REVIEW: 5.11 Tactical Stryke Pants

A good tactical pair of pants is a companion that must prove its worth every day. With the general trend towards "Tactical," there is now a wide selection of manufacturers offering such pants. At the beginning, there are always the classic 5.11 Taclite Pants with their timeless beauty and subtle social appeal. This time, we took a look at the Stryke Pants from 5.11 Tactical, essentially the top end of evolution. What stands out first: the Stryke is well-cut. Not baggy, not as wide as combat pants, but with a modern design that gives the wearer a almost civilian appearance, yet has many tactical features. Additionally, the fabric is extremely comfortable, with water droplets beading off and dirt not adhering easily. Furthermore, this rip-stop fabric is also slightly stretchy, hence "Flex Tac". The overall look is sleek...The Stryke has a few features that were not all invented by 5.11, but are combined in this pants, making it a magnificent piece of gear. For example, the waistband is not sewn through in the upper part, but the pants are basically made up of two parts, connected by an elastic band. This creates the feeling that the pants are never too tight. Not that we belong to the at-risk group for that, but it makes the Stryke extremely comfortable to wear. The pockets are designed with a large entryway that changes its angle at the bottom and closes almost horizontally. These last few centimeters are also reinforced and intended for carrying a pocket knife, here you see one clipped in. You can immediately tell, there is space here and it belongs here.But our favorite pockets are the two horizontally positioned ones at the front of the pants in the hip area. We are familiar with these from our TAD Gear pants and find these two pockets particularly practical. Here is where the phone is stored and is always within easy reach. On the other side, the keychain fits. No more digging into the depths of your pockets...

Like any good tactical pants, the Stryke has thigh pockets. In most pants of this kind, they are very prominent due to their large size. Or in classic 5.11 pants, they are very angular. The Stryke has thigh pockets that are rounded and fit nicely into the pants. They are also slightly inclined forward, which ensures optimal access. At the same time, they are not mounted on top, but inserted into the pants and therefore, when filled, do not protrude as much. On the right, you can see the dividers in the pocket. The phone also fits in here. Or two M4 magazines.There are two rear pockets with flaps and Velcro closures on the back. This is where the wallet or other items go.The 5.11 Tactical Stryke in action. This one is gray, which appears light in the 5.11 line. The pants fit like regular casual pants and look like it too; it is only upon closer inspection that one recognizes them as tactical clothing.

CONCLUSION: With the Stryke, 5.11 Tactical has achieved a great success. An extremely well-designed operational pants that looks civilian and can therefore be worn well beyond duty. Many small features together make a practical solution for everyday life that convinces. Additionally, the outstanding fabric quality: stretchy, water-repellent, and not prone to getting dirty, makes these pants durable. And on top of that, at an excellent price-performance ratio: the Stryke is good and affordable.

The 5.11 Tactical Stryke Pants w/ Flex Tac are available in Black, Khaki, TDU Green, Dark Navy, Charcoal, and Battle Brown, and they cost 79.95 Euros. They can be found at various 5.11 retailers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The Stryke Pants in the commercial from 5.11 Tactical.