Combat trouser's

[lukeuk2]

i went out the other day and brought a pair of combat trousers. i don't think i have have ever had a pair but i found them really comfortable and went out and got a black pair. i also had a pair giving to me by a good friend (lee you know who u are ha ha :You_Rock_ ). what do other poeple think of combats.

 

[Goose]

I never got on with combats, issue type, too heavy especially when wet, ill fitting and the pockets were rubbish! Given the choice I would choose lightweights over combats, light, dry quickly and comfy to wear.
I am talking about issue kit, some combat style pants you can buy are a different matter nowadays.

 

[Toddy]

There's trick to stop them getting so wet. Generally they're cotton and it's the hems and the thighs that get wet. Shoe shops sell a spray that's intended to showerproof canvas shoes, and it works on the hems of jeans too. It 's not a cure for wet combats but it does help.
The major benefit of buying combats is that they are robust, cheap and availible in a great many sizes (they also come in discrete colours )

cheers,
Toddy......who has three pairs

 

[Goose]

There's trick to stop them getting so wet. Generally they're cotton and it's the hems and the thighs that get wet. Shoe shops sell a spray that's intended to showerproof canvas shoes, and it works on the hems of jeans too. It 's not a cure for wet combats but it does help.
The major benefit of buying combats is that they are robust, cheap and avaialble in a great many sizes (they also come in discreet colours )

cheers,
Toddy......who has three pairs

They did improve, but I am stuck with the memories of pairs I was issued with in the early 80s, I would hate to meet the person they were designed to fit . If you pulled them up they went up to your chest, but the bottoms were halfway up your calves. Lower them so the legs were long enough to "blouse" and the bum was around your knees. The pair I owned had a big enough bum in them I think I could have fastened them over my webbing!
I got hold of a couple of pairs of jungle combats, but used to get told off by pedantic corporals as they fitted so couldn't be issue!

 

[oldsoldier]

In the US army, we used to be issued two types of BDUs; Lightweight (poly/cotton blend), and heavy weight (all cotton). There wasnt a grunt in all the infantry that I know of that wore the heavywieghts, except perhaps for garrison duty. The heavyweights would get wet, & stay wet. The lightweight ones dried fairly quick. The downside was that they wore out fairly quick. We all had our "field BDUs" though. The ones that were sewn, patched, and generally well loved. If you're looking for a good pair of lightweight ones, I'd suggest our BDUs.

 

[kram245]

Luke, are you talking about the old british army combats? As already commented on, they are double lined DPM, ill fitting and very heavy. Nowadays you can pick up no end of trousers called "combats". Brit jungles are good, as are the new U.S trousers, made of NYCO (50/50 nylon and cotton).Dont like the ACU pattern, though. As Old soldier commented, the older BDU's were cotton, and fell to bits pretty sharpish. 5.11 make some good stuff , too. Personally, I like them. Big pockets to store maps etc, durable and practical. Mark

 

[leon-b]

sure do like them, if you ask me they are comfertable and have quite alot of bif pockets
leon

 

[bent-stick]

Wear them every day unless I'm suited and booted. Got a lightweight windproof pair of craghoppers that dry out almost instantly. And a pair of heavy lined surplus dpm that I wear in the workshop when it is chilly.

Can't manage without thigh pockets any more...

 

[Greg]

I never got on with combats, issue type, too heavy especially when wet, ill fitting and the pockets were rubbish! Given the choice I would choose lightweights over combats, light, dry quickly and comfy to wear.
I am talking about issue kit, some combat style pants you can buy are a different matter nowadays.

You must have been in the army a long time ago because modern combat trousers are very light weight and the fit is very good providing you aren't a matchstick!
The only thing I find wrong with them is that they aren't very durable.

 

[Lee_shanahan]

Combat trousers are great, not only are they very strong but they have loads of pockets to store items. Got a pair of waterproofs that i put over my trousers when it rains to keep them dry.

Hows the pair of trousers that i gave u keeping up baker boys? They fit?

 

[dommyracer]

US M65 type trousers in Olive Drab for me - Poly Cotton mix, ripstop, and I lurve the bulgy pockets.

 

[nobby]

You must have been in the army a long time ago because modern combat trousers are very light weight and the fit is very good providing you aren't a matchstick!
The only thing I find wrong with them is that they aren't very durable.

I was in pre DPM; now that was a long time ago.
I agree with the comment re lightweigh polycotton because they dry easily. Gaiters stop the bottoms getting wet, leggings keep the tops dry and long pants under keep the legs warm in winter.

 

[demographic]

Can't say I am big fan of combats, usually nowadays I just use the workwear kegs with the kneepads.

Great for work, cheap enough and very hardwearing.

Combats are pretty poor in comparison as they never seem to last well.

 

[Greg]

Can't say I am big fan of combats, usually nowadays I just use the workwear kegs with the kneepads.

Great for work, cheap enough and very hardwearing.

Combats are pretty poor in comparison as they never seem to last well.

I have thought about buying a couple pairs of those but I wasn't sure how comfortable they would be!

 

[Goose]

You must have been in the army a long time ago because modern combat trousers are very light weight and the fit is very good providing you aren't a matchstick!
The only thing I find wrong with them is that they aren't very durable.

You will be talking about combat 95 kit, a lot different to the stuff I am talking about!
Still think my original stuff and shudder when combat trousers are mentioned!

 

[Jedadiah]

Hey fella,

here's my two peneth.

I wear issue combat trousers everyday (CS95). They seem robust enough but use Yank BDU's (ripstop) for bush crafting. Cheap, robust, easily accessible, the more you wash them, the comfier they get!

One thing all these trousers have in common is, if you bought them for a tenner, you dont mind mucking in and getting them dirty as ....... well they only cost a tenner!

One more thing, if you use Nikwax wash in cotton proofer, they are shower (and occasinally Down pore) resistant. I've just spent the last 3 days bivvying out and have not felt the need to dig out my gortex, and you know what the weather has been like!

 

[Jjv110]

I think the old '68 pattern combats were brilliant. Strong, warm and soft. Ok they don't dry quickly but they are very well made and I have never come accross a pair of ill fitting ones. The '95 are also quite good although not vey hard wearing, especially when have been washed a few times. The worst were the'85 pattern which were ill fitting and tore apart easily. The US BDUs are good but the adjuster buckle slips after a while. Junglees were good but then you've got the worry about not getting too close to the fire in case they melt (on your legs).
My favourite combat trousers are what'd known as RM arctic windproofs, with the velcro opening at the ankles, velcro pockets and double lined knees and seat. They're made of SAS smock material (gaberdine). Absolutely brilliant. Not the SAS ones with the cross over waist buckle, which digs in when you're wearing a bergen.
Lightweights are nothing special, they're just lightweights.
Yes, definitely the RM Arctic Windproof trousers. They're the ones for me.

 

[lukeuk2]

a few good insists, thanks for everyone comments.

 

[Graham_S]

i use the M65 US combat trousers. very comfy, button fly (therefore field repairable), and double seat and knee.
great trousers.

 

[nobby]

I think the old '68 pattern combats were brilliant. Strong, warm and soft. Ok they don't dry quickly but they are very well made and I have never come accross a pair of ill fitting ones.

No direspect, but when I was in if the '68 pattern fitted you were sent to the MRS because you were obviously deformed.
:0)