New Sitka pants for 2025?

[K_pem]

I was in Bozeman recently and dropped into the HQ store. I had my wife’s uncle with me and was getting him some pieces to round out his hunting kit.

While I was there I was joking to a couple of guys there about the need for Timberlines with hip zips and a timeline for those, to which they joked back that they would hold off and “have some money set aside.” With them on a steep discount recently, I’m hopeful that Sitka finally figures that one out.

However what is really interesting to me is that I made a comment about needing some pants to compete with my Kuiu Kutanas and they kind of laughed and just said to keep an eye out and some more money in the hunting account. I also noticed watching the latest MKC Barklow video a pair of Nylon appearing pants with knee pads that I couldn’t identify.

Anyone else pick up on those and think that Sitka might be finally trying to compete with the Kuiu Kutana and Attack/Axis pants??

 

[Bump79]

In my opinion, Sitka is 5+ years behind on their pants. In order to justify their prices, they better add generous hip vents and hold price. I can't imagine not having them now. Its my number 1 criteria in mid weight and heavier pants. Even my Under Armor pants have hip vents.

Kuiu, FL, Kings, SG and many others have had multiple updates/new models while Sitka's pant line has been stagnant for like 10 years. The Timberlines are awesome, just need updates specifically hip vents.

 

[K_pem]

In my opinion, Sitka is 5+ years behind on their pants. In order to justify their prices, they better add generous hip vents and hold price. I can't imagine not having them now. Its my number 1 criteria in mid weight and heavier pants. Even my Under Armor pants have hip vents.

Kuiu, FL, Kings, SG and many others have had multiple updates/new models while Sitka's pant line has been stagnant for like 10 years. The Timberlines are awesome, just need updates specifically hip vents.

Couldn’t agree more, I’ve been asking for them for years.

I had high hopes on the Intercept pants but I was not impressed enough with them to justify the price. Those knee pads they chose to put in them are really nice but I think going with that expensive of an option was a fail, no one cares that much about what the knee pads are.

I was told by someone who works at Sitka a couple years ago that they’re planning the full overhaul of the big game line the next few years. I think that started with the revision of the Jetstream, the revamp of the merino base layers (which I personally love) and the addition of Ambient line (also awesome).

Hopefully this year is the year of new pants!

 

[Primal-Understanding]

I hope they keep the fabric the same. Its bombproof. Much more durable than the FL Corrugate Foundry


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[TheHammer]

The quality of sitkas gear seems greatly diminished in the last year. 3 of the 4 items I purchased last fall had stitching failures with minimal use. Sitka has horrible customer service and they do not stand behind their products - even if the tags are on them. I’d caution spending money with them moving forward. Sure some of their older products were bomb proof and set a standard, it’s obvious corners are being cut. The one time I needed kuius customer service it was as expected.

 

[SloppyJ]

The quality of sitkas gear seems greatly diminished in the last year. 3 of the 4 items I purchased last fall had stitching failures with minimal use. Sitka has horrible customer service and they do not stand behind their products - even if the tags are on them. I’d caution spending money with them moving forward. Sure some of their older products were bomb proof and set a standard, it’s obvious corners are being cut. The one time I needed kuius customer service it was as expected.

Granted it wasn't in the past year but I've had great luck with their CS. I ripped the pocket on my everyday jacket and they sent me a label and I sent it off to one of their approved seemstresses. Got it back quickly at no cost.

 

[BigDuckHunter]

The quality of sitkas gear seems greatly diminished in the last year. 3 of the 4 items I purchased last fall had stitching failures with minimal use. Sitka has horrible customer service and they do not stand behind their products - even if the tags are on them. I’d caution spending money with them moving forward. Sure some of their older products were bomb proof and set a standard, it’s obvious corners are being cut. The one time I needed kuius customer service it was as expected.

I unfortunately had a similar experience with their CS 3 years ago with a pair of timberline pants. I was very unhappy with the durability of the pants and even more so with the customer service. That’s the one thing that’s kept me from spending $1000 on a pair of their waders. I’ve hear they’re great, but I’m afraid they’ll leak on my first hunt and then Sitka will tell me to kick rocks when I ask for service.

 

[K_pem]

The quality of sitkas gear seems greatly diminished in the last year. 3 of the 4 items I purchased last fall had stitching failures with minimal use. Sitka has horrible customer service and they do not stand behind their products - even if the tags are on them. I’d caution spending money with them moving forward. Sure some of their older products were bomb proof and set a standard, it’s obvious corners are being cut. The one time I needed kuius customer service it was as expected.

I've heard this but I recently haven't had any issues personally. I recently sent some Gunner gloves in cause the stitching had come apart after 2 years of heavy use and they sent me new ones without problem.

I buy a decent amounts of Sikta gear to test new stuff year in and out; I have been really happy with the durability of the new Core Merino and Ambient pieces.

