden thigh pockets, surprisingly functional despite first impressions. The brand also offers many non-cargo models with cleverly hidden extra pockets, such as the Defender-Flex jeans with concealed magazine pockets, which also work perfectly for multitools or AirPods. In my view, and according to many friends, they are an absolute hit. Since their release, I haven’t bought any other jeans (I currently own six pairs at various stages of wear). They are exactly how jeans should be, and word has it that a version 2.0 is in the works.
5.11 Icon Cargo Pants during a shooting range outing
The creators of 5.11 have come a long way, gradually expanding their product lines, including those dedicated to uniformed services (V.XI line). It’s clear that 5.11 designers continue to explore new solutions and experiment with technologies to meet the demands of increasingly experienced users in terms of functionality, durability, and comfort. In my opinion, the exceptionally successful Icon Cargo Pants are the best example of this. So, do they have the potential to become a new icon for the brand? Time will tell, and in part, we as users will have a say.
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