A Beginner's Guide to Tactical Gear

While tactical equipment is mostly used by the military, law enforcement, and fire and rescue personnel, it’s becoming more popular as people find more ways to use it. Survivalists, hunters, and even everyday citizens use tactical gear to get more done and protect themselves and their loved ones. Here’s everything you need to know about tactical gear.

Tactical Gear – What is It?

The term tactical gear covers many products. There’s tactical clothing such as pants, jackets, bulletproof vests, and many other items. Tactical gear also includes footwear, which is usually a separate category from clothing.

Tactical equipment encompasses bags, pouches, slings, gun holsters, and other items that increase convenience and functionality as well as security. Tactical accessories include belts, socks, watches, sunglasses, knives, and other things that are essentially considered clothing accessories.

How Do You Select the Right Tactical Gear for You?

When selecting your tactical gear, there are several factors to consider:

• Comfort
• Accessibility
• Application
• Price

You need to understand how you plan to use the item. For instance, a holster for a concealed weapon is different than open carry. Are you going to use the gear you want around town or in extreme conditions? There are various types of gear, so there are plenty of options if you keep the application of the product in mind when deciding.

Your tactical gear should enhance convenience and be easy to access. Don’t buy something so complicated that you don’t know how it works or can’t use it. In a life or death situation, if you can’t get your gun out of your holster, it’s not going to save you.

Comfort is critical when picking tactical gear. If it doesn’t feel good, you probably won’t wear it. It may also get in the way of what you’re trying to accomplish. You want to be comfortable enough to wear your gear in casual or tactical situations.

Price is another deciding factor. Tactical clothing and equipment are available in all price ranges so you can easily find the best equipment for you that’s comfortable and accessible and which fits your needs.

Do some research to look at the brands and styles available for the gear you want to buy. Make price comparisons and see the options you have. While many people like to research and order items online, it’s much better to try them on in a store.

Tactical equipment isn’t like ordinary clothing, and it really needs to fit you well and be something you can use. You can only accomplish this by going into a store and trying the equipment or clothing on. Stores also have experts on hand to answer any questions you have so that you don’t mistakenly buy something that’s not the best choice for you.

Tactical Clothing

Tactical clothing encompasses a broad range of products. Let’s look at a few of these categories more closely.

Tactical Pants

Many professionals and hobbyists rely on durable tactical pants on duty and off duty. There are several components of tactical pants: fit, the materials used to make them, features, and types.

There are several common styles of tactical pants:

• Tactical jeans
• EMS/EMT pants
• Covert
• Tactical cargo pants
• Men’s and women’s sizes

Tactical jeans are a favorite today because they are comfortable and made for casual use like hiking in the backcountry, range qualifications, or even a quiet day around the house. They have all the characteristics of traditional cargo pants but are made from denim for more comfort.

Your favorite tactical cargo pants come with extra pockets and reinforcement in areas that receive the most stress, such as the knees and the crotch. This reinforcement prevents rips and makes the pants more comfortable. Cargo pants are often worn by law enforcement on or off duty. You can dress them up or down and they have many handy features, including reinforced belt loops and pockets large enough to carry extra magazines or a notepad and pen.

Covert pants have many of the same features as tactical cargo pants but also include hidden pockets for concealed carry or knives. Law enforcement officers like to wear them off duty so that they can carry concealed without tipping others off, and they come in professional-looking designs.

EMS/EMT pants have special compartments designed to hold medical tools and other necessary gear for fire and medical emergencies. They’re also incredibly durable, standing up to the most extreme work and environmental conditions.

There are several features of tactical pants. Features are the most critical elements of tactical pants. There are pockets of all kinds to carry essentials tools and items, as well as hidden ones, as mentioned above. The way pockets close is critical to prevent everything in your pockets from falling out. Common closures are buttons, Velcro, and zippers.

Along with the concealed carry options and reinforcements already discussed, there’s mobility. The people who wear tactical pants often need to get many things done quickly, so it’s critical that the pants don’t hamper mobility. Features like articulated knees and a gusseted crotch release tension in other areas of the pants, making them easier to move in.

Tactical Shirts

Tactical shirts are another popular clothing option because their features enhance performance. There are many styles, so, no matter what job or activity you do, there’s an option for you. It’s vital to find the right shirt for your lifestyle and career so that you can be the most comfortable when wearing it for long hours.

These shirts have many of the same features as pants, such as reinforced material in specific areas and helpful pockets varying in sizes and styles, as well as breathability and comfortable designs. Manufacturers craft tactical t-shirts from rugged materials that can resist rips and tears. They come in short and long sleeves, providing protection from the elements and temperature. Pricing varies, depending on the features and materials used to make the shirt.

