First Lite and Sitka are definitely the top of the line name brand options. The Prios stuff definitely looks interesting, I've eyed it some for my wife too. I'd check Eddie Bauer clearance section and their big 50% off sales for a puffy if you're worried about budget.
$375 is a great deal for a Metcalf, it takes a lot of patience to find a better deal. If $550 was my budget when I bought my pack (Metcalf) I probably would've been getting a used Exo. Lots more access and pockets than the metcalf. The Exo K3 4800 is more volume with less weight than the Metcalf.
Catfish Custom Strings is worth a call too. He's a pretty active member on Archery Talk and people there seem to love his quality and service. Prices on his website seem to be cheaper than a lot of the big name brands as well.
I think typically current owner's shares go to $0 in a bankruptcy, excluding the Buffet's of the world with majority ownership's who can be in on negotiating the filing terms.
Yeah I believe from what i've read the Yukon is the quietest. I have the Chugach and it's definitely on the loud side for treestand hunting, but I'll make due.
check the clearance section for puffy's too. I really like their mountain pants for construction, but they added spandex this year and some reviews say they're really hot now so that might be a bust.
Check out the Kuiu Pro or Talus pants if you want knee pads. Your options are pretty limited for hip zip pants. Kuiu, Stone Glacier, and Eberlestock are about the only companies with hip zips. There's another company with some kind of inner thigh zip, but I don't think people cared for them overall.
The EB Guide Pro's are less warm, and less breathable than the attack pants. They're plenty durable though. I hardly wear my attack pants shed hunting or mushroom hunting any more because they get torn to shreds in the midwest multiflora rose and berry bushes. All of my EB and Walmart Wrangler...
It's the only pack I have now, so I use it on all my whitetail hunts, shed hunting, and whatever other hiking I might do. There are better day pack only bags out there, but if you're ever planning to expand into over night trips, or want to use the frame to haul a stand or meat out you won't...
The Kutana Storm Shell would be the best fit for stand hunting. It has a direct vent membrane unlike the other 3 models where you have to would need to remain active to force moisture through the membrane. I have the Chugach and will wear it stand hunting, and know others that use it stand...
These look pretty similar to the FL Sawbuck.. I thought about snagging a pair but decided to pass b/c the regular pants are tough enough the way it is.
I'm surprised this thread didn't get any attention. I just discovered these pants had hip vents today, so of course sought out the reviews of Rokslide. Maybe some folks have picked these up by now and will have some insight!
I have a bottle of Nikiwax wool wash but gringe every time I use it. If I'm washing a full load of both mine and my wife's merino I'll use it, but if just a couple items I'll usually just throw them in with a normal load of clothes with the cheap tide or whatever liquid detergent we have. I'm a...