The perfect sheep hunters pant?

[Buster]

An older sheep hunting buddy (he's 52) asked me whats the perfect sheep hunting pant in this mess of new mountain hunting brands. He has hunted sheep for over 30 years, and finally decided to try something other than his old wool.

He's looking for a pant that he can wear all season, thats waterproof, and breathable. My best answer was layers and a rain pant, but not sure if he's too keen on planning to strip/add layers.

For being a tough old SOB who's killed rams at the end of November in jeans and then packed out with his lucky trapper nelson, he sure is being picky and demanding now. He doesn't want to spend good money though on pants he's going to be disappointed with. Is there one pant that bridges the majority of his wishes?

 

[Blockcaver]

KUIU Attack pants are the best I've found

 

[Manosteel]

KUIU attack pants are great but they are not water proof or windproof. If you went KUIU they guide pant would be a better choice.

Your buddy sure sounds a lot like the old timer who showed me the sheep ropes. I have all this high Teck gear and he used stuff from the 80's - jeans, button up shirt; wool pull over and a stout jean jacket. If you find a pant that can do all he asks - hunt from September to November, let me know lol Jeans in November crazy... but that's how the real old timers do it lol.

 

[snowcamoman]

Filson Tin Pants...tough as nails and a timeless piece of gear.

In all honesty though, I think that finding a perfect mountain pant that is also waterproof is going to be a real tough one. Like mentioned, the KUIU Attack pants are super nice, but not waterproof. If they're waterproof, the chance for really working up a sweat when it's hot out is pretty high.

 

[Ray]

I do not understand the waterproof part. Wool pants are not, so ...

If he is frugal like the old guys I know (I'm included in both those camps) then tell him to get a pair of Cabela's micro-tex in their outfitter camo. Warm as they block the wind OK, breathable as they are like a compressed fleece material and dry well, and tend to stay warm when wet much like some fleece but not as well as wool. Micro-tex is also a very tough material that holds up extremely well in the rocks. Since they are on sale several times a year your buddy can test them out and not be out much coin if he does not like them. I have seen web specials with pricing lower than $50. I think they retail for $69.

If he is not into camo then the Mountain Hardware Scree pants are the rage for some of the AK sheep hunters. They can be found on sale in many mountaineering sites.

 

[Terrapin]

"If he is not into camo then the Mountain Hardware Scree pants are the rage for some of the AK sheep hunters. They can be found on sale in many mountaineering sites."

I believe those are the Marmot Scree pants. Far and away my favorite pants... of course the closest I come to hunting sheep and goats is filling out my application every year (and I usually do that in my bathrobe).

Retail is about $110 and they go on sale for $65... But it's usually in women's sizes. If he has a small waist and generous child bearing hips, he can find a good deal.

 

[vj88]

Mammut Champ or Mammut Glacier pant

 

[tstowater]

Mammut is darn'd good stuff, but my search for the Champ and Glacier says both are no longer made. Good looking pants. I'm sure that they were updated with something better.

 

[Huntr]

I wish they still made the Mammut Champ pant. That being said, not sure I would choose anything over the Kuiu Attack pant.

 

[Buster]

KUIU attack pants are great but they are not water proof or windproof. If you went KUIU they guide pant would be a better choice.

Your buddy sure sounds a lot like the old timer who showed me the sheep ropes. I have all this high Teck gear and he used stuff from the 80's - jeans, button up shirt; wool pull over and a stout jean jacket. If you find a pant that can do all he asks - hunt from September to November, let me know lol Jeans in November crazy... but that's how the real old timers do it lol.

I think he's asking for the world cause deep down he doesn't really want to accept change. Stubborn old fart.

 

[Buster]

I do not understand the waterproof part. Wool pants are not, so ...

If he is frugal like the old guys I know (I'm included in both those camps) then tell him to get a pair of Cabela's micro-tex in their outfitter camo. Warm as they block the wind OK, breathable as they are like a compressed fleece material and dry well, and tend to stay warm when wet much like some fleece but not as well as wool. Micro-tex is also a very tough material that holds up extremely well in the rocks. Since they are on sale several times a year your buddy can test them out and not be out much coin if he does not like them. I have seen web specials with pricing lower than $50. I think they retail for $69.

