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Tac Tech: 10 Great Tactical Clothing Options for Shooters

Tac Tech: 10 Great Tactical Clothing Options for Shooters

Not so long ago, there were very few companies designing purpose-built tactical clothing, footwear and accessories, but that has changed. Today's tactical clothing manufacturers are incorporating modern materials and creating innovative new products that will help you be more comfortable on the range — products designed from the ground-up with serious shooters in mind.

These items can stand up to the harshest elements, whether that's an all-day competition or long hours on duty. No longer is tactical clothing bulky, unattractive and uncomfortable. These tactical clothing options work equally well for a day in the office or at the range. From dress pants to glasses, gloves to footwear, we've compiled a list of 10 of the best new products that are designed exclusively for shooters.

5.11 Tactical Covert Flex Shirt

5.11 Tactical has done a good job designing tactical clothing that blends in seamlessly at the office, and the Covert Flex Shirt is a prime example. This polyester/cotton collared button-up shirt has modern styling and the material wicks away perspiration, so you'll stay dry and comfortable. It also features two-way mechanical stretch for added mobility and maximum comfort, and 5.11's RAPIDraw placket provides instant access to your firearm. It's an ideal match for the brand's Covert Pant, a good-looking casual wear combo that allows you to look professional and still have access to plenty of pocket storage and your weapon. The Covert Flex Shirt is available in either single or double chest pocket designs in a variety of colors and patterns including Volcanic, Gridiron, Fatigue, Agave and others. If your daily dress is business casual, then these shirts are a great way to look good, stay comfortable and still have access to your concealed firearm.

Price: $74.99

5.11 Tactical Stryke PDU Class B Taclite Shirt

The PDU Class B Taclite shirt is extremely durable, made from 4.4-ounce Taclite ripstop fabric that is capable of standing up to the trials of long days on duty. It is treated with Teflon, so this shirt stands up well to stains and moisture, and sewn-in creases give the Taclite shirt a professional look even after hours of rough wear. Despite its tough design, the PDU Taclite shirt is lightweight and breathable, and underarm vents help keep you cool even on the hottest days. Other features include bi-swing shoulders for full mobility, integrated pen pockets, pass-through microphone access and 5.11's clever Hidden Document Pockets that allow you to discreetly store paperwork. The Colorfast treatment prevents the shirt from fading over time, and triple-needle stitching, bartacking reinforcements at stress points and Melamine buttons that won't burn, melt or crack insure that these shirts will last for years of duty or hundreds of range sessions. 5.11 also offers PDU Class-B cargo pants that are as tough as their shirts, so whether you're an officer that needs a tough uniform that can stand up to daily use and abuse or a hard-core shooter that needs durable range wear, these shirts and pants are up to the task.

Price: $56.99 (long-sleeve shirt), $84.99 (pants)

Blackhawk Advanced Waterproof Jacket

Nobody wants to be wet or cold on the range, and Blackhawk's new Advanced Waterproof Jacket is designed to keep you dry and comfortable no matter the conditions. The shell of the jacket is constructed of 100-percent waterproof polyester fabric, and it comes with an adjustable waist and gusseted cuff openings for a secure and comfortable fit. Storm flaps in the front of the jacket keep water out, and there are pop-out flaps with Velcro for attaching badges and shields. Zippered side seams offer ventilation on warm days, and there's an adjustable hood that zips to the rear collar and snaps to the front from either the right or left side. With the Advanced Waterproof Jacket, Mother Nature takes a backseat to your range or duty plans, and there are discreet hidden pockets at the bicep and in the front of the coat for additional storage. It's available in black, green/citron and navy/blue colors.

Price: $299.99

Blackhawk Ultra Light Side Zip Boot

These tough boots have all the amenities you expect from Blackhawk tactical footwear such as Cordura/leather abrasion-resistant uppers, a Vibram outsole and a fully gusseted tongue as well as the utility of full-length YKK Coil Zippers on the side so they can be easily put on or removed. The inner lining features Dri-Lex moisture wicking, and these boots come with a washable, antimicrobial OrthoLite molded footbed. With plenty of support at the midsole and a comfortable textured outsole, these boots are an excellent choice for the serious shooter or officer, and the ease of removal thanks to the durable YKK Coil Zipper makes these a great choice for any shooter. They are available in sizes 4.5-6.5 and 7-15 in regular or wide, so odds are there's a Blackhawk boot that fits you just right. Colors include black and Desert Tan.

Price: $174.99

Strykr Agent Pants

Chances are you wouldn't wear your dress pants to the range. Unless, that is, you happen to own a pair of Strykr Agents. These chino-style pants were designed with input from special agents and allow the wearer to quickly and easily access a concealed compact firearm with one hand in one motion without worrying about snagging or hang-ups. The secret to the Agent pants' design is a clever drop-down holster system that helps keep the gun hidden and secure yet easily accessible when needed. The elastic holster keeps the firearm on the thigh in a similar position to a drop-down tactical holster so the gun won't interfere with driving, sitting or any other daily activity. The design also offers an unparalleled combination of concealment and accessibility, and the 98-percent cotton twill/2-percent elastane design is flexible, comfortable and durable enough to be worn on the range. The drop-down holster design is so secure that you can even sprint without having your gun batter your leg or, worse yet, fall out. Strykr Agent Pants are backed with a 3-year warranty.

