You all are overlooking what these pants will provide. As someone who has been there, I can tell you that the normal trousers don't hold up well to daily use in an urban or rural environment. These guys spend a lot of time going to a knee and shuffling around in rough terrain. I have seen a brand new pair of trousers worn out in one day from the abuse they take. A new pair of trousers costs around $45 the last time I looked. If they last a week under normal daily wear in country, that's good. But these new trousers look like they might outlast the current stuff. If they do, then the cost savings will be better than what is currently issued.

Bill

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US Marine, 16 years+