For the last few months I’ve been wearing a unique pair of pants from Clothing Arts, one designed specifically for those that worry about pickpockets. These nylon “Adventure Traveler” style pants feature a selection of features not common to other similar makes. Given the price of $110.00 dollars (MRSP), my initial impression was skeptical (as it often is). Although I own high end “designer” outdoor clothes, I’m still apprehensive about the high cost of what often turns out to be “gimmick” rather than a “superior design”, regardless of whether it comes from any of the big names. Often you are paying for the name on the tag, or just some “revolutionary” new fabric/style/design/whatever. Even more often, you are left disappointed.
My initial skepticism was wrong. These pants will not disappoint. The “Pickpocket Proof Pants” come in 3 primary colors, Green, Grey and Khaki. They’re constructed of what they call “Nature-Like™” Nylon. Clothing Arts touts them as having the look and feel of cotton, but with all the benefits of nylon. Surprisingly, they really do. Usually pants made primarily of nylon look, feel and sound like a warm up pants. The annoying “zip-zip” of taking a step, the swampballs from lack of ventilation, and synthetic feel of the fabric against your body is enough to say Screw it, I’m going to wear something else. This fabric is wrinkle-free (even when wadded up and stuffed in a bag), quick-dry, lightweight, breathable, very comfortable as well as impressively durable. Following the “outdoor” style, it has a practical cut that allows lots of flexibility and movement.
With a total of (9) pockets, there is plenty of room to stow your EDC items securely. The front slash pockets are deep, and hide a internal watch pocket, like you might find in the right slash of your favorite jeans, only larger and more usable. This is perfectly fit for a US passport. The lining is soft but strong, and shows no wear from carrying a pocket knife and holding my car keys the last few months. What makes these pants “Pickpocket Proof” are the full length zippers, which are somewhat discrete whether open or closed. For even more security there is a simple button flap that can be fastened after you zip up the pocket. It’s annoying to get in and out of, but will work well (and potentially worth the trouble) if you are in an area where theft is a concern. The cargo pockets below are secured with two buttons each with a center press-snap in between. They are about the size of a BDU pocket, only not pleated.
Unlike almost all cargo pockets on other travel/adventure manufacturers’ pants, these are actually usable and are a great addition to the layout. Lastly you will find the rear pockets which also feature a full zipper closure. For day to day use it’s an inconvenience to unzip to access your wallet, but great for hiking, biking or climbing. This is also your most vulnerable point for losing your wallet or papers, which brings us back to the whole point of the pants in the first place.
Quit looking at my ass, nasties.
There are also two button flaps for added security, and the rear left pocket has a hidden full size zippered inner pocket for added measure. The zippered pockets are great, and I used them more often than the button flaps. It’s nice to know you can secure your valuables while out and about and not be concerned with loss of any means.
These pants are among the most comfortable I’ve worn, and I’m impressed how well they wear in both cold and heat. They are holding up great for how much I’ve been wearing them, and cannot recommend them highly enough for anyone traveling to a third world country or even those that just want a good quality pair of trousers for hiking or camping. They are honestly worth the money, definitely more so than some of the “concealed carry tactical shoot me first pants” and I plan to buy several more pair.
Check them out here: http://www.clothingarts.com/pickpocket_proof_pants_adventure_traveler and give them a try, you won’t be disappointed.
Mad Duo Nate
About the author: Nathan “Mad Duo Nate” Murr is a former USMC Sergeant who recently transition to being a nasty civilian. He lives largely on nicotine, whiskey and hate and can be frequently found orating Kipling poems to frightened hipsters who have no idea WTAF he’s talking about. A graduate of the Camp Lejeune School for Wayward Boys, he was a Marine NCO, Infantry Platoon Sergeant and Scout Sniper team leader. He has many years of experience as a spiral tube tech, is a fully qualified American Jedi and handsome badass. He has numerous deployments to the Middle East and Africa (combat and CFID), is something of an idiot savant when it comes finger-fucking stuff to make it work better than its original designers could, and is probably best described as a sociopathic philosopher with vestigial cutthroat (though poetic) tendencies. Thus far Murr’s writing career has included such publications as Breach-Bang-Clear, Military.com, RECOIL Magazine and Penthouse letters. More here.
(grunts: vestigial)
Great Review Nate – glad you found out about our gear and took the pants on a field test.
We try to make the best pants we possibly can and it seems we’ve come up with materials and designs that you really appreciate. Theyre great for EDC and you’ll keep finding new ways to organize your gear to make it easier to get around the world.
Enjoy the continued wear of the pants on many more travels!