puffy pants

[Alegault]

Can't beat a good base camp!

Yea the space savings are nice as well. The economy burrow from hammock gear is very reasonably priced and they run sales occasionally. If you did want a toe in the water in using a quilt, that would be a good route (how i did it). I think they are popular enough you could resell without too much of a loss if you didn't like it after 1 trip.

I'll drop the quilts now and let the thread get back to puffy pants...

 

[LK2HNT]

Can't beat a good base camp!

Yea the space savings are nice as well. The economy burrow from hammock gear is very reasonably priced and they run sales occasionally. If you did want a toe in the water in using a quilt, that would be a good route (how i did it). I think they are popular enough you could resell without too much of a loss if you didn't like it after 1 trip.

I'll drop the quilts now and let the thread get back to puffy pants...

CLOSEST thing to a quilt I have is my Kifaru Woobie

 

[Jherek]

I completely agree with ss13. I have a pair of Kuiu, They are about 4 years old. NOT IMPRESSED. They are just okay, not very warm. I only used a few times in the first yr and the elastic is shot, I called and they said it was normal wear and tear.

 

[mtnkid85]

I don't consider puffy pants a necessity, I just got a pair last year and they are awesome. But for my entire life I got by just fine with out them.
If your on a real budget, just throw in a light blanket to wrap your legs in. The Costco throws work well. Ive even wrapped up in a Tyvek sheet, just to cut the wind.

 

[justinspicher]

I’ve used the PCU ones quite a bit, they don’t pack well, but they are pretty durable and warm.

 

[Jimss]

At work here in Colo I've used and abused insulated Carhart pants when out in the field all winter long. They are very warm and tough as leather! They cost around $100. I'm sure you can get them at Sierra Trading or elsewhere on the web for even less than that.

I have never used "puffy pants" even in mid winter here in Colo or Wyo. I just wear layers and adjust according to how cold, windy, and active I am. I often wear a base layer of different thickness, either Kuiu or Sitka pants, and an outer Kuiu or Sitka rainpants to cut wind and when it's wet. One day while hunting this winter in a Wyoming blizzard I wore a pair of ski bottoms. They were super warm and totally wind/waterproof. If you are hunting in the snow any white pair of ski pants ought to work.

Unless you have the cash or are spending a lot of time in extremely cold weather there are quite a few alternatives that work for those on a budget!

 

[sargent]

I use the M65s. They weigh 15 ounces and are warmer than it seems like they should be. It's also hard to beat the price.

 

[Indyal]

Mountain hardware on their website has ghost whisperer pants 58% off, so around $125.
Only color is “dive” which to my eye is a blue green.
Has pockets and half leg zippers. Bought mine in large with short inseam so I could just slip them on over my boots and pants. Just got mine so not field tested

 

[keller]

I have mt hardware compressor pants.full side ZIP reinforced knees and butt.about 18 oz I believe pack down decent and are pretty warm. $131 now.

 

[Stephen Subu]

I use Kelvin lite puffy pants for long sits, there was a pair in the classifieds the other day for $100.

Do you size up and throw them on as an outer layer?

 

[Swamppirate]

Concur on the Level 7 ECWS pants. Very warm

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I settled on the kifaru pants and a pair from western mountaineering.

last November I went on a trip with a few friends that was supposed to be a long day trip to check out a river but we had engine troubles and it turned into a rainy overnight, the kifaru parka and pants combo was awesome even though I looked like a ******* idiot in my gold suit.

 

[Ryan Avery]

 

[Tenstrike]

I carry them in my pack and put them on when I arrive at the glassing/sitting location, I never walk with them on.

 

[Mike Islander]

For just $100 more, you can get a pair of down pants that will last for many seasons, a lifetime if you take care of them. You won't miss that extra $100 while sitting comfortably on a glassing hill for hours in winter.

I bought a pair of Feathered Friends Helios puffy pants for $211. Made in USA (Seattle). Factory seconds, but I can't find whatever it is that makes them seconds. Full zip both legs. 4.4 oz fill of 900+ goose down. Total weight on my scale is 14.2 oz. Pertex shell is tough and light. Not pants for busting brush, but perfect for staying in one place in cold weather, or as a sleeping layer to get a 20 degree bag down to 0. Quality through and through. You'll pay $100 more for any hunting brand equal to these. Stone Glacier Grumman Goose (Made in Vietnam) are comparable, with 4.2 oz of 850 down and total weight of 16 oz. Price for those is $229, which is pretty good, except that they are made overseas. That means they are pricing them at USA prices and reaping overseas profits.

Size large fits me well. I wear 32x30 Levis.

I also own the Gen III Level 7s. I paid $30 on Amazon. Definitely warm and inexpensive, but heavy. Must wear with suspenders, which don't cost much and are a game changer. Great pants for deer stand, as I don't have to walk more than a few hundred yards to get to any of our stands. Also work well as layer inside sleeping bag on colder than expected nights.

 

[Formidilosus]

Stone Glacier Grumman Goose (Made in USA, Bozeman)

The Grumman pants are good puff pants, but they are made in Vietnam.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Check out the outdoor research tradecraft pants. Use code Welcome25 to get 25% off on them.

 

[Mike Islander]

The Grumman pants are good puff pants, but they are made in Vietnam.

Thanks. Saw their FAQ that their packs and accessories were made in USA and thought that meant all their stuff. I'll correct my post.

 

[Pathfinder27]

Try looking at military surplus for the GEN3 ECWCS pants. They’re super toasty, lots of fill, and they are really lightweight. They Maury not pack down as well as some of the higher end brands but they should be cheap.

 

[Formidilosus]

Thanks. Saw their FAQ that their packs and accessories were made in USA and thought that meant all their stuff. I'll correct my post.

Just trying to get correct information out.


The textile and factory that SG uses in Vietnam is not a “sweat shop”. Good people, being treated fairly. SG isn’t making as much as one would think.

We tend to think of “Asia” as one entity, but it varies from the stereotypical Chinese forced labor, all the way to world class products made by employees that are treated very well and paid correctly. The reality is that while “made in the USA” matters to some- the very best textiles, and one could argue, the best sewers are in certain parts of Asia.