If he is not into camo then the Mountain Hardware Scree pants are the rage for some of the AK sheep hunters. They can be found on sale in many mountaineering sites.

These look like a couple of great options for him to check out. I do have to say, this has to be a worse task then trying to buy "the perfect purse" for my wife.

 

[Buster]

KUIU Attack pants are the best I've found

Have you had some time in wetter/snowy weather in the attack pant? Do they eventually become saturated when sitting in snow or walking through wet brush?

 

[tipsntails7]

Yes, but dry fairly quick

 

[Blockcaver]

Buster,

I should have mentioned that I take along Kuiu Chugach raingear to go over the top of the Attack pants in pouring rain. With Attack pants plus Chugach you can take any weather from hot and dry to cold, wet and windy (also add a light pair of Merino longies underneath). Just spent 11 hours packing out on a stone hunt in rough weather (light, no sheephorns or meat) a couple of weeks ago. Started with an inch of snow up high, brutal winds, then later and lower hard rain and wet willows, etc. The Attack pants and Chugach rain gear worked as well as anything could. Was not saturated at the truck and my feet were still dry!

Nothing is perfect, and I still like heavy wools for hunting deer from a stand, etc. Microtex is good too, but doesn't work as well for me as Attack pants (don't cut the wind as well, dry as fast or fit as comfortable for me). And i am an older guy than your friend is and I made the change 4 seasons ago.

 

[Buster]

Buster,

I ahouls have mentioned that I take along Kuiu Chugach raingear to go over the top of the Attack pants in pouring rain. With Attack pants a you can take any weather from hot and dry to cold, wet and windy (also add a light pair of Merino longies underneath). Just came out from a stone hunt on a rough weather 11 hour pack (light, no sheephorns or meat) a couple of weeks ago. Started with an inch of snow up high, brutal winds, then later and lower, rain, went through wet willows, etc. The Attack pants and Chugach rain gear worked as well as anything could. Was not saturated at the truck and my feet were still dry!

Nothing is perfect, and I still like heavy wools for hunting deer from a stand, etc. Microtex is good too, but doesn't work as well for me as Attack pants (don't cut the wind as well, dry as fast or fit as comfortable for me). And i am an older guy than your friend is and I made the change 4 seasons ago.

Good input, I should print this off and hand it to him, then tell him to quit being so stubborn, cause he's really not that old yet. Too bad you came out light on the stone hunt, hope you still made some memories.

 

[Buster]

Read some decent reviews on the timberlines from sitka. Waterproof butt and knees. Are they in a similar category as the attack pants from Kuiu?

 

[AndyW]

If you don't want camo there are lots of great non-hunting branded mountain pants out there- Marmot, Arcteryx, Mamut, Eddie Bauer, etc.
Typically at this time of year you can find them for 50% off as well.

Combine a lighter soft shell pant with merino long underwear, and hard shell rain pants and you have a July to November solution.

 

[Matt W.]

Read some decent reviews on the timberlines from sitka. Waterproof butt and knees. Are they in a similar category as the attack pants from Kuiu?

Timberlines are a great late season pant, but a lot heavier than the Attack Pants. The Sitka Mountain Pants are a better comparison to the Attack pants. I LOVE having integrated knee pads. I have heard there will be a lot of changes coming in pants in the next year or so from more then one manufacturer. Until then I will run the mountain pants and wish they dried out as fast as the Attacks pants do.

 

[Tanner]

I wore Cabelas Micro-Tex for 2 months straight in Alaska and they held up perfectly. Great deal on those pants...

 

[TXCO]

I wear attack pants with arcteryx knee pads. I like them more that integrated sitka knee pads. I used to run the timberline but they are heavy and the knee pads were too thin plus got in the way. I slammed my knee one time and they did nothing to protect me. The waterproof knee/butt was great though. I dont like the design of the new chinook pant from kuiu. I just want to stay away from integrated knee pads and they didnt do anything for the waterproof knee/butt. So far the attack pants are the best in my opinion and I would love the attack with water proof (yukon) knee/butt like the sitka mountian/timberline.