P-Cubed apparel is the best thing happening when it comes to thwarting unwanted attempts to get in your britches.
P-Cubed pants are the brainchild of Adam Rapp, the owner/designer of Clothing Arts, whom I was lucky enough to meet at OR. Adam has developed “pick pocket proof pants’ (hence P-cubed). They aren't by any means your standard fare when it comes to tactical pants, which is precisely why they maybe the perfect low profile tactical pant. Although the wear of Vertx, 5.11, Propper, et al has been spreading rapidly into the civilian market, they're still pretty much a target identifier that says Hey look at me, I'm probably carrying a gun - not necessarily a bad thing, I have some very comfortable tactical pants, but not everyone wants to project that look. These have a less "gun-totin'" look, are innovative and rugged and for those of you who travel completely do away with the need for a money belt.
I have only had to wear a money belt a couple of times and I hated it. My more 'worldly' travel-a-lot friends assure me they feel the same way. In any case, P-Cubed pants already have a broad appeal to hikers, backpackers and other travelers but I can definitely see them taking their place in ‘tactical couture’ for military and LEOs and CCW carriers as well (and definitely for guys who are stationed in areas where US serviceman are prone to losing wallets and such while they're off base - Incirlik, Pyeongtaek, etc.)
The short back story is that Adam just barely escaped losing his wallet and passport to a crew of pickpockets while hiking in China. Afterward he went through every pair of ‘outdoor’ pants he had, then started checking the brands and styles he didn’t have, and came to the conclusion that no one was making ‘security’ pants and shorts to protect travelers.
So he did it himself. (Pants in picture are at the Great Wall of China.)
%embed3%
The pants have pockets that are double secured, front and rear storage pockets with integral cut resistance, a hidden security pocket for passport and money, another pocket for your smart phone, hidden zipper closures—the cargo pockets even have hidden snap closures plus cut resistance. This guy definitely thought it through, though I can tell you with certainty I will have problem remembering where I stashed everything. Hell I already have that problem with modular pockets on my gear and all the little pockets in my EDC pack.
The fabric is tough and water resistant thanks to a teflon coating (I'll let you know how tough and water resistant once I have a pair to wear). They’re available in both a ‘Business Traveler’ and ‘Adventure Traveler’ look. They have a female version and shorts as well.
Whether you’re hiking to see the Bell Towers of Xian (as Adam was) or catching the train out of DC (looking at you Mark the Ninja), these britches might just be what you need. My initial impressions are all very favorable. This seems like a great product. I’ll let you know how they hold up, stretch and perform on the range in a future installment. I may put them through a SWAT School on one of the youngsters as well.
Note: if you wear low profile pants but insist on a pair of desert boots, you're doing it wrong.
Hopefully we’ll have some word from Adam by then that he’s working on a ‘Concealed Carry Traveler’ version suitable for a small semi-auto and a spare mag.
Shorts below are at the Mayan Ruin of Calakmul, Mexico
%embed2%
%embed1%
On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ClothingArts
From the website:
Inspired by the Bell Tower of Xian - where pick pockets and pedestrians converge in overcrowded underground walkways. P^cubed is the result of years of travel experience and a near miss with a pickpocket beneath the tower in late 2007. Pick-pocketing is a major problem in this city and signs reading "Beware of Pick Pockets" are all around - but you never think its going to happen to you! We were attacked by a team from behind and luckily noticed something was happening just in time to see them disappear in the crowded mass behind us.Personally, we hate carrying money-belts - they are uncomfortable, unwieldy and inefficient but a necessity for a traveler - until now. P^cubed - Pick-Pocket Proof Pants allow you to select your level of security based on your surroundings. Perhaps you're not worried about a pick pocket walking in the supermarket at home but when you're about to enter the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul or infamous Chunking Mansions in Hong Kong, you'll never again think about travel security the same way with a double or triple secured pocket!
As travelers, we know that everyone has a unique travel style. So we've modeled our innovative P^cubed family after your own! Each traveler has an individual destination and unique way of getting there - we offer two types of fabric in travel friendly colors geared toward the Casual - Business Traveler and the Adventure Traveler.
Take a second to secure your pocket and enjoy the freedom, the comfort and the function built into every pair of P^cubed - Pick-Pocket Proof Pants!
