What 5.11 does

5.11 Tactical, Inc. (legal entity 5.11, Inc.) is a US-based designer and marketer of tactical apparel, footwear, bags, and accessories headquartered in Irvine, California. Founded in 2003, the company serves law enforcement officers, military and tactical operators, first responders (EMS, firefighters), industrial and blue-collar workers, and outdoor enthusiasts, with primary revenue derived from direct product sales of duty boots, tactical pants, uniforms, plate carriers, and backpacks. The product platform is anchored by several proprietary technologies: A.T.L.A.S. (All Terrain Load Assistance System) for load-bearing support during long shifts; Tac Dry waterproof/BBP-resistant membranes; Carbon-Tac safety toes (~20% thinner and 30% lighter than standard composite toes, ASTM F2413 certified); Force Foam and Echo Foam PU cushioning; Shock Mitigation System; Speed Cupsole platforms; and Heat Deflect insole layers. These are integrated with third-party premium components from YKK, OrthoLite, Vibram, GORE-TEX, D3O, and Agion. The brand portfolio spans the core 5.11 Tactical line and sub-brands including Beyond Clothing, V.XI Collection, Stryke, RUSH Series, ATAC, A/T Series, Skyweight, Allhaula, Fast-Tac, and 5.11 Scrubs.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer model with three primary channels: an e-commerce storefront at 511tactical.com (with free ground shipping over $99), company-owned physical retail stores across the US with same-day pickup, and country-specific storefronts in Sweden, Australia, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Pricing is unit-based across a tiered footwear range from ~$54 entry-level to ~$235 premium duty boots, with apparel and accessories spanning $10–$200+. Revenue is generated through one-time consumer purchases plus professional/uniform sales to law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and similar institutional buyers. Marketing is multi-channel, leveraging the owned website, email, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and lifestyle collaborations such as the 5.11 x Motocross and 5.11 x Supercross partnerships. The company is privately held (legal name 5.11, Inc.) with no disclosed parent, no public listing, and no recorded funding rounds in the available data. Headcount is reported at 1,001–5,000 employees.

Customer segmentation is horizontal across four primary personas (Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military/Tactical, Industrial/Blue-Collar) and one secondary persona (Outdoor Enthusiasts). Compliance and certification positioning includes ASTM F2413 safety toe certification and BBP-resistant membrane technology. There is no evidence of API/SDK offerings, mobile applications, AI/ML products, or proprietary data platforms — the business is a physical goods manufacturer/retailer rather than a technology vendor.

Name

5.11

Legal name

5.11, Inc.

Website

https://511tactical.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

5.11 Tactical designs and sells tactical apparel, footwear, and gear — including proprietary boot technologies like A.T.L.A.S. and Carbon-Tac — primarily to law enforcement, military, first responders, and industrial workers via DTC e-commerce, owned retail stores, and international storefronts in five countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tactical Apparel and Footwear

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Footwear Manufacturing (3162)

SIC

Men's & Boys' Furnishgs, Work Clothg, & Allied Garments (2320), Footwear, (No Rubber) (3140)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniforms (CRAAALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports, Outdoor & Adventure Packs Manufacturing (Backpacks/Duffels) (IMAOAHAE), Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail (CRAMAAAI)

Keywords

• Tactical apparel
• Performance footwear
• Law enforcement gear
• Military uniforms
• Duty boots

Headquarters

HQ city

Irvine

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: 5.11 Tactical generates revenue through direct-to-consumer sales of performance apparel, footwear, and tactical gear via e-commerce and retail stores. Products include pants, shirts, outerwear, boots, bags, and accessories targeting law enforcement, military, first responders, and outdoor enthusiasts.
2. Professional/Uniform Sales: Sales to law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and other professional organizations for uniform and duty gear requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

5.11 Tactical designs, manufactures, and sells purpose-built technical apparel, footwear, and gear tailored for law enforcement, military, first responders, and outdoor enthusiasts. The company's product portfolio centers on tactical boots, duty uniforms, pants, outerwear, and backpacks, integrating proprietary comfort and protection technologies such as A.T.L.A.S., Tac Dry, Carbon-Tac, and Force Foam. Products are sold direct-to-consumer through the company's e-commerce website, company-owned retail stores, and international storefronts.

