US astronauts have been spotted wearing tactical cargo pants that appear to be manufactured in Bangladesh, according to information gathered from industry sources and product retailers. The pants in question are the 5.11 Tactical Stryke cargo pants, style #74369, which are available from a US-based supplier, Grainger. The retailer lists Bangladesh as the country of origin for these pants on its website.

While 5.11 Inc., the brand behind the Stryke pants, has not publicly confirmed the specific manufacturing location of the astronauts’ pants, officials at Ananta Garments—a Bangladeshi factory involved in producing 5.11 Tactical products—stated that the Stryke pants are manufactured in both Bangladesh and Vietnam. The factory representatives clarified that the Vietnamese production is focused solely on women’s versions of the pants, whereas Bangladesh produces the men’s styles. On this basis, they suggested that the pants worn by the astronauts were likely made at their facility.

The retail price of the Stryke pants, as indicated on 5.11 Tactical’s website, is approximately $95 per pair. However, the Bangladeshi factory declined to disclose the export price of the garment. An inquiry sent to 5.11’s corporate office seeking confirmation had not received a response at the time of reporting.

This development follows recent attention drawn to a navy-blue coat worn by then-US President Donald Trump, which another factory under the Ananta Group in Bangladesh also claimed to have produced. The incidents highlight Bangladesh’s expanding role in the global apparel industry beyond its traditional reputation for low-cost, basic garments.

Industry insiders note a shift in Bangladesh’s garment sector toward producing more medium- and high-value clothing for major international brands. Shovon Islam, managing director of Sparrow Group—a leading Bangladeshi garment exporter with annual shipments exceeding $300 million—said the share of mid- and high-end products in the country's total exports has grown from around 10% five years ago to approximately 20% today. Islam noted that some factories now export suits and party dresses retailing for $300 or more per item. He further observed that some buyers who once ordered primarily basic garments are now decreasing those orders in favor of higher-end products.

This trend underscores Bangladesh’s evolving position as a significant supplier of a broad range of apparel products for the global market.