Pants with Kneepads?

[COSA]

Seems like the latest option is having kneepads or heavier fabric in the knee area. I see this would be pretty useful while glassing or while around camp, I do wonder how these "feel" while hiking/climbing?

 

[StrutNut]

I have used the wrangler upland jeans often with the extra material at the knee to the foot. Great for walking through weeds. I really like wearing them over just regular jeans for scouting. I have blue jean ones that I use for working on cars, cutting trees, general work around the yard and brown ones for scouting and walking around the woods.

 

[Kotaman]

I have KUIU Chinook pants, Sitka Timberline Pants and Kryptek Alios pants and use all with the kneepads. I don't even know they are there most of the time.

 

[n2horns]

I love built in knee pads. I have even had them added to my FL Kanabs, 5.11 pants and use knee pads in the Carhartts and Duluth Firehose pants. Way convenient and is great when doing glassing, stalking, or skinning. I prefer the softknees that go into the Carhartts.

 

[7stw]

I have the sitka mountain ascent pants and the knee pads felt weird while walking so I took them out. Also a hassle if wearing gaiters. They have advantages but I find them more comfortable when removed.

 

[velvetfvr]

Never know they are there on my Sitka mountain (think they are, can't remember off the top of my head) pants. And it is a nice relief whenever you are on your knees. I feel like I could crawl through anything and my knees would be fine

 

[RamDreamer]

I like my timberline pants with them. I would say I have them in about half the time. When I know there is a chance for getting low and stalking like out in the prairie I will have them in and it is amazing how nice they are, but you still need to be careful for cactus. Later in the year when I am in the mountains I tend to take them out, but I have had them in on a few occasions and they really help even when you slip and smack your knee on a rock.

 

[Matt W.]

I started using the Arc Teryx knee caps and really appreciate knee pads in the mountains. Once I tried the integrated knee pads I haven't looked back. My current favorite are the Sitka Mountain Pants. It takes a bit for the pads to wear in and be comfortable, but once they do you hardly notice them. I did pre-order a pair of the KUIU Alpine pants to try out. They are interesting design. For me integrated knee pads are here to stay and like seeing the new pants coming out with this feature.

 

[Elkfitness]

I've used the core 4 element pant that has removable soft knee pads for at least 3 yes now. Because of their warmth i only use them in 3rd/4th season. I love them and they show little wear. During archery I use some knee pads that have the snap latches. Love those because you can take them off on longer hikes or when you get hot.

 

[KMT]

I have "built in" knee pads in two pair of hunting pants. They annoyed the crap out of me for the first 10 minutes. But now, I wouldn't go without them.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

They saved me once! Took a stumble and hit a wedge shaped hunk of granite. Thought I was done. Thank you Sitka! The fall didn't even slow me down. Without those pads I would have been carried out. Went on to kill this bear.

 

[wpwarren]

I have sitka mountain pants and I thought the pads would be annoying, but after hiking in them for a few minutes I forgot the pads were there. Now I really like having them for when I have to crawl under deadfall (there is a lot of it where I hunt).

 

[bobwarner]

Seems like the latest option is having kneepads or heavier fabric in the knee area. I see this would be pretty useful while glassing or while around camp, I do wonder how these "feel" while hiking/climbing?

Try Kneegard Workwear. Made in the United States from 12oz domestic canvas. kneegard.com

 

[ahlgringo]

Looks like I am in the minority here, but I hated em- had them in both a pair of Core4 and Sitka's- took em out and never looked back.

 

[MuleyFever]

Got the KUIU Alpine pants this year and like the padded knees. I dont even notice them anymore.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I am new to this type of hunting but have used knee pads in .mil and tactical shooting training for 20 years. I love them. I started with the bulky hatch strap ons. Moved to chopping up sleeping pads and putting them into the double knees of field bdu pants. Lately arcteryx knee caps are my favorite non integrated. Integrate is the bees knees. Crye precision has the best system going but it is spendy and not really built for hunting - cotton tac pants or loud soft shell pants, all with lots and lots of Velcro. I even like the simple foam types that you can put into 5.11 range pants.

I am going through a Firstlite fanboy phase and really digging their corrugated pants. If they came out with a double knee version that had a knee pad pocket I don't know if I could contain my joy.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I found the Sitka kneepads were crazy hot anytime I started working in the Mountain pants. They also don't play nice with gaiters in my experience, at least the higher ones.

I have the Alpine pants now - MUCH better kneepad, moves a lot better with the leg, and it doesn't heat up near as much. I think they nailed it with that design. Now the actual sizing on the pants.....terrible. They are cut WAY bigger than the Attacks.