LAPG: Hands on Review of Shoes, Pants and Shirts – Quality at a Great Price Point

Shopping List

If you read my piece on LA Police Gear (LAPG) yesterday, you know that I’ve found my new favorite site for gear and tactical/practical clothing.  You’re in luck; it’s Black Friday, and if you head over there today, you can save a ton off of their already low prices.  Up to 25% off sitewide. Full disclosure: that’s where I’m headed as soon as I get done writing this article.  I’ll be buying a pair of Merrell Moab 2 8″ Defense Zip Composite Toe Boots in Dark Coyote for $68.24. They regularly sell for almost $100 more than that.

Then I’m off to snag some LA Police Gear Terrain Flex Straight Fit Pants for $31.99. That’s more than half off. These classic fit pants boast 9 discreet pockets, including 2 extra deep front pockets that can hold pistol mags.  There’s also a hidden handcuff key pocket…because you just never know. My favorite feature, though, is the stretch fabric. It gives just enough so you can move around easily in them without any binding. 98% cotton, 2% Spandex.

Finally, I’ll be picking up an Elite First Aid, Inc. Tracital Trauma Kit for my car.  As a civilian, I’ve been unfortunate enough to be first on the scene of more than a couple of serious motor vehicle accidents over the years. Had I not had a quality first aid kit on hand, I would not have been able to render effective aid immediately.  For just $31, you get 18 items, including trauma shears, nitrile gloves, butterfly closure strips, and a latex tourniquet.  Every vehicle should have one of these onboard.

LAPG On Hand

Here we see my Merrell Moab 2 Tactical Shoes in Coyote. As a soldier, I opted to wear Merrell products on several occasions. The reasons? Durability, comfort, and performance. Just look at how much surface area you get on the ground with these things. They give you exceptionally stable footing. If you have a wider foot, like I do, these absolutely cannot be beat. And there is plenty of room in these for orthotics if you have the need. Pro tip: There really is no need to tie them if you don’t want to. For years, I’ve just slipped my Merrells on and off. They are great airport footwear.

BFE Pants

These LA Police Gear BFE Stretch Pants fit me perfectly and have pockets in all the right places. They are not overly obvious, though, like in some brands that make you look like a mid-1980s Michael Jackson.  Very clean lines here.  And if you are wondering what “BFE” means, I’m not sure. I know what it means in military parlance, but I doubt that’s what they are going for here. Whatever it means, these pants are quite stylish and will last you for a long time. What more could you want?

Tactical Tiki

My Tactical Tiki short-sleeved button-up shirt is bound to be a new summertime favorite. And since it is like summer all of the time here in Florida, I’ll be wearing it year-round.

This shirt is 97% cotton and 3% spandex, so it gives a little. The fit gives you plenty of room and is quite comfortable. I’m sure with time and repeated washings, it will be even more so.  The snaps down the front are a nice change of pace from buttons. The Tiki is a great concealed carry option as it offers you quick access to your waistband if necessary.

Mace Pepper Gel

Last but not least, on my last trip to LAPG, I picked up the Mace Pepper Gel Magnum 3.

You may be wondering why I picked this product up. Well, it’s because I cannot outrun a dog. That’s one of the reasons anyway. Where I do my morning walks, there have been a couple of dog attacks on walkers, and I figure it would be a good idea to have something that could put some distance between me and Fido if need be.  Also, it’s always good to have a less-than-lethal alternative available for personal protection.

This can of Mace shoots out a stream of gooey pepper gel about 18-20 feet. It’s going to stick on what it hits and burn like the devil, as it is designed to do. It’s always good to have a little peace of mind at hand.

And there you have it, some of my most recent acquisitions from LAPG. In a few minutes from now, I’ll be having several more items lined up for delivery, and I’ll be writing about those later. If you like good stuff for not a lot of money, I’d head over to the site as quickly as I could before those Black Friday sales are history.