Combat pants are the rage these days because they offer greater flexibility than cargo pants. In fact I like to use them when I am doing geological work because I can get around very comfortably and have many pockets for all my knick-knacks to survive the whole day of work. Anyway combat pants provide a wide range of motion and are made with durable textiles that don't soak up water as much as 100% cotton pants.
The 3rd Alternative CQB pants is designed for, well, CQB. It is advertised to be designed with ergonomics in mind to provide you all the advantages you can get for close quarters work. Using 50/50 ripstop Cordura as the main material (I chose to get the Triple-X camo to compliment their Hybrid Torrid combat shirt I bought prior to the pants) and supported by 3-way stretch textile where it matters such as the buttocks, crotch, knees, and hips which allows you all the dexterity you would need without being spandex tights with pockets. These pants are offered among many other models 3rd Alternative has under their hat.
Starting at the bottom you have leg cuffs that are tightened by a elastic band secured by a single button. There are also boot lace hooks so the pants don't slide up and allow debris to get into your boots. The leg cuffs also feature a side zipper so that you can open them wide up for air or to don on higher boots. A slash zipper pocket is also located in front of the shin for whatever trinkets you need down there like a tourniquet or cigarettes when you're taking a knee.
Moving up to the knee we have a velcro opening from the bottom for knee pads (sold separately but I forgot to add them to the cart but they sent me a pair anyway, thanks!) as well as two velcro tabs to adjust the tightness around the knee. I should also mention the articulated knee is slightly padded. If you own a US massif combat shirt, the knee is quite similar in concept but of course with different materials but nonetheless it's slightly padded. Behind the knee is just 3-way stretch fabric.
The thigh features a pretty significant cargo pocket that is gusseted but the front side is stitched down while the backside remains free. The flap is secured by a pair of non exposed Canadian type buttons. I find it odd that the front button is larger than the rear one and it is consistent on both sides so it appears to be intentional for a reason which I will need to figure out myself.
Towards the top the gusseted crotch and buttocks are made with 3-way stretch fabric which look like shorts. The front pockets are in fact double where one is like your traditional ones but it also has a separate zippered pocket. This allows you to have items in the same area except you can secure them in the zippered pocket or organize them in the same location. These pants also feature rear pockets which are zippered to keep your belongings secure. I favor these over rear pockets secured by flap as they are harder to access to and sometimes the flap gets in the way of my hands.
The fly is zippered and closed by a single button, oddly not a Canadian style button like the cargo pockets. Still a great feature in my opinion unlike my Crye G3 pants which is velcro in place of a button. Finally the hips are adjustable by two velcro tabs on the side (3rd Alternative asked me if I wanted to use velcro or the metal rings, I went with the velcro) and also features two regular pant belt loops and one thick belt loop in the middle of the back.
These pants are fresh out of the packaging and I only spent less than an hour in them for the purpose of this first impressions post. Like any person would, I have nitpicks with a few minor ones but I'll leave those aside because my opinion would probably be different by the time I get more time in these for a full review. Anyway, the D30® P5 knee pads that came as a bonus with my order do not exactly fit well into the knee insert pocket. As you can see in the photo they slightly poking out, however I can still cram them inside and not be awfully uncomfortable in them. They still feel good but a little concerning. My immediate thoughts for a design change would be adding a "lip" underneath the velcro loop so that the flap so that it can act like a pocket for the knee pad because as it is right now, if I were to exaggerate it, the knee pad seems like it might wedge or pierce through the velcro.
While these pants are a little looser around the crotch compared to Crye G3s it doesn't appear to impede dexterity in any way and the looseness is merely just preference. I know a buddy of mine does not like how the crotch on the G3s feel slightly tight for him while I don't mind it myself. I believe this cut will fit the greater majority of users unlike me who have unusual or some degree of picky preference of fit.
Aside from that, these pants are just about perfect and feel great.. The 3rd Alternative CQB pants are not Crye G3s, Patagonia combat pants, nor are the UF-Pro pants but they are especially well made and well designed pants at the price range they go for as of this post (about $135). I really do look forward to wearing these pants and curious to see how well 3rd Alternative products hold up for my uses.
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