General Gear, C4E comparable (or better)

[Ragout]

Looking for opinions on general gear. A clear question on pants, but I will take all comments.

I’m looking for Idaho, September to Early October. I would like gear that I could use for South Central Illinois turkey hunting as well. Going for Bear in 2026, but will hopefully go for more bear, Elk and Deer the following years.

I own and have used the last 10-years Core 4 Element Element pants with base layers to handle colder temps. I may sweat in the heat but they always dried fast. I still have these pants, but they are beat up and have cut for double duty as wader pants with stirrups. I have the jacket and use it as a midlayer as I have an old Core4Element down jacket to put over it.

I liked the C4E gear, but they are out of business and it’s been used heavily. I need new. I’m spending money to go west, and want gear to make the hunt enjoyable. I liked the idea, and sale price, of First Lite Corrugate Foundry Pant, but I don’t like the rigid waist. C4E is elastic and my upland brush pants have elastic waste expanding strips that help with layering from early season to late season brush pant. I am near a Scheels and can touch First Lite and Sikta. While I like the pockets, camo of Sikta, I wasn’t a fan of how thin many of the pants were. I did like the Timberline and it reminded me of my C4E. Both First Lite and Sikta have suspenders. I like suspenders. If I can avoid the belt, I do.

If anyone used C4E and can compare to something else, I’m game to try it. I don’t need First Lite and Sikta. I’m a user of Camo Fire, Sierra, and buying ugly camo that goes on sale.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Best pants advice you'll get is buy something with hip zip vents. Brand isn't critical but ventilation is in my opinion.

 

[Bump79]

I ran C4E for many years as well. Which pants are you referring to?

Scheels has a huge First Lite sale going. The Corrugate Guide pant and Catalyst Foundry pant are what I'd go for. Really reasonably priced for good stuff.

I also picked up some UA Infil Windstopper pants on clearance and they're super comfortable.

Search Results - EuroOptic

www.eurooptic.com

 

[Ragout]

I ran C4E for many years as well. Which pants are you referring to?

Scheels has a huge First Lite sale going. The Corrugate Guide pant and Catalyst Foundry pant are what I'd go for. Really reasonably priced for good stuff.

I also picked up some UA Infil Windstopper pants on clearance and they're super comfortable.

Search Results - EuroOptic

www.eurooptic.com

The C4E Element pant. Had knee pads and suspenders. I have the matching jacket.
They were thin, but warm when active out 45+. The pant has inside thigh vents. Now that they are wader pants, I use those for hot hands.

 

[Bump79]

The C4E Element pant. Had knee pads and suspenders. I have the matching jacket.
They were thin, but warm when active out 45+. The pant has inside thigh vents. Now that they are wader pants, I use those for hot hands.

I had those as well and the warmer lined version. I'd look hard at the Corrugate Guide pants but they are a little heavier, more stretch but not as water resistant.

 

[Ragout]

I went back but ended up not buying the Catalysts foundry. I want to see the Corrugate foundry before I buy. The pair I should have bought earlier in the week was sold. They did have some softshell jackets on sale, steeper discount than website. My Element had armpit zips. I didn't see any on the First Lite gear.