Giena Tactics – Navigator Pants

Introduction

Readers of Pine Survey might be already familiar with Giena Tactics – an interesting Russian company based in Novosibirsk, which specialises in military and outdoor gear and apparel.

Thanks to some engaging conversations during IWA, I had the opportunity to already take a closer look at their Strider anorak and their Ranger pants. Following these articles, today’s review will be about the Giena Tactics Navigator pants. I simply had to get my hands on the Navigators, which feature a more slick design, after being so happy with the quality of the Ranger pants.

The Navigator pants by Giena Tactics

Overview

The Giena Tactics Navigator pants are designed as all-round outdoor and every-day pants. Featuring a straight and relaxed cut, they offer a comfortable design, with two front and two back pockets as well as sturdy belt loops.

Being available in 100% cotton canvas, PolyCo and/or stretch fabrics, the pants can be chosen according to the user’s preferences and areas of use.

Specs

• Canvas (100% Cotton) or PolyCo Ripstop (no mentions of the material mix)
• Canadian slotted buttons, ORM zippers
• Colours: Olive, Coyote, Tan, Black, Dark Blue, (several camouflage patterns depending on availability)

Features

As always let’s start to look at the pants from top and continue to work our way down:

The Navigator pants feature a waistband with a total of 8 belt loops. These are 5 to 5,5 cm wide and offer room for a variety of belts. The straps of the loops are 2cm wide and neatly attached with bartack stitches, so you can expect long lasting durability.

A look from the side, wide belt loops, side pocket, back pocket, waist adjustment

Another feature worth mentioning is the waist adjustment. Velcro straps can be found left and right to further tighten the pants and adjust the waist to the user’s needs. This works actually so well, you can use the pants without a belt.

Closer look at the velcro waist adjustment

Just like the Ranger pants, the fly of the Navigators is closed by a Canadian slotted button and a standard zipper by ORM. It runs smoothly and I did not have any troubles so far.

Canadian slotted button and ORM zipper for the fly

The side pockets are wide, deep and offer a reinforced area for your EDC knives. Looking at the opening, the straight vertical line and the angled cutout for knife clips immediately catch the eye. It not only looks very appealing from a designer’s point of view, but also has its advantages in terms of access, as will be mentioned further below.

Vertical opening of the side pocket with angled cut out for knife clips

Coming to the two backside pockets one will notice the specific angled cut and the single button closure. Users will find plenty of room for flat objects in the deep pockets.

Back pocket with single button closure

There is no reinforcement in the knee section. However, horizontal seams create an anatomical knee area, making the pants fall along the natural lines of the legs. The leg opening at the cuffs is wide and features no draw string. As a result the pants also fit bigger boots with no issue.

Size and Fit

Just like with the Ranger pants, I went for size 48-50, with the length for 182 height. I talked about the Russian sizing system already in the previous review. Just like with the Ranger pants, I have some excess material to the bottom of the pants with the Navigators. As a reference: Usually I wear Medium Regular pants, or Jeans size 33/32.

Again, the fit itself is just as comfortable and allows for plenty of movement without restrictions. As a result, these pants will fit people of most body forms.

No restrictions and ease of movement

The velcro straps at the waist provide further adjustment of the waist, so there is no reason to be afraid of getting pants which are too wide. As already mentioned, the system works very well and is comfortable, because of its flat design.

A total number of 8 belt loops helps to keep the pants in place and evenly distribute the force of the belt on your body. As a result you don’t have to worry about the pants exposing your behind, when kneeling down. Especially in this regard you can always identify quality pants.

Manufacture

The quality of manufacture is excellent, no doubt about that. All the seams are straight, and you have 4 stitches per cm, 9 per inch – so a very tight stitching as you would expect from a high quality product.

Stress points are reinforced with bartack stitching: The belt loops and the corners of the side and back pockets. Everything is neatly hemmed as well.

The choice of the Canadian slotted button at the front of the pants provides the user with the option to repair the pants, if necessary. Needless to say, it also gives them a neat look and easier use when wearing gloves.

Last but not least I can give you a better look at the canvas material itself, and how it changes after several washing cycles.

Side by side: left Ranger pants, right Navigator pants

As you can see on the side by side picture of the Ranger and Navigator pants, the material gets a bit lighter in general and also develops a stone washed look on the seams and stress points. With that being said, the Canvas material nicely holds up and keeps its colour.

In Use

So far I have used the pants in an urban, as well as outdoor setting and am more than pleased with them. As already mentioned in the review about the Ranger pants, the Canvas material is not as heavy weight as with comparable pants on the market. As a result, the pants are extremely comfortable to wear. They are perfect if you need pants which are not too heavy, but still offer protection against wear and the hostile aspects of nature like thorns, bushes etc.

Out and about with the Navigator pants

Plenty of room for movement is provided by the loose cut, without looking too baggy. The pockets are very deep and offer enough room for your EDC items. The angled corners on the side pocket work well with knife clips. Another result of this particular design is also an easy access to the pocket itself, because of the wider opening.

Easy access to the side pocket

The single button on the back pockets is something I would not need personally, but then again I am sure there are people out there, who find it practical. Just like the side pockets, the ones in the rear are nice and deep.

Deep back pockets

Breathability is excellent with the Canvas variants, given the fact that they are 100% cotton. There is even a certain, but minimal level of water repellency, because of the dense woven fabric.

Conclusion

Coming to an end I find myself in the same position as with the Ranger pants. If you are looking for a decent pair of pants, with a slick and uncomplicated design, but several useful features and strong manufacture, you should definitely take the Navigator pants into consideration.

Providing an inconspicuous look, they are more low profile than other aggressively marketed “covert” pants. Ease of movement, durability and quality of manufacture speak for themselves. Given the flexible Russian sizing system, users of all different heights and sizes will find their fitting pants.

With that being said, I want to thank you guys for reading, as always! Many thanks to Giena Tactics, who made this review possible and continue to surprise me with neat designs.

Take care!