EMS as a whole has a wide variety of different pants that we can wear. Majority of EMS agencies choose between either the Elbeco Tek3 or the Tru-Spec 24/7 Series EMS pants. But which one is the best? Which one is more suitable? We’re going to provide you with pro’s and con’s of each.
Let’s break each one down first. Be advised, this is for Men’s Pants only, not Women’s.
Elbeco Tek3
- Fabric: 65% polyester/35% Cotton Stretch Twill Weave | Weight: 7.0–7.5 oz./sq. yard
- Permanent Nano Fluid Repellency (allows fluids to bead up and roll off the fabric, keeping you dry and comfortable)
- Dual Metal Hook Fasteners
- Covert flex waistband provides 2” stretch while holding up duty belt
- Triple-stitched crotch prevents seam failure
- Creaset® front and back permanent creases
- EMT-style storage pockets with two hook/loop and snap closures on right pocket
- 3M™ brand patterned reflective trim under storage pocket flaps
- Knife/accessory pockets (bilateral)
- Pen pockets (bilateral)
- Dual Layer belt loops
- Articulated knees for increased range of motion
- Machine washable
- Black and Navy Blue Color Options
- Un-hemmed
- SKUs: E7552RN, E2874R
- MSRP: $69.99
Tru-Spec 24/7 Series EMS
- Fabric: 65/35 polyester cotton rip-stop material | Weight: 6.5 oz./sq. yard
- DWR water repellent coating
- TRU-SPEC® original PRYM snap with brass YKK® zipper
- Comfort fit slider waistband
- 1½” belt loops with 2½” wide openings
- Extra deep front pockets
- Two knife/accessory pockets
- Two vertical zipper covered side seam pockets incorporated into the front pockets
- Expandable back pockets with hook & loop closure
- Two cargo pockets with signature 24-7 Series® pocket flaps secured with single bilateral hook & loop closure with pleats and rear bellows and internal storage pockets
- Attached to the cargo pocket there is a hemmed internal storage pocket with hook & loop closure, a hemmed external storage pockets and the front slot pocket has a ¾” wide strap with hook & loop closure for securing medical equipment
- Reinforced knee with inside opening for knee pads. (Knee pads sold separately)
- Machine washable
- Black and Navy Blue Color Options
- Un-hemmed
- SKUs: 1121, 1120
- MSRP: $68.95
Now that we got the boring stuff out of the way, let’s talk about the pro’s and con’s of each one.
Elbeco Tek3
Pros:
- With the heavier material, it is very durable.
- Side Pockets are deep enough to hold my stethoscope and the small inside pocket can hold my PowerTac E9 Flashlight on the right side. The two hook/loop snaps (right side pocket) are great for holding my scissors and can be unsnapped easily when I need them, yet stay secured enough to stay in place while moving. Left side pocket is deep enough to hold a stethoscope. The inside pocket is great to secure my cellphone. The left side pocket also offers you a place to put either a small notepad or smaller protocol book. The pen pockets beside each cargo pocket holds my penlight with ease.
- The front pockets come down at an angle and then level off, so putting a knife there will work fine without fear of ripping the front pocket.
- The side knife pockets are big enough to hold a Ka-Bar Coypu Folder.
- Dual layer belt loops allow to attach radio strap if using Leather Strap.
- East to maneuver around due to the flex waistband.
- Water repellent holds up nicely.
Cons:
- Heavy Material that doesn’t really allow to breathe and is hot in the summer time. On the flip side, during the winter months, the holding in of temp is nice.
- Double Metal Hook Fasteners aren’t the best. I would prefer a snap or a button. The bottom metal hook fastener actually came off during a wash and I had to put it back on using pliers.
- These being un-hemmed, it can change where the crotch lands, especially if wear these at your natural waist line or below the stomach region.
- The belt loops, to me, are spaced too far apart. When I carry my cellphone case and my Leatherman Wave+ on the right side, and I go to use the facilities, the belt comes out of the front loop due to the uneven weight distribution to the right side.
- Non-rip stock material. Can cause tears to continue down if left unattended.
Tru-Spec 24/7 Series EMS
Pros:
- Durability with Rip stop capability
- Ability to place scissors on either leg is great option.
- Light-weight material makes it better to breathe during the summer months, but it is a bit cooler in the winter months.
- Small pockets inside cargo pockets can hold my cell phone or PowerTac E9 Flashlight.
Cons:
- Knife pocket is too small to fit my Ka-Bar Coyup Folder, but will fit my Ka-Bar Warthog or Spyderco Tenacious.
- Side Pocket is too small to secure my stethoscope. The ear buds hang out and could potentially loose one of the rubber ear pieces.
- Not really a pocket designed for pens to be placed on side pockets.
- Front pockets come down at an angle only, so putting a knife there could lead to ripping the front pocket due to the weak point.
- These being un-hemmed, it can change where the crotch lands, especially if wear these at your natural waist line or below the stomach region.
So, which pants do we feel are the best bang for the buck? We would recommend the Elbeco Tek3 just slightly over the Tru-Spec 24/7 Series EMS. We chose the Elbeco’s because of the extra pockets and the ability to hold a stethoscope comfortably. If you are not the type of person to carry a stethoscope, scissors, or any other extra gear, then we would suggest the Tru-Spec 24/7 Series EMS pants. We also chose the Elbeco’s due to the heavier material and the fact that they look more professional with the front and back permanent creases. I personally have worn Elbeco’s for over 7 years and recently tried out the Tru-Spec 24/7 Series EMS pants, just to see if I would like them. I found, for myself, that the lack of not being able to carry the same amount of gear is very concerning. I am in a Supervisor/Captain role currently, and I honestly do not have to carry as much on me as I once did on the ambulance, but nonetheless, I wanted to see if it could hold my normal “truck gear” load-out, and it was disappointing that the Tru-Spec couldn’t hold up to my challenge.
Again, this is just my opinion. If you like one pair of pants over the other, then roll with it. I just wanted to shed some light on each. Comment below which ones you wear.
As always, ya’ll be good and be safe!