Product overview

5.11 Tactical is a tactical apparel and gear company offering a comprehensive portfolio of performance products centered around duty boots, tactical pants, uniforms, and outdoor gear. The core product line includes the iconic Stryke Pants, A/T Series footwear with A.T.L.A.S. technology, and professional uniforms (Stryke, Fast-Tac, V.XI collections). The company operates as a single unified product platform with multiple sub-brands and product lines spanning men's and women's apparel, bags and backpacks (RUSH, Skyweight, Allhaula collections), tactical footwear (ATAC 2.0, Speed, EVO, Company series), accessories, and professional/industrial work wear including scrubs. The product architecture follows a tactical-first design philosophy with emphasis on durability, functionality, and performance for law enforcement, first responders, military, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Beyond Clothing: Outdoor and performance apparel brand
• V.XI Collection
• 5.11 Stryke
• RUSH Series
• ATAC
• A/T Series
• 5.11 Scrubs

Products and services

• 5.11 Stryke Pants Iconic tactical pants known for dependable durability and unrestricted movement, featuring multiple pockets and flexible fabric construction; targeted at law enforcement, tactical operators, and outdoor users.
• 5.11 A/T Series Footwear Performance boot series featuring All Terrain Load Assistance System (A.T.L.A.S.) technology designed to support professionals carrying heavy loads during extended shifts.
• 5.11 ATAC 2.0 Collection Tactical boot collection featuring YKK side zippers, polishable toes, and Shock Mitigation System, designed for law enforcement and first responders.
• 5.11 Speed Boot Series Entry-level to mid-range tactical boots featuring Force Foam cushioning, Ortholite insoles, Speed Cupsole platform, and oil/slip-resistant outsoles for work and range use.
• 5.11 EVO Boot Series Performance tactical boots featuring D3O Decell heel cushion technology, Ortholite insoles, and Shock Mitigation System, designed for speed, stamina, and traction.
• 5.11 Company Boot Series Work boots featuring Force Foam cushioning, high-traction outsoles with climbing lug, and nylon collars for easy on/off; targeted at firehouse and industrial use.
• 5.11 RUSH Series Backpacks Tactical backpacks, slings, and bags designed for durability and organization in tactical and outdoor environments.
• 5.11 Skyweight Collection Lightweight tactical bags and packs designed for outdoor and tactical use.
• 5.11 Allhaula Collection Backpacks, luggage, and sling packs designed for tactical and outdoor adventures.
• 5.11 Stryke Uniforms Professional uniform line designed for law enforcement and first responders with durability and functionality features.
• 5.11 V.XI Collection Military-grade clothing collection designed for tactical operations.
• 5.11 Fast-Tac Uniforms First responder uniforms featuring lightweight, breathable fabric with moisture-wicking properties.
• 5.11 Scrubs Medical scrubs designed for healthcare professionals with performance and durability features.
• 5.11 A/T Mid Waterproof Boot Waterproof work boot featuring Tac Dry waterproof membrane with blood-borne pathogen resistance, A.T.L.A.S. support technology, Ortholite footbed, and Echo Foam/Force Foam cushioning.
• 5.11 A/T 6 Side Zip Boot Performance boot with A.T.L.A.S. support plate, water-resistant leather upper, YKK side zipper, and polishable toe.
• 5.11 A/T 8 Side Zip Boot 8-inch performance boot with A.T.L.A.S. technology, Echo Foam and Force Foam cushioning, and high-traction outsole.
• Speed 4.0 8 ARID Boot Tactical boot with suede and nylon upper, Heat Deflect insole layer, ASTM slip-resistant outsole, and YKK side zipper.
• Company 3.0 CST Boot Lightweight work boot with Carbon-Tac safety toe, puncture-resistant Wellmax board, and Ortholite footbed.
• ATAC 2.0 6 CST Boot Tactical boot with Carbon-Tac safety toe, dual-density Ortholite cushioning, YKK side zipper, and Achilles flex zone.
• EVO 8 Desert Side Zip Boot Desert tactical boot with nubuck, suede, and leather construction, D3O Decell heel cushion, Ortholite insole, and oil/slip-resistant outsole.
• Speed 3.0 5 Boot Entry-level tactical boot with Speed Cupsole platform, Agion odor-control lining, Ortholite insole, oil and slip-resistant tread, and 14mm heel-to-toe drop.

