Tactical clothing for military and law enforcement folks is known for its high tech fabric, over-the-top construction, and numerous, optimally placed pockets for weapons concealment and easy access to tools and utilities. In the outdoor product world, we’ve got high tech fabric and over-the-top construction nailed down, but in terms of a proper assortment of pockets for easy access to needful things; this industry is generally lacking. A shining example of this is cargo shorts and pants, which stand stoically as our highest form of organization on an article of outdoor clothing, and yet people still make fun of us for wearing them. (It’s totally true and you know it.)
But alas, there is hope for change on the horizon. As we stand on the precipice of the birth of the cargo pant and short successor in the form of the Prometheus Design Werx Odyssey 5050RS.
Expanding their core line up of forward thinking clothing, Prometheus Design Werx is debuting two new products destined to improve on our cargo pocket dilemma: The Odyssey Cargo Pant (which launched earlier this year), and the Odyssey Cargo Short, which launched last year but has been redesigned and reconfigured for 2017.
Easily blurring the lines between technical, tactical, and outdoorsy, both the Odyssey pants and shorts are available in three colors and are made from advanced 50/50 cotton/nylon ripstop which has been sewn together using double, triple needle, and bar tack reinforcement. Additionally, fabric reinforcements have been added where needed to improve durability as well as mobility. Both articles provide a level of organization which will blow your mind, tweak your OCD levels, and put you ahead of the class in terms of adaptability and organization when you’re out there in the thick of it.
Designed for adventure, both the pants and shorts feature dedicated knife and multitool pockets, low slung, deep front hand-pockets for easy access when wearing a pack and hip belt, two smaller accessory pockets, two flapped back pockets, and two flapped cargo pockets with a top slot for over-sized tools. Additional features include two custom d-rings located on the front belt loops, as well as a hidden pocket inside the waist band, and a hook and loop patch for morale patches, SOLAS markers, and the like.
PDW was kind enough to send me out a pair of the Odyssey Pants for some real life wear and tear testing earlier in the spring. They are comfortable, rugged, and generally impervious to water – though they aren’t truly waterproof. As someone who carries a lot of different tools with him out in the woods, these pants have taken my every day carry and organizational game to the next level. They do fit a little bigger than what I am used to, especially in the legs, but I wouldn’t call them baggy. However, if you work in an office, you probably wouldn’t be able to get away with them – even on casual Fridays – although they’re well suited pretty much anywhere else.
Both the pants and shorts are made in the USA and are available in Dark Arid Earth, Dark Leaf Green, and Machine Mineral Gray. The Odyssey pants retail for $149, while the Odyssey shorts cost $129. Both are available now.
If you’re looking for a great pair of bottoms for hiking, climbing, traveling, and overall life in the outdoors, I recommend you consider either one of these technical masterpieces, as they’re comfortable, offer plenty of cargo space, and are built to last.