Re: Pants: Crye vs Vertx x TAD vs ?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KUCAGE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My recent OCONUS experience with Crye trousers was not good.
Unfortunately, upon receiving and inspecting the pants, I found that the stitching was not completed on the Velcro leg tightener. It appears to that only half of the Velcro was stitched on as there is no evidence of any thread where the strip hangs free. (And importantly, unlike more prosaic pants - e.g., 5.11 trousers - Crye doesn't cross- or double-stitch any of the velcro elements.)
While I haven't tried any of their other products - which colleagues say are great - for a pair of pants that cost in excess of $200, that kind of manufacturing flaw is inexcusable. When I emailed them about it, I was told that I could ship them back and they would replace them. Naturally, shipping costs would have been more expensive than a tailor's bill to make the repair.
Bottom line: High-speed/low drag Tier 1 look; <span style="font-style: italic">beucoup</span> pockets; 'prestige' label; but not constructed as robustly as I would like. </div></div>
I'm currently on my 2nd long OCONUS trip with the Crye Combat uniform I've had since late 2009. It's been the most durable and most worn uniform I have. I did not notice the stitching issue until maybe my 2nd-3rd year in due to numerous washes and normal use where the velcro has erroded to freely hang. I think they are one of the best comfortable pants out there and I will continue to buy more as my older uniforms wear out.