The Argali Clothing Project

[Jaden Bales]

I’ll be honest, I won’t even consider pants without a built in belt anymore. Check out the way Arcteryx does theirs on the Beta pant. Stone glacier also has a pretty good one on their pants. I never feel a properly designed built in, and it solves the problem of the waist stretching/changing over the course of a longer backpack hunt. Funny enough, the feeling of the buckle is the exact reason I can’t do a pant without a built in belt. I’ve never found a belt that will stay comfortable under my pack waist belt, and I’ve spent a bunch of money on some of the best out there, including yours.

I like the hook on the bottom of the pants, but it works out way better if it’s combined with an elastic band/cuff around the heel of the leg opening.


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I think this is a great example of a "different strokes" situation. Haha. I have the Gamma Pants from Arc'Teryx and the SGs and dispise using them under heavy packs because I cant seem to get their belts to bite enough to stay up. I double belt the SGs (stupid, I know) and don't wear the Gammas unless it's scouting for this reason.

Do you have some pants you wear with elastic bands/cuffs around the heel of the leg opening? The Gammas are pretty snug at the bottom, but I wear gaiters enough it never occured to me this would be a thing.

 

[Jaden Bales]

I just submitted my feedback and thought I'd share it here to keep the thread going. Some of it might not apply and is just my rambles.

Here's my biggest gripe.. please for the love of god, enough with the excessive pockets on every piece. I don't need a total of 30 pockets between all of my layers.

Tops:
Chest pockets are unusable IMHO as stuff gets buried layering. Almost everyone is wearing a bino harness and I don't need a chest pocket in my base layer, fleece, active insulation, puffy and shell. I can't for the life of me figure it out. It's just an added cost for no benefit. My Sitka 120 merino that I love - has a double layer on the chest for this pocket for no reason. So it's a 240 on one side of chest.
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I LOVE a generous front zip on my tops. Stone Glacier is a little excessive but it sure dumps heat. Maybe a inch or two shorter.

I don't like the crazy tight hood on my Sitka tops. But I like a slightly slimmer trim on it. I like to use a hoodie year round. Outer layer early with a hood for sun, then it just turns into a base layer. I wear these almost every day through the fall/winter casually.

Pants:
Please don't put zippers on the normal front pocket (looks like you don't). Especially the weird angled zippered ones. Just make it a normal front pocket that is easy enough to get my phone out when sitting.

All I need for pockets is two normal front and two thigh pockets. Maybe a dual combo thigh pocket like a Corrugate. I do not need a rear pocket in my pants. If anything one side - non zip. I don't want to feel it sitting.

Next - All pants need hip zips (looks like you do). Regardless of season. BUT make sure they have some sort of backer - my corrugate foundry with the plastic zippers feels so odd against the skin when I shed my base layers.

Integrated gaiters are weird. Integrated removable knee pads work ok sometimes but most of the time I don't like how the feel when they are out. I think I'd just get some to strap on for antelope stalking in the future.

I hate when a pant shooshes terrible. My buddy had some Kuiu Axis (I think) with the waterproof legs and they were so loud it was stupid. I understand there is a give and take with durability. It's just got to not be in the, damn this is loud category.

Merino pants suck. Just my opinion.. lack of durability is too much for little scent gain.


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I love that my photo was used to illustrate the point. I'm largely on board with this notion, however, I do keep extra TP in that pocket. You know...for the morning emergency 15 minutes down the trail. Never fails.

 

[lil' bear]

You'll have to sell me on that on! Where do you put your cell phone?

If I'm walking it goes into a pocket on my hip belt. If I'm sitting it usually replaces my binos on my chest.
I do like having the standard front pocket. But I hate the cargo pockets on the front of the thigh. And any rear pockets seem to rip when sitting on logs. Also unnecessary.
My perfect pant would just have the 2 standard front pockets, and side zips. Nothing else.

With all of these modular bino harness' and all of the pockets on hip belts what are you really putting in your pockets anyway? Just so it can slap against your thigh and create a hot spot that usually ends up making my thigh break out in little pimples.

 

[lintond]

You'll have to sell me on that on! Where do you put your cell phone?

I have often put my archery release in my thigh pockets. I use those more often than the traditional pocket on the waist area.

My favorite thigh pockets aren’t zippered and just have the quiet close clasp. Can’t remember if that’s Sitka or SG that has that without digging into my closet.


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[Texasbuckeye]

I love that my photo was used to illustrate the point. I'm largely on board with this notion, however, I do keep extra TP in that pocket. You know...for the morning emergency 15 minutes down the trail. Never fails.

If you didn’t drink coffee first thing in the AM you wouldn’t have that AM poop hitting your sphincter so quick. Or maybe just drink the coffee earlier.

I know, the caffeine hit is needed in the AM. I get it. But there is physiology to all this stuff…

 

[lil' bear]

I have often put my archery release in my thigh pockets. I use those more often than the traditional pocket on the waist area.

My favorite thigh pockets aren’t zippered and just have the quiet close clasp. Can’t remember if that’s Sitka or SG that has that without digging into my closet.


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I use the FHF bino harness with the wings. And I keep a pouch next to my rangefinder that is the perfect size to hold either an extra magazine or an archery release.

It's the sitka intercept that have the quiet clasp.

 

[Brad@Argali]

If I'm walking it goes into a pocket on my hip belt. If I'm sitting it usually replaces my binos on my chest.
I do like having the standard front pocket. But I hate the cargo pockets on the front of the thigh. And any rear pockets seem to rip when sitting on logs. Also unnecessary.
My perfect pant would just have the 2 standard front pockets, and side zips. Nothing else.

