Opinions on 5.11

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dakota1820

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Hey guys so saw a brand ive never seen before called 5.11 any one have any info on them. They don't look bad
 
I have only owned T-shirts from them for work....
(Wanted a plain colour, and something that could take a beating)

Lived up to the hype and lasted much much longer than a T-shirt you would get from a department store.

I think they've all been washed a million times, and abused to death and they all still look great...no holes or rips, just a bit of fading.

That's all I can help you with...
 
5.11 is a large brand encompassing many different types of gear, from clothing to backpacks and everywhere in-between. That being said their knives seem like an add-on to their brand, similar to how Smith & Wesson, Winchester, or Heckler & Koch are mainly gun brands that happen to sell knives with their name on them. 5.11 contracts out their knives so it's really all dependent on the company that makes the knives, I've only handled their free-with-purchase knives that were made in china. They weren't bad, but I can't really say anything about their other knives. It's a good clothing brand, if not a bit expensive.
 
To the original poster:

I guess you mean "5.11 tactical"? Anyway, from what I know, they make shirts and BDUs, hats, boots, flashlights and some knives too. I have a pair of pants from them and they're nice and durable but I prefer Dickies b/c they fit a little better. Of their other products, I couldn't comment.
 
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I'm pretty certain they don't make their own knives. Their main specialty is tactical/duty outfitting; pants, shirts, back packs, etc. and they've made a decent name for themselves in that regard.

As such, like many companies (Browning, Remington, Beretta, etc), they outsource their naming rights to knife manufacturers, and from my best assumption it will be hit or miss depending on what model you buy and who made it. I have one of their folding karambits in s30v, great knife, solid build quality, but I have heard about and seen numerous issues on many of their lower priced offerings, cheaper materials, poor craftmanship, most likely outsourced to lower quality foreign manufacturing.
 
dakota1820 said:
Hey guys so saw a brand ive never seen before called 5.11 any one have any info on them. They don't look bad
Click to expand...

I own a couple of 5.11 backpacks, the Rush 12 & Rush 72. From my personal experience, they are nice mid tier priced backpacks. To me, they have well thought out designs. Quality is quite high as well.
 
Of the knives branded 511 they are now mostly cheap import stuff of no real quality; however....At one time they made some knives in S30V with peel-ply G10 and 4 way clips the whole package but I believe that has all past now. They may still make some decent stuff, but most is just an add on to the clothing and other gear ,the other gear/clothing seems to be of good quality.
 
5.11 has knives made by various companies and so the quality varies. I have a 5.11 XPRT folder made by Fox in Taiwan and it's a very good liner lock designed by Mike Vellekamp with S30V and contoured G-10.
 
I had a few of their knives, that were given out as promotional items. We used to wear 5:11 pants for duty & you got a knife with every two pair of pants or each pair of boots we bought. The knives were ok, but not very high quality. I gave them to my kids.

Edit: Are you asking about their knives, or their other products? Their knives, as I said are pretty much ...meh! Their pants? I've been wearing them for years & they're top notch. Their packs, jackets, packs & other gear are good quality & hold up well.
 
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They make nice pants and I have 3 of their bags.

All seem to be well made.
 
Only had some of their knives. Some of their early folders were great, the "Investigator", the "First Responder" and "10-8". More recent folders I've handled were not to impressive.

Their Justin Gingrich designed fixed blade "Camp/Field Knife 7" is a real beast, on the large and heavy size, but a real workhorse.
 
Much of this is based upon memory and discussion s in passing but here you go, for what it is worth... ;)

Some people glorify the 5:11 Tactical company and some people disdain the company. Everyone has opinions and preferences... :rolleyes:

Whatever personal opinion one has, there cannot be any doubt that the company is not a hipster "Johnny Come Lately" business and that it has long standing roots in the outdoor gear community in that an avid outdoorsman named Royal Robbins (yeah, "Royal" how cool is that name?) started making backpacks, climbing gear, and some clothing in the late 1960's. He actually had a few shops in California in the 1970's. Royal helped codex the climbing challenge ratings for the mountains in Yosemite National Park during the 1950's and decided to incorporate the name “5.11” as his pants name that he designed with a strap and slash pocket that was a relatively new idea. In reference to the previously mentioned climbing challenge ratings, “5.11” is the most difficult level.

Fast forward to the late 90's and early "Double Aughts" at which time a man named Dan Costa gradually took over 5.11 which subsequently became 5.11 Tactical and Royal bought back the Royal Robbins Clothing name.

Now my personal opinion and experience is that since the early "Double Aughts" :D the quality of the clothing has improved greatly. Intense marketing but with more attention to quality control has made the mid-tier clothing and boot line more dependable. I believe but do not have exact statistics that a large part of the brand popularity is based upon agency and department sales and/or required purchase.

In reference to the quality of their branded knives, as has been referenced earlier, meh. Not so much but models are available as premium add on gifts and can be found at discounted prices to match budgets.

We are currently running a Test In Progress (TIP) with a light weight boot and so far, pretty impressive.

Hope that helps and all the very best regards,
 
Really good brand. Their pants are nice but do not fit me right so I go with Propper or Tru Spec 24/7. I have a 5.11 jacket that is very close in quality to Northface. I have worn their Storm boots for about 5 years now. Have never found a pair of boots that feel better and are still completely waterproof. I have handled some of the packs and they seem to by on par with Maxped.
 
If you are asking about the knives,lights and watches they have........not so much. Seem to me to be cheap imported stuff and most of the cost is the 5.11 name.
 
Their clothing, bags and such are great, used them for years all over the world. I know nothing of any of their products beyond those. I assume those other items are supplier by a third party and just wear the 5.11 moniker.
 
I'm picking up some duty gear from them for my upcoming police work\ training. I read a lot of good reviews.
 
Their clothes and bags have done me very well. Can't say anything about their other products.
 
I use the rush 12 pack and their tac boots on a regular basis. Boots are extremely comfortable and the rush 12 is very well thought out and very durable. Completely satisfied and would buy again if either ever wears out........which doesn't look like that will happen any time soon .
 
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