Uniform brand preferences

AWebster

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What's everyone's uniform brand preference? We were told yesterday in class that we need to get BDU's/Tactical pants and shoes. I figured if I'm going to be buying this stuff, I might as well get some nice pants and shoes and use them when I get out of the class and get a job. What are y'alls thoughts on this?
 

DesertMedic66

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I'd be careful about spending any serious money on uniform items. You may find out you do not want to become an EMT or your company may require you to wear their brands that they buy.

My company supplies us with a uniform. I am ok with the shirt but for the pants I buy my own 5.11 brand. My boots were ~$300.
 

NysEms2117

ex-Parole officer/EMT
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I'd be careful about spending any serious money on uniform items. You may find out you do not want to become an EMT or your company may require you to wear their brands that they buy.

My company supplies us with a uniform. I am ok with the shirt but for the pants I buy my own 5.11 brand. My boots were ~$300.
I agree with Desert here, boots are a personal preference, just think about it.. your on your feet all day, depending where you live your going up a hill/mountain or whatever your geographical area's challenges are. 5.11 is known as being tacti-cool, but as far as I am concerned they make a decent product. Most companies I have seen are like the military in the respect that they have xyz standard anything within that is fair game (boot color, pants color ect), because you will find that slate black is slightly different then soul black or w/e the ridiculous colors are. I'd personally recommend getting some kind of toe protection, since they are very fragile :p
 

CALEMT

The Other Guy/ Paramaybe?
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Like my good pal DesertMedic66 said, the company we work for supplies our uniforms and gives us a boot voucher. However the pants are "optional" brand. They just need to be navy blue. I rock Workrite Nomex pants and FF111 station boots. Definitely not the cheapest stuff but most comfortable for me.

Also mimicking what Desert said be careful, some companies may want you to but specific brands. When I was a seasonal for Cal Fire it was Workrite shirts and pants. Nothing else, that was the only approved duty uniform, no other options. Boots on the other hand were flexible as they needed meet specific NFPA requirements.

I would advise you work a couple months at your company before you decide to buy different brands of uniform clothing.
 
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AWebster

AWebster

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I'd be careful about spending any serious money on uniform items. You may find out you do not want to become an EMT or your company may require you to wear their brands that they buy.

My company supplies us with a uniform. I am ok with the shirt but for the pants I buy my own 5.11 brand. My boots were ~$300.
Okay, thank you. I'll look into some cheap stuff until I figure out what my future company wants us to use.
 
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AWebster

AWebster

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I agree with Desert here, boots are a personal preference, just think about it.. your on your feet all day, depending where you live your going up a hill/mountain or whatever your geographical area's challenges are. 5.11 is known as being tacti-cool, but as far as I am concerned they make a decent product. Most companies I have seen are like the military in the respect that they have xyz standard anything within that is fair game (boot color, pants color ect), because you will find that slate black is slightly different then soul black or w/e the ridiculous colors are. I'd personally recommend getting some kind of toe protection, since they are very fragile :p

Thank you!
 
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AWebster

AWebster

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Like my good pal DesertMedic66 said, the company we work for supplies our uniforms and gives us a boot voucher. However the pants are "optional" brand. They just need to be navy blue. I rock Workrite Nomex pants and FF111 station boots. Definitely not the cheapest stuff but most comfortable for me.

Also mimicking what Desert said be careful, some companies may want you to but specific brands. When I was a seasonal for Cal Fire it was Workrite shirts and pants. Nothing else, that was the only approved duty uniform, no other options. Boots on the other hand were flexible as they needed meet specific NFPA requirements.

I would advise you work a couple months at your company before you decide to buy different brands of uniform clothing.
Would you suggest I get some cheap pants/boots for clinicals then?
 

CALEMT

The Other Guy/ Paramaybe?
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Would you suggest I get some cheap pants/boots for clinicals then?

You can get run of the mill pants for around $20. Go to Big 5 on a Sunday and they always run specials on boots. They won't be the highest quality, but they'll work until you're more established in this field.
 
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AWebster

AWebster

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You can get run of the mill pants for around $20. Go to Big 5 on a Sunday and they always run specials on boots. They won't be the highest quality, but they'll work until you're more established in this field.
Thank you for your advice, it's very helpful.
 

hometownmedic5

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For a student, the cheapest possible compliant option.

From there, it's a "it depends" game. Some pants have more pockets, great if you feel the need to carry half the truck in your pockets. Some are made of heavier/lighter material if you're prone to getting cold/hot. Some look better but are less comfortable(like the pants my company issues). Some are more comfortable but have a tendacy to make you look like you should be begging for quarters at the highway off ramp.

Ultimately, there are options, but you shouldn't be diving too deep into your pocket without a steady related income.
 

Mufasa556

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I love my 5.11 pants, but they run around $50 on Amazon. ****ies cargo pants and a pair of Big 5 boots should be fine.
 

Giant81

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I volunteer as an EMT so I don't wear them all the time. I got a pair of 5.11 pants, and a nice web belt from Duluth Trading and I keep them setup and on a chair next to my bed at home. If the pager goes off, I can hop up, toss them on, and out the door. I bought them just so I had a pair of pants dedicated to EMT runs so it wouldn't matter if I got blood, poo, vomit, etc.. all over them.

I found out they are the most comfortable pair of pants I've ever put on. I highly recommend the 5.11 EMS pant. I have two pairs now. One tac-lite I use in the summer, and one regular that are great in the winter. My only wish is that they had a 'wallet' sized pocket on the right side. but I keep my wallet in the right cargo pocket now.

As far as boots go, I absolutely beat the ever living **** out of a pair of Danner USMC combat boots and they held up like nothing I've ever owned. Worth every penny. They've been all over the world including Iraq. Only complaint, the glue for one of the soles came off after I EAS'd and I've tried everything, nothing will glue it back on (even took them to a professional cobbler, no go) Get a solid, comfortable pair of boots you can be comfortable in. Good boots will save your feet, your knees, your back, etc...
 

NomadicMedic

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I find all of the pockets and whatnot in EMS pants to be a PITA. I'd much rather wear a pair of ripstop BDUs or simple station uniform pants instead of the expensive, heavy 5.11 pants we have to wear. I dont wear anything on my belt, keep my radio on a strap and rarely have anything much in my pockets except a phone, knife and wallet.
 

TransportJockey

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I find all of the pockets and whatnot in EMS pants to be a PITA. I'd much rather wear a pair of ripstop BDUs or simple station uniform pants instead of the expensive, heavy 5.11 pants we have to wear. I dont wear anything on my belt, keep my radio on a strap and rarely have anything much in my pockets except a phone, knife and wallet.
That's cause you got spoiled by wearing an EMS onesie

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Handsome Robb

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That's cause you got spoiled by wearing an EMS onesie

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I wish we could wear a onesie at night.


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CALEMT

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Nomex BDU pants. Best thing evah.
 

hometownmedic5

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When I started working for a company hat required straigh legged(no cargo pocket) pants, it was a tough transition. You learn really quickly what you NEED and what you "need" to carry.
 

CALEMT

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I just like BDU pants to put my wallet in so I'm not sitting on it all the time.
 
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