Find me a pair of pants better than the Kuiu Katanas

Ice_man

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Feb 8, 2022
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I've been running the Kuiu katanas for years now. Has to be over 5 by now. I have absolutely loved them. I have 3-4 pairs. But the tinkerer in me never seems to rest. I've always found the kutanas to be a perfect blend of durability, breathability and fit for me. They also hold up exceptionally well. I seem to wear them year round and on just about any hunt except cold snow hunts when I break out the attack pants. I can't seem to recommend them enough. I have ordered SG de haviland lites this past summer and couldn't get over how poor the fit was on me. Sent those back. I use to run Kings XKG pants before the katanas and loved those, but the durability was lacking.

So the question is....what is your go to pants? What I liked about the kutanas is they were light enough to wear all spring, summer, and most the fall with no complaints. Is there an a pant you recommend that I need to try? Also, if they don't have hip vents, don't bother recommending them. I don't think I would consider ever buying another pair of pants without the vents. Game changing.
 
Love the Kutanas, worn them for 4+ years as my go-to / most trusted. Attacks are there for when it gets colder. For record though, KUIU does bother me with their inconsistent sizing. If they're pants weren't as good as they are, I'd dump them entirely.

When SG introduced the tall and in-between sizes, I was able to fit the DH Lites - I like them, but got them tailored to slim up the leg opening which took out some of the lower leg bulk. But, they're not my go-to / most trusted by any means. They're a hectic pant.

The only other pants I'd run / recommend and whole-heartedly endorse are the Fjallraven Keb Agiles or Kebs. The fit is excellent (for me at least) - durability is best I've seen (more durable than Kutanas). And, they wear extremely well in the backcountry.

The only caveat with the Keb Agiles and Kebs - I would never run a gaiter with them. So depending on where you hunt, location, terrain, etc. they are a more straight forward option. I wore them archery season Elk in CO last year - loved my decision.
 
I tried the kutanas and they just don't fit right. If you have a small waist and thick thighs they are almost impossible to get on in my normal sizes. I have an unworn pair in a 30 waist if anybody wants them. I've really taken a liking to the sitka intercept pants
Weird, I have about a 29" waist and thicker thighs. Kuiu Attack, FL Trace and some others don't fit but the Katanas and FL Corrugate Guide pants do.
 
Gear ho here that will jump on the newest thing without one shred of loyalty and yet I now have 6 pairs of Kutanas and they are all I wear for just about anything, going on 6 years now. They are as close to perfect as I've found, from -15* to 100* I layer under as needed and they just keep trucking and all of them still look brand new. I hunt in them every weekend of the year almost, and more days than not from September through February.
 
I've really come to like the Kryptek Alaios. The material has stretch and holds up well to busting brush from what I've experienced. The also have mesh backed hip vents which I prefer as it keeps crap from getting inside the pant while off trail. Temp wise I have no issues using them all season, just start layering under when it gets cold enough.

I'm also interested in the new Outdoor Vitals, however we are still a few months away from seeing them.
 
Yeah it's odd that different pants of the same brand can fit different. I wouldn't wear them hunting but those lightweight born primitive pants fit better than any other pant I've worn. I do wear them working construction. They rip pretty easy.
I'm still new on here and cannot post to the classifieds but again I have a brand new unworn pair of kutanas in a 30 waist if anybody wants them
Why wouldn't you wear them hunting?
 
Love Kutanas, I just wish the cut/fit was more consistent. I’ve had 2 pairs, same size, different colors, and they fit totally different. I wish I didn’t have to go bigger in the waist to fit my legs.
But for lightweight & beyond durable I haven’t found better.
 
I love the Katanas as well but I'm interested in the new Outdoor Vitals pants coming out soon. From what I understand they're going to compete at a lower price point.

As long as they're not cut like skinny jeans.
Interesting. I'll have to keep my eye out for those
 
I've really come to like the Kryptek Alaios. The material has stretch and holds up well to busting brush from what I've experienced. The also have mesh backed hip vents which I prefer as it keeps crap from getting inside the pant while off trail. Temp wise I have no issues using them all season, just start layering under when it gets cold enough.

