Heavy duty combats recommendations please

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Robbi

Full Member
Mar 1, 2009
10,226
1,027
northern ireland
As the title, I'm looking for recommendations for decent heavy duty combats for every day use, semi smartish would be an advantage and reasonably priced...

So, what can you recommend?
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,981
7,757
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
As the title, I'm looking for recommendations for decent heavy duty combats for every day use, semi smartish would be an advantage and reasonably priced...

So, what can you recommend?

Depends what you mean by 'heavy duty' and 'smartish' :) - I've had a few pairs of Tesco combats and at £12 a pair they've been great for knocking about in the wood. Not as heavy as my main working trousers but perfectly serviceable.
 

C_Claycomb

Moderator staff
Mod
Oct 6, 2003
7,354
2,365
Bedfordshire
Reasonably priced might be a problem, depends what you have in mind. Helikon do a number of trouser models that might fit the other requirements. Actually, the "tactical" type trousers are a good mix of smart, durability and carrying capacity. They tend to be cut so the pockets lie flatter than is the norm with combat trousers.

 

Van-Wild

Full Member
Feb 17, 2018
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UK
I like Kuhl. Smart, rugged and very comfortable. Available in GoOutdoors or online for about £70.

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Billy-o

Native
Apr 19, 2018
1,981
975
Canada
Fjallraven Barents ... not what your expecting, I am sure, and certainly not pricewise, but they do what combats are supposed to do and look OK.

Otherwise check BDU pants - Propper, Rothko, Teesar and so forth brands - options of twil and ripstop, prewashed and not.

Then look at Varusteleka (as always). Their Outdoor Pants might be what you are looking for.
 

mickeyluv

Tenderfoot
Nov 2, 2010
88
9
derbyshire
I thought I had the answer, my harkila ultimate trousers are smartish and feel indestructible but when I googled the price I nearly had a heart attack, must of got them 2nd hand so might be worth looking for a used pair
 

Erbswurst

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 5, 2018
4,079
1,766
Berlin
That's a direct answer to your question
Austrian Army M75
New 30 €
Available in pure cotton or 65% cotton 35 % polyester mix fabric. If you should order it here just tell them which you want.


The Leo Köhler German Army Moleskin trousers simply don't dry. Fortunately my last pair broke last week!
:encourage:
Nice in dry conditions, but horrible if it rains. Long lasting without any question.

If German Army I prefere the Flecktarn version 65% cotton, 35 % polyester. (Very seldom you get old 80/20) It needs half the time to dry because it's a thinner fabric and the mix. New also sold by Köhler.

A different idea but very good solution is the Decathlon Solognac Steppe 300.
Available in green, brown, black, grey and Camouflage versions as well as two different green tones.

Like the nearly ten times more expensive Fjällräven "Karl" it lasts only round about one and a half year of continuous use. But it is very cheap, very fast drying and the smart phone fits very very very well into the right leg pocket!

For every day use that is my preferred option.

The fabric is thinner than the Austrian M75 one and even a bit thinner than the German Flecktarn version.
65% cotton 35% polyester.

The fit is pretty tight. Not everybody can wear longjohns under it.

But a tighter fit isn't only bad. With lower boots, middle high ones and high boots I prefere that cut.

For only 15 £ everybody can try it out himself. Surely are better ones on the market but I doubt that you find better value for money.

 

lostplanet

Full Member
Aug 18, 2005
2,124
243
53
Kent
I just bought a few pairs of Helikon SFU next, now sick of wearing jeans. I wasn't impressed with the first SFU version after using 5.11 TDU's for most things outdoors.
The Next version Helikon seem to have upped their game with these quality wise. I havent been out scrafting in them, so i cant say how durable they are but they do look like a much better product. The pockets design is great, material is comfortable, all ripstop polycotton. Twill versions available.
Reasonably priced, though quite baggy, but a sensible inside leg so they dont drag ( I am a 32 IL)

Mil first is top class. if they dont work for you they will refund without problem.

 

lostplanet

Full Member
Aug 18, 2005
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Kent
I didnt know these were available, here's a more fitted helikon trouser if the SFU are too baggy, similar money.

 

Grebby

Life Member
Jul 16, 2008
494
45
Sutton Coldfield
I wear the CPU version both in shorts and trousers. They have a really convenient pocket(2 actually) for a smart phone. Ther little one between the normal front pockets and the side cargo pockets. :)
 

Billy-o

Native
Apr 19, 2018
1,981
975
Canada
I once had a couple of pairs of moleskin jeans. Got them in a sale at an RM Williams outlet. This was in the early 2000s. No idea why I didn't try to replace them when they did eventually give in many years later. They were great.
 

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