Bulletproof Vests

Bulletproof vests also fall under the category of clothing. They are essential to police officers. Should an officer be shot, the vests decrease the chances of serious injury. Kevlar is the primary material used to make bulletproof vests. It’s an extremely durable fiber that was originally designed to manufacture tires.

Bulletproof vests come with pockets for ballistic panels that vary on levels of protection. Today, many police officers wear outer vests, but covert vests worn under clothing are still popular as well.

Size matters in vests, so officers must be measured for the proper fit. These vests also come with specific gender sizing as well.

Outerwear

Some outerwear is considered tactical, and many hoodies, parkas, jackets, pullovers, and vests do more than keep you warm. There are many varieties for first responders, law enforcement, security guards, and other professionals. Clothing designers make them lightweight for mobility while still protecting you from the harshest conditions.

Most are also wind and water-resistant, so you stay dry and comfortable. The material is tough and durable for maximum protection, with pockets to store your important gear in. Some of the best brands make tactical outerwear, such as 5.11 Tactical, LA Police Gear, Under Armour, Elbeco, Propper, Tactical Condor, and more.

Tactical Footwear – Boots and Shoes

There is such a wide variety of tactical footwear that there are options for every scenario. Fire and EMS workers wear tactical boots, as well as police officers and military service members. Hikers on outback adventures and hunters also wear them because they offer maximum support and comfort for long days in the woods.

The everlasting Danner boots come in 70s styles, so you’re guaranteed to find the right style for your needs. They also come in varying heights, from 6 to 10 inches. There’s a color to match just about any uniform, including brown, coyote, sage, gray, black, and desert tan.

There are also many features to choose from, such as steel toes, waterproofing, enhanced durability, extra cushioning, and support, just to name a few.

Tactical shoes are essentially durable trail or cross-training shoes that are more comfortable and made from breathable material. They’re the perfect alternative to tactical boots that are heavier and more cumbersome.

Tactical Equipment

There are many tactical items that fall under the equipment category, and versatile tactical backpacks are one of the most popular pieces of tactical equipment.

Many people use tactical backpacks as bug-out bags, hiking packs, and range bags. Hunters can also use them to take essential equipment into the woods with them.

They come with many great features, such as multiple pockets for carrying things, inserts for ballistic panels, waterproofing, and comfortable straps for wearing them long distances. Some even come with hydration-compatible ports on either shoulder to make it easier to carry water with you. The interior looped lining allows you to hook pouches or hook-backed items for safekeeping. They’re created with maximum interior space so you can carry everything you need.

Gun holsters are other pieces of common tactical equipment used by law enforcement officers on and off duty, as well as by people who want to carry a concealed weapon. Holsters come in many styles and sizes to fit every weapon on the market. It’s critical to get the right size of holster for your firearm or else the gun won’t fit in it properly. If it’s too tight, it might be difficult to draw your weapon when you need it. If it’s too loose, your gun may fall out of the holster, and that could truly be disastrous.

Tactical equipment also includes night vision gear, gun sights, and advanced scopes. There are many different scopes and sights for handguns and rifles. Night sights and laser sights are frequently used by law enforcement to acquire targets at night. Holographic sights are non-magnifying and allow the person to look through an optical window and see a superimposed holographic image at a distance. Night vision gear is commonly used by law enforcement to see better at night. Binoculars would also fall under this category.

Tactical Accessories

Many items are considered technical accessories, and they’re often worn with clothing to enhance convenience and for protection.

Tactical knives and multi-tools allow you to protect yourself if necessary and handle tough tasks with ease. There are two main categories of tactical knives—fixed blade and folding blade. Fixed blades are permanently attached in an open position while folding knives have blades that fold into the handle when not in use. The folding knife is easier to carry but has a hollow handle, making the pivot point weaker. The fixed knife must be carried in a sheath and is bulkier.

Multi-tools like the famous Leatherman are small, mobile versions of your home toolbox. Some of the tools they come with include:

• Needle-nose pliers
• Regular pliers
• Serrated knife
• Various screwdrivers
• Bottle opener
• Can opener
• Cleaning rod attachment

Another type of tactical equipment you often see is MOLLE. MOLLE stands for Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment. Its gear is layered in columns and rows of webbing so that it helps make tactical gear made for variable and specific purposes accessible. MOLLE allows you to customize how you carry your equipment and is excellent for soldiers out in the field on extended missions. The U.S. military, law enforcement, firefighters, adventurers, and NATO armed forces all use MOLLE regularly.

Tactical gear provides protection and support for the critical jobs you need to do, and it can withstand the roughest conditions and harshest elements. This gear enhances your safety and convenience, as well as makes the tools you need easily accessible. For information on the best tactical gear on the market, visit LA Police Gear.