[dylpckl]

Need a bit of guidance with my combat uniform (shirt/pants). I've done my research but am still having trouble pulling the trigger on anything.

I'm looking for MC and RG - I'll probably end up building a set of each, but if I can, I'd like to start with MC pants and a RG shirt.

• Crye
  - Just plain too expensive. However, I would bite the bullet and buy Crye if I wasn't trying to build the rest of my kit as well.
• Semapo - I really like their RG stuff, however they are sold out of their shirt. And with $40 shipping, it seems like I should just get Crye.
• Emerson - The pants appear to be a good buy, and have a feature I care alot about - velcro knees. I don't like their shirts, but am very tempted to get their pants.
• LBX - I tried a set on at my local store and the pants were HUGE. I mean, so so so baggy. And yes I was wearing the proper waist size. The knees were tremendous. However, the shirt seemed to fit the bill.
• 5.11 - There are so many different lines and variations that I simply feel overwhelmed when looking at 5.11 stuff. I'd only buy their pants, but can't seem to determine what the "go-to" set is.

LBX shirt + Emerson pants?
Full Crye?
Semapo pants?

Help!

 

[habs19]

Emerson pants are a no. I personally haven't owned a pair but I have read countless reviews where people said they were poor quality, and there are quite a few people on this forum who would back that. Another option you might want to take a look at is the Allwin combat sets, I've heard they are good quality and go for around $100 for the shirt and pants.

 

[E135]

I would recommend Tru-Spec. I am not sure if they sell their bdu in MC, but my Marpat set is fantastic! They have pockets for their pads, but make sure you double the pads if you get them. Otherwise, it will slide around in the pocket.

 

[Blah]

Maybe try propper as well. They have many choices.

 

[ibob4tacoz]

Massif ACS for shirt and Army Combat Pants with the Crye pockets. Should run you about $100 for both if you dig on ebay.

 

[Knief]

Ibob has the right answer for your MC get up. Emerson is garbage, stay far away.

 

[E135]

Or, you could go to an army surplus store for a used set (not nearly as nice, may have holes, inspect before you buy). Cheaper, easily replaceable, and is relatively easy to find.

 

[Knief]

E135,

Typically you won't find a Combat Uniform at a surplus store unless its a very well stocked surplus store. You might bump into a Massif combat shirt a little more easily than ACPs or any Crye set, but it's generally not good odds either way. You're better off buying on ebay. You get access to lot more soldiers and second-hand sellers looking to sell direct.

Surplus stores are great for BDUs and ACUs, and MCCUUs, but not the higher end uniforms like combat sets and FROGs.

 

[E135]

As far as finding actual brands, army surplus is not the way to go. However, a Multicam set I picked up at a place called Command Post has held up nicely. It was used, so it was fading, but it worked alright. Not as good as my new Truspec Marpat however . I honestly don't know why a lot of you guys go for the more expensive stuff, but that may jut be because I am the offspring of 1980's clearance rack shoppers.

 

[Wh33ler]

I'll be the odd man out and throw my hat in for 5.11 stuff. I have their MC combat shirt and TDU pants w/ knee pads in the pockets and they work great. Granted, I've only played one full day in them, but comfortable, durable, and just plain work. I also ahve a pair of their TacLite pants in OD and another combat shirt in OD as well. The pants I've used since I started playing airsoft back in September-ish and they're held up really well.

I know they're more consumer-based products, as opposed to what's probably used by actual military personnel, but for airsoft....they're worked out great! No complaints so far. if you go this route, plan on spending about $150 for new. Think the TDU pants were $75 and the combat shirt was $79. The TacLite pants are a little less expensive @ $50 and still have the internal knee pad pockets built in. The knee pads run about $22/pair IIRC. Probably not as good as a pair of hard shell externals, but they get the job done and my knees don't hurt after playing all day. And considering my age....that speaks volumes.

