I’m not going to pontificate much about this but I’d recommend that you go take a look at what 5.11 Tactical has been working on with their Recon Series of training products that includes footwear, clothing and bags. It’s certainly not what I would traditionally expect from 5.11.
The styling, materials and construction are more contemporary and the whole series seems to be focused on training but I’d say that some will be able to wear these items on the job as well. The price tag reflects the update but I don’t find this as a serious detractor. While I haven’t seen any of these items in person yet, if I had to make a criticism it would be the prominent branding. Something a bit more subtle might be more appropriate. However, I know some of you are going to lose it over the blood type ID.
It’s worth taking a look but please don’t come in and bash the brand without first seeing what they are doing with the Recon line.
Tags: 5.11 Tactical
Well said. We are getting the whole line to tryout lol. We will be doing a review to see how well this RECON line really works. But definitely, like you said, not what you expect from 5.11. Don’t knock it until you try it right?
I’ve been using my fair share of crappy shoes over the years (and still do most of the time), but working out in a pair of shoes made by a company without any credentials when it comes to running seems like a bad idea to me.
Prob’ly for Kipping, AirDyne, Concept 2 and Squats.
I will second, the logo is a bit obnoxious.
More crap, made by a company that’s all about mass production and not quality. If I see anyone with their blood type on their running shoes I’ll loose my mind. What a stupid idea. Guess what everyone-
THERE ISN’T A HOSPITAL IN THE WESTERN WORLD THAT WILL GIVE YOU NON-UNIVERSAL DONOR BLOOD WITHOUT TYPING YOU FIRST!
This appears to be aimed at “tacticool”, “look I do crossfit, not because it’s good for me, but because I heard that delta/seals/gsg9/gign etc are into it” types of persons.
I am willing to bet it’s the same cookie cutter junk that the rest of their stuff is.
I’m an open minded guy but I’ve only ever found one item from 5.11 that wasn’t crap, and that’s their bike shorts. Shockingly they are probably the best shorts I’ve ever had for bike patrol. Other than that, 12-20 sets of TDU’s with each piece tagged the same size but 12-20 different shades and fits. Crap all around.
I have found similar things in their line up over the decade that I’ve been using them. Their pants have always held up well, but the sizing has been all over the map. If they would get that fixed, it would go leaps and bounds towards how the quality of their brand is perceived.
I think 5.11s stuff has been getting better lately, but a lot of it is still hit or miss. For example, their Stryke and Traverse pants are leaps and bounds better than their original pant designs.
I probably won’t be buying anything from this line, though. There is plenty of fitness gear already available from established companies. What does this stuff do that they don’t already?
Bummer 🙁
Obviously taking a page from Inov-8 with the oversized branding. I’m skeptical that 5.11 will be able to succeed in the already crowded cross-fit gear marketplace. Too many established athletic gear companies making better looking and (probably) better performing stuff.
Maybe, but remember that their Tacticool Forces are huge in number, driven by trends and memes, and know 5.11 without knowing the established names in the fitness arena if they weren’t already into it.
A few weeks back I ordered there recon performance t-shirt along with there vandal shorts, I have to say they did a very nice job on them. The shorts are very light weight with discrete pockets that are nice to have, but when there empty you wouldn’t even know they are there.the shirt has a vented material down the spine and along the under arms, great fit. I did not know what to expect from only reading specs and a few photos, so far I couldn’t be happier. Picked them up for crossfit and running
Duh 5.10 did it first: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wxbTORghcPU/TDkSC3r4l0I/AAAAAAAAAhk/S93sfWZrJb0/s400/IMG_3068.JPG
Ditch the blood ID – I would place there a piece of reflective tape.
MI-lSpec Monkey, are you watching? You have a new patch market to dominate.