Sitka pants- mountain, timberline , or 90%?

[hawkhunts]

I am trying to wrap my head around the differences between the three pants. Even though i have a cabelas close, they don't have any of those pants in stock. The only pants they have are the whitetail series equinox. Those reminded me a lot of my grinder pants in the waterfowl series. Has anyone seen the mountain pants and how they compare to either the equinox or the grinder pants? If they are similiar to the equinox they'd probably be the pant for memfor early to mid season.
I have read that the 90% pants are warmer than the timbelines, but i have also heard the timberlines are the warmer late season pants- how do they compare to each other. I like the concept of the knee pads and the waterproof seat and knees of the timberlines. But it also seams like the waterproof sections would be noisy. What has anyone experienced with noise with the timberlines? I need a mid to late season type pant, and withouth having a shop that has both the timberline and 90% it makes it tough to decide.

 

[Jimss]

I have the Ascents and 90's which seem pretty close to the same thing. I haven't used the timberlines so not sure if they are warmer. If I'm dealing with colder weather I bring along a pair of base layers. I use different thickness's of base layers depending upon the temperatures and how active I am. If I expect rain or wet conditions I'll put Sitka Stormfront rain pants in my pack. I've used the Stormfronts as another layer to stay warm and/or block the wind. They also work great in the snow. If you're worried about your rear getting wet you can always put on the rainpants? If it were me I'd forget the Timberlines and buy a pair of 90's or Ascents plus a good Sitka/Kuiu rainpants and base layers. That way you have lots of options for a variety of conditions.

 

[bmart2622]

The Timberlines are a great pant and would be a good choice if you wanted just one "do all" pant. They are definitely heavier, warmer, and more durable than the Ascents but not was warm as the 90%. The waterproof knees ans seat is a nice feature and are not noisy at all. My Timberlines get a little warm when I wear them during archery season but are an awesome choice for a mid to late season pant.

 

[Jordan Budd]

Don't have any experience on the Grinder. But I have had the mountain, timberlines and 90's. The mountains would be the lighter of the 3, but pretty much the same fabric as timberlines minus the reinforced seat and knees of the TL's. The 90's are the later season of the 3. I agree with the above poster, the timberlines are my go to if I only had one to choose from. They are a good all around pant and I've never had troubles with the fabric being too loud.


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[halg]

The mountain pants are a heavier version of the ascent pant, which is similar to the equinox pants. The timberline pant is the mountain pant with the burly waterproof gray reinforcing material on the knees, seat, & back of the thigh. The 90% is a different pant, with the body mapped grid fleece and improved wind resistance of the current version, these are great pants. I wear the ascent for hot weather, and as it gets below 55 or so the timberline and 90 % get into the mix. With just a traverse bottom or core heavyweight bottom underneath, I have worn both of these down to sub-zero temps - with very little activity, but not just sitting. The 90% is slightly lighter and packs smaller, but the timeline shines when you might need to knell or sit on a snowy surface because of the waterproof ates. Also, the waterproof patches on the knees are good when walking through wet brush.

I like both the 90% and the timberline pants.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Timberline is uninsulated. I like them and with a base layer can use them to well below freezing. Good wind resistance and the knee pads and reinforcements are great.

The 90% are insulated. Probably warmer but you would still need a base layer for really cold temps.

I would go timberline if I wanted more versatile pants. I haven't used them in the summer but think they might be a little warm in 70 plus degree weather.

 

[Back Country Hunter 2]

I have the ascents, mountain, and timberlines. The mountains are my backups. I use the ascents for archery and the timberlines for rifle. I also have a solid pair of ascents that I use for scouting. For a mid to late season pant it's hard to beat the timberlines. If it is warmer than normal, like this years rifle seasons in CO, then they may get a little warm hiking steep terrain. I took the timberlines on a late November coues deer backpack hunt. They worked great. I plan on using them again next year for CO rifle seasons.

 

[WesternHunter]

I have the ascent, mountain, and Timberline pants but not the 90% although I've had my hands on it numerous times. I use the ascents for scouting and august archery hunts. Once it moves to September I'll go to the mountain pants for slightly cooler temps and bombproof build for chasing elk. Timberline come out after that when wet weather is forecasted or significantly cooler temps. Love the Timberline for riding horseback and late season hunts.
The reason I don't use the 90% is because I feel like the fleece backer obviously adds warmth but they're no more wet weather resistant than the mountain pant IMO. They will cut the wind a little better but as soon as I kneel down on wet ground, or push through brush with dew on it etc. I'm now wet. If I were counting on the 90% as my late season pant I'd have to pair it with a waterproof layer to feel confident. The Timberline allows me to count on them as a late season pant including dealing with random wet patches. Althouse if it's a downpour they're not keeping you dry either. Negative to the timberline is sweating underneath the knees and seat when you hike in them. You can tell there's a membrane there.
Really long story short:
Cold weather, wet ground or snow, wet saddle etc. I'm going Timberline.
Cold weather, dry forecast, dry ground maybe late october before first snow hits, and I'm going to be more active, I'd try the 90%.

Oh and the noisy question, the knees and seat sections are louder than the 90% for sure. That being said I don't think it's excessive.

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[KMT]

I can only speak about the timberline. The waterproof knees and butt are great for wet and snow. For me, they are usually too warm, especially if hiking/climbing. I wear them more for goose hunting than for elk hunting. More often, I reach for my Eddie Bauer guide pants during archery elk season.

 

[hawkhunts]

Great feedback, it was what I hoped to hear. I think i'll give the mountain pants a go this fall for some antelope hunting and exploring some new ground in Wyoming and Colorado. They should be just the ticket for tromping around hunting and scouting the high plains. The timberlines will get worked into the mix somewhere.
I'm thinking the mountain pants, a core zip T and a travers cold weather hoodie will handle just about anything that comes up through October short of heavy rain or snow.

 

[sneaky]

The mountain pants are my go to elk pants. Better pocket options than the ascents, with better durability also. It's gotta be pretty cold before I even think about the Timberlines. I have a 90% jacket, but not the pants...yet.

 

[hawkhunts]

I pulled the trigger on the mountain pants. Most of my hunting will be in September or October, so i think they will be just right. Thank god for the Sitka sales n January. I picked up the mountain pants and a traverse cold weather hoody. Inhaven't receved the cold weather hoody yet, bu based on what i've been able to do in a regular traverse zip up i think it will be a great piece when it gets cooler.
Next year i'll probably pull the trigger on the timberline pants, it's about time to think about burning some points on a late season mule deer so i should need some cold wather gear.
I have been running Kryptek Ailos pants- it seems like the Mountain pants could be a little warmer, but i think they are pretty comparable. I've put some miles on my Ailos and really like them, they are a little more geneous cut than the mountain pants in the seat and thighs, but at first glance i think the Sitkas are going to have a little more stretch too them. Based on the fit of the mountain pants i am sure glad Sitka offers the timberlines in 37" waist. I am pretty sure i'll need to go that route from my normal 36" tall to be able to slip some long undewear under them.