How to Size Women's Tactical Pants

Finding the right pair of women's tactical pants is about more than choosing a waist size. Rise, inseam, fit and how you plan to wear your pants can all affect which style feels best.

Whether you're choosing tactical pants for work, outdoor use, training or everyday wear, getting the right fit helps you move comfortably while keeping the functionality and storage you need.

Follow the steps below to measure your waist, choose your inseam and compare some of the most popular 5.11 women's pants to find the right fit for you.

Step 1: How to Measure Your Waist

Grab a tape measure and follow these steps to find your waist measurement in inches or centimetres.

1. Lift or remove excess clothing so you can measure directly around your waist.
2. Find your natural waist between the top of your hips and the bottom of your ribs.
3. Place the end of the tape measure at your starting point.
4. Wrap the tape completely around your waist until it meets the starting point.
5. Keep the tape comfortably snug without pulling it too tight or allowing it to sag.
6. Record the measurement where the tape meets the starting point.

No tape measure? Use a piece of string instead. Wrap it around your waist, mark where the ends meet, then measure the string against a ruler.

Step 2: Match Your Women's Pant Size

Once you know your waist measurement, use the guide below as a starting point when choosing your 5.11 women's pant size.

Fit can vary between styles. Always check the individual product size guide before ordering.

Step 3: Choose the Right Inseam

Your inseam is the distance from the crotch seam down to the bottom of the pant leg. Choosing the correct inseam helps prevent your pants from dragging on the ground or sitting too high above your footwear.

The easiest way to measure your inseam is to take a pair of pants that already fits you well and measure along the inside leg from the crotch seam to the hem.

Available inseams can vary depending on the style and size, so check the individual product page before purchasing.

Step 4: Understand Pant Rise

Pant rise describes where the waistband sits between your hips and waist. This can have a significant impact on comfort, coverage and how the pants feel while sitting, bending or moving.

A lower rise generally sits closer to the hips, while a mid-rise sits higher on the torso and provides additional coverage around the waist.

The classic 5.11 Stryke® Women's Pant uses a regular fit with a lower rise, while the newer Women's Stryke® Mid Rise Pant sits higher through the waist.

The Mid Rise Stryke is a good option for women who like the durability, storage and mobility of the original Stryke but prefer additional coverage through the waist, particularly when bending, sitting or moving throughout the day.

Which 5.11 Women's Tactical Pant Is Right for You?

Once you know your size, the next step is choosing the pant that best matches your preferred fit and how you plan to use it.

Women's Stryke vs Stryke Mid Rise

Both Stryke styles are built around the same idea: durable tactical pants that provide storage, flexibility and freedom of movement.

The biggest difference is where the waistband sits.

• Women's Stryke Pant: A proven tactical fit that sits lower through the waist and remains our core all-round Stryke option.
• Women's Stryke Mid Rise Pant: Sits higher through the waist for additional coverage and a more secure feel around the midsection.

If you already like the traditional Stryke fit, the original Women's Stryke Pant remains an excellent choice. If you prefer your waistband to sit higher or want more coverage when bending and moving, consider the Stryke Mid Rise.

How Should Women's Tactical Pants Fit?

Well-fitting tactical pants should feel comfortable without preventing you from moving naturally. They should also provide enough room for the functional pockets and features to work properly without feeling excessively loose.

Properly fitting tactical pants should:

• Feel comfortable while sitting, standing, walking and bending.
• Allow a full range of movement.
• Stay securely positioned around the waist.
• Allow pockets and cargo storage to be used comfortably.
• Sit at an appropriate length above your footwear.

Your tactical pants may be the wrong size if they:

• Feel restrictive around the waist, hips or thighs.
• Pull significantly when sitting or bending.
• Feel excessively loose or baggy.
• Slide down during normal movement.
• Drag along the ground.

Try Your Women's Tactical Pants On

If possible, visit a 5.11 store to compare different sizes and fits in person.

If you're ordering online, try your pants on as soon as they arrive and move around in them rather than assessing the fit while standing still. Sit down, bend your knees, squat comfortably and walk around to see how the waistband, thighs and inseam feel during movement.

For current information regarding exchanges or returns, see our returns and exchange policy.

Shop Women's Tactical Pants

Once you've found your preferred size and fit, explore the complete range of women's tactical pants, including the Women's Stryke, Stryke Mid Rise, Apex, ABR Pro and Icon Pant.

You can also explore our dedicated women's cargo pants and women's work pants collections to find styles suited to your needs.

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