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Over the last few years, a revolution has taken place in the development of apparel and footwear for law enforcement, EMT and other public safety personnel.

The utilization of new materials, modern design philosophies that borrow and combine casual, athletic and military concepts and the commitment to producing apparel and footwear that is uniquely designed to meet the needs of the law enforcement professional has helped promote growth in every tier of the industry.

Many of the most prominent suppliers in the tactical/public safety marketplace chose to start with a clean sheet of paper in order to create a durable, comfortable and versatile apparel and/or footwear line that takes the category well beyond the range of just a repurposed military garment.

Today’s tactical BDU, trousers, shirts, shorts and jacket must be adaptable to many environments and situations, must be rugged while allowing for comfortable fit, flexibility for easy movement and must be designed with the right style and quantity of pockets, pouches, loops and zippers to ensure that the wearer is able to carry everything he or she needs to do the job right, efficiently and safely.

ARMY/NAVY SUPPLIERS TO THE FOREFRONT

Of all the legacy army/navy suppliers that have delved into the tactical apparel market, Atlanco (Marietta, Georgia), through its TRU-SPEC brand has exhibited the highest level of commitment to the law enforcement market. Now on their second factory dedicated to the manufacture of tactical apparel and gear, opened in 2004, the company designs and makes its own products in a manner that helps them maintain low prices, respond quickly to product demand and ensure quality control.

A new line of rainwear has recently been introduced by TRU-SPEC, labeled as the H2O Proof line. It includes ECWCS trousers made from three-layer windproof, waterproof and breathable material with a drawstring waist with cord lock. The trousers are available in seven camo patterns and solid colors. The GEN-1 ECWCS H2O Parka is available in three camo patterns and black. It is constructed of the same three-layer material and features adjustable sleeve cuffs, an oversized attached hood and a separate microfleece liner.

The company’s commitment to innovation can perhaps best be seen in its 24/7™ line of tactical apparel and accessories. The 24/7 name implies the ability to be worn for both casual/work and on-off duty needs. The series includes pants, shorts, polo shirts, belts, uniform shirts, tactical vests and jumpsuits, a jacket and a field shirt. The basic 24/7 trouser exhibits the versatility and attention to detail that is representative of the entire line – features include a comfort fit slider waistband, extra deep front pockets, knife/accessory pockets, two cargo pockets with hook & loop closures, two internal magazine compartments, a cell phone pocket, double reinfornced knees with built in knee pad pockets and utilization of the TRU-SPEC Engineered Dimensional Fit system. Constructed of either 100% cotton canvas or poly/cotton ripstop blend, the 24/7 trousers are available in ten colors.

Military Outdoor Clothing (Greenville, Texas) was one of the first army/navy centric suppliers to develop apparel specialized for the tactical market. Their Diplomat trousers are made from 60/40 cotton/poly ripstop. They feature a nine-pocket design that includes two side cargo pockets, two front slash pockets, two rear slash pockets, reinforced fabric on the seat and knee and right and left pockets and a wide leg for easier fit over boots.

Propper International (St. Charles, Missouri) is perhaps the company with the most experience and reputation as a maker of military apparel. They are also the official supplier of military apparel to the U.S. government. It is only natural, then, that the company would become a premier supplier of tactical and public safety apparel. Propper’s tactical lines include products specialized for police & sheriff duty (nylon duty belts, ACU digital coats, ACU trousers, BDU 2-pocket shirt, BDU 4-pocket coat, shorts hats, duty pants and much more. Some items in this line include their value-priced Genuine Gear apparel. Other specialized apparel lines include clothing for EMT and firefighters, tactical and SWAT personnel, and apparel for advanced tactical use. In the latter category, the company offers its Adventure Tech line which is a high-tech seven-layer clothing system that combines application-specific design and body-mapping technology. Products in this line include baselayer clothing, windshirts, insulated outerwear and much more. Many of Propper’s apparel items now feature the hot new Multicam camo pattern which is said to provide effective camouflage in many environments for both tactical and military use.

Tact Squad (Corona, California) owns and operates its own mills to produce public safety, law enforcement/tactical, EMT and other apparel and uniforms. Their law enforcement line is extensively populated with shirts, trousers, outerwear, sweaters, safety/hi-viz vests and outerwear, bike patrol apparel and official logoed LAPD, CHP, LASD and NYPD uniform apparel and products. The company also produces gloves, bags and nylon accessories.

5.11 Tactical of Modesto, California is a major supplier with a 30-year-long reputation in the tactical market. Their product lines are extensive and deep, and the company prides itself on involving rank-and-file law enforcement personnel in hands-on development of their products. As army/navy stores integrate more tactical apparel into their merchandise mix, 5.11 Tactical products will surely find a place on the shelves and racks for most retailers.