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[QUOTE=tvphotog;164745​42]For those of you who spend a lot of time in the field, these are the cargo pants to wear. I've had a few pairs of Columbia Sportswear pants for several years which are decent, but cheap and you get what you pay for; the side and cargo pockets are a bit flimsy. These, by comparison, VersaTacs Light by Rail Riders are the best I've seen. Very well thought out.

Thanks TV. By chance have you ordered the mid weight pants as of yet? The one you listed is the light model. It was bitter cold this AM (Chicago agra) when I was trying to capture a sunrise on Lake Michigan is making me think of a slightly heavier material.

When I do cargo pants stuffed with photo gear I add suspenders lest down they go.

This somehow fell off the server. I'm reposting it.


For those of you who spend a lot of time in the field, these are the cargo pants to wear. I've had a few pairs of Columbia Sportswear pants for several years which are decent, but cheap and you get what you pay for; the side and cargo pockets are a bit flimsy. These, by comparison, VersaTacs Light by Rail Riders are the best I've seen. Very well thought out.

The material is ballistic nylon, very light weight and rugged, with reinforced knees, seat and cuffs. The pockets in the back and on the legs have not only Velcro closures, but two buttons held in place not by thread but by nylon paracord minus the seven inner strings. The cargo pockets have a bellows feature, and can carry just about anything. 1.5" belt loops for a belt that you can hang a lens pouch or utility bag from. For colder climes, put on a pair of Marmot or Patagonia tights underneath.

From the Rail Riders page: "They were developed in conjunction with military professionals and outdoorsmen who are more the type to read Field & Stream rather than Men’s Journal. We’ve even found that U.S. Special Forces have taken a special liking to our VersaTacs. The Light Pants are made with super tough yet lightweight 3-oz Duralite Nylon fabric. Side cargo pockets have internal pockets to hold a flashlight and energy bars; vertical zippers on side cargo pockets that allow quick access while sitting, kneeling or driving a vehicle; and reinforced side pocket openings to prevent abrasion against knife clip chafe."

They are not cheap at $110, now on Black Friday sale for $94, which is a very good deal. Four colors. Three different lengths. I bought four pair. Think Christmas gift to yourself.

Photo courtesy Railriders

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MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #16482884
When I do cargo pants stuffed with photo gear I add suspenders lest down they go.

I use these wide nylon belts, 1.5 inches which fit the belt loops perfectly. They don't slip down from your waist. From Amazon or 5.11 Tactical.com.

Photo courtesy Amazon

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tvphotog wrote in post #16484841
I use these wide nylon belts, 1.5 inches which fit the belt loops perfectly. They don't slip down from your waist. From Amazon or 5.11 Tactical.com.

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These are great. I got a couple, just for normal daily use.

Canajun wrote in post #16484869
These are great. I got a couple, just for normal daily use.

And you can use it for a CCW lol.

tvphotog wrote in post #16484841
I use these wide nylon belts, 1.5 inches which fit the belt loops perfectly. They don't slip down from your waist. From Amazon or 5.11 Tactical.com.

Is there a reason you use a webbing belt rather than an ordinary leather belt?

OneJZsupra wrote in post #16485563
And you can use it for a CCW lol.

Pardon my ignorance, but what's a CCW?

dodgyexposure wrote in post #16485664
Is there a reason you use a webbing belt rather than an ordinary leather belt?

Pardon my ignorance, but what's a CCW?

concealed carry weapon.

511 tactical is a company that makes firearms gear.

dodgyexposure wrote in post #16485664
Is there a reason you use a webbing belt rather than an ordinary leather belt?

Pardon my ignorance, but what's a CCW?

Belts made of webbing by companies like 511, Wilderness and others are designed for people who carry weapons or other heavy stuff on their belts. I have worn a Wilderness Instructor belt daily for years without any twisting or sagging. An ordinary leather belt wouldn't last me a year.

The Wilderness Instructor belt also has a buckle designed to be used to tie off to things like a harness. That has been very handy for impromptu rappelling or climbing.

http://www.thewilderne​ss.com …original-instructor-belt/

I have also been wearing Propper Public Safety pants daily for years now, which last seemingly forever. None of them have any signs of wear and they are comfortable. I think they call them tactical pants now.

http://www.epropper.co​m …tactical-pant-canvas.aspx

C Scott IV wrote in post #16486184
Belts made of webbing by companies like 511, Wilderness and others are designed for people who carry weapons or other heavy stuff on their belts. I have worn a Wilderness Instructor belt daily for years without any twisting or sagging. An ordinary leather belt wouldn't last me a year.

The Wilderness Instructor belt also has a buckle designed to be used to tie off to things like a harness. That has been very handy for impromptu rappelling or climbing.

http://www.thewilderne​ss.com …original-instructor-belt/

I have also been wearing Propper Public Safety pants daily for years now, which last seemingly forever. None of them have any signs of wear and they are comfortable. I think they call them tactical pants now.

http://www.epropper.co​m …tactical-pant-canvas.aspx

I really like the Wilderness belt. It comes in a money-belt variation, which is perfect for my travels. Thanks for the tip.

tvphotog wrote in post #16486427
I really like the Wilderness belt. It comes in a money-belt variation, which is perfect for my travels. Thanks for the tip.

No problem. I have the Instructor belt in CSM for daily wear and the Frequent Flyer in 5-stitch for air travel. I cannot tell the difference between the two when it comes to flexibility.

Another of my coolest accessories (though it's warming rather than cool!)

C Scott IV wrote in post #16486532
No problem. I have the Instructor belt in CSM for daily wear and the Frequent Flyer in 5-stitch for air travel. I cannot tell the difference between the two when it comes to flexibility.

Is the CSM thicker, or is it more difficult to take through and lie flat in the buckle? Don't know whether to get the 5 stitch or CSM to use to hang a lens pouch on.

Markulous wrote in post #16486589
Another of my coolest accessories (though it's warming rather than cool!)

Paramo Aspira Trousers: waterproof with foam inserts on the bum and knees, so can kneel/sit comfortably anywhere in any conditions. Will be used again in the mud of the off-leash session with the Huskies this weekend!

These are brilliant, I have the Aspira salopettes which are a joy in themselves to wear when it is cold.

tvphotog wrote in post #16486758
Is the CSM thicker, or is it more difficult to take through and lie flat in the buckle? Don't know whether to get the 5 stitch or CSM to use to hang a lens pouch on.

The CSM is a little thicker. The portion that goes through the buckle is single thickness webbing on both the CSM and 5-stitch. In other words the thick part doesn't actually go through it so it lies flat.