Last month I blogged that I’d bought another pair of awesome SOD Para 1.2 pants, to compliment my Hybrid Coyote Sage ones which I’ve been wearing for some years now (and which I still love). The second pair are in Desertico CB62, especially for Hit Takers, and they fit as good as my original pair, except for one detail – the knee.
Looks like these 1.2s should really be 1.3s – because the construction of the knees has changed. Firstly, the thin end of the Cordura pocket is slimmer. This is actually a PITA for inserting the knee pad, unless you have lady hands. However, it does centre the knee pad better and I suppose that’s an improvement. The pad itself looks the same size and shape. Secondly, the darts at the top of the Cordura pocket are longer and there is an additional dart running up the centre of the thin end of the pocket. These refinements shape the pad better and stop the flat, ‘cricket pad’ look of the original pocket. So, on balance, an improvement.
Thirdly, the rear of the knee has also changed and there’s an extra seam up the back of the calf:
I also noticed that the toggle inside the trouser cuff is colour matched. It’s that sort of attention to detail which makes these trousers the very best tactical pants on the market.
The Reptile House 