I'm also interested in the new Outdoor Vitals, however we are still a few months away from seeing them.
I'll look into these! I haven't looked into Kryptek in awhile. Almost forgot they kind of exist.
 
Love the Kutanas, worn them for 4+ years as my go-to / most trusted. Attacks are there for when it gets colder. For record though, KUIU does bother me with their inconsistent sizing. If they're pants weren't as good as they are, I'd dump them entirely.

When SG introduced the tall and in-between sizes, I was able to fit the DH Lites - I like them, but got them tailored to slim up the leg opening which took out some of the lower leg bulk. But, they're not my go-to / most trusted by any means. They're a hectic pant.

The only other pants I'd run / recommend and whole-heartedly endorse are the Fjallraven Keb Agiles or Kebs. The fit is excellent (for me at least) - durability is best I've seen (more durable than Kutanas). And, they wear extremely well in the backcountry.

The only caveat with the Keb Agiles and Kebs - I would never run a gaiter with them. So depending on where you hunt, location, terrain, etc. they are a more straight forward option. I wore them archery season Elk in CO last year - loved my decision.
Same problem I had with the SG's. Put them on and I thought I had bell bottom flare jeans on around my ankle. The Fjallraven Keb Agiles are on my shortlist. I'm curious to try out the new GoHunt pants as well that have the same look and feel (or it seems). I know those guys like that pant.
 
Gear ho here that will jump on the newest thing without one shred of loyalty and yet I now have 6 pairs of Kutanas and they are all I wear for just about anything, going on 6 years now. They are as close to perfect as I've found, from -15* to 100* I layer under as needed and they just keep trucking and all of them still look brand new. I hunt in them every weekend of the year almost, and more days than not from September through February.
My exact experience as well.
 
Shameless Kuiu investor here, I've beat the shit out of quite a few different things of theirs over the last 10 years and continue to buy their products. If there's a better option like the OV coming out, I'm interested.

The Fjallraven Keb Trousers are definitely stout and a great option, my only gripes are the cost and the lack of netting material in the hip vents. Something about it being wide open with my underwear exposed just bothers me.
 
Same problem I had with the SG's. Put them on and I thought I had bell bottom flare jeans on around my ankle. The Fjallraven Keb Agiles are on my shortlist. I'm curious to try out the new GoHunt pants as well that have the same look and feel (or it seems). I know those guys like that pant.
The Fjallravens are awesome.

FWIW - and sharing for folks who are similarly sized and struggle with the SG De Havilland fit; I am 5'11 175, the SMs are too small and too short and the Mediums fit, but the leg width is yes - flare jeans. Length on Mediums is an inch too short IMO.

Once they made the Small / Medium and added a Tall length, I ordered them.

Waist is perfectly snug / fits right. They are way too long, 35 inch inseam - But, I found the leg width MUCH better.

I'm fortunate to have a very good tailor near my house, so I go them hemmed to a 33in. inseam and slightly tapered the bottoms (below the zipper) to still fit over a boot, but to take out the excess fabric.

All in, I'd say they're a great pant. And, I do like them now. Will wear them on hunts for sure. But, I spent cash making them "right" for me.

Long story short - the Kutanas and Fjallravens are the best out of the box fit. KUIU can be inconsistent, but less nowadays in my experience.
 
Maybe not “better”, but for a cheap option, there’s two excellent Army surplus pants out there:

-Army Combat pants: these are the heavy ones that can accept the external crye type kneepads, and are essentially a knockoff of crye combat pants. A little heavy, but very durable, comfortable, and quiet.

-Flame Resistant Army Combat Uniform (FRACU) pants: light, soft, and quiet. Still very durable, but won’t stop briars like the combat pants. They feel like pajamas and keep a nice nut-brown color as they fade, rather than fading white like regular ACU pants
 
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