Price: $279

Under Armour Storm Tactical Gale Force Jacket

If you are on the range or on duty, you never know what type of weather you'll face. For that reason, many shooters and officers look for a waterproof jacket, and until recently, that meant sacrificing breathability and dealing with trapped body heat and moisture. The Storm Tactical Gale Force Jacket from Under Armour is a water-resistant, windproof outer garment that traps body heat yet is still breathable so excess heat and moisture won't build up. Constructed of three-layer bonded fabric that has a soft, brushed fleece interior and smooth exterior, the Gale Force Jacket comes with Cordura Ripstop shoulder overlays, a sweat-wicking Moisture Transport System, polyester body, secure hand and chest pockets, zip sleeve pocket with flag and call sign patching and interior neck media loops for earbuds so you can listen to your favorite music. The durable, lightweight design offers a comfortable, stylish fit while protecting you from the cold, wind and rain, and the range of motion and flexibility of the three-layer design make it easy to move and shoot.

Price: $149.99

Under Armour Tactical Gloves

Under Armour's tactical gloves are comprised of stretchable neoprene/polyester materials and offer AX Suede synthetic leather palms for a comfortable fit and plenty of dexterity and sensitivity when maximum trigger control is important. The form-fitting design has a padded back that protects the hands from abrasions and neoprene cuffs that prevent bagginess or snags. The comfortable fit and durability of these gloves make them a great choice for law enforcement as well as serious shooters who plan to spend a lot of time on the range. Loading magazines and other range chores are made much more comfortable when wearing a pair of UA Tactical Gloves, and they are durable enough to stand up to years of use. They're a great addition to any range bag. UA Tactical Gloves are available in both Coyote Brown and black.

Price: $49.99

Under Armour Valsetz RTS Boots

Under Armour is perhaps best known for their base layer technology, but the company's Tactical division has a wide variety of offerings for shooters and military and law enforcement professionals. On the footwear side, they offer the new Valsetz RTS boot, which incorporates a lightweight, durable synthetic leather design with a textile water-resistant upper. The ultra-light midsole, low-profile rubber lug sole and reinforced shank offer mobility rarely found in tactical boots with the stability and comfort needed to navigate rough or uneven terrain. Under Armour's ClutchFit ankle support system provides additional strength, and the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) shank and toe wrap offer added protection in rough environments. The 7-inch height offers plenty of leg and ankle support and an anti-microbial Ortholite sock liner adds comfort and helps eliminate odors. If you're looking for a lightweight, comfortable boot that stands up to heavy abuse, these are a good option. Valsetz RTS boots are available in several different colors.

Price: $119.99

Vertx 37.5 Combat Shirt

Vertx's 37.5 Combat Shirt is, as the name indicates, built for battle. But few dedicated duty shirts look this good or double as daily wear. This shirt incorporates Vertx's 37.5 Active Particle Technology in the torso, which is designed to capture and release moisture vapor to maintain a relative humidity of 37.5 degree Celsius. The soft, breathable design is comfortable under vests, body armor and plate carriers, and it's also a great daily-wear shirt that will keep you warm and dry when you're at the office or the range. Added fabric space in the rip-stop sleeves and double-reinforced and articulated elbows provide plenty of range-of-motion, a roomier fit and added protection when you're crawling, shooting, reaching or climbing. Dual-loop Velcro bicep pockets provide plenty of storage, and these pockets also include ergonomic pen pockets as well. A quarter-zip suede collar protects the neck against chaffing from slings and body armor. Despite its long list of innovative, duty-specific features, the 37.5 Combat Shirt works equally well for everyday casual wear. It's available in black, navy, smoke gray, OD green and desert tan.

Price: $109.95

Wiley X Valor Safety Glasses

Wiley X thinks there's no reason that your protective eyewear shouldn't be stylish enough and comfortable enough for everyday use. While there are lots of stylish polarized sunglasses from which to choose, very few meet the stringent ANSI Z87.1 high velocity and high mass impact standards as well as EN.166 standards like the Wiley X WX Valor glasses do. If all those numbers and letters leave you scratching your head, simply understand that Valor glasses meet MIL-SPEC standards for safety eyewear, a big reason why Wiley X is chosen as an eyewear provider by the military and law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. But this tough-as-nails construction doesn't mean the Valor line should be heavy, ugly or uncomfortable. On the contrary, the contoured frame and ear pieces fit snugly against the head without pinching, and the interchangeable design means you can quickly swap-out lenses to match the ambient light conditions. Valor glasses are available with clear, Valor Grey, rust and new Polarized Crimson Mirror lenses with black or two-tone frames. Now looking good no longer means sacrificing superior protection.

Price: $75




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