Rail Riders
I often split my days between working in the shop, riding a bike, and working in the office. In addition, I do a lot of adventure sports in the evenings, weekends and vacations. I have long been looking for clothes that can stand up to the rigors of hiking, biking, canyoneering, traveling, and still work for the office. I have finally found it in Rail Riders, a small clothing manufacturer that came out of the sailing world. Unlike a lot of the heavy cotton tactical clothes like the previously-reviewed 5.11 shirts and pants, Rail Riders' synthetic fabrics are all chosen for their light weight, ruggedness, and water shedding capabilities. The added bonus is they offer several styles that can also work in an office setting, without making you look like you're an off-duty SWAT team member.
Prices reflect the high quality and short-run nature of the garments, but I have yet to be disappointed with anything they sell. Their clothes are used by adventure racing teams, Himalayan expeditions, and world sailors. On a recent all-day canyon trip, everyone but me came back with the seats of their pants shredded. While this stuff is extremely rugged, it's not overweight. Many of Rail Riders' fabrics also have a water repellent treatment that has saved me from some embarrassing accidents while eating or drinking in the car or at my desk.
-- Alexander Rose
Some of my favorites include:
Yukon Work pants (lined and unlined)
$89-$98
These are made of a synthetic fabric that drapes like canvas work pants but feel way better and have great extra stealth pockets for cell phones etc. The lined ones are a fave in the cold weather.
Oasis Shirt
$29-$56
Excellent hot weather button down, that has mesh in the underarms and down the side to keep you exceptionally cool
Back Country Khakis
$49-$74
These work in the office and on the mountain (I wore these for a week in Nevada back country). A little stretch makes them extra comfy, and they are treated to repel water.
Men's Lined Yukon Work Pants
Men's S/S Oasis Shirt
Favorite (15)
Adam Morris
These look similar to "Rohan" bags. http://www.rohan.co.uk/
rohan have been making travel clothing in the UK since 1975. Their clothes are tough, lightweight and look good.
I've worn their trousers (sorry "bags") before and they've outlasted most other pairs of trousers that I've had. The unfinished length is great as it allows you to adjust the trousers to the exact length that you want.
Doug Faunt
You'd think if they were going to give their colors peculiar names, they'd at least have them all in their color chart.
Feh
Mostly Water
"without making you look like you're an off-duty SWAT team member"
But that's why I _like_ wearing 5.11 Tactical ;-)
Seriously though - might give this Rail Riders' stuff a try.
Brent Inghram
I've used some of the Railriders products for several years now - they ARE good. A favorite of mine that wasn't mentioned in the review is the Adventure Top and EcoMesh shirts (which are the same except the one has buttons at the collar, the other has a velcro flap) - well ventilated windshirts. The backcountry khakis are terrific too - they always surprise me by being warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer that I expect. I've found the Railriders customer service to be great, too. They have gone beyond the call of duty to help me out on more than one occasion.
JOhn
I have been wear 5.11 tactical pants for years. They are great! I would also suggest you try out a pair of Operator Tactical Pants made by LAPoliceGear.com. They cost HALF the price of 5.11. The Operator is my new favorite tactical pants.