- Joined
- Jan 3, 2004
- Messages
- 106
[Pictures at the end of this article]
Here is a pair of cargo pants I made myself.
The pattern is designed by Zach Shelby, from www.shelby.fi and it is called "Korouoma Pants".
I have made some modifications to that pattern and added pockets to meet my EDC.
It has two huge cargo pockets on the side, two side pockets for hands, two front pockets "à la 5.11 tactical", a special knife pocket on the right back side and and a "do it all" pocket on the left back side. That's EIGHT pockets, yes. All of them but the hands pockets close with heavy duty Velcro. All the pockets are double layers.
The main fabric is called "Quick Dry Light" and is made by the Finish company "FOV Fabrics". It is a blend of Supplex and Cordura. Its UV protection is rated at 40+. It weights 135gr/meters. It has a DWR and is very resistant to abrasion, thanks to Cordura. It is also windproof and quite resistant du rain. It dries FAST (by you already have guessed that from its name ;-)) Best of all, it BREATH ! Yes, it's like a softshell fabric.
I have used Cordura 1000D for reinforcements. The knife pocket is entirely lined on the inside with CD1000D. I was fed up to see my G10 handled folders eat my pants pocket (Spyderco Military - CAUGHT !). This won't happen again ;-) The top of the others pockets are finished with a band of CD1000D, to clip various items without ruinning the fabric. It also gives stiffness and make clipping a breeze.
All the critical areas are bartacked. I have used a triple stitch on everything and then finished all the seams with a very tight zigzag (almost a full bartack). This won't fray or break, believe me.
The belt is made of GI issue webbing 1.75" (the stuff they use to make their molle gear, I think) and the buckle is a Fastex Nexus 2" (also a GI issue). Belt loops use the same webbing. The waist has an rubberband inside. If the belt or buckle break (yeah, maybe in 100 lifetimes ;-)), I won't have the pants around my knees.
That's the third pair of pants I make using this pattern. You'll notice that aesthetic was not my main priority. I was more aiming at a very resistant, practical, and comfortable pair of pants. I wore it all day in town and didn't get any strange look ;-).
As for the cost :
Pattern : 7.5 EUROS (can be used to make an unlimited number of pants)
Quick Dry : 2 meters at 10EUROS -> 20 EUROS
Webbing : about 1 euro
Buckle : about 1 euro
threat : negligible (I buy 5000 meters spools)
Velcro : about 2 euros
Time spent : several evenings, it was a lot of fun.
I started sewing my own gear back in November 2004, because I couldn't find a Softshell in my area. I discovered www.shelby.fi where I could buy a lot of hightech fabrics and I bought a good sewing machine (a PFAFF). Since then, I have made a lot of cool stuffs for me and my family. And it's really FUN !
This "review" might create some other sewing vocations. Sewing is EASY, just try it.
Some pictures and details :
---------------------------------
Two different views of the whole pants :
2 pictures of the knife pocket, with my Spyderco Paramilitary clipped . As written before, it is completly lined with Cordura 1000D.
A cargo pocket with CD1000D reinforcement
One of the two front "5.11 tactical pocket". One holds my Swisstool and sunglasses. The other my cellphone and credit card. Very handy.
A view of the innerseam (in the middle of the crotch). Then a view of side pocket's bartacking (hand pocket). Theses take a lot of stress. They should hold;-)
Finally a view of the belt and buckle.
What do you think ?
fabsah
Here is a pair of cargo pants I made myself.
The pattern is designed by Zach Shelby, from www.shelby.fi and it is called "Korouoma Pants".
I have made some modifications to that pattern and added pockets to meet my EDC.
It has two huge cargo pockets on the side, two side pockets for hands, two front pockets "à la 5.11 tactical", a special knife pocket on the right back side and and a "do it all" pocket on the left back side. That's EIGHT pockets, yes. All of them but the hands pockets close with heavy duty Velcro. All the pockets are double layers.
The main fabric is called "Quick Dry Light" and is made by the Finish company "FOV Fabrics". It is a blend of Supplex and Cordura. Its UV protection is rated at 40+. It weights 135gr/meters. It has a DWR and is very resistant to abrasion, thanks to Cordura. It is also windproof and quite resistant du rain. It dries FAST (by you already have guessed that from its name ;-)) Best of all, it BREATH ! Yes, it's like a softshell fabric.
I have used Cordura 1000D for reinforcements. The knife pocket is entirely lined on the inside with CD1000D. I was fed up to see my G10 handled folders eat my pants pocket (Spyderco Military - CAUGHT !). This won't happen again ;-) The top of the others pockets are finished with a band of CD1000D, to clip various items without ruinning the fabric. It also gives stiffness and make clipping a breeze.
All the critical areas are bartacked. I have used a triple stitch on everything and then finished all the seams with a very tight zigzag (almost a full bartack). This won't fray or break, believe me.
The belt is made of GI issue webbing 1.75" (the stuff they use to make their molle gear, I think) and the buckle is a Fastex Nexus 2" (also a GI issue). Belt loops use the same webbing. The waist has an rubberband inside. If the belt or buckle break (yeah, maybe in 100 lifetimes ;-)), I won't have the pants around my knees.
That's the third pair of pants I make using this pattern. You'll notice that aesthetic was not my main priority. I was more aiming at a very resistant, practical, and comfortable pair of pants. I wore it all day in town and didn't get any strange look ;-).
As for the cost :
Pattern : 7.5 EUROS (can be used to make an unlimited number of pants)
Quick Dry : 2 meters at 10EUROS -> 20 EUROS
Webbing : about 1 euro
Buckle : about 1 euro
threat : negligible (I buy 5000 meters spools)
Velcro : about 2 euros
Time spent : several evenings, it was a lot of fun.
I started sewing my own gear back in November 2004, because I couldn't find a Softshell in my area. I discovered www.shelby.fi where I could buy a lot of hightech fabrics and I bought a good sewing machine (a PFAFF). Since then, I have made a lot of cool stuffs for me and my family. And it's really FUN !
This "review" might create some other sewing vocations. Sewing is EASY, just try it.
Some pictures and details :
---------------------------------
Two different views of the whole pants :
2 pictures of the knife pocket, with my Spyderco Paramilitary clipped . As written before, it is completly lined with Cordura 1000D.
A cargo pocket with CD1000D reinforcement
One of the two front "5.11 tactical pocket". One holds my Swisstool and sunglasses. The other my cellphone and credit card. Very handy.
A view of the innerseam (in the middle of the crotch). Then a view of side pocket's bartacking (hand pocket). Theses take a lot of stress. They should hold;-)
Finally a view of the belt and buckle.
What do you think ?
fabsah
I think that if Maxpedition should ever make pants, it might look a little like this 
