Delta Cargo Pant TRS T-Fit - UFG

You may have heard that "the best pants are no pants" and that may be true. But when on those occasions where you need to wear pants (to not get arrested and/or do cool things), these are your pants.

I thought I'd add my thoughts following Patrick Egan's epic review. He adroitly goes over the pant's finer points, so I'll mainly focus on what I like about these from a comparative point of view - aka "Why you should buy these pants as opposed to another brand's pants".

For reference, I am 5'10", 34/30 waist and inseam, and weigh around 175 lbs.

COMPETITION: I have tried on and bought a lot of pants: Helikon-Tex OTPs, Wrangler, GORUCK Challenge pants, Kuhl, Triple Aught Design, and probably a few brands I'm forgetting. None have come close to the craftsmanship, quality, fit, and functionality of Prometheus Design Werx (PDW).

> PDW vs. TAD - You can see design similarities here, but I much prefer PDW's approach to leg fit and tailoring over TAD's. I can't tell you how many TAD pants I've had to send back because there were literally 4 inches of extra material in their pattern. Similar pockets.

> PDW vs. GORUCK - Less expensive, thicker material, (more and better) pocket design

> PDW vs. Helikon-Tex: Helikon-Tex pants seem to be louder (swishier to coin a word), and more directly designed for combat applications (built-in knee pad compartment, cargo dump pockets with internal banding for pistol magazines, an AR-magazine pocket). I have no doubt the PDW Delta Cargo Pant could do many of the same duties, but is more toned down for regular everyday endeavors. That said, the failure point of my Helikon-Tex OTP pants has been the crotch gusset so we'll see how these PDWs hold up.

> PDW vs. Wrangler: If you're just looking for a well-fitting, utility-oriented pair of pants, Wrangler is hard to pass up due to its near-ubiquitous availability at Wal-Marts in the U.S. However, they aren't DWR-coated like PDW's are, and the don't have the benefit of PDW's thoughtful pocketing design. These pants are BIFL/BOCO (Buy It For Life or Buy Once Cry Once). I don't know how similar Wranglers would hold up.

PDW vs. Kuhl: I generally like Kuhl pants. I own a pair for climbing and two shorts for bouldering. However, Kuhl's design aesthetic is more... aggressive and their colors are not always very discreet. If you're hiking or rock climbing, who cares? But I find for the money that PDW's choice of materials and design language is much more to my liking.

POCKETS/CARRY: I have several other non-cargo pants, but the pocket stance of these cargos do not make you feel like you're an extra with bulging pockets from a 2000s direct-to-video survival flick. I can carry my pocket knife, phone, wallet, and various other EDC items where needed without feeling like I'm being weighed down or like I have several hard growths on my legs from the contents of my pockets.

FIT: The fit is true to size, with legs that are slightly tailored (not skinny jean tight nor Triple Aught Design huge) and leave room for those who never skip leg day without looking like a loose sausage casing on the rest of us.

COMFORT: The hand feel of the TRS T-Fit is pleasant for a ripstop garment, though of course not as smooth as say PDW's pants utilizing Guide Cloth (such as PDW's own Raider Field Pant). Safely 3-season pants (they may be too hot for summer).

WATERPROOFING: Water beads right off, even at the seams. My Raider pants (which I've worn and washed several times) still do so as well. PDW does an excellent job at making sure the DWR coating is consistently applied in my experience.

DETAILS: a) I do like how they color-matched the mesh pocket linings in Universal Field Grey to match the exterior color, unlike how they used black mesh for the All Terrain Brown in the Raider pants. b) I generally don't like the look of ripstop materials as I much prefer the consistent look of a solid color (ala the Raider pants), but I think the ripstop is tastefully done here and is not too busy. c) I do wish the tag could say what the name of the pants are. I'm collecting a few now and although I know which one to wear based on material weight/season, it would be nice to have the name. Or maybe even better- add a QR code on the tag to link right to the product page so I can help other folks know where to buy them.

FINAL THOUGHTS: If you've been looking for adventure pants from the low-end (Wrangler, Columbia) to the high-end (e.g. prAna, Rab, TAD, GORUCK, Outdoor Research, Kuhl, etc.) you can stop. These are the pants you've been looking for, coupon or not. They're worth every penny.

PHOTO: Below is a side-by-side comparison of the Delta Cargo Pant TRS T-Fit in Universal Field Grey on the left, and Raider Field Pant in All Terrain Brown (https://prometheusdesignwerx.com/collections/apparel/products/raider-field-pant-gc-t-fit-atb?variant=39588654284886) on the right along with two PDW bags to help show the difference in color, desig...

BLUF: Buy a pair of these NOW. The Delta Cargo TRS checks a lot of boxes for me, especially for cooler/cold months. I haven't owned mine long enough to comment on durability or longevity, so bear that in mind.

All that aside, PDW really hit the mark with these. Starting with the popular and proven Ranger Field Pant pocket layout, they added very low profile but voluminous cargo pockets onto each upper thigh. Unlike every single other cargo pant I've owned or seen, these are very unobtrusive, and don't feel like you have a dump pouch sewn onto each thigh. I like the cargo pockets much more than the rear accessory/magazine pockets on the Raider Field Pant. I don't have daily need to stash AR mags in my pants, I have a battle belt and plate carrier for that. I DO have daily need for on-body pistol magazine carry options, and the Delta's cargo pocket fills that need. The EDC tool pocket sewn onto the outside of the main pockets is still there, but has been augmented with the addition of another option. Unlike a regular pocket to clip folding knives and tools onto, the EDC tool pockets always seemed placed just perfectly to catch a tool in a seatbelt while in a vehicle. There is now a reinforced clip point ('Oversized tool slot') at the top middle of each cargo pocket flap. The advantage to this is that if a tool/knife becomes detached, it simply falls into the interior of the cargo pocket. Well done, PDW. The accessory pockets and Delta clip rings have been retained on these pants. Lastly, the rear pockets are horizontal zip style, finally offering a chance for those of us who live in cooler/colder climates to keep snow and detritus out of pockets while seated.

Besides having a very understated and functional pocket layout, the Delta TRS offers a great materials upgrade over NYCO/+ rip-stop. The TRS material is a nylon/spandex hybrid and is water resistant. Think of a light soft-shell pant with DWR finish, and these are what you'd have. While they're somewhat thinner than the soft shell pants I'd use in exclusively cold, snowy conditions, they're nevertheless capable when used in appropriate situations. Sustained light to medium rain beads off of the fabric, and they dry rather quickly once removed from the elements. Along with good surface protection, they also offer excellent mobility. The stretch of the fabric is perfectly balanced and moves with the user. This increases functionality and ease of movement but also means that items in pockets don't bulge out conspicuously due to shifts in weight distribution and body movement.

I have no significant criticisms of these pants except for two minor points, and I won't be losing sleep over either one. The first is the little velcro patch square on the thigh. I have no use for this, which has only functioned as a collection point for dog hair, pollen, snow and dirt.

The second is the 'secret' pocket inside the left rear belt line. These have been retained in multiple iterations of PDW's pants, and I just don't see why. Anyone with true, real world need for a secret stash spot in their clothing WON'T be choosing something that obvious. In more boring, quotidian situations, all it does is flop out and hang from the top of the belt line, and awkwardly so.

Bottom line, buy these. Hell, buy two, you probably won't regret it.

A great-fitting pant that looks good enough for trail or town. Ample pockets, although I removed the stash pocket on the back inner waist as it has the tendency hang outside the waist when empty.