I'm curious, I've been wearing m65 combat trousers for about 20 years (not actually the same pair mind you). I think they are the best trousers ever invented. There are one or two drawbacks, probably one would be that when soaked they don't dry all that quickly, the other... No it's slipped my mind. Perhaps there was only one draw back (oh apart from the fact they have become over priced). Does anyone know of a better pair of trousers? I have tried vertually every type of combat trouser known to man, but overall they still come out on top. I'd love to find something better and cheaper, so if anyone have a view let me know, cheers.
M65 combat trousers, can they be beaten ?
- Thread starter Inky
- Start date
Cheaper....no. Better - in my opinion 5.11 poly cotton ripstop TDUs are the best. I abuse them appallingly and they take it and come back for more. They fit brilliantly, are incredibly tough pushing through brambles or running wire, can have padded knee pads inserted when working at a kneeling job, shrug off stains, are triple stitched and double layered at weak points, and can be worn day in, day out for years without wearing out. My "best buy" trousers
My Fjallraven Greenland Pros are brilliant, best I've ever had, only drawback is price 
.
.
Last edited:
Got to agree with 5.11's although they are creeping up in price. I like my BG survivor trs or good old fashioned army lightweights for comfort and fit. A dickies store has opened near me so might try these soon. Find the M65 just not for me.
Another vote for the 5.11 trousers. I have been using a couple of pairs this year and they do seem to be taking a beating and showing very little wear so far. Last week I picked up the all cotton version which feels similar to the old all cotton M65.
The 5.11s also feature an unusual back pocket design which allows wearers to comfortably carry, tools, beer bottles etc.
Well worth investigating.
Last edited:
The back pocket does vary by design sandbender - My ripstop ones have conventional depth pockets whereas my cotton canvas ones have a weird deep pocket that could easily take a full sized hammer
Don't get me wrong, I love my cotton canvas 5.11, they're great trousers, but they're getting pricey.
I recently got a pair of the Helikon Tex M65 and I've found them to be very good indeed for the money they are; they're 50% Nylon 50% Cotton and are indistinguishable from the Alpha Industries ones I used to wear, but
less than half the price. These dry fairly quickly, I think because of the Nylon content, and the cut/styling of them is exactly the same as the real thing.
less than half the price. These dry fairly quickly, I think because of the Nylon content, and the cut/styling of them is exactly the same as the real thing.
Another vote for 5.11 TDUs if you want combat style trousers. Note cheaper but still the best combats going
Interesting, a lot of votes for 5.11 TDU's. I haven't owned a pair. The thing that puts me off is that all said and done they just look like a suped up pair of bdu's and I regard bdu trousers as a step backwards. I don't like the narrower leg and the straight cut and I don't like the fact you can't fasten the hip pockets. Also I prefer the press studs to the buttons but I'm not discounting the 5.11's there must be something about them if so many of you rate them. Helikon, no thanks, found quality variable and sizing odd.
I'm thinking of getting a pair of moleskins. I had a pair many years ago and, on reflection, they were really good.
I've got 4 pairs of German moleskins, and although they're made by the contractors who made them for the Bundeswher originally, the quality is just not there any more - still decent enough, but certainly not worth the money they cost - and if you want trousers that take an age to dry, these are the ones for that, it was always their downfall.
Going back to M65 wish I could get over the fact they have button flys cant abide them
They don't they have a brass zip (been the first thing to go on every pair I've ever had). Bdu's have a button fly, which I don't like either
Surprised no one has mentioned acu's. I like them but they are a bit narrow at the ankle for my taste and those pockets are huge.
If you want moleskins then hoggs of fife are the best, not combat style but by far the most robust trouser I have ever owned, I have had, German send m65 combats
Similar threads
