5.11 Tactical
| File:Logo-511 Tactical.svg | |
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Clothing |
| Founded | Modesto, California, U.S. (1992) |
| Founder | Dan Costa |
| Headquarters | |
Key people | Francisco Morales, CEO |
| Products | Uniforms, tactical clothing, tactical gear, knives |
| Revenue | US$300 million (2016) |
Number of employees | 550 (2017) |
| Parent | Compass Diversified Holdings |
| Website | www |
5.11 Tactical (pronounced "five eleven tactical") is a U.S.-based brand specializing in apparel and gear designed for outdoor activities, law enforcement, military personnel, and public safety professionals. The company’s headquarters is located in Irvine, California, and as of August 2023, it operates more than 100 retail outlets.
History
The origins of 5.11 trace back to Modesto, California, where rock climber Royal Robbins launched a line of rugged climbing pants in 1968 under Royal Robbins LLC. The brand name "5.11" is derived from the Yosemite Decimal System’s difficulty rating scale—a system co-developed by Robbins—signifying a challenging level of climbing.
In 1999, Dan Costa acquired a controlling interest in the company after noticing the brand’s increasing use at the FBI Academy in Quantico. By 2002, Costa had taken full ownership and separated the 5.11 label into 511 Inc. or 5.11 Tactical, dedicating efforts to tactical apparel development alongside the FBI and business partner Francisco Morales.
By 2006, the company earned the #211 spot on Inc. magazine’s ranking of fastest-expanding businesses in the United States. A year later, private equity firm TA Associates from Boston secured a majority share for $305 million.
Growth continued through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Seattle-based Beyond Clothing LLC in 2012, which broadened its product range. That same year marked a transition of development operations to Irvine while retaining some activities in Modesto.
The retail footprint started to grow in 2014 with trial stores launched in Riverside and Las Vegas, followed by multiple openings across various U.S. states and Australia over the subsequent two years.
In 2016, Compass Diversified Holdings acquired 5.11 Tactical for $401 million, strengthening its market position within tactical apparel and supporting further expansion through enhanced global operations and retail growth.
Retail stores
As of August 2023, 5.11 Tactical maintains over 100 retail locations spanning 34 U.S. states as well as international markets including Australia, Bahrain, China, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Portugal, and Taiwan. The brand’s flagship store debuted in Finland in August 2020. Expansion efforts continued throughout 2023 with several new sites planned.
In popular culture
Products from 5.11 Tactical have been prominently featured in various media productions, boosting brand recognition. For instance, actress Jennifer Garner and her co-stars wore 5.11 watches in the 2007 film The Kingdom. Additionally, a character in HBO's Barry (Season 2) utilizes a backpack from the brand.
The company also collaborates with leading video game developers to showcase its equipment within popular titles, reinforcing its influence in tactical apparel:
| Game Title | Gear | Developer |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands | TacTec Plate Carrier, RUSH backpacks, Apex™ pants | Ubisoft |
| Far Cry 5 | Sidewinder Flannel Shirt, Stryke™ Long Sleeve Shirt, H.R.T.® Titanium Watch, Station Grip Gloves, Sabre Jacket 2.0™, Cable Hiker Boot, Rapid Half Zip, Multicam® Flag Bearer Cap, All Hazards Nitro Backpack, Men’s Taclite® M-65 Jacket, Men’s Sierra Softshell | Ubisoft |
| Tom Clancy's The Division 2 | Apex™ Pant, AMP24™, RUSH12™, RUSH24™, RUSH72™ Backpacks, All Hazards Backpack, Stryke® Shirt, H.R.T.® Titanium Watch, Speed 3.0 Boot, Cable Hiker Boot, Flag Bearer Cap, TacLite® Plate Carrier, Station Grip Gloves | Ubisoft |
| Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint | Apex Pant, RUSH backpacks (12, 24, 72), AMP Bag, All Hazards Pack, Tac Tec Plate Carrier | Ubisoft |
| Escape From Tarkov | Tactical TacTec Plate Carrier, Tactical Hexgrid Plate Carrier | BattleState Games |
| Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile | Meridian Pant, TacTec® Plate Carrier, EVO 2.0 Boots, Flex-Tac® Shirts, Maverick Battle Belt, RUSH® 24 Backpack 37L, Field Watch 2.0, Station Grip Gloves, RAPID PL Flashlight, Scope Cap, Flex Pouches and EXO.K Gel Knee Pads | Activision |
References
- Apparel brands based in the United States
- Uniforms for the United States military
- Uniforms for law enforcement
- Apparel firms founded in 1992
- 1992 establishments in the state of California
- American enterprises founded in 1992
- American companies established in 1992
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment