Tactical Distributors Carlos Ray 2.1 Pants | Initial Impressions

Who is Carlos Ray? He is none other than Carlos Ray Norris (a.k.a. Chuck Norris), so you can imagine that the TD designers made these pants to live up to that Icon’s bad-ass reputation. I have been wearing the Carlos Ray 2.0 for over a year now. These have been one of the most comfortable pairs of pants like many of TD’s other pants (see SYG, and McQuade reviews). TD has been refining the Carlos Ray pants for over three years and at each evolution, they have taken user feedback back into the design room. The Carlos Ray version 2.1 is the next iteration with some upgrades to strained areas.

The first noticeable area is the front pockets. The CR2.0s had a slight gap between the reinforced pocket and the rivet. In the new 2.1 version that gap is gone and the reinforcement pocket goes all the way to the rivet. The belt loops have also been upgraded and the entire pant has now Triple-needle stitching at all the impact points leaving this pant as an even better product than the 2.0. The pant still features the stretch cotton twill 97% Cotton and 3% Spandex, articulated knees and gusseted crotch (e.g. no pinch). The material of the 2.1 is not as heavy as their Braddok pant, but they are perfect for mid to hot climates.

The two improved features that I like the best is the addition of a secret hand-cuff or ceramic knife pocket located on the waistband and the addition of two magazine pockets on both sides of the leg. Great for a pair of range day pants and access to extra loads or for a quick place to put your mobile phone while using both hands.

My only change that I would suggest for the next pair of Carlos Ray pants is to increase the length of front pockets; they are a bit too shallow. Enjoy another pair of practical pant that is worth the cost.