Favorite pants

[Dougfir]

Hey all, what's your favorite kind of pants for hiking/hunting the backcountry. I'm thinking something that's tough, comfortable, does well when wet, light enough to be comfortable on a nice day, but also good for colder weather with long-johns... Something that is not made of cotton... comes in drab colors, or camo... isn't terribly expensive... maybe even quiet?

Thanks for any thoughts on the matter!

 

[Ian]

I've been using the Eddie Bauer first accent guide pro. I don't have much other experience besides Kuhl revolver which I also like, but the weight and flexibility of the guide pro I've been very happy with. I feel like they are pretty quiet, but not a bow hunter. I will probably try the kuhl Radikl next, anybody have comments on them.

 

[Cantharellus]

This year I've been wearing a pair of Fjallraven Keb Trousers which are super comfortable, durable, and awesome. They're also pretty expensive at $200. I've been meaning to get a pair of DuluthFlex Dry on the Fly Cargo pants to try out. They're only around $70 and I've never been disappointed by my Duluth stuff.

 

[Graves14]

Prana stretch zions or ems branded nylon pants

 

[elkyinzer]

I use light weight, unlined polyester pants. I have three different pairs I'll list in order of my favorites.

I use them down into the 20s when paired with merino long underwear of varying weights for active hunting. At home whitetail hunting I walk in with them then throw my wool pants on over top in the treestand. I just buy whatever is on sale on Camofire. All are quiet and good athletic cuts for mountain hunting.

Predator Adrenaline - Fit is perfect throughout and has all the same features of the Sitka Ascent. Fabric does feel a little cheaper than the other two, but actually dries faster than the Sitka's (did a test starting them soaked then wrung out).

Krptek Valhalla - Lightest of the three, most athletic cut. Fastest drying. Cut a little too wide at the ankle. Hip pockets are way too small so stuff falls out when I sit down.

Sitka Ascent - split at the crotch seam on their first trip, not what I would expect from the most expensive pair but was easily fixed. The fabric is the slowest drying of the three but still what I consider good.

The wind does cut right through these pants so I also always have my rain bottoms to wear for windy sits.

I also carry a pair of gym shorts if the weather is hot.

 

[chas]

Cabelas microtex.

 

[airlocksniffer]

I have the First Lite Kanab 1.0's in ASAT and 2 pairs of the Eddie Bauer Guide Pro pants in green and grey. Both great pants. I got the EB pants for $53 on sale. The guide pants are a little noisier than my Kanabs but I don't think enough to make much of a difference. They are super comfy and dry pretty quickly.

 

[Matt W.]

I have 3 that I really like. However, I'm a big fan of having pants with integrated knee pads, so it limits my options. The external knee pads are not as comfortable for me.

Sitka Mt Pants (earlier season high country pants)
Sitka Timberline pants (later season, since they are heavier duty, and they come in solid colors)

I also picked up a pair of the First Lite Corrugate Guide Pants this summer. GREAT, comfortable pant. If they had knee pads, they would probably be my favorite early season pants. Have not had them long enough to comment on durability, but love how they fit and the fact I can get them in a solid color. I prefer the Dry Earth over the Green.. The green is REALLY green.... These are much better pants than the Sitka Ascent, IMO. Fit is way better, at least on me. The pockets are well laid out... These will be my summer hiking / fishing / exploring pants.

None of these are the cheapest option, but if you watch Black Ovis or One Shot you can usually find a sale.....

Here is a review I did a while back. Since then Sitka offers the Timberline Pants in a 32T and they fit great!
http://www.rokslide.com/2012-01-09-05-09-42/clothing/289-pants

 

[NEhunter]

My favorites so far are the Sitka mountain and timberlines for a camo option and the prana stretch zion for solids.

 

[slick]

KuhlRenegades- come in a brown solid. Strechy & comfortable. Water repellent, warm with base layer.

Kuhl Kontra Air- DONT BUY.. Ripped the crotch out of two pairs this summer while backpacking. Dry fast, nice and airy (planned on using as an early season pant) but they lack the durability for even regular hiking.

Kuiu Guide- warm, soft, water repellent. Great late season pant with a baselayer. If moving a lot I don't use a baselayer.

Kuiu Chinook- wore during the summer. Breathable, and durable. Comfortable.

 

[Felix40]

Prana zions for me. I would rather buy 3 pairs of $60 pants than a single pair of $200 pants. Three people in my hunting group are all going to be wearing 3 different types of pants this year. We should get a pretty good idea of what is best for us.

 

[Kotaman]

Sitka Ascent for warm weather. Sitka Mountain Pants for most of my hunting and the Sitka Timberlines when it starts to cool off. For casual wear, I do like the Eddie Bauer pants though. Would love to see Sitka come with more solid color options in the Ascents and Mountain Pants.

 

[MattB]

Kuiu attack for cooler weather (below 75 degrees) and I really like the Tiburons for warm/hot weather.

 

[ChrisS]

This summer I picked a replacement pair of convertibles and tried the Kuhl Liberators. So far I'm pretty happy, but I already put a hole in a pocket somehow. I have a pair of EMS convertibles which are also nice, but they don't accept a belt (other than the built-in one, which sucks on the pair I have, they've since updated it). The EMS ones don't swish quite as much as the Kuhl's, but neither I would consider noisy. I do a lot of canoeing in the summer and like the convertibles for getting in and out of the water.

I've used attack pants from 60F to 5F before with a thicker baselayer. They've been great pants for the last couple of years.

 

[belly-deep]

My favorite pants are Cabelas Microtex. They get a little toasty on warm days though. More of November pant.

 

[bates]

One of my absolute favorite pairs of pants are an old pair of Khul Jeans doesn't look like they are still made though. in the last 4 years ive beat them up pretty good, the best hot weather pant I have owned. I'll see if I can find the replacement pant.

just started running some of the prana zion's which are heavier than my old kuhl's between the two I am pretty much covered.

also have kuiu attacks and alphine's but I think I might like the zions better

another super comfortable pant is the Arcteryx Bastion pant.

 

[marc]

I really like the Eddie Bauer Rainier for the money. This past weekend they had them for 40% off at the outlet then got an extra 15% for military discount. The shorts are great too.

 

[RockyMtnHigh]

Nothing but good things to say here about the Eddie Bauer Guide pants. Dry really fast, breathe well, are comfortable, and have held up good for me so far. They have a DWR finish which is nice, and so is the price. EB has sales pretty often when you can get them for less than $60.

 

[ofl0926]

So far my fav pants have been the first lite kanab 1.0. Did great in SD. Super comfy and love the suspenders

 

[JWP58]

I like my Eddie Bauer guide pants (except for the hipster fit), but they aren't Kuiu Attack pants. Love the Kuiu's. I also like Sitka Ascent pants. Everything has pluses and minuses.