 

[K_pem]

Maybe I'm lucky in that I've had pretty solid responses from CS across the board with the big hunting apparel brands. Some years back I had the new (at the time) FL Obsidian pants that just fell apart here in N Idaho; they sent me a new pair and when it happened again, they let my swap them for the Corrugate Foundry instead. Kuiu I had some seams come apart and they were quick to make it right too,

Then like I mentioned above, I have always had good interactions with Sitka CS, when it has come to warranty at least. I've sent back multiple 5 plus year old items (in the past) to Sitka and they had me send them in to a seamstress in Seattle, only to end up just sending me all brand new-new model replacements.

So I for one am excited to see if they come out with some more competitive offerings in their big game pant line this year. There's absolutely nothing wrong with my KUIU Kutana and Attack pants I have now (though I do wish they had some features like waterproofing/reinforced seat and knees); but if Sitka cranks something out like an updated Timberline w/ hip zips or a lightweight nylon pant to rival the Kutana, I will be all in.

 

[MIBowHunt94]

I am definitely in the market for a new pair of pants, I was not happy with the FL 308 pants, durability was not there. I am going to purchase some Kuiu attacks and Kutana to compare. If Sitka does release some I might bite.

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

Love my KUIU Katana's but they are not perfect. I had to upsize them to fit my thighs. Now the waist is a hair big. What made it worse is the waist is stretchy, so the pants literally fall down while wearing a pack. When I use a belt the fabric end ups creating a fold under my pack hip belt creating a hot spot. I have managed to deal with it but hoping Sitka's new pants are better for wearing a pack.

 

[Watrdawg]

This past November I brought a pair of Sitka Timberlines and a pair of Stone Glacier De Havilland pants. I wore the Sitka pants the 1st day and then switched to the SG's. I ended up wearing the SG's the rest of the hunt. This was due to the SG's having the hip zips. Both pairs did fine but having the hip zips were the main reason I went with the SG's.

 

[K_pem]

I am definitely in the market for a new pair of pants, I was not happy with the FL 308 pants, durability was not there. I am going to purchase some Kuiu attacks and Kutana to compare. If Sitka does release some I might bite.

You won’t be disappointed in those two options. I’ve used most all the pants on the market from the big names and came full circle to those two for all my uses (with the exception of rotating in the Timberlines when the occasion arises).

Although I agree, some new Sitka pants, specifically a lightweight option with zips and the timberlines with zips would take my money lol

 

[K_pem]

Love my KUIU Katana's but they are not perfect. I had to upsize them to fit my thighs. Now the waist is a hair big. What made it worse is the waist is stretchy, so the pants literally fall down while wearing a pack. When I use a belt the fabric end ups creating a fold under my pack hip belt creating a hot spot. I have managed to deal with it but hoping Sitka's new pants are better for wearing a pack.

I have the same issue. Had to go to a 34R to get the space in the ass and thighs. It’s annoying but I tend to bunch the extra fabric for ward and I use a super low profile Arcade belt to keep it all kinda tucked behind my pack buckle.

 

[K_pem]

This past November I brought a pair of Sitka Timberlines and a pair of Stone Glacier De Havilland pants. I wore the Sitka pants the 1st day and then switched to the SG's. I ended up wearing the SG's the rest of the hunt. This was due to the SG's having the hip zips. Both pairs did fine but having the hip zips were the main reason I went with the SG's.

Agreed. No excuse to not have the zips these days.

Although I found the SG pants all to be very loud and the fit was too baggy for my liking.

 

[Sinistram]

Put me with the rest of us curious folks. I just bought a pair of the new Kuiu Guide Pro pants and have been happy with them. The primary reason I went with Kuiu and not with Sitka is because of the lack of vent zippers. I realize it may sound like we're all harping on Sitka for a small feature, but IMO this is an absolute necessity on any modern outdoor pant. It's a top-tier brand we all know and many have used, and it's a bit of a mystery why they hadn't adopted this feature until now (hopefully). I'm not selling my Kuius or anything, but it's nice to have options in the marketplace for everyone else.

 

[Watrdawg]

Agreed. No excuse to not have the zips these days.

Although I found the SG pants all to be very loud and the fit was too baggy for my liking.

The SG De Havilland's didn't seem much louder than the Timberlines for me. Maybe a bit baggy but not too bad. If I could have the best of both worlds it would be the Timberline fabric and fit with the SG pocket layout with hip zips. I didn't like the zippered pockets of the Timberlines and the SG pocket layout was more functional for me than the Timberlines. So basically marry the too pants and produce a hybrid pair of both.

 

[Samson7x]

Kuiu kutana is king for me. The new kutana hybrid seems like a win over the timberlines too.

 

[Scorpion]

I’ve pretty much given up on Sitka pants at this point. I have them all and the only ones I really like are the Ascent for warm weather pursuits. Every year their revisions seem to get rid of the best features/fabrics and omit the big things - hip vents, nylon fabrics, etc.

Kuiu and Stone Glacier get my votes, with the Kutana being way out in front of everything else.

 

[swampthing]

John stated in a recent video they are releasing a "pro pant" this year. He gave no details. I really enjoy both the ascent and timberline but also wish for hip vents.