At 30 degrees Celsius, I felt comfortable; the pants are very comfortable, have a lot of surprisingly roomy pockets, and seem exceptionally sturdy. Additionally, they look aesthetically pleasing and are not too flashy.
Helikon OTP VersaStretch Lite Pants - Black
Outdoor Tactical Pants - a revised edition of the renowned UTP (Urban Tactical Pants) model. Unlike the UTP, the OTP version is crafted from a 4-Way Elastic fabric, known for its exceptional stretchability in every direction, rapid drying, shape retention, and lightweight, breathable qualities. The incorporation of Teflon enhances the fabric's resistance to stains and grime. With an abundance of pockets and their strategic arrangement, these pants are ideal for urban environments and excel in outdoor adventures.
The Lite variant is constructed from a thinner, more breathable material with a lower weight, making it particularly suitable for warmer weather.
Above-average freedom of movement and durability
The innovative fit, strategic seams, and fabric choice of the pants provide exceptional freedom of movement and durability. They strike a perfect balance between military and civilian wear, offering a discreet style with the functionality of combat pants.
10 spacious pockets
The pants feature ten pockets:
- Two traditional mesh pockets at hip level with reinforced edges
- Four on the thighs (two spacious mesh pockets with zippers and two narrow ones secured with Velcro)
- Four at the back (two large mesh pockets and two narrow ones inside the larger pockets)
Easy fit of the pants to the figure
The pants utilize a wide Velcro fastener instead of a button, allowing for 6 cm of adjustment. An elastic band is integrated into the waistband to enhance the fit to various body types. The two front belt loops are equipped with extra loops at the bottom for attaching a carabiner, for instance.
Main features
- Elastic technology with a 4-way stretch
- Coated with Teflon
- Offers high resistance against abrasion and tears
- Lightweight material that dries quickly
- Delivers above-average range of movement
- Equipped with ten pockets
- Features a wide Velcro fastener for waist adjustment
- Includes sewn-in elastic tape for improved fit
- Two loops are integrated into the belt loops
MILITARY is the official distributor of Helikon-Tex.
Helikon-Tex is a Polish company operating since 1983, specializing in the design and manufacture of tactical, military and outdoor clothing. The brand’s range comprises clothing, backpacks, bags and various tactical accessories that have gained popularity among professionals and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Its product lines include Bushcraft – for survival enthusiasts, Law Enforcement – designed for uniformed services, and Range – aimed at shooters. The company employs modern camouflage patterns, including MultiCam, ATACS and PenCott, ensuring effective concealment in diverse terrain conditions.
| Clothing style | Tactical |
|---|---|
| Color/camouflage | Black |
| Material type | Synthetic |
| Material texture | Uniform (smooth) |
| Material flexibility | Extensible |
| Pockets for knee pads | No |
| Belt loops | Yes |
| Pocket clasp | Velcro + zipper + open |
| Weight | 331 g |
| Membrane | No |
| Waterproof | No |
| Cut | Loose |
| Additional material | 7% elastane |
| Main material | 93% nylon |
| Number of pockets | 10 |
| Main color | Black |
| Gender | Men's |
| Zipper | Zipper |
| Manufacturer code | SP-OTP-VL-01 |
| Brand | Helikon |
| EAN |
Reviews with photos
Review summary
Number of reviews: 35
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These are the best pants I have ever worn: they are lightweight, flexible, fit perfectly, and do not restrict movement. The cut has been well thought out, and items in the pockets fit very comfortably. This is already another pair of these pants in my wardrobe.
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The pants are exceptionally comfortable, I ordered them for my ancestor, who is very pleased with them. He wanted to buy all the green variants as well, but the short M size is no longer available.
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The pants are very light and thin. Personally, that doesn't suit me, but I'm not taking away points because they might be perfect for someone else for summer. Due to the delicate material, they don't fit as well and don't allow for knee pads, which I needed, so I returned the product. Such information should be included in the description of both the Lite and the regular versions.
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Another pair of pants from this series in a different cut. This time, they are made of exceptionally thin, stretchy material, which increases comfort. However, despite choosing the same size (M-Short at 178 cm and about 82 kg, no belly), I feel that the bottom of the legs is narrower than in previous models, which may be due to a different type of material.
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This is my next pair of pants from this series (UTP), size M short at 178 cm and 80 kg, no belly. They are very light, made of thin, stretchy material, perfect for hot days. However, because of the material used, the bottom of the legs feels narrower than in the same pants made from thicker fabric. I don't like baggy cuts, but because of the narrowing of the legs, my thighs look wider, so overall the appearance is a bit worse than the previous version with the same cut and size.
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This is already my next pair, this time in a larger size, as I mentioned earlier – definitely worth spending money on these pants. Especially for summer work in uniform – they are breathable, comfortable, and don't rustle when walking. I also have the first OTP model without the 'lite' label, which does rustle a bit, but this model doesn't.
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In my opinion, very light and comfortable pants. I don't understand why people say they rustle – for me, they feel like a second skin. I think they might be confusing them with the classic OTP, which are actually thicker and rustle more. Breathable, perfect for summer, and that's exactly why I bought them. It's good to choose the right size – I had to exchange mine and now they're great. I recommend them while they're still available in the full size range, because later at Helikon you have to wait a long time for restock – they're very popular not only in Poland!
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The pants are very comfortable and lightweight. They are perfect for hot days and have practical pockets. I have the short version, and now also the long one.
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Very lightweight and breathable pants. The material is thin but durable. Best from May to September. For my measurements (188 cm / 105 kg) size 3XL fits best. The pants do not make noise while walking. I recommend them!
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Very nice shorts – they are lightweight, flexible, provide warmth and are breathable. Great for summer and transitional periods. Unfortunately, they are quite loud, which makes them unsuitable for military, survival, or bushcraft applications. If Helikon improves the rustling aspect and introduces more colors, I will definitely consider buying them again.
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Krzysztof described these pants very well in his review. For now, I'm waiting for warmer days to be able to wear them. To sum up – classic OTP, just made from a thinner material. Helikon knows what they're doing, I recommend it.
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Just like their “older (thicker) brother,” they are extremely comfortable, very functional, and made of excellent material (which I managed to clean even after tough tar stains). Perfect for warm days.
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OTP pants made from VersaStretch Lite material are indeed thinner than those made from VersaStretch. Sewn very solidly. I only wonder how long the pockets made of nylon mesh will last. I used them in temperatures from 16 to 29 degrees Celsius. They work great both when walking and driving, even when the cargo pockets are full—thanks to their placement. The material is soft and almost unnoticeable on the body. The slight rustle when walking is, in my opinion, an individual matter—it doesn't bother me. The color is very universal. Stains, e.g. from toothpaste, are easy to clean with a damp cloth. They don’t absorb moisture, and if they get wet, they dry very quickly.
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The pants are very thin, so they dry quickly and are perfect for summer. The pockets are positioned quite well, but in my opinion, they lack an important feature – the ability to adjust the width of the legs, which significantly limits their practicality.
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