Rothco is a Long Island-based military and tactical surplus brand that's been around since the 1950s. They make BDU pants, tactical vests, range gear, military-spec gloves, hi-vis kits, and the cargo shorts every contractor in the tri-state area seems to own at least three pairs of. They're not luxury, they're not technical-tactical-bro, they're affordable utility gear, and the price-to-durability ratio is one of the best in the shop.
What we keep on the shelf
BDU pants — Battle Dress Uniform, the classic 6-pocket cargo pant in cotton-poly ripstop or twill. Olive drab, black, khaki, multicam. Real cargo pockets that fit something useful (a tape measure, a notepad, a flashlight), reinforced seat and knee, drawstring leg openings. The BDU is the answer when somebody wants a real cargo pant, not a fashion cargo.
Cargo shorts — same construction in 9-inch or 10-inch inseam. The contractor's summer pant. We've sold the same guys the same shorts every June for years.
Tactical vests and chest rigs — molle webbing, range gear, plate carriers (without plates; we don't sell armor). Mostly hobbyists and the security crowd, but tradespeople who want a structured vest with real pockets buy them too.
Military-spec gloves — the GI mechanic's glove, the cold-weather D3A, the leather and Nomex pilot gloves. Cheaper than Mechanix and built closer to mil-spec.
Hi-vis Class 2 vests, safety glasses, range bags, duffles — the utility side of the line. We rotate stock based on what's moving.
Fit notes
BDU pants run roomy. They're sized to fit over a base layer, with bloused legs that sit over a boot. If you wear a 34 in a normal pant, a Rothco BDU 34 will feel a hair big — that's by design. The drawstring at the ankle pulls them in.
Cargo shorts run true to size in the waist, with the inseam labeled (9 or 10 inches typical). If you're between sizes, go up — they're not a stretch fabric and the waistband doesn't give.
Vests are sized S/M/L/XL with adjustable webbing. If in doubt, size up — easier to cinch a vest down than to stretch one.
Where it falls short
Rothco quality varies model-to-model. The BDU pants and cargo shorts are durable, the tactical vests are mostly fine, but some of the cheaper accessories (gloves, beanies, the budget hi-vis vests) are exactly what you'd expect at the price — entry-level, not lifetime gear. We keep the better-tier Rothco on the floor; the cheap stuff we leave to the surplus stores.
Sizing on military-cut gear runs roomy and that takes some customers by surprise. If you're new to BDUs, the first pair fits weirdly — you'll get used to it.
Branding is mostly absent (which a lot of customers prefer) but it also means the gear doesn't have the recognition factor that, say, a 5.11 piece would on a security crew. If your job has a brand pecking order, Rothco doesn't compete in that ranking.
Bottom line
Rothco is honest, cheap, durable utility gear. The BDU pants and cargo shorts are the floor regulars — every contractor in the borough has worn them at some point. Tactical vests, mil-spec gloves, hi-vis kits round out the line. Come in, we'll show you which Rothco models are worth your money and which we don't bother stocking.