M65 combat trousers, can they be beaten ?

[Neil1]

Try the Austrian rip-stop combat trousers. I have used most trousers on the market (surplus & commercial - inc M65's) and nothing compares to these Austrian trousers. I got my first set this time last year and I have since bought two more pairs, they are that good. I wear virtually nothing else.
Fast drying, hard wearing, not too many pockets, sensible design - cheap! Who could ask for more.

 

[HillBill]

Are these them Hugh?
http://www.polimil.co.uk/511-tdu-polycotton-rip-pant-2.html

Do you know a cheaper place for them?

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

 

[British Red]

That's them Mark. They come up on offer from time to time but that's a good "normal" price

 

[HillBill]

Cheers mate

 

[sandbender]

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

Whoops, I just realised that I'm using the 5.11 Taclite Pro rather than the TDU.

 

[Uilleachan]

ASDA own brand polly cotton chinos of around 20 years back were hard to beat, especially at a fiver a pop. I still have a pair kicking around but they're getting more than a little threadbare now, wear them still on occasion but more out of nostalgia than for practical use. Hard wearing quick drying and low cost.

Best all round outdoor trousers I've had to date, and it's a real pity they became discontinued.

 

[John Fenna]

Try the Austrian rip-stop combat trousers. I have used most trousers on the market (surplus & commercial - inc M65's) and nothing compares to these Austrian trousers. I got my first set this time last year and I have since bought two more pairs, they are that good. I wear virtually nothing else.
Fast drying, hard wearing, not too many pockets, sensible design - cheap! Who could ask for more.

I love these too and have two pairs that are a summer "regular wear" in the woods
But they are not as robust as the 5.11 TDUs, nor as warm so in cooler weather or for harder wear then it is the TDUs if I want a military look

 

[Dave]

I bought some 5.11's from an online store and the 'fit' was really odd, so sent them back.

 

[John Fenna]

I bought some 5.11's from an online store and the 'fit' was really odd, so sent them back.

However "odd" the fitting is for some - they fit me great!

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

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.

I have those, they have a loop inside for the braces and leg ties that come from the leg pockets. Very heavy, can't beat them for pushing thru the rough stuff and I prefer the poppers on the pockets to buttons, still prefer the old winter non ripstop bdu trousers, back when the US issued the three uniforms (ripstop for summer, heavier nyco non ripstop for winter and Air Force and the m65 as the winter shell) but for general wear the arctic dpm trousers get the most wear

 

[Aristotle]

However "odd" the fitting is for some - they fit me great!

Me too.

Helikons don't fit me at all.

 

[Imagedude]

I'm a fan of the genuine British Army Lightweight trousers. The only fault with them is the fact that I'm conditioned to check the creases in them every time I put them on. After the momentary panic about the poor creases comes the relief that I'm no longer judged on my ironing skills.

 

[sandbender]

I bought some 5.11's from an online store and the 'fit' was really odd, so sent them back.

I'm with John Fenna, they fit me fine, I think anyone who fits into a pair of Fjällräven trousers will fit into 5.11s.

 

[Dogoak]

Interesting thread, I like to buy clothes that last, what I wear for bushy activities is generally my everyday wear anyway.

Used to love the old M65's but I've been using US BDU's for well over 20 years and in the last few years ACU's as well. I like the options of the same pattern trousers with different colour's and material options.

The 100% cotton ripstops are great for the summer, although I have used them all year round, very comfy but the downside is they only last me a couple of years. Other options, depending on which style, are a 60/40 cotton/poly ripstop, nice to have a bit more cotton and very durable. A 65/35 poly/cotton twill also very durable and a 50/50 nylon/cotton ripstop, again, very durable, there is also an advantage on drying times with less cotton content.

To give you an idea of what I mean as durable my first pair of ACU's by Propper are 50/50 mix, worn on average 4-5 days a week and are now at least 7 years old, still going strong, due to my lifestyle I'm VERY hard on my clothing!

I've loved my Fjallravens Barents but they're way more expensive and no where near as tough.

 

[Trojan]

Sorry- 5.11s for me to! Often bargains on fleabay!

 

[Uilleachan]

Interesting thread, I like to buy clothes that last, what I wear for bushy activities is generally my everyday wear anyway.

Me too, although for trousers day to day it tend to be jeans. Thats changing now that my 501's are all but done, can't go the newer skinny show your bum cut.

 

[Dogoak]

Me too, although for trousers day to day it tend to be jeans. Thats changing now that my 501's are all but done, can't go the newer skinny show your bum cut.

Yep, classic Levis 501's in the evenings and maybe one day of the weekend. Unfortunately they don't seem to be as long lasting as they used to!

 

[Inky]

Interesting comments, though I have to say I have not been convinced that anything is better than the M65. Has anyone had a pair of canadian army trousers, the old olive ones that are sort of a cross between M65 and combat 95 trousets? I like the look of them (I've got a thing for big buttons). Had a pair ages ago that were a bit too short so gave them away. Hard to get hold of but another great option if you can. They do a gortex lined version as well, never tried it.

 

[Minotaur]

I really like my zip off kiwis however they do seem to vary in quality. What Kiwi really need to do is put another knee pocket on the other side and they would be perfect.

I wear them all the time would really struggle to go back to jeans, would miss the pockets!!!

 

[mountainm]

I bought a pair of "wind river" trousers in Canada. Brilliant trouser, wish you could buy them over here. Comfortable, hard wearing, zip offs. Plenty of pockets and a variety of hanging loops. Couldn't recommend them enough.