Combat trousers, possibly the most overlooked bit of kit on anyone’s kit list. The current issued stuff is closer to pyjamas with belt loops than anything you would hope for in tough rocky terrain. The thigh pouches usually bulge uncomfortably and are only held closed by a single awkward button. The belt loops begin to fray and the knees start to wear through after only a couple days on exercise. Let’s not forget that even if you are issued a pair in the correct size you’ll be lucky if they fit comfortably.
To solve these problems many personnel in both the military and security world have been looking at kit outside of the general issue naff. But this creates another problem, “What kit should I spend my hard earned money on?” and in the case of trousers I believe I’ve found a good answer in the Bulldog BDU Mk1’s. A recent purchase I’ve used on a Firearms Course in Poland only a couple weeks ago. I’ve sorted everything into 5 categories (Cost, Value for money, Ease of use, Construction and Alliness) and each category will be rated 1/5 to 5/5
Cost:
Usually retailing for around £55 I managed to pick up a pair in my preferred Coyote Tan at UKMCPRO but you can get them in Black, MTP, and even Tropic MTP.
Overall for cost: At the full price of £55. 5/5
Value for Money:
Straight out of the box I noticed a majority of the loose threads had already been melted down which is a nice bonus as completely monging it and setting things entirely a blaze is for me a 50/50 chance at the best of times. Being made from Heavy Duty Ripstop they wear incredibly well even after a few days of kneeling and going prone on a sandy, rocky range laden with spent brass. There’s also a few extra features I didn’t expect for the price, drawstrings on the thigh pouches and extra padding where the small of your back would be to name just a couple.
Overall Value for Money: Well pleased and am looking to get another pair. 5/5
Ease of Use:
For starters there is plenty of room for waist adjustment (I have a small which can adjust from a 27” waist to a 31” waist) this is done by the two velcro tabs on the rear of the trousers between the belt loops. If you’re one that wears external knee pads then you’ll find the velcro adjustment on the back of each knee very handy for getting rid of all that baggy material hanging out like a corner shop bag in the wind.
As for cleaning, they do require some weird settings for machine washing and making sure that the washing powder/tabs you use don’t have some kind of chemical in it (the washing label inside can give you the exact name) There’s the added ache that you’re not supposed to tumble dry or wring them out but I found jumping in the shower with them for a quick rub down and leaving them to dry overnight works just fine.
Overall Ease of Use: Lots of handy features but the washing and drying is more of a pain than I’d like it to be. 4/5
Construction:
Again, being made of Heavy Duty Ripstop, it will be a while before you have to replace them. The stitching of the belt loops is solid, though try as I might, not a single stitch popped even after a few good tugs. There’s pouches on the inside of each knee with ample space for most kinds of knee pad insert whether it be prepared shaped silicone or cut to shape sections of foam from football shin pads like myself.
Wearing these I failed to develop any kind of sweaty swamp-ass even when running around in a humid 30 Centigrade, proving that these trousers are not only comfortable but also breathable.
Overall Construction: Reliable and comfy. 5/5
Allyness:
Well despite their ability to make even a scruff bag such as myself look somewhat professional, they are only trousers after all and there isn’t anything particularly “tacticool” about them. Maybe try getting a pair in a camo pattern or try the “sunglasses and MP5” like me.
Overall Allyness: Look decent but nothing particularly exciting about them. 2/5
Summing Up:
If you’re looking for a great deal for some no nonsense trousers for a decent price then you won’t find much better than these. Personally I’m most likely to buy another pair but if internal knee pads aren’t you’re thing then maybe try the new MK2 trousers which are exactly the same besides them having external stitched on my knee pads and you’ll be looking at about £15 more. All in all I’m really happy and I can see these being part of my standard training kit for the for the foreseeable future.
This Kit Pest Review was written by Robert. Hopefully you enjoyed it and if you have any thoughts or comments related to this article then leave a comment!
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