So, I think I need to bite the bullet and just buy some pants new and full price. I've done the Goodwill and thrift store thing for years, and it's getting harder and harder to find anything that will stand up, let alone fit me anymore. A capsule wardrobe is also starting to appeal to me more and more, but I need some... environment and application flexibility. Unfortunately, the more I research, the more my eyes feel like they want to bleed, and honestly? The type of pants that seem most suited to what I'm after are from a culture that drives me mad. Of all the pants I've owned over the years and bought used, I've only come across one brand (thus far) that have really stood up. Those pants? 5.11 Tactical. I've had used 5+ year old 5.11s bought as grubby work pants that I've worn through everything from tornado cleanup to trench digging outlive pants bought new.
So, just by some new 5.11s, dummy... right? Wrong. I went down to their brick and mortar earlier to reconnoiter, and they had nothing that really fit what I was actually after. They were either painfully obviously cargo pants or too flimsy for my needs. Since, I've fallen down a tactical pants hole, and the culture of most of the people these pants are sold to is making me... itchy. I'm not some weekend warrior, CCW, jingoistic, hunter, wanna-be paramilitary, prepper-hoarder thug. I just want durable, comfortable, practical pants for a capsule wardrobe that I can use to work and live in.
Here's a list of features I really need/want if they're really going to last:
-French fly/waist stay
-Gusseted crotch
-Double reinforced knees (w/kneepad pockets optional, but preferred)
-Comfort waist
-Ripstop fabric
-Stain resistant
-Fade resistant
-Stealth-y cargo pockets(?)
-Double or triple reinforced stitching in key stress points
-Lifetime warranty
-Reasonably classic, timeless design
-A style/cut that's likely to still be in production in a few years
-Spring-Summer-Fall weight (Winter can always be augmented with a good pair of thermals)
I basically kind of want/need pants that have the capability of tactical cargos without blatantly and obviously looking like sloppy tactical cargos. Something durable enough to do hard work in, but with clean enough lines to pass as business casual or wear to a church or synagogue without looking like some immature punk who walked in wearing cargo pants. Not costing nearly $100 a pair would be a bonus, as I'm not made of money.
What I've found so far:
The 5.11 Kodiaks currently on clearance caught my attention, but they don't have any left in my size inseam (though certainly can be overcome), and I'd ideally prefer something a bit more stain, rip and wrinkle resistant (stain resistance can be fixed, the other two not so much). Unfortunately, the modifications needed would more than kill any savings over other options, void the warranty, and still come up short... never mind the fact that if I ever wanted more, they're, well... discontinued.
The 5.11 Stonecutters also caught my attention, but the knees look way too flimsy, and the odd color mismatch between the fabric in the tops and bottoms is throwing me. Also, $80 a pair, man. Ouch.
The Tru-Spec Ascent might work, but I know nothing about them other than their warranty is only for two years, and they heavily pimp NRA memberships all over their website - which is frankly turning me off, as I'm not sure I want to do business with a company like that... though I know that's unfortunately the culture I'm apparently "buying into" desiring durable pants with lots of pockets. (Not to get too political, and no offense intended to the very people here who might be able to give me the best advice.)
I also looked over what Dickies had, but the only gusseted pants they sell are obvious cargos and I've never found their traditional cuts to fit me comfortably, anyway - even if I loved their durability.
I'm immensely practical, and certainly won't let perfection get in the way of good enough... but if I'm dropping real money, I'd like to actually find something I'll be happy with, and do business with a company that won't completely make me crawl out of my skin morally and ethically as a Yeshua seeking, peace loving, tree hugging kind of crunchy granola and Hawaiian shirt wearing guy.
Anyone have any suggestions or know of something that might work?