 

[ibob4tacoz]

I'll be the odd man out and throw my hat in for 5.11 stuff. I have their MC combat shirt and TDU pants w/ knee pads in the pockets and they work great. Granted, I've only played one full day in them, but comfortable, durable, and just plain work. I also ahve a pair of their TacLite pants in OD and another combat shirt in OD as well. The pants I've used since I started playing airsoft back in September-ish and they're held up really well.

I know they're more consumer-based products, as opposed to what's probably used by actual military personnel, but for airsoft....they're worked out great! No complaints so far. if you go this route, plan on spending about $150 for new. Think the TDU pants were $75 and the combat shirt was $79. The TacLite pants are a little less expensive @ $50 and still have the internal knee pad pockets built in. The knee pads run about $22/pair IIRC. Probably not as good as a pair of hard shell externals, but they get the job done and my knees don't hurt after playing all day. And considering my age....that speaks volumes.

Quality by these LE/civilian brands are usually pretty good, but in design, they usually fall behind. Besides, it's more expensive than a Massif ACS and ACP setup.

 

[Wh33ler]

I haven't really researched any of the Massif stuff myself, but from what I've seen their combat shirts retail for about $100. I'd assume about the same for the pants. Just from my experience with the 5.11 TDU pants and past experiences with mold military BDU pants (dad's), they seem to be pretty similar in design, function, storage, etc. Not sure how the Massif would be too much different unless maybe additional pockets, better materials, etc. Price point isn't too much different I'm assuming; both are cheaper than the actual Crye stuff that's about $150/item. Just seems in my opinion that it's more preference than anything else. I'm not military, I'm not former military. Guess it really all depends on the user's comfort, utilization, and how deep their pockets are. Truth be told....I picked 5.11 because they have a brick & mortar store near me and it's easily accessible. I don't order stuff online if I can drive 15-20 minutes and have it in hand as soon as I pay for it. But that's just me.

 

[ibob4tacoz]

I haven't really researched any of the Massif stuff myself, but from what I've seen their combat shirts retail for about $100. I'd assume about the same for the pants. Just from my experience with the 5.11 TDU pants and past experiences with mold military BDU pants (dad's), they seem to be pretty similar in design, function, storage, etc. Not sure how the Massif would be too much different unless maybe additional pockets, better materials, etc. Price point isn't too much different I'm assuming; both are cheaper than the actual Crye stuff that's about $150/item. Just seems in my opinion that it's more preference than anything else. I'm not military, I'm not former military. Guess it really all depends on the user's comfort, utilization, and how deep their pockets are. Truth be told....I picked 5.11 because they have a brick & mortar store near me and it's easily accessible. I don't order stuff online if I can drive 15-20 minutes and have it in hand as soon as I pay for it. But that's just me.

Massif shirt on ebay: $20
Army Combat Pants with Crye Pockets: $70 at most. Airflexes are $35.

 

[Knief]

As far as finding actual brands, army surplus is not the way to go. However, a Multicam set I picked up at a place called Command Post has held up nicely. It was used, so it was fading, but it worked alright. Not as good as my new Truspec Marpat however . I honestly don't know why a lot of you guys go for the more expensive stuff, but that may jut be because I am the offspring of 1980's clearance rack shoppers.

I don't think you're getting it. A combat set includes a top with moisture wicking properties and pants with modern features, most notably knee pads. There are different cuts that one could reasonably call a combat set, but they'll have at least those properties by definition. Neither being Multicam nor being a uniform makes a set of cammies a combat set. Most run-of-the-mill surplus stores are not carrying combat sets. Some do, particularly if they're close to military bases.

It's not about brand or not, it's about design features or not.

 

[E135]

I don't think you're getting it. A combat set includes a top with moisture wicking properties and pants with modern features, most notably knee pads. There are different cuts that one could reasonably call a combat set, but they'll have at least those properties by definition. Neither being Multicam nor being a uniform makes a set of cammies a combat set. Most run-of-the-mill surplus stores are not carrying combat sets. Some do, particularly if they're close to military bases.

It's not about brand or not, it's about design features or not.

That makes a lot more sense. Thanks Knief!