The Loadout Room
Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • 1A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686
        • The Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventuresThe Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventures
        • maxim defense cqb stock (8)The Maxim Defense CQB Stock: Short and Sweet
        • Perfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG wayPerfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG way
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • RIP-MVehicle Preparedness: Fast access to essential items | Grey Man Tactical RIP-M
        • Midland radioOverland Essential | Midland Radio MXT275 | GXT1000
        • ppGrab your gear and go | Here’s everything you’d need to build an adventure go bag
        • Scrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the fieldScrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the field
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stingerThe Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
        • How to determine how long you have before the sun setsHow to determine how long you have before the sun sets
        • fireWilderness survival expert breaks down how to build a fire
        • 5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt, SWAT Tested and Approved
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Shop

What is Tactical?

battle-mug

December 13, 2014 by Isaiah Burkhart 10 Comments

I was inspired to write on this subject due to recent comments I have seen floating around the web, labels attached to products, and some general dogmatic views on all products labeled tactical. So, what is tactical? When it comes to products, “tactical” has absolutely nothing to do with their appearance, but their functionality in helping accomplish a task.

If I wear a pair of Levis blue jeans into combat and accomplish the tasks that I was assigned, are my blue jeans tactical? What about wearing a pair of desert cammies to the grocery store to pick up a gallon of milk? Are either of these situations tactical because of the clothing? Yes and No. If I am wearing a pair of blue jeans and I am performing small scale actions to serve a greater purpose–the dictionary definition–then yes, my blue jeans could be part of the tactical whole. What if these blue jeans help me blend into the indigenous population on a low-visibility operation?

mom-jeans
(Image Courtesy: nbc.com)

I am honestly bothered by the way ‘tactical’ has become a buzzword for companies to sell products- it works, though, so more power to them. Throw a camo pattern onto a coffee cup and call it tactical. Take a pair of regular tan canvas pants, throw on some cargo pockets with velcro, an inside the waist pocket, and call them tactical. Neither of these items are tactical if they are not being used in a tactical operation (tactical operation is not synonymous with military operation). It is how the product is used, not its appearance. Although, many of the best products are also the most aesthetically pleasing.

Gear reviews test and review the functionality of a product. We are here to advise you in the purchase of a product. My advice, and take it for what it’s worth, is to stop choosing your products on if they look tactical enough. Choose products by their quality, ease and comfort of use, or integrity of the manufacturer–not solely on their aesthetics.

We recently published an article on the Vans Syndicate Defcon Shoes. Over the past week I have read numerous comments from “those look great” to “those look like the dumbest shoes I have ever seen.” The shoes’ design has a military inspiration, yet the rim of the sole still has the traditional Vans white rubber.

Does the white rubber and a flat sole really make or break these shoes? Some may say yes, I say no. In Ranger Battalion, if someone would have told me that I could trade in my issued boots for a pair of these, I would have jumped at the opportunity. When walking through muddy farm fields during offset infills, tread nor color make a difference. Everyone, within the span of a kilometer had mud colored stilts for feet. Also consider, if you speak with a majority of individuals operating in an urban environment, they actually prefer a flat soled shoe or low top boot.

Lowa-mountain-expert
(Image Courtesy: lowaboot.com) These can be just as tactical in the right application.

If I were to wear a pair of boots labeled as tactical on a foot patrol in the mountains of Afghanistan in January and lose half of my toes due to frostbite, hey, at-least I looked tactical doing it. I mangle my feet, can’t walk, require medical aid, my buddies have to carry me and all my gear back to base, and I just harmed the greater purpose. Flip it around and now I am wearing boots that are designed to protect in high altitude winter conditions, yet they are the color red. I didn’t lose my toes and somehow in a very small manner my red boots helped me and my element to perform a small scale action serving a greater purpose. If you are that concerned about the color or uniformity, there is literally nothing a can of spray paint won’t fix.

Wait a minute, what am I saying? Forget what you just read and follow rule #1:

Always look good!

By the way, if anyone is interested in purchasing me a Christmas present, the mug featured above would do. Who doesn’t want to feel like they’re improperly carrying their rifle, be able to acquire flies on the ceiling, illuminate their feet, and smash a skull, all without spilling a drop of that black delicious goodness?

(Featured Image Courtesy: guns411.com)

Share This

Filed Under: Op-Ed Tagged With: boots, Tactical, Vans

About the Author

Avatar

Isaiah Burkhart served in 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment. Almost four years of my time in 3/75 was spent in the sniper section. In all, I spent over 11 years in military service. I am a firefighter/paramedic and hold a Bachelors of Science in Biology from Oregon State University. When not working, I spend most of my time rock climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, trail running, and occasionally picking up heavy objects.

See All Isaiah Burkhart Articles

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

What’s Hot

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review
Featured

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review

Ammunition

The Reasons Why FBI Went to Back to 9mm

Why .45ACP is an outdated caliber
Ammunition

Why 45 ACP is an outdated caliber

Dogs

Tactipup Extreme Collar and Leash: Tactical dog gear, Perfected

AR Build Kits under $300
Firearms Technology

Peak AR: Davidson Defense AR Build Kits under $300

Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates daily and to hear what's going on with us!

In Case You Missed It

Gear Reviews

A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686

October 9, 2019 Leave a Comment

Camping Gear

The MSR Pocket Rocket | Your little camp dragon

October 8, 2019 Leave a Comment

The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
EDC

The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger

October 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

Gear Reviews

A plate carrier for the big boys: AR500’s Testudo Gen 2 is a good pick for large frames

October 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

Get it on Google Play

© Copyright 2021 Crate Club Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers