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5.11 TDK – The Jokes On Them

For an April Fool’s Day goof, 5.11 Tactical came up with a great scheme. They would tell everyone that they were going to manufacture a tactical kilt. They went all out and produced a fantasy product called the 5.11 Tactical Duty Kilt. They even recruited spokesman Kyle Lamb to get in on the act. The video and gag product page went viral and it was such a big hit that they decided to go ahead and produce a run…for real. Nothing like capitalism in action. The market demands a product and they make it. Here is 5.11 Tactical’s full response to the phenomenon.

Friends in the 5.11 Tactical Community,

About a month ago our lead designer, Cory Nykoluk, came to me with the idea to have some fun on April 1st with a 5.11 Tactical Duty Kilt. “We’ve had a number of requests for kilts, so why not make one?” Cory had enlisted our creative services director, Matt Frederick and our director of ecommerce, Brian Rogers. I gave the project a green light with the commander’s guidance to make the “TDK” a true 5.11 product supported by a proper launch. Operational security was strict as only about 6 people inside 5.11 knew about this project. In fact, the only reference in meetings and e-mails was to “Project Caber.” Our close friend Kyle Lamb, President of Viking Tactics, was briefed and signed on immediately. It turned out he was about to attend a Dropkick Murphys concert. Perfect timing as band member, Scruffy Wallace, is a kiltsman who plays bagpipes and the tin whistle in a VTAC T-shirt. The final piece needed was an athlete/first responder to demonstrate the mobility of the TDK. Matt Frederick called Roman, a veteran duty sheriff and Parkour athlete and we were rolling.

Last week, when we reviewed the video footage of Roman leaping walls in the TDK – it was clear – we had achieved the goal of making a Kilt true to the 5.11 brand. There was a collective “uh-oh, we only have one kilt in inventory!” On Saturday, March 31st, I called 5.11 Tactical founder, Dan Costa, to tip him off. His response: “Be ready, you’re going to sell some kilts!”

Indeed, the Tactical Duty Kilt launch was a success, so it seems the April Fool’s Day joke is on us! Due to your positive response, we are pleased to announce that the Tactical Duty Kilt will become available for pre-orders soon on the following web page: http://www.511tactical.com/Tactical-Duty-Kilt.html. We don’t plan to make the TDK an “in-line” product, so this is a limited time, web only offer. If you haven’t already signed up for notifications on when this product becomes available for purchase, please do so now at http://www.511tactical.com/Tactical-Duty-Kilt.html and give us your name and e-mail address in the form located on the right-hand side of the page. We plan on sending out 1 more email to those that have given us their information to confirm size and color and other important ordering details.

5.11 Tactical Duty Kilts will be available in Black, Khaki, and OD Green (MultiCam will be offered at a slightly higher price) in even waist sizes 30- 40 for a very limited time – don’t miss out. Remember we only have one in inventory today, so we’ll need some time to make them for you!

Thanks for your friendship, sense of humor and support of 5.11 Tactical. I’m signing off to place my Tactical Duty Kilt order!

Tom Davin
CEO, 5.11 Tactical

Thanks CK!

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16 Responses to “5.11 TDK – The Jokes On Them”

  1. Bear says:

    I have seen a similar product around for years! http://www.utilikilts.com, they even do camo and large sizes.

  2. Jeffrey Henderson says:

    Awesome! I’ve been needing a new kilt. Might have to grab one of these.

  3. chris says:

    I’d buy one

  4. JP says:

    DAMMIT – not taking orders yet.

    • JP says:

      I just called to see if they are taking pre-production orders and payment. No they are not.

  5. Jason says:

    UtiliKilts have a stated anti-military viewpoint, and they won’t do anything more tactical than they already have, nor in active-duty camo patterns. Their owner told me flat-out that it would be cold day in hell before they would do one in MultiCam.

    Which is fine, if 5.11 can come along, do something lighter weight in MultiCam for 1/3 the price (seriously, if they go with the price they are listing now, that’s as good as you’ll ever find on any kilt, anywhere, including Hot Topic for Tripp crap) I will be ALL OVER THAT SHIT. And I will be the coolest mall ninja in all the lands.

    • Jeffrey Henderson says:

      I wasn’t aware of this. Looks like my utilikilt will be given away and I’ll have to get one of these when they become availible.

    • Five Bucks says:

      I don’t know about all that, but UtiliKilts do come in current patterns. UCP, desert MARPAT and the old school woodland.

  6. Philip says:

    I own several utilikilts and wear them frequently. This, however, could quite easily become a favorite. Make this happen soon!

  7. Rodger Young says:

    http://neokilt.com/accessories.html is owned by a Marine and as far from anti-military and anti-gun as a company can get. Holsters are an option with his kilts.

  8. I’m a kilt wearer and have some non-traditional material kilts but they are still in the pattern of a man’s kilt. Each to their own but I really don’t like these ‘punk’ style kilts.

  9. j mayfield says:

    If you’re looking for marpat or multicam kilts, check out http://www.sportkilt.com. Sea us has been making my kilts for years.

  10. Barbara says:

    To my knowledge, Neo Kilt is the only true military/tactical kilt on the market. The business is owned by a Marine and a strong supporter of the military and law enforcement community. They offer hidden pockets, optional gun holsters and traditional kilt styling in camo, solids and traditional tartans. In addition, they do full custom including custom embroidery designs. Furthermore, 511 tactical pants are made in Cambodia. I don’t know where they are having these limited edition kilts made, but at $60 I guarantee they aren’t made in the USA. Neo Kilt is an American made original from a US small business run by a real Marine.

  11. JP says:

    Never knew about Neo Kilt until these comments, so thanks to all who brought it to light! I’ll show it to the guys in the office who also have interest.

  12. Desert Lizard says:

    Wearing a kilt will offer a new hiding place for concealed carry! LOL.