This month’s theme we will be covering pants and the importance of choosing the right pair for your needs. What do you do when you travel to another country, to the local mall, or to work and want to maintain that physical agility you get with your tactical pants, keep your Level 0.5 (pocket) or Level 1 (body) EDC kit available, but need to keep your projection/appearance discreet? Lower your perceived threat level, by wearing the right pair of pants. Consider how you blend into your surroundings and your ability to respond dynamically to events. Choosing the wrong pair of pants can make you a victim of circumstances by your inability to respond or they identify you as a threat or target. Wearing tactical clothing definitely places you on the surveillance list overseas.
The Vertx Delta Stretch is a low-profile pant that gives you the appearance like you just left a Private-Equity meeting, but the pant can also use both for undercover operations and/or a day at the range. The fabric is 98% Cotton/ 2% Spandex Stretch Tricotine, which is decent material for most geographies. The sewn articulated knees are impeccable for maintaining that physical flexibility if engaging a threat or countering an attack and moving quickly to cover. They are also super comfortable for airplane travel.
The Vertx Delta Stretch pants feature the following:
- A waistband is that great for concealed carry due to spandex type fabric and stretch
- Interior back pocket flaps provide for discrete credential retention
- Front pocket knife notches
- Vertical zipper pocket good for holding things you don’t want to slip out of your front pocket
- Leather Lined tool pockets on each leg
- Non-noticeable gusseted crotch
- inconspicuous articulated knees.
The pants still have some areas of improvement to make them less conspicuous and more functional. The side tool pockets; while having a cool retro ’70s look (top of pocket protected with leather), they should be less obvious and/or have a double pocket or closure to hide tools and not have the clip noticeable for questioning. The tool pocket also fits a .45 single stack magazine perfectly, but there is no retention so the mag can slide out. The options for colors should be less uniform like to be the perfect low-profile pant, colors such as dark denim and black. Note that the bottoms are a bit snug.
If you are wearing cowboy boots or a pair of chukkas they may give you a weird tapered look (I wear brown Corcoran boots everyday; suit or not, and while the bottoms are tighter than I like, they do look normal). Lastly, the fabric does not perform well in wet and cold locations; I have had mine freeze during the winter; making a poor choice for winter survival.
Author – Rich Moore is a currently a Cybersecurity Executive and travels OCONUS frequently. He served 15 years in the Marine Corps in the following MOS(s) 0351 Infantry Assaultman, 8531 Primary Marksmanship Instructor, 8111 CRRC Coxswain, 8151 Marine Security Guard (Department of State, U.S. Embassy), 0291 Intelligence Chief. Besides his current work that is subsidizing his gear buying hobbies, he is also an NRA Instructor.