With all of these modular bino harness' and all of the pockets on hip belts what are you really putting in your pockets anyway? Just so it can slap against your thigh and create a hot spot that usually ends up making my thigh break out in little pimples.

I use the thigh pockets all day every day. My cell phone always goes in a thigh pocket for ease of pulling it in and out to check maps. Often my gloves go in there if I'm hiking and I want to take them off. I'll put a bar in there sometimes. During rifle season I also keep one extra round in one of my pockets for quick and easy access. A properly designed fit on your pant thighs and a pocket volume that is appropriately sized should not allow your phone to slap you in the leg. Back pockets I do not use, but some people do.

 

[Jake Larsen]

I think this is a great example of a "different strokes" situation. Haha. I have the Gamma Pants from Arc'Teryx and the SGs and dispise using them under heavy packs because I cant seem to get their belts to bite enough to stay up. I double belt the SGs (stupid, I know) and don't wear the Gammas unless it's scouting for this reason.

Do you have some pants you wear with elastic bands/cuffs around the heel of the leg opening? The Gammas are pretty snug at the bottom, but I wear gaiters enough it never occured to me this would be a thing.

Did “double belting” bother you? Just curious…if not, why not add the feature for those of us who like it? If it doesn’t get in the way of a belt like the Argali or Masupial (the two best on the market IMO), then everybody wins right?

I have an old pair of Mammut Courmayeur pants that have the best lower leg design I’ve ever seen. They’ve completely redesigned that pant, so I’ll have to send some photos of it when I get home. There’s a section of elastic band sewn into the heel half of the leg opening. It’s got some grippy silicone/rubber type stuff on the inside, to help it grab onto the boot. Then there’s a tension adjustment strap on the side, allowing for some customization of the leg opening size. It’s also got the lace hook on the front. Those things stay down.


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[lil' bear]

I use the thigh pockets all day every day. My cell phone always goes in a thigh pocket for ease of pulling it in and out to check maps. Often my gloves go in there if I'm hiking and I want to take them off. I'll put a bar in there sometimes. During rifle season I also keep one extra round in one of my pockets for quick and easy access. A properly designed fit on your pant thighs and a pocket volume that is appropriately sized should not allow your phone to slap you in the leg. Back pockets I do not use, but some people do.

I used to play fullback. I've got a little waist and thick thighs. The only brand that fits me appropriately is born primitive. And their hunting pants are far too busy for me. However their traverse pants are what i wear to work as an electrician.
Plus I sweat. If I'm walking with my phone in my pocket it usually starts messing with my music or changing the podcast. Food would melt. Gloves usually go into the side pocket on my k4.
I empty every pocket i have when I start hiking. Cell phone, sunflower seeds, electrolyte packets and an inhaler all go into a hip belt pouch. Pouch on the right side, pistol on the left. Everything else goes on the chest.

 

[TheTone]

I’ve got some older Sitka pants that have a rubber-ish buttons for the thigh pockets. I always liked those

Any thoughts on roll up buttons or snaps for the lower legs? It’s not something I’ve used much but I do like having it available. The ones on prana stretch zions are nice

 

[alexnelon]

I also don't want chest pockets, or a ton of pants pockets. Really just one thigh pocket to put my phone in is the most I would ever use. Pant leg cinches would be nice. Built-in belts are cool.

I'm judging the quality initially off of whether or not I have to tie and burn loose threads myself.

I'm sure price is up in the air, but I personally will never spend $200 on a pair of pants or $150 on a midlayer, so feel more than free to disregard my opinion if you're reaching for a different demographic.

 

[yeky83]

And I know what you mean on the hook connection to the boots as I have some pants with that as well. No plans as of now to do that. I'd be curious what others think on that, but I have not found it to be a feature I personally use if my pants are long enough.

If I'm worried about stuff getting in my pants, I'm already wearing gaiters anyway. So I find the pant cuff stuff to be a nice assurance if it happens to be there, not really a feature that I actively seek.

Plus I sweat. If I'm walking with my phone in my pocket it usually starts messing with my music or changing the podcast. Food would melt. Gloves usually go into the side pocket on my k4.
I empty every pocket i have when I start hiking. Cell phone, sunflower seeds, electrolyte packets and an inhaler all go into a hip belt pouch. Pouch on the right side, pistol on the left. Everything else goes on the chest.

Agreed when moving! I have nothing in my pants while moving.
When I stop at a place though, I find myself stuffing random things in the thigh pockets for convenience. Gloves, phone, trash, etc. Then I dump it out to my pack when I get moving again.

 

[Bachto]

I kinda of need new mid season pants for this year but I think I'll run my old ones one more season so I can take a look at what you release next year.

 

[Trogon]

I like big ol cargo pockets. Snacks, turkey calls, gloves, extra mag....

 

[Jake Larsen]

If I'm worried about stuff getting in my pants, I'm already wearing gaiters anyway. So I find the pant cuff stuff to be a nice assurance if it happens to be there, not really a feature that I actively seek.
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Gaiters are great unless it’s hot out, or you need to be quiet. Comfort in early season (warm weather) and quiet are two of the primary goals of the early season pants.


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[yeky83]

Gaiters are great unless it’s hot out, or you need to be quiet. Comfort in early season (warm weather) and quiet are two of the primary goals of the early season pants.

I'm in Texas, it's hot. I don't wear swish swish gaiters, and I much prefer gaiters to stuff in my shins for comfort! To each his own.

 

[sivart]

I second the thigh pockets. They are a must for me