Quantifiable outcome

• Carbon-Tac safety toe is approximately 20% thinner and 30% lighter than standard composite toe caps while providing equivalent protection
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• YKKcoreTechnology or IntegrationYKK provides side zippers for 5.11 Tactical boots, including full-length side zippers for easy on/off access. YKK zippers are featured across multiple boot lines including A/T series, Speed series, and EVO boots.
• OrthoLitecoreTechnology or IntegrationOrthoLite provides sockliners and insoles for 5.11 Tactical footwear, offering all-day comfort and odor control. OrthoLite technology is featured in boots across all product lines including Speed, A/T, ATAC, and EVO series.
• VibramcoreTechnology or IntegrationVibram provides high-performance outsoles for 5.11 Tactical duty boots, offering superior slip resistance and durability. Vibram outsoles are featured on waterproof and duty boot categories.
• GORE-TEXcoreTechnology or IntegrationGORE-TEX membrane technology used in premium waterproof boots for breathable, waterproof protection. Featured in A/T Elite GTX boot line.

Scale indicators2 records

Direct peers

• Bates Footwear: Long-standing uniform and duty footwear brand owned by Wolverine Worldwide, serving military, law enforcement, and industrial users. Direct competitor in the duty boot segment with comparable ASTM-certified safety features and uniform-program distribution.
• Vertx: Low-profile tactical apparel and bag brand targeting law enforcement, concealed-carry, and government users. Comparable in mission-specific tactical clothing and pack offerings aimed at the same professional end-customer as 5.11.
• Danner: Heritage U.S. bootmaker producing work, hunting, military, and tactical boots. Closely comparable in duty/tactical footwear, premium pricing, leather construction, and Vibram outsole partnerships; serves overlapping LE/military and outdoor customers.
• Propper International: Long-established U.S. manufacturer of military and law-enforcement uniforms, tactical apparel, and gear. Closely comparable in target customer (LE/military), product mix (uniforms, duty apparel), and distribution through government and direct channels.
• First Tactical: Tactical apparel and duty gear brand serving law enforcement and first responders with pants, shirts, jackets, and packs. Direct overlap with 5.11's core uniform and tactical-gear portfolio and similar public-safety customer base.
• Blackhawk Products Group: Tactical gear manufacturer specializing in holsters, plate carriers, packs, and duty gear for military, law enforcement, and outdoor users. Comparable as a tactical-equipment peer across bags, body armor, and accessories.

Broad incumbents

• Salomon: Outdoor footwear and apparel brand with strong hiking, trail-running, and tactical-adjacent product lines. Comparable as an outdoor/hiking footwear peer and as a competitor for the outdoor enthusiast customer segment.
• Under Armour: Global athletic and performance apparel incumbent with a tactical/military product line. Comparable at the broad performance-apparel and footwear level, though tactical is only a sub-segment of its overall portfolio.
• Nike: Largest global athletic footwear and apparel brand; competes with 5.11 in performance footwear technology (cushioning, athletic platforms) and increasingly in tactical/lifestyle crossovers. Far broader portfolio but overlaps in consumer athletic footwear.

Emerging players

• Oakley: Performance eyewear and apparel brand with deep military/LE heritage and expanding soft-goods offering. Comparable at the brand-credibility and tactical-marketing level with overlapping law-enforcement and military customer affinity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/511Tactical
• Facebookfacebook.com/511Tactical
• Instagraminstagram.com/5.11
• TikToktiktok.com/@511tactical
• Xx.com/511Tactical
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/5.11-tactical

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 5.11